LOGINThe question settled over the room. Aria's heartbeat quickened. For the briefest moment, she considered telling him everything. The hidden chamber, the faded journal maybe it might remove his mind from Rowan. But something deep inside warned her against it. She met Vaelric's gaze. "There wasn't much." He waited. "It looked like an old chamber. There were broken statues... shelves... and ancient scrolls. I didn't stay long." "You touched nothing?" Aria hesitated for only a fraction of a second. "I was afraid to." Vaelric watched her quietly. His expression revealed nothing. Finally, he gave a small nod. "That was wise." Aria frowned. "You don't seem surprised." "Should I be?" "I entered a restricted corridor." "You did." "And you're not angry?" Vaelric walked toward the fireplace, watching the flames dance across the logs. "Tell me, Aria. If you found an unlocked door..." wouldn't you wonder what lay behind it?" She blinked. "You knew." "I suspected." "You left it unguard
The Royal Library was quieter than any other place in the palace. Aria pushed open the heavy oak doors, wincing as the old hinges groaned softly. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the distance, disappearing beneath a high arched ceiling. The scent of aged parchment, leather, and candle wax lingered in the air. Aria stepped inside. She had only taken a few steps when a voice broke the silence. "You're looking for something." She turned. An elderly man stood on a small wooden ladder, carefully returning a thick book to one of the upper shelves. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and a pair of round spectacles rested low on his nose. Unlike the servants she had met, he showed no surprise at seeing her. Instead, he climbed down slowly and dusted off his robes. "You must be Lady Aria." She offered a small nod. "And you are?" "The keeper of forgotten stories." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Most simply call me the librarian." Aria returne
Aria moved quietly through the palace corridors, following the faint pull of the mate bond whenever it resurfaced. Each time she thought she was getting closer… It slipped away again. “Come on…” she whispered. “Where are you?” Nova remained focused.“He’s somewhere inside the palace… I’m certain of it.” Aria rounded another corner before stopping abruptly. Something was different. Her eyes drifted toward a familiar passage. The restricted corridor. She had passed it several times since she was restricted. There were always two Lycan guards stationed outside its entrance. But tonight it stood completely deserted. Not a single guard remained. Aria frowned. “That’s strange.” Nova immediately became alert. “Don’t even think of it.” “I’m only looking.” “That’s exactly how trouble begins.” Aria glanced up and down the hallway. There was still no one around there. “Why would they leave a restricted corridor unguarded?” Nova didn’t answer. The silence itself felt like a warning.
By the time Aria reached her chamber, her mind was still on what Nova had said. The day in her bed, the pale afternoon light spilled through the glass, bathing the room in a soft glow. Only then did she realize how deep her thoughts were. Her hands trembled ever so slightly. Lady Elyra noticed. “Is there something on your mind, my lady? Should I ask the kitchen to prepare your lunch?” Aria nodded. “Thank you. But I’m fine.” Lady Elyra poured a glass of water and placed it into her hands. “You need to stop disobeying the king. He holds more power than you think, and doing that in the hall of awakening was very dangerous. “I know.”A shadow crossed Lady Elyra’s face. “No… I suppose you don’t.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. Aria stared out the window toward the distant mountains surrounding the Lycan Kingdom. Her thoughts drifted back to the feeling she had felt. The strange warmth that spread through her chest. It was faint but unmistakable. It was the same invisible
Thin rays of morning light slipped through the curtains, spreading across the floor of Aria's chamber. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Sleep had come only in fleeting moments, chased away by thoughts of the restricted corridor, Kael's unexpected warning, and the questions that had haunted her for weeks. She would stand before the crystal once again. A gentle knock sounded at the door. "My Lady." Lady Elyra's familiar voice came from the other side. "It is time." Aria sat up slowly. "I'll be there in a moment." She rose from the bed and disappeared behind the folding screen. A short while later, she emerged wearing a flowing ivory gown that reached her ankles. Delicate silver embroidery curled across the bodice and traced the edges of her long sleeves like climbing vines. A slender silver sash rested neatly at her waist, while the moonstone pendant around her neck shimmered softly against the fabric. Lady Elyra smiled warmly. "You look lovely, My Lady." "Thank
The hand clamped firmly over Aria's mouth. Before she could react, she was pulled backward into the shadows between two towering stone pillars. Her heart lurched. Instinct took over. She planted one foot, caught her attacker's wrist, and shifted her weight, ready to throw him over her shoulder. "Stop." The voice was low, but familiar. Aria froze. "...Kael?" "Quiet." His hand remained over her mouth as the sound of armored footsteps echoed through the corridor. Only when they were completely concealed did he slowly lower it. Aria immediately stepped away from him. "What are you doing here?" Kael didn't answer. He simply looked toward the corridor. "Listen." Two Royal Guards rounded the corner. "Everything clear?" "Clear." The second guard glanced toward the passage. "The captain wants another sweep before the next watch." "The captain's been restless all evening." "The King's orders." Neither man questioned it further. They continued down the corridor, their footsteps fad
Aria stepped into the grand hall slowly, her breath catching as the massive doors shut behind her with a dull, echoing thud. The scent of polished wood and warm candle wax mingled with the heavy perfumes lingering in the air, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that was both regal and suffocating.
The sharp scent of sweat and damp earth clung to the air around the training grounds, pressing heavy on Aria’s skin as she stood at the edge of the field. Her arms were wrapped tightly across her chest, not just to ward off the chill but to cage the tremors of a heart weighed down by years of unspo
The whispers started early, as they always did, but there was something different about them that morning, something that carried a kind of restless excitement through the pack house.“The ceremony is in a week and I also heard multiple packs are coming.”“Alpha Magnus wants it to be the biggest ga
The pack house felt different that day, louder than usual and filled with excitement that Aria didn’t share. She stood at the top of the stairs, her fingers resting lightly on the railing as wolves moved past her in a hurry, their voices overlapping as they spoke.“They’re here.”“I heard she’s st







