Chapter 3

  Alexandra’s escape

  Alexandra trembled, standing by the barn. She watched as Evelyn lunged, a whirlwind of white fur stained by old hatred. Her claws extended like daggers, aiming not for a killing blow—not yet—but for the satisfaction of drawing first blood from the rogue who dared touch her son. Celeste didn't flinch; she held her sword, all her training bunching up into this moment. Alexandra watched Celeste duck and dodge her mother easily. Wow…I wanna be just like her someday….brave….strong…..fearless.. Alexandra thought, still trembling slightly.

  But as Evelyn reared back for another strike, something inside Alexandra cracked. Not broke—cracked. Like ice beginning to thaw. Her paws moved before her mind could catch up, carrying her forward on shaking legs. "Stop." The word came out barely above a whisper, but Alexandra was already moving between them. She didn't raise her voice. Didn't draw a weapon. She simply stepped into the space between her mother's claws and Celeste's sword, her small frame suddenly occupying the battlefield. Her tail was tucked, her ears flat against her head, but she was there. Evelyn froze mid-lunge, her claws stopping inches from her daughter's face. "Alexandra, move." "No." Alexandra's voice shook so badly the word almost didn't form. Her whole body trembled like a leaf in a storm. But she didn't move. "Please... please stop." "This doesn't concern you—" "She concerns Kane." Alexandra's eyes were squeezed nearly shut, but she forced them open to meet her mother's gaze. "And Kane is my brother. So it... it concerns me." The silence that followed was deafening. Celeste stood frozen behind Alexandra, sword still raised, clearly torn between pulling the small princess to safety and respecting what she was trying to do. Koa had gone completely still, his eyes wide. Kane looked like he'd stopped breathing.

  Evelyn's fur bristled, her lips curling back. "You dare—"

  "I'm not daring anything, Mother." Alexandra's voice cracked. Tears were streaming down her face now, but she didn't wipe them away. "I'm just... I'm asking. Please. Can we just... go home?" Something flickered across Evelyn's face—surprise, maybe, or confusion that her quiet daughter had found even this much voice. The queen's claws slowly retracted. Her breathing was still heavy, rage simmering just beneath the surface, but she stepped back.

  "Fine." The word was ice. "Kane. Alexandra. We're leaving. Now."

  Kane opened his mouth to protest, but Alexandra turned to look at him, and something in her expression—pleading, desperate—made him close it again. He glanced at Celeste, a world of apology in his eyes, before moving toward his mother.

  Alexandra followed, her legs barely holding her up. As she passed Celeste, their eyes met for just a moment. Alexandra's were still wet with tears, but there was something else there too—a silent promise, maybe. Or a question. Then she was walking away, following her mother and brother back toward the cave system that served as the royal den.

  The journey back was silent except for Evelyn's occasional growls of frustration. Alexandra walked behind her brothers, her mind racing, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might break through her ribs. What did I just do? What did I just do?

  When they reached the cave entrance, Evelyn whirled on Kane. "Your chambers. Now. We will discuss your... actions in the morning." Her voice was deadly calm, which was somehow worse than her rage. Kane's jaw tightened, but he nodded and disappeared into the tunnels.

  "Alexandra." Evelyn's attention turned to her daughter, and Alexandra felt her knees go weak. "A word." They stood in the main chamber, moonlight filtering through cracks in the stone ceiling. Alexandra couldn't stop shaking. She twisted her tail around her paw, a nervous habit she'd had since she was a pup. "What you did today was foolish," Evelyn said, her voice low and controlled. "You could have been hurt." "I know." Alexandra's voice was barely audible.

  "You undermined my authority in front of rogues. In front of the very wolves who killed your father." "They didn't—" Alexandra started, then caught herself. But the words were already out.

  Evelyn's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?" she snapped at her daughter.

  Alexandra's heart hammered. Every instinct screamed at her to take it back, to apologize, to shrink back into the invisible princess everyone expected. But she thought of Celeste, standing fearless with her sword. She thought of Kane's face when he looked at the rogue girl. She thought of her father, who she barely remembered, but who she'd been told was strong and just. "Mother..." Her voice shook so badly she had to pause and breathe. "When... when did you stop believing in mercy?" The words came out as barely more than a whisper, but they landed like stones in still water. Evelyn went very, very still. For a long moment, she just stared at her daughter, and Alexandra couldn't read the expression on her face. Shock? Anger? Something else? "Mercy," Evelyn finally said, her voice soft and dangerous, "is what got your father killed." "But—" "Enough." Evelyn said sternly the word cracked like a whip. "Go to your chambers, Alexandra. And pray I forget this conversation by morning.". Alexandra found herself nodding, walking back to her room quickly with her tail between her legs. Alexandra prayed all night that she would forget. But she didn't forget. And as the night deepened and the cave grew quiet, Alexandra found she couldn't sleep.

