LOGINRowan's hand remained firmly wrapped around the hilt of the dagger hidden beneath his cloak. His breathing stayed slow and even. A figure stood in the darkness watching him. "There's no need for you to be too cautious with me." The voice was calm, impossible to place. Rowan's eyes swept across the room, searching for even the slightest movement. "You asked me to come." "I did." "So step into the light." A brief silence followed. "I'm afraid that isn't possible." Rowan's grip tightened. "If this is a trap..." "It isn't." "You expect me to believe that?" "Of course, I expect that from you." The words echoed softly through the cellar. Rowan didn't lower his guard. "I didn't come this far to listen to someone hiding in the shadows." A faint chuckle drifted through the darkness. "Yet..."You still came." Silence settled between them. Neither of them spoke or moved. Finally, Rowan broke it. "You've been watching us since we entered the capital." "Yes. The stable hand, the ser
The palace gates opened slowly. A long line of merchants, craftsmen, and servants began moving through the entrance one group at a time. Rowan kept his head lowered beneath the hood of his coarse brown cloak. Beside him, Beta Lois carried a heavy wooden crate balanced against his shoulder. The rest of their men were scattered among different merchant caravans exactly as they had planned. No two warriors walked together. To anyone watching... They were nothing more than ordinary tradesmen answering the Lycan King's invitation for Welcoming Day. A Royal Guard stepped into their path. "Papers." The lead merchant quickly handed over a rolled parchment bearing the royal seal granted to approved traders. The guard studied it before motioning toward the wagons. "Search everything." Several soldiers immediately began inspecting every crate. Rowan remained perfectly still. This wasn't the first time he had stood within these walls. He already knew the palace. The towering stone arches
The Lycan Palace stirred long before sunrise. Servants hurried through the corridors carrying polished silver trays, embroidered banners, and fresh flowers gathered from the royal gardens. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from every wing of the palace. The welcoming day had arrived. From her chamber window, Aria watched the palace grounds below. Carriages rolled through the outer gates one after another. Nobles dressed in elaborate robes stepped down, followed by merchants bearing expensive gifts and military commanders in ceremonial armor. The palace had never been this alive. Yet despite the celebration, the number of Royal Guards had doubled. Every entrance was heavily guarded. Even above the palace walls were lined with archers. "I guess they won't let their guard down," Aria murmured. A knock came at the door. Lady Elyra entered with two maids carrying a carefully folded gown. "Good morning, My Lady." Aria turned from the window. "You weren't exaggerating." Lady Ely
Ren sat quietly on the soft rug in the corner of the room, completely unaware of the storm that had just entered his mother’s life. His small wooden wolf moved across the floor as he happily made little growling sounds. Lina couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was really here. It’s not a dream or illusion. Her son. The child she had left behind in Mooncrest Pack, believing he was safe. Her hands still trembled as she reached out and gently brushed his hair. Ren looked up with a bright smile. “Mama, are we going home now?” The innocent question shattered what little composure Lina had left. She forced a smile on her face. “Soon, I promise. Ren nodded happily, accepting her answer without question. He returned to playing with his toy. Vaelric watched the exchange in silence. Only after several moments did he speak. “You love him very much.” Lina slowly rose to her feet. “Which mother wouldn’t love there son.” “I know.”His voice remained calm. “That is precisely why he is here.”
The Royal Guard stopped outside a pair of towering doors. He turned to Lina. “His Majesty is expecting you.”Lina stared at the doors. Her heart pounded so violently she was certain the guard could hear it. This was it. The warning she had given Aria.The poisoned soup she had failed to give Aria. The messenger eventually knew about it. The Lycan King knew everything too. The guard pushed the doors open. “Lady Lina.” She forced her trembling legs to move. The throne room felt colder than she remembered. Sunlight poured through the towering windows, yet the chamber seemed cloaked in shadow. Vaelric stood beside the throne, his hands clasped behind his back. Lady Elyra stood several paces away. The messenger was nowhere to be seen. Lina lowered her head. “You summoned me, Your Majesty.” “I did.” His voice remained calm. Too calm for someone she had disobeyed.“Come closer.” She obeyed. Every step felt heavier than the last. When she finally stopped before him, Vaelric studied h
Morning arrived over the Lycan Palace. Aria had barely slept. The parchment lay hidden beneath a loose stone in her chamber floor. She had read it countless times during the night, yet every glance only deepened the mystery. A quiet knock sounded. "My Lady." Lady Elyra entered carrying a breakfast tray. "As always." She placed the tray on the table. "His Majesty wishes to see you after your meal." Aria's heart sank. "Another crystal ritual?" Lady Elyra shook her head. "No. He gave no reason." Before Aria could ask another question, another knock echoed through the chamber. Kael entered. He looked from Lady Elyra to Aria before speaking. "The King has requested that I escort you." Lady Elyra gave a respectful nod and quietly withdrew. The chamber door closed. For a moment, neither Aria nor Kael spoke. Finally, Kael lowered his voice. "Did you hide the parchment?" "Yes." "Good." He walked to the window and checked the courtyard below before turning back. "I've
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 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
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







