Black Phoenix Heir

Chapter 126: Chapter 126 — The Shadow Fox Clan

Chapter 126 — The Shadow Fox Clan

Somewhere on the other side of the forest, Lyra walked between Zuban and Levron.

A rope was tied around her wrists.

It was unnecessary.

They both knew Lyra wasn’t going anywhere.

But that wasn’t the point.

Zuban wanted everyone to see her like this.

A prisoner.

A traitor.

Someone who had betrayed the Shadow Fox Clan.

The three eventually emerged from the forest and arrived at the Shadow Fox settlement.

Lyra’s eyes moved across the village.

The settlement stretched across a large section of the cavern, containing hundreds of buildings constructed from dark wood and stone. The houses had curved roofs with layered tiles, wooden balconies, narrow walkways, and raised foundations. Some had small gardens surrounding them, while others were connected by wooden paths that wound between the homes.

The entire settlement possessed a quiet, almost ancient beauty.

Dark.

Elegant.

Calm.

The faint glow of spiritual plants and crystals illuminated the streets, casting soft shadows across the buildings.

Children ran through the streets, playing games while adults carried out their daily tasks. Some prepared food. Others worked with tools or tended to gardens. A few cultivators sat outside their homes with their eyes closed, quietly meditating.

Yet despite all the activity, the village itself remained remarkably peaceful.

And there were two traits shared by everyone.

Black hair and fox ears.

The fox ears protruded from the heads of children and adults alike, twitching occasionally as they went about their business.

The moment Lyra entered the village, however, the peaceful atmosphere changed.

People stopped what they were doing.

Heads turned.

Eyes widened.

Whispers spread through the streets.

"Is that Lyra?"

"Why is she tied up?"

"What’s going on?"

"Did she commit some kind of crime?"

"I thought she had been missing."

The questions multiplied.

Scenes like this were rare.

The Shadow Fox Clan was usually calm and orderly.

Their nature was almost the complete opposite of the Lava Rock Monkeys.

The Lava Rock Monkey territory had been loud, energetic, and filled with battles.

The Shadow Fox settlement was quiet, restrained, and covered in shadows.

Even the architecture seemed to reflect the difference.

Zuban continued walking.

His expression remained pleasant on the surface.

But his eyes told another story.

Every few moments, he stared at Lyra’s back.

Hatred.

Jealousy.

Disappointment.

All of it remained buried beneath his expression.

For years, Zuban had imagined Lyra beside him.

They had grown up together.

After Lyra’s parents disappeared, she had been taken into Zuban’s family home, where they cared for her.

To Zuban, that had only strengthened what he believed their future would be.

He had always assumed they would eventually become betrothed.

That she would become his mate.

That the two of them would eventually rule the clan together.

But Lyra had never seen him that way.

To her, Zuban had always been closer to a younger brother than anything else.

She had never shared the feelings he had developed for her.

Now Zuban believed those hopes had been destroyed.

And he couldn’t accept it.

The trio continued through the village.

Eventually, they reached a massive house.

It was several times larger than the surrounding homes, with multiple floors, wide wooden balconies, and an imposing entrance.

Zuban stopped.

He looked toward Levron.

"Stay with the prisoner."

Levron nodded.

"I’ll speak with Father."

Without another word, Zuban entered the house.

Levron remained beside Lyra.

His calm expression never changed.

Zuban disappeared around a corner.

He walked through several hallways before stopping in front of a large wooden door.

He knocked.

"Come in."

Zuban opened the door.

Inside, a middle-aged Shadow Fox sat behind a large desk.

He possessed the same black hair and fox ears as the rest of the clan, but there was authority in his presence.

He looked up.

"What’s the matter, Zuban?"

Zuban immediately bowed.

"Hello, Father."

His father nodded.

"Speak."

Zuban straightened.

"Levron and I were conducting our usual patrol through the forest when we came across Lyra."

His father’s expression changed slightly.

"Lyra?"

"Yes."

Zuban’s smile disappeared.

"She has been missing for nearly a month."

His father leaned back slightly.

"And?"

Zuban’s fists tightened.

"She was with a human."

Silence filled the room.

His father’s eyes narrowed.

Zuban’s voice carried barely restrained anger.

"She had the scent of a human all over her."

His father’s expression darkened.

Zuban continued.

"I’m fairly certain they had mated."

His father’s face hardened.

For years, he had viewed Lyra as an important part of his plans for the clan.

She was talented.

She had tremendous potential.

That was why he had taken her into his family after her parents disappeared.

He had believed she would eventually become Zuban’s mate and stand beside his son when the time came for him to lead the clan.

But now...

That future had been destroyed.

Worse, she had apparently become involved with a human.

The very race the Shadow Fox Clan despised above all others.

The betrayers.

His father slowly exhaled.

"I understand, boy."

He paused.

"I’m sorry."

Zuban looked up.

His eyes burned with hatred.

"She must pay for this."

His father studied him.

"We will deal with it."

He stood from his chair.

"I will speak with the elders. She will be punished according to the laws of the clan."

His voice became colder.

"She will regret the day she chose to associate herself with a human."

There was unmistakable disgust in his voice when he said the word.

"Human."

Zuban nodded.

"Yes, Father."

He bowed.

"I’ll bring her to the dungeon."

His father looked at him.

"Do so."

Zuban turned toward the door.

Then his father spoke again.

"This will be handled soon."

Zuban stopped.

"Yes, Father."

He bowed once more and left the room.

The door closed.

His father remained standing.

His eyes lingered on the doorway.

A knowing look appeared on his face.

He had seen the hatred in his son’s eyes.

He knew exactly how deeply Zuban had taken this.

And he knew Lyra was going to have a very difficult time.

Outside, Zuban walked down the hallway.

A wide smile slowly spread across his face.

But beneath it, his anger remained.

The future he had imagined with Lyra was gone.

Instead, she would become an example.

A warning to anyone who dared betray the Shadow Fox Clan.

Zuban’s smile widened.

He continued toward the entrance.

She would learn exactly what her actions had cost her.

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