Raising Beast Cubs to Find a Husband-Chapter 168: Lion’s Den

The Sky is Broken

The surface of the ocean wasn’t much better than the bottom.

The Abyssal Hunter bobbed in the black, oily waves. The sky above wasn’t blue. It was a bruised purple, dominated by a massive, unblinking Black Eye staring down from the stratosphere.

"Well," Jax said, leaning back in the pilot’s throne. "That’s terrifying. I assume that’s the real Boss?"

"It is the Void Sovereign," Lucien corrected, staring up at the eye. "It hasn’t fully breached our reality yet. That Eye is just a periscope. It is looking for a weak point to tear the sky open."

Primrose sat on the deck, hugging her knees. The Heart of the Tide was safely tucked into a magical satchel at her waist. She had Six Tails now, but she felt exhausted. The Blue Tail rippled like water behind her, still settling into her spirit.

"We need a fortress," Caspian said, wincing as he adjusted his bandages. "Sunless City is in lockdown. The Obsidian Jungle is compromised. Our own homes aren’t safe."

Leonora stepped forward. She was cleaning her sword with a rag, her expression grim.

"We go to the emperor," she said.

Everyone looked at the Lioness.

"The Capital City?" Cassian frowned. " It is heavily fortified, yes. The Sun-Shields are impenetrable. But..."

"My father owes Primrose a life debt," Leonora said firmly. "She saved his niece, Ellia, from the Void influence months ago. He will not turn us away."

"He won’t," Lucien agreed quietly. "But his Ancestor might."

Primrose looked up. "Ancestor?"

"The First Lion," Leonora sighed, looking uncomfortable. "The Founder of the Beast Empire. His spirit resides in the Throne Room. He... had strong opinions about Ophelia."

"He thinks she’s a traitor," Caspian clarified grimly. "When Ophelia took the Heart of the Tide, the First Lion believed she was abandoning the war to save herself. He declared the Fox Clan enemies of the state."

"Oh right, I forgot about that," Primrose groaned, flopping back onto the deck. "Another ancestor with a grudge. Is there anyone in history my ancestor didn’t tick off?"

"The Wolves liked her," Rurik offered. "She threw good parties."

"We have no choice," Leonora said. "The capital city is the only place with a shield strong enough to hide us from that Eye while Primrose recovers. And Father is reasonable. If he commands it, the Ancestor has to... cope."

---

They didn’t sail to the capital. The Abyssal Hunter—being a magical dragon-skull—could fly.

It hovered about fifty feet above the ground, groaning and leaking water, but it moved fast. They crossed the continent. Below them, the world was in chaos. The purple light from the Void Eye was mutating the landscape.

But ahead, there was a beacon of hope.

It sat on top of a massive plateau. The architecture was pure imperial grandeur—domed roofs, manicured gardens, and towering pillars. A massive dome of golden light—the Sun Shield—covered the entire city, blocking out the purple sky.

"It’s shiny!" Vali cheered, hanging out the window. "So this is the Emperor’s place!"

They landed on the private airstrip of the Imperial Palace. A regiment of Lion Guards—massive warriors in golden armor—surrounded the ship instantly.

Leonora kicked the hatch open. She stepped out, radiating authority.

"At ease, Captain," she barked. "Princess Leonora returning. And I brought the circus."

The Captain’s eyes widened. He knelt immediately. "Your Highness! And... the Warlords!"

They were escorted directly to the Throne Room. It was vast and bathed in sunlight. The decor was pure Victorian-era luxury: velvet curtains, crystal chandeliers, and gold everywhere.

Sitting on the Golden Throne was Emperor Leonis.

When he saw them, he stood up and walked down the steps with open arms.

"Primrose!" Leonis boomed. He ignored protocol and pulled her into a massive lion hug.

"Your Majesty," Primrose squeaked, being crushed. "Ribs. Cracking."

"Apologies!" Leonis laughed, setting her down. He looked at the Warlords. "My friends. You look terrible. You smell like wet dog and swamp."

"Did you have some kind of disagreement with a kraken?" Prince Bastion’s deep voice echoed as he entered from the side.

Bastion strode in.

"Father!"

Ellia walked out from behind Bastion. She didn’t run.

"Ellia," Bastion smiled, lifting her up.

Ellia kissed her father’s cheek, then turned her gaze to the group. Her eyes landed on Primrose.

"Lady Primrose," Ellia said, dipping into a perfect curtsy. "It is a relief to see you well."

"Hello, Ellia," Primrose smiled, hugging her gently. "You look radiant as always."

"Thank you," Ellia said politely. "I missed you guys so much."

While the adults spoke, the children gathered. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Arjun straightened his vest. He patted down his hair. He looked at Ellia, and looked nervous. His ears twitched.

Ellia looked at him. She knew exactly what he was feeling. She found it charming, but she kept her expression serene.

"Lord Arjun," Ellia greeted him with a small, dignified nod. "I trust the journey was not too arduous?"

Arjun cleared his throat. He stood very stiffly.

"It was... adequate, Princess Ellia," Arjun said, his voice slightly higher than usual. "The city’s defenses are amazing."

"Indeed," Ellia agreed softly. "Uncle Leonis insists on the best security. Though I worry about the structural integrity of your... current attire. You are covered in slime."

