~(Akilah's pov)
9 years later
"Hide it."
My father's voice still lives in my head.
Not as a memory—
But as a command.
The morning sun burned gold over Felinara -warm, fierce, alive. The kind of light that could forge steel...or shatter it.
Nine years had passed since that night beneath the twin moons, nine years since I met my panther...Vespera. Gone was the girl I once was. The one who cried beneath her father's words no longer existed.
Now I was forged -shaped by discipline, training, and long stretches of silence.
I had finally accepted what set me apart from the rest of my family. Vespera is a part of me I could no longer deny. She was stronger than any normal feline, sharper, and far more dangerous. Because of that, my father forced me to hide her from everyone.
Vespera didn't agree.
If anything she had turned to resent me for locking her away, for not allowing her freedom but she doesn't understand that I can not disobey my father.
I could feel her now—restless beneath my skin.
She hated being contained.
Hated being hidden.
And sometimes…
I think she hated him for it.
The courtyard rang with the clash of metal and the hum of kinetic shields as I swung my spear in a clean arc, knocking my opponent flat on her back. Dust spiralled around us, glowing faintly beneath the solar barrier that shielded the training field.
"Mercy!" Nadira gasped, laughing even as I pressed the spearpoint close to her throat.
"Warriors don't ask for mercy," I teased, lowering my weapon and offering her a hand.
Nadira clasped it, shaking her head as she rose. "And princesses don't stab their best friends before breakfast."
"Then it's a good thing I stopped being one years ago."
She grinned, sweat glistening on her caramel skin. Her platinum, curly hair was braided tightly against her head. Her father, Commander Raen, served directly under Father as the beta, second in command which meant Nadira was of Nobel blood. Nadira had inherited every ounce of his ferocity… and none of his restraint.
We reset our stance. Around us, the training field shimmered with other fighters sparring — children of generals, nobles, and guards, all warriors in their own right. The air pulsed with heat and rhythm, a heartbeat of energy drawn from the kingdom's solar core deep below.
"Your formation is sharper today," Nadira noted, circling me. "You've been practising behind my back."
"I always practice."
"Not like this." She arched an eyebrow. "Something's got you riled up."
I didn't answer. Because she was right.
Father had been on my ass more than usual — council meetings growing longer, his temper shorter and though no one said it aloud, whispers drifted through the palace like smoke — talk of alliance plans was currently being set into motion.
Before I could reply, a voice called from across the field.
"Ahh see you slackers, decided it's time to take a break already?"
We both turned. Zayn stood by the entrance, sunlight catching the scar along his jaw — a reminder of his first real battle on the jungle borders. His dark green uniform hugged his frame, tribal markings glowing faintly along his arm — the sign of his lineage from Nyumbani Canopy.
Nadira smirked. "She's trying to kill me. I'm just trying to survive here, I'm already being forced to be up this early."
Zayn's lips curved. "Really."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile. "You're late, soldier."
"Technically," he said, walking toward us, "I'm early for your next defeat."
He always said things like that — lighthearted, teasing — Nadira always says he has a soft spot for me compared to the other trannies. I couldn't deny it; I always felt like there was something unspoken, but neither of us dared to speak up. Plus I'm waiting for my fated mate.
Before I could respond, a royal guard appeared at the gate, clad in gold armour etched with lion sigils.
"Princess Akilah, Lady Nadira— you are summoned by His Majesty and the District Council. Immediately." His voice boomed across the yard causing everyone who was training to stop and look at us.
Every sparring match halted. Heads turned.
Nadira exchanged a look with me. "Uh oh. What did you do?"
"Nothing," I said — though my pulse quickened.
Zayn frowned. "Summoning you two to a council meeting? Yah…someone is in trouble."
We followed the guard through the palace's golden halls, our boots echoing against marble inlaid with crystal veins. Energy pulsed faintly beneath our feet — the kingdom's lifeblood, drawn from the heart of the Sun Core deep below.
