Kieran clenched his jaw lightly, the ache in his throat almost unbearable. I’ve done everything to protect his smile… but how do you protect someone when you don’t even know what’s chasing them?

Akalon's voice grew heavier, the weight of the memory pressing down on him. "After that, the tragedy struck. No one saw it coming."

"There was an intruder in the forest—the one who orchestrated the massacre of the Panthers. They caught us off guard." His eyes dimmed slightly, his jaw clenching.

"My father discovered it just in time. He managed to hide you, Zarion, and helped the king save your mate's life."

Zarion’s eyes widened slightly, a sharp breath catching in his throat.

"What do you mean? Who were they? Did they die while trying to save Alden's life"?, Zarion bombarded Akalon with questions. 

"Yes, both of our fathers died at that time", Akalon spoke. His voice was more than whispers. 

Zarion was too shocked by Akalon’s words to find a single reply. Alden and Kieran both gasped, their breaths catching in unison. Yet, no matter how hard it was to hear, it was the heavy truth they couldn’t ignore.

"But Vane was already too powerful by then. And timing was perfect for them." Akalon continued. His ​​​​voice tightened as words left his lips.

"Cause we were celebrating the good news… of having a princess soon." His words barely left his lips, thick with sorrow.

But...

Before he could finish, the three of them suddenly cut him off, their voices colliding with their own shocked questions.

"Princess?" Zarion’s voice trembled, his eyes widening with disbelief.

"Vane?" Kieran and Alden’s voices rang out in unison, their faces paling with shock.

Their shocked voices rang in Akalon’s ears, making them ache with the weight of unspoken truths.

"I..." Akalon’s voice faltered, his throat constricting.

"The queen was… pregnant with a girl, Zarion." His voice barely held steady. "You were going to have a sister before the tragedy happened." His words came out strained, almost breaking, and his head lowered, unable to meet Zarion’s gaze.

The memories of Vane flooded back, washing over him like a relentless tide. The faces he had long tried to forget—the king, the queen, and the innocent life lost before it could even take its first breath.

He hadn’t wanted to burden Van’s sons with this cruel knowledge. But now, it was too late.

Meanwhile, the heavy conversation stirred Kaelith awake. The soft creak of Alden's door echoed faintly as he stepped out into the dim hallway.

His eyes narrowed slightly, instantly sensing the tension clinging to the air like a suffocating fog. He stood in the doorway, his hand tightening around the doorframe. Though curiosity stirred in him, he chose to remain silent, carefully observing the scene unfolding before him.

Kieran’s eyes, however, remained fixed on Akalon. His sharp gaze narrowed further, scrutinizing the barely perceptible shift in Akalon’s expression—the tremor in his voice, the slight sag of his shoulders. Kieran knew that look. He had seen it before. The telltale sign of someone holding back. Too much.

Shock crossed Kieran's face, realization striking him. His body stiffened. Without a word, he slowly rose to his feet. The sudden seriousness in his movements made the room feel colder. His eyes darkened with suspicion as they bored into Akalon.

"What are you hiding, Akalon?" Kieran’s voice dropped into a low, menacing register—calm but sharp, each syllable cutting through the thick silence. The hardened edge made it clear. This wasn’t a question. It was a demand.