Chapter 0135

I'm relieved my father is inquiring about the fractured alliance between the wolves and the fae. My encounters with King Oberon and Prince Finnian have been surprisingly amicable so far. There must be a way to repair this bond, but first, we need to uncover what shattered it in the first place.

Father turns to Gregory. "I'd like to understand what drove our kinds apart. If there's anything I can do as Alpha—or my son as the future Alpha—to restore our alliance, I'm willing to make it happen."

King Oberon studies them both before nodding. "To fully grasp the situation, we must revisit events from nearly a century ago. I had already been king for over fifty years when it happened..."

Evelyn interrupts him abruptly. "You were king a hundred years ago? How old are you?" The moment the words leave her mouth, she flushes with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, it's just—I've never met anyone who's lived that long..." She trails off, wincing at her own bluntness.

Fortunately, King Oberon chuckles. "I am 248 years old."

Evelyn's jaw drops. "Whoa," she whispers.

I can't blame her for being stunned. Even I didn’t realize the fae lived that long. And he fathered a child just eight years ago. Impressive.

He continues, unperturbed. "The first Guardians awakened two centuries ago—Gideon and Valeria. Their awakening came during a time of brutal conflict among the wolves. Your Moon Goddess was furious at the bloodshed that was decimating your Alphas and threatening your species' survival. Back then, only two Alphas were deemed worthy of her blessing."

Father interjects. "Alpha Lucian and Alpha Rhiannon."

King Oberon nods. "Correct. They were the first to receive Guardians. Initially, we didn’t realize these spirits would reincarnate and continue their lineage through the wolf spirit. It wasn’t until the first Guardians died that the fae were tasked with documenting their histories."

"Alphas quickly realized that a Guardian made a pack nearly invincible. Alpha Lucian and Alpha Rhiannon remained undefeated during their reigns, despite countless attacks from rival packs. When the next generation of Guardians awakened, they became highly coveted."

His expression turns thoughtful. "As a young fae, I was assigned to chronicle their lives. I soon learned that a Guardian’s awakening didn’t necessarily mean the Alpha was worthy—it meant the wolf who inherited the spirit was." He inclines his head toward Gregory, acknowledging his selection as a Guardian.

"Once a Guardian awakened in a pack, Alphas refused to let them leave, fearing the loss of power. So, they began forcing their Guardians to mate with them or their heirs."

"That makes sense for female Guardians, but not males," Gregory points out.

I was thinking the same thing.

"Actually, most Guardians are female," King Oberon reveals. "You, Evander, are only the third male Guardian in seven generations."

The revelation leaves us all speechless.

Gregory stammers, "What? Why? How?"

"I can only speculate. Each Guardian possesses unique gifts that set them apart from ordinary wolves. I believe you descend from Gideon’s warrior lineage—the first male Guardian. When his spirit reincarnated, it passed to a she-wolf. Your bloodline, Evander, is renowned for its strength, which may explain why it occasionally manifests in males."

"Your line is also known for its exceptional long-distance mind-linking abilities. I assume you’re aware of this gift?"

Gregory nods. "Yes, Evander has demonstrated those skills."

King Oberon shifts his gaze to Evelyn. "And has Selene inherited them as well?"

Evelyn confirms, "She has. We’re also immune to wolfsbane and less vulnerable to silver."

King Oberon smiles. "That would be from Valeria’s spirit, passed down to Andra. I presume you also have accelerated healing?"