When we reached the Council Chamber, the doors parted with a low hum.
The room was vast and circular, lit by shafts of sunlight breaking through the glass ceiling. Holographic projections of each district flag shimmered around the perimeter — the snowy peaks of Zimavari, the glowing dunes of Solari, the endless plains of Ori'Sumu, as well as Nyumbani Canopy and Kivuli Range.
At the centre sat my father, flanked by my brothers — Azai, who would be next in line, hopefully any day now, his posture straight and commanding, and Miro, captain of the Royal Guard, his eyes sharp but softening slightly when they met mine. Beta Raen stood to the left of Father. A warm smile that could light up an entire station was plastered on his face.
Across from them stood the Council of the Five Districts — leaders of every region, each draped in the colours of their tribes.
Father's gaze found me the moment I entered. It still carried that same weight from when I was young, commanding power that made everyone feel small.
We knelt.
"Rise," he said, his voice deep and measured.
Standing up, he studied us for a moment, before speaking. "You two…."
"Whatever Akilah did I was not involved , I am a victim in all this and will not suffer for her sins. I wouldn't even last a day in the dungeons," Nadira interrupted. I looked at her funny, like, really, she's throwing me under the bus after all I've done for her. BETAYAL.
Father shook his head before continuing, " As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, the two of you along with General Nadeem's daughter have been chosen as our selectives to represent Felinara as the first ever to be part of a Veyloria Academy, you will be joining an alliance program set by the king of Lycarias himself. I simply accepted the offer, and think it's about time we squash the beef between both kingdoms."
Nadira burst out laughing. "Your Majesty, for someone uptight, I never knew you could be so funny, right Akilah," she said, nudging me but I didn't budge or laugh.
"Why aren't you laughing, it was really funny," she continued but stopped immediately after she saw that no one was laughing with her.
"You've got to be kidding me, out of all possibilities you thought what, that we were the best candidates," She snarled. "No we are not doing it."
"Well as the king I don't think I needed your permission, I decide what's best for the kingdom," Father replied coldly.
Even Zayn inhaled sharply.
For centuries, our people and theirs had been enemies. The wolves — born of the Moon's tears — saw us as creatures of day, untrustworthy, cursed by the moon. We saw them as savage, reckless beasts. Wars had been fought. Blood had been spilt.
Nadira found her voice first. "You can't be serious, Your Majesty. The wolves burned half the southern borders barely a century ago—"
"Enough," Father's voice cut in sharply. "That is the past. We must look to the future."
Raen stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. "Their academy is one of the most prestigious schools in the entire kingdom, it would be an honor for you girls to be a part of something as great as this."
"And besides, it has already been set, you leave in three days, so I suggest you girls start packing," Father said before standing up from his throne and leaving the courtroom.
My mouth went dry.
Three days.
"Father—" Nadira began, but he gave a soft smile before following behind her father.
The council bowed. The guards escorted us out. But my thoughts churned like a storm.
An alliance with the wolves.
Veyloria Academy.
Moving to the werewolf kingdom, this is not how I expected my day to go.
——————————-
Later that night, I stood on my balcony as the moon reflected on the palace.
The night air was sharp and clean, carrying the hum of the energy fields surrounding the palace. My mind raced — about the wolves, and about what Father truly intended.
This was everything I'd ever known, and in three days I would be leaving it all behind.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard footsteps behind me.
I turned my head to see who it was. Azai stood in the center of the room, a knowing smile plastered on his face.
I turned my back on him continuing to scan the area. I already knew he came to check on me.
He leaned on the railing beside me, silent for a while. We didn't need words — we never did.
"You're thinking too loudly," he said finally.
"I can't help it," I murmured. "Did you know about the alliance?"
He smiled faintly. "I did, but I didn't know he was gonna pick you."
"Well, you could have given me a heads up,"
"Ahhh, but if I did would it have been such an eventful day," He replied.
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one being shipped off to a kingdom of fleas, my body already itches just at the thought of it." I said pulling a face.
