MasukMorning arrived gently over Blackthorn.The first rays of sunlight spilled across the snow-covered palace roofs, turning the white landscape into a sea of sparkling gold. The storm clouds had disappeared completely, leaving behind a brilliant blue sky.For the first time in many months, Nova awoke to a different sound.Not the steady rhythm of her own heartbeat.Not the gentle movements of the child within her.But the soft, contented sighs of the tiny baby sleeping peacefully beside her.Nova opened her eyes slowly and turned toward the cradle.Their daughter lay wrapped in a cream-colored blanket, one tiny hand resting against her cheek. Her dark hair, though still fine, was enough to make everyone laugh the night before."She has your hair," Ava had proudly declared."No," King Kael had argued."She has Lyra's."Doctor Miriam had only smiled."She's only one day old.""Let's give her time."Nova couldn't help smiling at the memory.A gentle knock sounded at the door."Come in," Nov
The palace was silent.Outside the royal chambers, no one dared to speak above a whisper. Servants moved quietly through the halls, their footsteps muffled against the thick carpets. The crackling fireplaces offered the only sound as everyone waited for news.Snow continued to fall gently beyond the palace windows, covering Blackthorn in a blanket of white.It was a peaceful evening.Yet inside one room, everything was about to change.Nova drew in another deep breath as Doctor Miriam encouraged her gently."You're doing wonderfully."Another contraction came, stronger than the last.Nova tightened her grip on Kieran's hand.He remained beside her exactly as he had promised.Never once letting go.Never once leaving her side.She looked at him through tired eyes."I didn't know..."She paused to steady her breathing."...it would be this hard."Kieran brushed a damp strand of hair away from her face."I know."His voice trembled slightly."I wish I could carry some of it for you."Nov
The palace awoke before sunrise.A gentle silence hung over Blackthorn, broken only by the crackling of fireplaces and the distant footsteps of guards changing shifts along the castle walls. Outside, the winter sky was painted in soft shades of blue and silver, while snow continued to fall in delicate flakes.Inside the royal chambers, Nova stirred in her sleep.A sudden, unfamiliar ache spread across her lower back.She frowned, slowly opening her eyes.For several moments, she remained perfectly still.The discomfort faded.She exhaled quietly."Perhaps I slept in an awkward position," she murmured.Carefully, she sat up and looked toward the window. The world outside looked peaceful, untouched by anything but snow.She smiled faintly.Then another wave of discomfort came.This time it wrapped around her abdomen before slowly easing away.Her smile disappeared."Kieran?"Beside her, Kieran immediately woke."What is it?""I... I'm not sure."She rested both hands over her stomach."
The storm passed during the night.When dawn broke over Blackthorn, the kingdom emerged beneath a blanket of untouched snow that sparkled like thousands of tiny diamonds in the morning light. The air was crisp and still, and the only sounds came from birds returning to the palace gardens and servants clearing the snow from the pathways.Inside the palace, however, the peaceful morning carried an unusual sense of anticipation.Nova had not slept well.She had awakened several times during the night, unable to find a comfortable position. The baby had been unusually active, as though sensing that something important was drawing near.As she slowly sat up in bed, she placed a hand over her stomach."You've certainly kept your mother awake," she whispered with a smile.A gentle kick answered her.She laughed quietly."I suppose that's your way of saying good morning."Kieran entered the room carrying a tray with warm herbal tea, fresh fruit, and slices of toasted bread."I thought you mig
Winter tightened its hold over Blackthorn.By the middle of the season, snow blanketed every road, every rooftop, and every forest. Smoke curled lazily from the chimneys of cottages across the kingdom, while frozen rivers glittered beneath pale winter sunlight. Though the cold was fierce, the people welcomed it with warm hearths, shared meals, and the comfort of knowing that their granaries were full.For the first time in many years, winter was not a season of survival.It was a season of peace.Within the palace, however, everyone knew that another important season was approaching.Nova's pregnancy had entered its final weeks.Every servant, every guard, and every member of the royal household seemed to move with quiet anticipation.The nursery had been prepared months ago.Tiny blankets were neatly folded inside carved wooden cabinets. A rocking chair sat beside the fireplace, and the cradle Kieran had spent weeks perfecting stood beneath the window, waiting patiently for its littl
Autumn slowly surrendered to winter.The brilliant gold and crimson leaves that had once covered the forests gave way to bare branches dusted with frost. Crisp morning air settled over Blackthorn, and the first hints of winter painted the mountain peaks white. Farmers completed their final harvests, merchants hurried to finish their journeys before heavy snow blocked the roads, and families gathered extra firewood in preparation for the cold months ahead.Within the royal palace, excitement grew with each passing day.Nova's pregnancy had entered its final months.The child who had once been no more than a tiny heartbeat was now growing stronger every week. Gentle kicks had become energetic movements that often caught Nova by surprise, sometimes making her laugh in the middle of a council meeting.No one in the palace minded.Every movement was a reminder that the future they had dreamed of was drawing closer.One cold morning, Nova stood beside the nursery window, wrapped in a warm w
“I, Alpha Rowan Vale, reject you as my mate.”The words shattered through the ceremonial grounds like a death sentence.For one horrifying second, Lyra Nightshade forgot how to breathe.The sacred fire crackled violently in the center of the arena while hundreds of wolves stood frozen around them b
The room fell into deadly silence.Lyra stared at the silver Moonridge insignia in the guard’s bloody hand while her pulse thundered violently in her ears.Rowan sent someone here?Why?Kael’s expression became terrifyingly unreadable.“Where is he?” the Alpha King asked calmly.The guard swallowed
Lyra barely slept.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Rowan standing before the entire pack.You are too weak to stand beside me as Luna.The words replayed endlessly in her mind like a curse.She tossed restlessly beneath silk sheets that felt far too expensive for someone like her while moon
The inside of Draven Castle was even more intimidating than the outside.Everything felt massive.Dark stone walls stretched high above Lyra while silver chandeliers illuminated long corridors lined with royal guards. The polished black floors reflected every step she took beside Kael, making the s







