LOGINThank you for reaching here Lovelies.
Ariana's POVNobody moved.The young guard stood at the bottom of the stairs, trying to catch his breath."They're waiting outside the castle," he said. "They sent messengers instead of soldiers."Rowan frowned."Messengers?"The guard nodded."They said they came to speak before anyone draws a sword."Kael looked at him."And if we refuse?"The guard lowered his head."They said they'll consider it a declaration of war."For a few seconds, nobody said anything.Kael turned to Elias."You knew this would happen.""Yes.""You could have warned us.""I did."Kael looked confused."When?""I warned your father."The words surprised everyone.Even Kael."My father died years ago.""I know.""He never told me anything about the Moon Council.""He was trying to protect you."Kael looked away.There were still things about his own family that he didn't know.I stepped forward."I'm tired of people protecting me with silence."Everyone looked at me."I've spent my whole life wondering why I ne
Ariana's POVNobody reached for a weapon.Nobody spoke.The old man stood at the end of the hall with a lantern in one hand and a wooden staff in the other. His white hair rested on his shoulders, and his robe looked older than the walls around him.He smiled as if he had known me all my life."Welcome home, Princess."The word hit me harder than it should have.Princess.I shook my head."You've made a mistake.""I haven't.""I don't belong here.""You do."Kael stepped in front of me before I could say anything else.His sword remained in his hand."Who are you?"The old man looked at him without fear."I asked you a question," Kael repeated."My name is Elias," the old man replied calmly. "I have guarded this place for many years.""Guarded it from who?""From people who wanted to erase the truth."Rowan slowly walked to Kael's side."You've been living under this castle all this time?"Elias smiled."I wasn't living.""I was waiting."His eyes found mine again."I knew you would c
Ariana's POV"I've been here before."The words left my mouth before I could stop them.Nobody spoke.Kael kept one hand on my arm, making sure I was steady.His face was close enough for me to see the worry he was trying to hide."What did you see?" he asked.I closed my eyes, hoping the memories would come back.Nothing.Only small pieces.A little girl running through a garden.Someone laughing.A woman kneeling in front of me.Then everything disappeared again.I opened my eyes."I can't remember."Kael searched my face."You don't have to force it.""But I want to.""You've remembered enough for one day."I pulled away gently."No."His eyebrows rose."If those memories belong to me, I deserve to know them."Before Kael could answer, the beast walked toward the broken altar.It stopped there and looked back at me.Almost as if it wanted me to follow.Rowan noticed it too."I think it's trying to show us something."Kael didn't move."It could be a trap."The beast lay down quietl
Ariana's POV"What do you mean that it followed me?"The servant nodded quickly."I saw it, My Lady. It didn't attack anyone. It walked through the castle like it already knew where it was going."I looked at Kael."I've been here the whole time.""I know that," he replied.His eyes moved to the open doors of the castle."If she's telling the truth, then it wasn't following you."I frowned."Then who?"Before anyone answered, another guard came running out of the castle."The beast is in the old chapel!"Kael picked up his sword from the ground."Rowan.""I'm coming.""Selene, stay with Ariana."I folded my arms.
Ariana's POVNobody knew what to do.The creature stayed where it was.Its head was lowered before me.The same monster that had torn through the castle gates now looked... obedient.I stared at it, unable to understand what was happening."I don't understand," I whispered.The beast slowly lifted its head.Its red eyes were no longer filled with rage.They looked calm.Almost gentle.I took one careful step back.The creature did not follow.Instead, it lowered its head again.Around us, nobody moved.Then one of the hunters shouted, "Don't let her control it!"The spell was broken.Arrows flew through the air."Down!" Rowan yelled.Before I could react, someone grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to the ground.An arrow flew over my head.Kael.He covered me with his body as more arrows struck the stone around us."You never listen," he muttered.Even in the middle of danger, I almost smiled."You've noticed?"He looked at me for a second."I noticed the first day I met you."
Ariana's POVNobody moved.The battle stopped on its own.Even the hunters lowered their weapons and stepped aside.Whatever was coming...They were making room for it.The heavy footsteps grew louder.Each one made the ground shake beneath my feet.I looked at the broken gate.Smoke drifted through the opening.For a few seconds, all I could see were shadows.Then something huge walked into the courtyard.It looked like a wolf.But no wolf could ever grow that large.Its head was higher than a horse.Its black fur was rough and covered with old scars. One ear was torn. Thick chains dragged behind it, scraping against the stones with a harsh sound.Its eyes were red.Not the bright red of fire.The dull red of something that had forgotten mercy.It stopped in the middle of the courtyard and lifted its head.The roar that burst from its mouth made several horses panic.One of the castle guards dropped his sword.Another covered his ears.I could not look away.The creature slowly turne