  She lay in her small chamber, staring at the ceiling, her mother's words echoing in her mind. Mercy is what got your father killed. But that couldn't be right. Could it? Her father had been strong, everyone said so. Strong and fair and— A sound in the corridor made her ears perk up. Guards changing shifts. Alexandra sat up slowly, an idea forming. A terrible, terrifying, unnecessary idea, or was it perhaps necessary..? She waited until the footsteps faded, then crept to her doorway. The guard who was supposed to be posted there had wandered down the hall—she could hear him talking to another guard around the corner. They did this sometimes, when they thought no one was paying attention. But Alexandra was always paying attention. She was there every time the guards talked about how weak and perfect she was for a princess and how Kane was nothing like her. She corrected her mother every time she forgot her name as a pup without anger. She was the perfect little daughter, and she was done trying to play that perfect daughter. At least, try to be done. It would take a few steps....maybe a bit but nonetheless it would end up there! She slipped out of her chamber and moved through the tunnels like a ghost. Her paws made no sound on the stone. Being small and quiet had always made her feel invisible, sad even, if she dared have that emotion around her mother. But now... now maybe it was useful. She passed the armory. The door was supposed to be locked at night. But as she walked by, she noticed the lock wasn't quite turned fully. How clumsy of me, she thought, even though she'd been the last one to close it that afternoon, and she'd been very careful not to let it click fully into place. I must have forgotten. Further down, she passed the storage chamber where they kept the maps and strategic documents. Another door that wasn't quite locked. Another "accident." She reached the main entrance to the cave system, where two guards stood watch. But there was a smaller entrance, one that most people forgot about, hidden behind a fall of vines. Alexandra had discovered it years ago when she was small enough to squeeze through the gaps in the stone. Even now, she was just small enough to squeeze through. A part of herself couldn’t help but think, Would anyone notice? Maybe come look for me? She dared to hope that far. No one had ever noticed when she slipped out to go sit by the lake…. Alexandra glanced around once her whole body was fully out. She was met with an almost pitch black world. She had never been out at night before. Sooooo maybe I should just head back. She found herself thinking. She stopped, remembering why she came out and snuck out. I might as well…I’m already halfway there? She thought. She finally took a deep breath and stepped outside.

  The forest at night was terrifying. Every shadow looked like a threat, every sound made her jump. Alexandra's heart pounded so hard she was sure every creature in the woods could hear it. She wanted to turn back. She wanted to run home and hide under her furs and pretend none of this was happening. But she kept walking despite herself. She didn't know exactly where the rogue camp was, but she knew the general direction. And she knew that if she was caught out here, there would be no explanation that would save her. What am I doing? What am I doing? A branch snapped behind her and she froze, every muscle locked in terror. "You're pretty far from home, princess." Alexandra spun around, a small yelp escaping her throat. Celeste stepped out from behind a tree, her sword at her side but not drawn. Even in the moonlight, she looked fierce and confident, everything Alexandra wasn't. "I—I was—" Alexandra stammered, barely making any words at all. Her whole body was shaking again. Celeste's expression softened slightly. "Hey. Breathe. You're okay." She glanced around. "But you really shouldn't be out here alone. It's dangerous." "I know." Alexandra forced the words out. "I needed... I needed to find you." Celeste's eyebrows rose, suddenly listening more intently. "Why?" Celeste asked. "Because..." Alexandra twisted her tail around her paw again, trying to find courage in the gesture. "Because what my mother is doing isn't right. And I... I want to help." For a long moment, Celeste just stared at her. Then, slowly, she sat down on a fallen log, gesturing for Alexandra to join her. "Sit. Before you fall over." Alexandra sat, grateful. Her legs felt like water. "You stepped between me and your mother today," Celeste said quietly, "That was either the bravest or the stupidest thing I've ever seen." "Probably stupid," Alexandra muttered quietly. "No." Celeste's voice was firm. "Brave. Definitely brave." She paused. "But helping us... Alexandra, if you get caught, your mother won't forgive that. You know that, right?"

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  "I know." Alexandra's voice was so small. "But I can't... I can't just watch anymore. I can't pretend I don't see what's happening." Celeste studied her for a long moment. They were so different, the two of them. Celeste was all fire and steel, trained and deadly. Alexandra was soft and scared, more comfortable with books than battles. But something passed between them in that moment—an understanding, maybe. A recognition.

  "What did you have in mind?" Celeste asked finally.

