CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181: THE PALACE WALLS

The palace of Balmore stood tall under the moonlight, its silver walls glowing faintly. The air smelled of roses and steel, and the echo of footsteps followed the four brothers as they entered through the massive gates.

Everywhere they walked, eyes followed. Servants paused in the hallways, and warriors stiffened at their sight. The Alphas of Silver Dawn were not ordinary guests; they were legends, and now, they were walking straight into the heart of the Lycans’ land.

The corridors were grand, lined with marble and golden lights. But the brothers didn’t care about the beauty around them. Their eyes were cold, their faces blank. They were not here to admire.

Whispers filled the air.

"Why are they here?"

"What happened in Silver Dawn?"

"They look... different."

Everyone could sense it, the dark aura around them, heavy with pain and anger. Even the palace guards avoided meeting their eyes.

Finally, they were led through the long corridor into a side palace, a separate wing built for royal guests. The place was wide and clean, decorated richly, but the energy was tense.

As soon as they entered, the royal captain bowed and said, "Alphas, this palace is for your stay. The king has ordered guards for your protection."

At his words, dozens of royal warriors took positions around the area.

Kael’s lips curled into a sneer. His sharp eyes swept over the guards surrounding them. "Protection," he muttered, almost laughing under his breath. "They are not protecting us. They are watching us."

He turned slightly, his voice low but bitter. "And they don’t even try to hide it. The royal family has truly become pathetic."

Aeron gave him a short look. "Kael, watch your mouth," he said quietly, but there was no real warning in his tone. He understood the anger.

Lucian, however, didn’t stay to listen. He walked past them all and headed straight to his room. His steps were slow, his shoulders heavy.

Aeron watched him go with worry, but before he could speak, Luca gave the royal guards a hard glare...a silent warning that meant stay away. His eyes said clearly: Do not disturb us again.

Then he followed Lucian down the hallway.

Lucian’s room was quiet. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands trembling slightly. The room felt too clean, too bright...nothing like home.

Luca stood at the door for a moment, watching his brother. Lucian had been different ever since Selene’s death. He had always been the reckless one, the strongest of them in spirit. But after losing her, something in him had shattered.

He had almost ended his life once, standing by her grave, ready to follow her into death. If not for them for Aeron, Kael, and Luca, he would have done it. They had stopped him that night, not with comfort, but with a promise. A promise of revenge.

That was the only thing keeping him alive now.

Luca sighed and sat across from him. "You should rest," he said quietly.

Lucian didn’t answer. His eyes were distant, lost in a place none of them could reach.

Kael stood by the window, watching the guards outside. He could feel their stares. "They think we’re beasts waiting to attack," he said. "Maybe they’re right."

Aeron entered last, his expression unreadable. "Let them think what they want," he said simply. "Soon, they’ll know why we’re here."

The brothers exchanged a look...a silent bond of blood and vengeance.

Outside, the royal guards stayed alert, but none of them could hear the quiet storm that brewed inside the palace walls.

On the other side of the palace, word of the Silver Dawn Alphas’ arrival spread quickly. When it reached Prince Vaelen, his reaction was immediate.

His calm expression twisted into anger, his jaw tightening as he gripped the edge of the table. "Those bastards..." he muttered, his voice low but sharp. "They dared to come here?"

The messenger standing before him looked nervous. "Yes, my prince. They have been escorted to the guest palace under royal order."

Vaelen’s eyes darkened. His heart burned at the thought. The people he hated most in this world were now under his roof. The very ones he blamed for his friend’s death.

He slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing through the chamber. "Why now?" he whispered bitterly. "Why come here now, after everything they destroyed?"

The messenger lowered his head and quietly stepped back.

Vaelen’s breath was heavy. He had thought he would never see them again. He didn’t even want to hear their names. Every time he thought of them, he remembered the moment his closest friend had fallen.

Before his anger could grow more, a soft voice came from behind him.

"Who has come here, brother?"

Vaelen froze for a moment and turned around. His sister, Serena, stood by the doorway. Her face was calm, her silver eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and worry. She was dressed simply, her long hair falling loosely over her shoulders.

He tried to soften his tone at once. "It’s nothing," he said quickly, forcing a small smile. "Just some Alphas from the past."

But Serena didn’t move. She kept her eyes on him. "Who are they?" she asked again, her voice quiet but steady.

Velen sighed. He didn’t want to tell her, but he knew there was no point in lying. His sister had always been sharp; she could see through him easily. "They’re from the Silver Dawn pack," he said at last. "Four Alphas. You don’t need to worry about them. They won’t come near us."

Serena nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. For a moment, her face didn’t show anything...not surprise, not fear, not recognition. Just silence.

Her reaction made Velen pause. He studied her for a second, searching for a flicker of emotion, but there was nothing. It was like she didn’t even care who they were.

He felt his chest loosen a little, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. Maybe it was better this way.

"Alright," he said softly, stepping closer and placing a gentle hand on her head. "You haven’t eaten, have you? Let’s go get something together."

Serena blinked, then nodded. "Yes. I’m tired of being inside all the time. Let’s go outside for a while."

Velen gave her a faint smile. "Alright. Let’s go then."

He called for his guards and gave them simple orders to prepare for a quiet evening walk outside the palace.

"Let’s go somewhere fun," she said suddenly, turning to him with a small smile. "I have heard from maids; there’s a new club in the upper district. I want to see it."

Vaelen frowned a little. "A club? That place is full of alphas and trouble."

"That’s fine," she said, already reaching for her coat. "Maybe I’ll meet people I know... though I doubt I’ll recognize any of them."

He sighed but followed her anyway. "Alright then. Just don’t disappear on me, alright?"

Soon, they were standing outside one of the most luxurious clubs in Balmore. The building shone under golden lights, the sound of music and laughter spilling out from within.

It wasn’t just any place; it was a club for royalty and high-ranking members of the Lycan court. Many powerful figures from different packs came here to drink, dance, and forget the world for a night.

Selene’s eyes sparkled as she looked around. "Wow," she murmured. "It’s beautiful."

Vaelen nodded slightly. "It’s a place for those with too much time and too much gold," he said dryly.

They entered together, the scent of wine and perfume instantly filling the air. The music was loud but not wild... just enough to make the atmosphere alive.

Inside, chandeliers glowed above them, casting soft golden light over everything. Waiters moved quickly with trays of drinks, and alphas chatted in corners, laughing too loudly at their own jokes.

It didn’t take long before people noticed Vaelen. Being the prince, his face was well known. Several Alphas and young women quickly surrounded him, greeting him with excitement and trying to draw him into conversation.

Serena stepped back, watching as he handled them politely but clearly uncomfortably. A small smile touched her lips.

"Looks like you’re popular, brother," she said teasingly.

Vaelen shot her a look, half warning, half helpless. "Don’t wander off too far," he said firmly.

But Serene was already gone.

She slipped through the crowd with quiet grace, her white dress brushing against the glittering floor. No one really noticed her, and that was exactly what she wanted.

The club stretched far, with several halls, a balcony overlooking the city lights, and private rooms behind golden curtains. Everywhere she looked, people were laughing, drinking, and pretending they were happy.

Serene walked slowly, taking it all in. The music pulsed through her veins, but inside, she felt distant, like she was in a place that wasn’t hers.

Still, she kept moving, curiosity guiding her deeper into the golden maze. Because she knew why she had decided to come here.