Arjun looked down at his ruined suit. He blushed a deep red.

"It was a retreat through a sewer," Arjun mumbled, looking mortified. "It is not my preferred look."

"It suits you," Ellia said, a tiny, barely visible smile touching her lips. "Rugged."

Arjun stopped breathing for a solid five seconds.

Jasper walked up, observing the interaction. "Fascinating courtship rituals. But could we focus on the giant eye in the sky?"

---

The warm reunion was cut short.

The temperature in the room dropped.

Behind the throne, there was a massive statue of a Lion carved from obsidian and gold. It was the First Founder. Its eyes—two massive rubies—suddenly glowed.

"INTRUDER."

The voice didn’t come from the air. It came from the stone itself.

Leonis flinched. "Ancestor, please. These are guests."

"GUESTS?" the statue roared. The ruby eyes locked onto Primrose.

"I SMELL A THIEF. I SMELL THE BLOOD OF THE BETRAYER."

A beam of red light shot from the statue’s eyes, scanning Primrose.

"OPHELIA."

Primrose stepped forward, hiding the kids behind her. "I’m not Ophelia. I’m Primrose. And I just saved the Ocean, so a ’thank you’ would be nice."

"LIES," the Ancestor bellowed. "THE FOX STOLE THE TIDE. SHE LEFT THE EMPIRE VULNERABLE. SHE IS A COWARD."

The stone lion began to move. Stone cracked as the massive statue stepped off its pedestal. It was twenty feet tall and looked ready to squash Primrose like a bug.

"PURGE THE TRAITOR."

"Ancestor, stand down!" Emperor Leonis shouted, drawing his ceremonial sword. "She saved my niece! She is an ally!"

"YOU ARE BLINDED BY SENTIMENT, BOY," the Ancestor growled at the Emperor. "THE FOX CANNOT BE TRUSTED. SHE WILL STEAL THE SUN NEXT."

The statue raised a massive stone paw.

---

Rajah stepped in front of Primrose. His sword ignited. "Not today, whiskers."

Rurik cracked his knuckles. "I’ve been wanting to punch a statue."

Caspian, Lucien, and Cassian formed a defensive line.

But before the fight could start, Ellia stepped out from behind her father.

She didn’t shout. She didn’t cry. She walked calmly to the base of the statue and looked up.

"Great-Great-Grandfather," Ellia said, her voice clear and cutting through the tension. "You are being rude."

The statue paused. The giant paw hovered in the air.

"THE CHILD OF BASTION?"

"Primrose is not a traitor," Ellia stated, adjusting her bow. "She is my Nanny. She purged the Void from my blood when our own healers failed. If you strike her, you strike the savior of your bloodline."

She looked at the statue with eyes that were far too old for her face.

"Is that the conduct of a King? To attack a guest who saved his kin?"

The statue hesitated. It lowered its paw slightly.

"SHE CARRIES THE SCENT OF THE THIEF. BUT... THE CUB SPEAKS WITH CONVICTION."

The Ancestor looked at Arjun, Vali, and Silas standing beside Primrose.

"THE HEIRS STAND WITH HER?"

"She’s the Alpha," Vali said simply.

Arjun stepped forward, standing next to Ellia. He looked terrified of the giant stone lion, but he wouldn’t let Ellia stand alone.

"She is honorable," Arjun said stiffly. "She protected the Pack."

The statue rumbled. It leaned down, its stone face inches from Primrose.

"PROVE IT. OPHELIA RAN AWAY. SHOW ME YOU WILL NOT RUN."

Primrose looked at the giant stone face. She looked at the Black Eye visible through the translucent ceiling of the dome.

"I’m not running," Primrose said quietly. "I’m gathering the pack. And I need the Lion’s strength."

She flared her Six Tails.

"I need the Fire. I need the Storm. And I need the Sun."

The statue stared at her. The ruby eyes dimmed slightly.

"BIG WORDS, LITTLE FOX. BUT WORDS ARE WIND."

The statue pointed to a door at the back of the throne room. It was sealed with burning golden runes.

"THE TRIAL OF KINGS LIES BEYOND. IF YOU SURVIVE IT... I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE YOU. IF YOU FAIL... I WILL CRUSH YOU MYSELF."

Emperor Leonis looked pale. "The Trial of Kings? Ancestor, that is for Emperors only! It tests the soul with the pure heat of the Sun! No outsider has ever survived it!"

"I’ll do it," Primrose said immediately.

"Primrose, no," Leonis warned. "It burns away impurity. If you have any Void corruption in you... you will incinerate."

Primrose touched the spot on her chest where she felt the bond with the kids.

"I’m not corrupted," Primrose said. "I’m just... really tired. But let’s get this over with."

She looked at the statue.

"Open the door, Kitty."

"VERY WELL," the Ancestor rumbled. "ENTER THE FURNACE."

The golden door swung open, revealing a blinding white light.

Rajah stepped forward. "I’m coming with her. She needs Fire."

Rurik cracked his neck. "And Lightning. You can’t start a storm without a Wolf."

The Ancestor didn’t stop them.

Primrose took a deep breath. She looked at Ellia and Arjun, who were watching her with solemn faith.

"Be right back," Primrose promised.

She stepped into the fire.