Chapter 25 – Let It Go
KAEL’S PERSPECTIVE
From where I stood, I could see everything. The way Dravic turned and gestured to the Prime King’s elite guards. The way Marcia stepped forward, shoulders square, expression unreadable. The way the men saluted her—not just as a fellow soldier, but as someone above them.
Someone in command.
My jaw tensed.
I didn’t know what exactly I felt. But it seemed like regret. Maybe even a hint of jealousy.
She stood beside him, and the way he regarded her was clear. His gaze filled with utmost respect every time he glanced at her. His face softened. His voice became gentler when he spoke to
her.
Eunice stood beside me, arms crossed, face stiff. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered. “They’re the Prime King’s elite. I was the first female general of this kingdom. Those guards should’ve been assigned to me. Not to her. I can’t believe Dravic humiliated me like that in front of everyone. Just because he is an alpha, it doesn’t mean he should forget I’m the daughter of
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one too.”
I didn’t answer.
She wasn’t wrong. Her contributions on the battlefield had been notable. Ruthless, even. But war wasn’t about who got the most kills. It was about who inspired soldiers to keep fighting. Who stood beside them when things fell apart. Who could lead without turning into a tyrant.
Somehow, in barely any time, Marcia had done all of that and
more.
Dravic said something I couldn’t hear, then handed over a sealed scroll—confirmation, most likely. Marcia nodded once, then turned to face the men. She said nothing, but they shifted instinctively, their postures straightening in unison.
They respected her already.
My chest ached.
Eunice scoffed. “Of course they’re falling in line. She has Dravic’s support. He’s practically handed her the army on a
silver platter. What is up with him? Does he have a childish little crush on her? He should have married her if he did. Not gifted her an army like that.”
Still, I didn’t speak.
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Chapter 25 Let It Go
My mind kept drifting to the battle at the Shadow Rise border. It had been our most brutal engagement. Arrows darkened the skies, the enemy closed in from all sides, and we’d been outnumbered nearly three to one.
And I… I had faltered.
The moment was fresh in my head, almost like it had happened yesterday. The cold dread in my bones. The way I froze when the enemy commander charged toward me. I hadn’t seen the blade until it was too late.
It was Marcia’s uncle, General Rowan Xendale, who shoved me aside. He took the blow meant for me. His arm had been severed clean at the shoulder. He’d bled out screaming, but never once blamed me. Not with words, or with actions.
And he didn’t have to.
The guilt stuck with me like tar.
I should’ve died that day. Not him.
I should have remembered that sacrifice and honoured Marcia for it.
But I didn’t.
It never even crossed my mind when I broke her heart and took a second mate.
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Chapter 25 – Let It Go
Now Marcia slood below, carrying the name I had nearly tarnished with my cowardice. Leading the very guards I once thought I deserved.
“She thinks she’s untouchable now,” Eunice said, breaking the silence. “Let’s see how long it lasts. Soldiers don’t respect leaders who rise through favouritism. She’ll see that.‘
I turned to look at her, sharply. “Don’t,” I warned.
Eunice blinked. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t try to turn the soldiers against her. Don’t sow discord. This war is bigger than our personal grudges.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Look at you, speaking her language. I don’t have grudges, Kael. I have standards.‘
..
“You’re angry that she got the title. I get it. But if you try to undermine her–”
“I won’t need to,” she interrupted. “It’ll unravel on its own. You think those guards will bow to her forever? They’ve fought beside generals. She doesn’t even have a wolf. She’s just a little witch.”
I clenched my fists.
“She was made a general by decree,” Eunice continued, voice
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dropping to a hiss. “But respect has to be earned. And what has she earned, other than pity? You, Dravic and the king trying to make up for what happened to her family? That’s not merit, Kael. That’s charity,”
“She didn’t ask for charity,” I snapped.
“She didn’t have to!” Eunice barked back. “She plays the part so well. Silent, suffering, tragic daughter of a slaughtered house. She doesn’t need to speak; people just assume she’s noble.”
My hands curled at my sides. I forced myself to breathe through the anger.
Eunice saw the look on my face and took a step closer, softening her voice. “I’m not trying to bring her down because she’s your ex. I’m just saying the truth. And you know it too. You know this position should’ve been mine.”
“I know Rowan gave his life to save mine,” I said quietly. “And I know Marcia didn’t take this position. It was given to her. Because she earned it.”
Eunice rolled her eyes. “You’re blinded by guilt.”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m not. I’m finally seeing things clearly.”
Below us, Dravic stepped aside as Marcia addressed the guards. She didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to. She spoke simply,
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Chapter 25–Let It Go.
directly. And they listened.
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“She’s the Deputy Commander now,” I added, more to myself than to Eunice. “That means she outranks you.”
Eunice flinched. “Only because Dravic made it so.”
“And because the king approved it. Are you going to question both their judgement now?”
“I was the first,” she muttered, eyes flashing. “The first female general in this kingdom. I carved my name into that title with blood. No one can take that away from me.”
“No one’s trying to,” I said, tired. “You don’t have to destroy her just to prove you’re still standing.”
She didn’t answer. But I saw the way her eyes remained fixed on Marcia. The calculation behind them. The bitter twist of her lips.
And I knew then—this wouldn’t be the end of it.
Eunice wasn’t going to let it go.
She never did.
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