CHAPTER 249: THE KING IS HERE

Leon didn’t tell anyone where he was going. He left a short letter for his mother—nothing dramatic, just a blunt "I’m leaving. I have to handle some things myself." And then he rode off, alone, on horseback with no guards or real plan. He just knew one thing—he needed to see Riven.

By the time he reached the border town, the sun was high in the sky, and the place didn’t look anything like it used to. It was supposed to be neutral territory, a buffer between the Wolf Clan, the Lion Kingdom, and the Snow Leopard Clan. But now it was his territory. He claimed it because of his ego back then... Now, he was not so sure about keeping it.

As a king, to avoid the conflict he started, it would be best to withdraw his troops... Right?

Except he noticed one big change.

Snow Leopard soldiers were everywhere. They had occupied a few buildings and made it their base. They were ready in case things escalated.

Leon’s expression darkened.

Soren’s people had moved in.

Leon stayed quiet as he rode further into the town. He spotted some of his own men scattered around—Lion soldiers holding key positions—but not in force. This wasn’t an organised occupation. It looked more like a standoff waiting to explode.

And where were the wolves?

Nowhere. The Wolf Clan hadn’t sent anyone. Ronan, probably too focused on rebuilding stability back home, had overlooked this area. That gave Leon more room to act—but it also made things messier.

News came to the Alpha’s manor, Riven was sipping tea, a simple herbal blend meant to calm his nerves. He felt it in his gut that something was going to go wrong, but he told himself to attain inner peace. But that peace was shattered when one of Soren’s men called him over.

"Sir..." the man said, voice quiet. He’d been waiting at the door, holding a sealed note. "Please pass this on to Soren."

Everyone in the Snow Leopard clan knew how much Riven meant to Soren and how much Soren trusted him. So delivering the letter to Riven was basically expected, he did not have to rethink his decision.

Riven felt extremely curious. This was clearly an important matter. And that man did not look like an errand man, but a soldier... Riven stepped away from the table. And quickly received the letter. Soren was still fast asleep, but considering how the man looked like he was in a rush, Riven decided to wake him up.

Riven broke the seal and glanced at the message. Eyes scanning. Frowning. Then he looked up, face serious, too serious, for morning. He had no idea such a thing was happening at the border. But now that he did, a lot of things made sense!

He folded the paper slowly and exchanged a look with the man. No words were spoken, but everything was clear. The man could leave, he was going to deliver this message to Soren. This ominous message...

The Lions—King Leon included—were in the border town.

Riven’s stomach clenched. He cleared his throat. "When?"

The man didn’t leave yet, so he answered, "A few hours ago. They’re setting up near the well. Leon came alone. But he sent a lot of his soldiers to the border."

Riven sucked in a breath. Leon. Here. Without warning. Claiming neutral territory like it was his own—and with no one to push back. Why couldn’t the wolf clan have a peaceful day? In the original story, cleaning up the elders was the only war Ronan had to fight.

But for some reason, Leon was occupying the border? Was this revenge? Because he used him like a servant? Did he send those men in advance? Was that why he encountered them on the way back to the wolf clan?

Turns out that Riven did not even have to go and wake Soren up. He descended the stairs gracefully, he looked well-rested and in a better mood overall. The sight of a soldier bringing a message did not even faze him. He knew what it was about. He had anticipated it.

Someone as ambitious and obnoxious as Leon would love to make the conquest himself, and show off his glory.

Soren folded his arms. "This isn’t good. But it’s not something you should be concerned about." He tapped the middle of Riven’s forehead after seeing his furrowed eyebrows. He wanted Riven to relax.

Soren’s dark eyes flicked to the border town. "Any wolf patrols?"

"Nothing visible," added the soldier. "Mainly Lion and Snow Leopard scouts. There are a few of Ronan’s men, quiet, near the perimeter, but it is nowhere near enough."

Riven closed his eyes. Quiet. Of course. They were probably sent to blend in and simply monitor the situation. Most of Ronan’s forces were used to capture the elders and clean up the clans. They were in various towns and cities across the wolf clan. Summoning them to the border would take some time...

"It is my concern, this is still my clan..." Riven said softly, he replied to Soren’s statement a few seconds late because he was still processing the news.

Soren leaned forward. "So what do you want to do?" If Ronan was not here, the next representative of the wolf clan was naturally Riven.

Riven let out a slow breath, hand tightening at his side. "Will you... Help control the situation?"

He turned toward Soren. His green eyes were wide, almost pleading—but he didn’t need to ask. Of course, Soren would help. Not to please Ronan, but because of Riven.

Without hesitation, Soren reached over and rubbed Riven’s black-furred ear—a small, intimate gesture only for his little wolf. "Of course," he said softly. "Want to go with me to the border so you can see things for yourself?"

Riven hesitated. Of course he wanted to go there and see what bullshit that stupid Lion was up to, but he couldn’t just leave. He had just done that too many times to Ronan... Went to get milk. Cough. He could not do that to him again. But-