  "I can... I can listen. I'm good at that. People don't notice me, so they talk around me like I'm not there. I hear things. Plans. Strategies." Alexandra's words came faster now, tumbling over each other. "And I can... I can make mistakes. Small ones. Doors that don't lock properly. Messages that get forgotten. Things that seem like accidents but... but aren't." Celeste's eyes widened slightly, finding herself surprised at Alexandra’s confession. "You'd risk that?" "I'm already risking everything just being here." Alexandra admitted, her voice cracking. "At least this way, maybe... maybe I can do something that matters. Maybe I can be brave like you." She admitted shyly. "Hey." Celeste reached out and gently touched Alexandra's shoulder. "You're already brave. You don't have to be like me. You just have to be you." Tears welled up in Alexandra's eyes again. No one had ever said anything like that to her before. No one had given her these emotions, was it….hope? Encouragement? Whatever it was, it was amazing.

  "If you're serious about this," Celeste said slowly, "we need a way to communicate. Something subtle. Can you get to the old oak tree at the border? The one with the split trunk?" Alexandra nodded. She knew the tree. She'd seen it on patrols with her mother. The ones that sometimes her mother ran to fast and she had to walk back by herself. "If you have information, leave a white stone at the base. I'll check it every night. If I need to meet you, I'll leave a black stone. Can you do that?" Celeste asked. "Yes." Alexandra's voice was stronger now. "I can do that."

  They sat in silence for a moment, two unlikely allies in the moonlight. Then Celeste stood, offering her paw to help Alexandra up. "You should get back before someone notices you're gone," Celeste said. "Can you find your way?" "I think so." she replied quietly. "Alexandra?" Celeste's voice stopped her as she turned to leave. "Thank you. For today. For this. It means more than you know." Alexandra managed a small smile, the first real smile she'd felt in days. "Thank you for not giving up on Kane. He... he really cares about you." Celeste felt her face get hot for a moment, "I care about him too." she admitted her expression softened. "Which is why we have to end this war. Before it destroys everyone we love." Alexandra nodded, then disappeared into the shadows, her heart still pounding but somehow lighter than before. She'd been terrified. She was still terrified. But she'd done it. She'd spoken up. She'd chosen a side. And for the first time in her life, Alexandra felt like maybe, just maybe, she was more than just the invisible princess. She was someone who could make a difference. Even if her paws might have shook the whole way.

  Alexandra slipped through the hidden entrance behind the vines, her heart still racing from the journey through the dark forest. She'd made it back. No one had seen her. She just needed to get to her chamber and—"Where have you been?" She froze, every muscle locking up. Kane stepped out from the shadows of the main tunnel, his expression unreadable in the dim light filtering through the cave entrance. He wasn't angry—at least, he didn't look angry—but there was something intense in his eyes that made Alexandra's throat close up. "I... I was just..." The lie died on her tongue. She'd never been good at lying, especially not to Kane. He moved closer, keeping his voice low. "Alex, the guards do rounds every hour, you know this. You've been gone for almost two." His eyes searched her face. "Where were you?" Tears pricked at Alexandra's eyes. She twisted her tail around her paw, and looked down at the stone floor. "I can't... I can't tell you." "Can't, or won't?" Kane's voice was gentle, not accusatory. He sat down in front of her, making himself smaller, less intimidating. "Alex, look at me." She forced herself to meet his eyes. "What you did today," Kane said quietly, "stepping between Mother and Celeste... that was the bravest thing I've ever seen anyone do." His voice cracked slightly. "But it also terrified me. Because I know what Mother is capable of when she's angry." "I'm sorry," Alexandra whispered. "I just... I couldn't watch anymore. I couldn't—" "Don't apologize." Kane reached out and gently touched her shoulder. "I'm not angry. I'm... I'm grateful. And worried." He paused, studying her face. "You went to see her, didn't you? Celeste." Alexandra's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to deny it, but Kane shook his head. "It's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone." He glanced back toward the deeper tunnels, making sure they were still alone. "Alex, I need you to understand something. What I feel for Celeste... it's real. And I know Mother will never accept it. I know she'll do everything in her power to keep us apart." His voice dropped even lower. "I think she might do something terrible. To Celeste, to the rogues, maybe even to me." "She wouldn't hurt you," Alexandra said, but even as the words left her mouth, she wasn't sure she believed them. "Maybe not physically," Kane said. "But there are other ways to hurt someone." He took a breath. "What did you and Celeste talk about?" Alexandra hesitated. Every instinct told her to stay quiet, to protect herself, to not involve Kane in something that could get them both in trouble. But when she looked at her brother—really looked at him—she saw the same fear and determination she felt in her own heart. "I told her I wanted to help," Alexandra finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can listen. I can... I can make small mistakes. Things that seem like accidents but aren't." Kane's eyes widened. "Alex, that's—" "Dangerous, I know." She interrupted, twisting her tail tighter. "But Kane, what Mother is doing isn't right. The rogues didn't kill Father. I don't know what happened that day, but I know... I know in my heart that this hatred, this war, all of it…. it's wrong." For a long moment, Kane just stared at her. Then, slowly, he pulled her into a hug. Alexandra stiffened in surprise—they hadn't hugged like this since they were pups—but then she melted into it, feeling tears slip down her face, though they were happy tears this time. "You're not alone in this," Kane murmured into her fur. "Whatever you're doing, whatever you need... I'm with you. Okay?" "Okay," Alexandra whispered back. They stayed like that for a moment longer, two siblings united in quiet rebellion against the mother they'd once trusted blindly. Then Kane pulled back, wiping at his own eyes. "You should get to your chamber before someone else notices you're gone," he said, trying to ignore the obvious fact that he was crying. "And Alex? Be careful. Please.” "I will." She managed a small smile. "You too." As she padded toward her chamber, Alexandra felt that lightness in her chest again. She wasn't alone. Kane knew. Kane understood. And somehow, that made everything feel just a little less terrifying. She entered her cave and sat on the bear pelt rug that was on her rock bed. She had placed the rug on top because of the uncomfortable ‘situation’ that rock was. The pelt made it feel much softer and comfortable! And more stylish in her opinion. She laid in bed and was both terrified and excited to place that rock under the tree, even if it meant nothing to other people who knew nothing about the rock system.