He chuckled. "No. I'm just the soon-to-be king who has to pretend this was his idea."
I laughed softly despite myself, "Do you really think this is right? Sending us there?"
He turned to face me, his golden eyes steady. "It's necessary. Father may seem ruthless, but he's thinking long-term. If this works… we end centuries of bloodshed."
"And if it doesn't—"
"Then you my dear sister have bigger problems, but knowing you you'll probably fight back."
I smiled at that. Azai always knew how to lift the weight pressing on my chest.
"I still feel like this is Father's way of finally getting rid of me, his disappointing seed."
"Well consider it favoritism cause at least you get to leave this place and explore the world outside these lands," he said letting every single word sink in.
Before he left, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Whatever happens out there, remember who you are. You're not just Father's daughter. You're Felinara's future." He said before leaving.
When he was gone, I stayed there for a long time, watching the lights flicker below — until a familiar voice called from the courtyard.
"Akilah!"
I looked down seeing two familiar faces.
Nadira waved a glowing hoverboard above her head. Zayn was beside her, holding another.
"Come on!" she shouted. "If we're leaving in three days, we're not spending them sulking!"
I couldn't help but grin.
Minutes later, I was flying.
The hoverboard thrummed beneath my feet, gliding through the glowing night as we raced past the golden towers of Savana Prime, into the vibrant wilds of Nyumbani Canopy.
The district came alive around us — skybridges strung with lights, market stalls glowing with exotic fruits, music spilling from crystal speakers shaped like flowers. Above, towering trees shimmered with blue veins of energy, connecting canopy to canopy like constellations.
We wove through them laughing, dodging transport drones and startled vendors.
"Try to keep up, princess!" Nadira yelled, looping around me.
"Try to beat me first!" I shot back, pushing my board faster.
Zayn was right behind us, his laughter deep and warm. "You two are going to get us banned from the district again!"
"Worth it!" Nadira called.
We landed on a floating plaza surrounded by glowing waterfalls, where street vendors sold luma fruits that shimmered like glass and ember rolls steaming with spicy mist. We stuffed ourselves until we were dizzy with sugar.
Then Nadira pulled out a small crystalline pipe — the kind upper warriors used for meditation, filled with vaporised moonpetal dust.
"One last Felinara high before the wolves," she said with a grin.
Zayn raised an eyebrow. "You're incorrigible."
"You love it," she shot back, passing it to me.
I hesitated — then took a breath. The vapour filled my lungs like starlight, and for a moment, the world blurred. The trees shimmered brighter, laughter echoing like music.
The night carried us from laughter to silence, from chaos to peace. We lay on a hovering platform above the canopy, watching the stars scatter across the sky.
"I can't believe we're leaving," Nadira whispered.
"Same, who am I going to beat during training," Zayn murmured. "Everyone else sucks."
"FYI, you have never beaten us, get your facts right," Nadira stated.
I looked between them — my best friends, my family beyond blood. I truly was going to miss them bickering every time we were together.
"You know, what's the saddest thing about leaving this place,"
"Never getting to see my handsome face," Zayn said.
"It's actually how I'm going to miss eating Luma fruit, but sure I'll miss your handsome face too," I said laughing.
He looked at me with a soft smile on his face exposing his cute dimples.
"Y'all really need to get a room, I can't deal with this tension between the two of you," Nadira snapped.
Zayn laughed.
The moon rose high above us, its light glowing, its reflections mirrored in our eyes.
I breathed in the warm air of my home, tasting freedom, fear, and fate all at once.
And for the first time, the thought of leaving didn't scare me.
"I'm really going to miss this place, " Nadira finally said. "I'm even going to miss torturing Zolana."
"As long as we stick together," I said softly grabbing her hand, "no kingdom will break us."
She gave me a small smile before looking up at the stars.
In all honesty, I don't know what we were going to face, but I couldn't let my fear show. So I just smiled and hoped that everything will be alright.