Interlude - Victor - The Voice of a Queen
Victor didn't see it.
He felt it.
The moment Athena's voice tore across the battlefield, something ancient rippled through the air like a shockwave only he seemed to recognize.
His breath caught.
Not from the fighting.
From the sensation that struck his mind like a bell being rung too close to his ears.
A command.
Not Alpha.
Not pack-based.
Older.
Deeper.
Royal.
Victor's eyes widened as he turned toward the gate, searching through the smoke for her.
"No..." he whispered.
He had spent years studying the Goldenthorn bloodline.
Their gifts.
Their history.
Their dangers.
He knew exactly what that feeling was.
And it wasn't healing.
It was leadership written into blood.
The kind that didn't require shouting.
The kind wolves obeyed instinctively without knowing why.
The kind that could unite territories without effort.
The kind he had worked his entire life to suppress.
Thomas stumbled closer beside him. "What is it?"
Victor didn't answer immediately.
He could still feel it echoing in his skull.
"She didn't just give an order," he said slowly.
"She commanded them."
Thomas frowned. "But she's not-"
"She is," Victor snapped.
His jaw tightened as realization set in like ice.
"She's waking up."
And for the first time since this battle began...
Victor felt fear.