The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 83

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

Nancy glided forward with a deliberate elegance, settling beside me just as Troy gently set the twins down on their small feet before the Council. They immediately huddled together, their tiny shoulders brushing against one another, eyes wide and filled with wonder as they took in the vast expanse of the room, dominated by imposing wolves.

With a tender touch, I lifted Bella from my lap, carefully placing her on the adjacent chair before rising to my feet. I positioned myself behind the twins, folding my arms across my chest in a silent but potent warning to anyone who might dare to disrupt this moment. A fierce protectiveness surged within me; I would not hesitate to defend them against any threat, and I made it clear that even the slightest hint of aggression would be met with my wrath.

Bella’s breath caught in her throat, and before I could fully register her reaction, she sprang from her seat as if propelled by an unseen force, the chair scraping loudly against the smooth marble floor. In a heartbeat, she enveloped both children in her arms, her voice a soothing murmur, though it quivered with an undercurrent of anxiety. “It’s okay, babies. I’m right here,” she whispered, her hands trembling as she held them close. Her eyes darted around the room, scrutinizing every wolf present, her instincts as a mother ignited despite the lingering effects of my venom. She was ready to shield them with her own body, a fierce protector in the face of uncertainty.

Her gaze landed on Troy, her expression a mixture of confusion and concern. “Why did you bring them in here?” she asked, her arms tightening around the twins, her body tense as if bracing against an unseen storm. “These wolves,” she gestured toward the gathering, “what if they try to do something? They’re just children.” Her eyes flicked to Nancy, and I could see the flicker of doubt in her gaze. Who was she truly trusting with the safety of her kids?

“They’re safe,” Troy assured her, his tone gentle but firm. Yet Bella only clutched the twins tighter, her fear too palpable to be soothed by mere words. A wave of frustration washed over me; it pained me to see my queen so vulnerable.

I stepped closer, positioning myself as a barrier between my family and the sea of wolves. “They’re here because the truth needs to be revealed,” I declared, my voice steady as I directed my gaze toward the Elders, standing resolute despite the palpable tension in the air. I gestured toward Nancy, my chin lifting defiantly. “Nancy has cared for these children since their very first breath. She is not merely their nanny; she is the Witch Queen, and she has sworn to protect my pups.”

A wave of gasps rippled through the assembly, and several wolves shifted uneasily, their claws instinctively digging into the ground as they sensed a threat. Witches were often viewed as dangers, but a witch queen? She was perceived as the most formidable of all threats. The mere sight of her among the wolves stirred a sense of unease.

The Elders of the High Council leaned forward, their expressions a mix of wariness and intrigue. Cass, in particular, looked as if his jaw might crack from the tension, his muscles coiled tight.

Bella blinked at Nancy, her confusion evident and sluggish as though she were struggling to process the implications of Troy’s revelation. “Nancy… witch… queen?” she murmured, squinting as if trying to discern the boundary between reality and illusion. She shifted her gaze between Nancy and me, her mind grappling with the notion that her gentle caretaker could be a figure of legend.

Across the room, Tasha and Joseph turned ashen, the color draining from their faces. Tasha clutched Joseph’s arm as if the very ground beneath them had split open. The shock etched on Joseph’s face was almost comical; his mouth opened and closed, desperately searching for words that would not collapse under the weight of this new reality. I could sense that every argument they had previously clung to had withered away.

Finally, Joseph found his voice, though it trembled with uncertainty. “S-so what if she’s the witch queen?” he stammered, attempting to regain his composure. “Her protecting those human children doesn’t change the fact that the King violated the treaty by allowing humans into his pack. Human children,” he emphasized, his voice rising in desperation, “are forbidden. They have no place in our world. Scott Moore has committed treason by bringing them here.”

I knew I needn’t respond; Nancy stepped forward with an air of authority. Power radiated from her, as if her very presence parted the atmosphere around her. She inclined her head respectfully toward the Elders. “With your permission,” she spoke calmly, “may I lift my spell?”

“What spell?” Elder Kevin asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

A soft violet light swirled up her arms, illuminating her with an ethereal glow. “You’ll see,” she said, raising both hands high. The tips of her fingers whispered an ancient incantation, a sound that resonated deep within the hall, as I felt the ripple of magic pulse through the air.

And then, with a swift flick of her wrist, she unleashed a wave of energy that transformed the atmosphere around us.

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