  Four days later

  Alexandra had eventually developed a routine.

  Every morning, she woke early and made her way through the cave system, checking on things. The armory door that never quite latched properly. The storage chamber where the maps were kept, its lock mysteriously loose. The side entrance that the guards sometimes forgot to check because it was so small and inconvenient. She was getting better at this. Better at being invisible while simultaneously being everywhere. Better at the small acts of resistance that looked like innocent mistakes. "Alexandra, did you deliver my message to the patrol captain?" Evelyn had asked yesterday. "Yes, Mother," Alexandra had replied, her voice soft and obedient. She had delivered it—three hours late, after the patrol had already left. A small thing. Probably meaningless. But maybe it had given the rogues a few extra hours of peace. At least she hoped so. Today, she was in the main corridor, pretending to examine a tapestry on the wall while actually listening to two guards talking nearby. "—increased patrols along the eastern border," one of them was saying. "The queen wants every inch checked twice daily." Twice? Alexandra thought, trying to focus on the painting but maintaining a poker face. "That's near the old oak tree, isn't it?" the other guard replied. Alexandra's heart skipped a beat. The oak tree. The one with the split trunk where she left the white stones. "Yeah. She thinks someone's been passing through there. Wants us to watch for any signs of—"

  "Alexandra."

  She jumped, spinning around. Evelyn stood behind her, her expression unreadable. "Mother! I was just—" Alexandra's mind raced. "I was just looking at the tapestry. It's... it's beautiful." Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly. "You've been wandering the caves quite a bit lately. Is something troubling you?" "No, I just..." Alexandra forced herself to breathe, to keep her voice steady even as her heart hammered against her ribs. "I just have trouble sleeping sometimes. Walking helps.". "Hmm." Evelyn studied her for a long moment, and Alexandra felt like her mother could see right through her, could see every secret, every lie, every act of betrayal. "You seem different lately. More... present.". "I'm trying to be more helpful," Alexandra said, which was technically true, just not in the way Evelyn thought. "Good." Evelyn's expression softened slightly. "I know I've been hard on you children lately. But everything I do, I do to protect this kingdom. To protect you." She reached out and touched Alexandra's cheek, a rare gesture of affection. "You understand that, don't you?" Alexandra felt sick. Her mother's touch, which should have been comforting, felt like poison ivy touching her fur. Itching and wanting it off her immediately. "Yes, Mother." she nodded, plastering a fake smile on her face. “Good girl." Evelyn turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Alexandra? Stay away from the eastern border. It's not safe there right now."

  "Of course, Mother."

  As Evelyn walked away, Alexandra's legs nearly gave out. She leaned against the wall, trying to calm her racing heart. That had been too close. Way too close. She almost debated meeting just to cancel the communication, but she didn’t. And now she had new information. Increased patrols near the oak tree. They were watching. Which meant she needed to find a new way to communicate with Celeste, or at least warn her about the danger.

  She glanced down the corridor where the guards had been talking. They were gone now, probably heading out for their patrol. Alexandra took a shaky breath and headed toward her chamber, her mind already working on a plan. Let's see… her mind raced through all the possibilities. She was getting better at this. But she was also getting scared. Because the more she did, the more she risked, the harder it would be to explain if she got caught, getting caught would mean more than just punishment. It would mean betraying Kane, betraying Celeste, betraying everything she'd promised to fight for. She swallowed hard, feeling the pressure that she was under. Alexandra slipped into her chamber and closed the door, leaning against it. Her paws were shaking again. But she couldn't stop now. Not when so much was at stake.

  End of chapter 3