LOGINAria stood motionless. The tears on her cheeks had long since dried, leaving only the emptiness in her eyes. Rowan took another cautious step toward her. "Aria..." His voice was softer than she had ever heard it. “Please." She flinched. It was a small movement. Barely noticeable. But it was enough to make Rowan stop where he was. He looked as though someone had driven a blade through his heart. "I know I don't deserve your trust," he said quietly. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. But everything I told you after I met you was real." Aria let out a hollow laugh. "Real?" She finally looked at him. Those silver eyes he loved so much were filled with disbelief. "You looked me in the eyes, and never once told me that the reason you came into my life was because another man ordered you to." Rowan opened his mouth. Nothing came out. "There wasn't a day I didn't want to tell you." "Then why didn't you?" Her voice rose, breaking beneath the weight of her pain. "Why?" The qu
The hall remained deathly still. No one spoke. The messenger's final words lingered in the night air. “She'll never look at you the same way again." Aria couldn't tear her eyes away from Rowan. The man she'd trusted. The man she'd fought beside. The man she'd chosen. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "...What doesn't he know?" The messenger smiled. "Everything." Rowan took a step toward Aria. "Don't listen to him. He came here to destroy us." "No." The messenger laughed softly."I came here to reveal what you buried." He looked toward the gathered wolves. "You all believe this Alpha found his mate by fate." How romantic." His smile vanished. "But fate had nothing to do with it." Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Varkos, Rowan’s wolf pushed against the surface. "Enough." The command rolled through the courtyard. Several wolves instinctively lowered their heads. The messenger didn't. He met Rowan's gaze without fear. "You're still trying to protect her. "How to
The words echoed through the courtyard long after the messenger fell silent. "...Your mission is complete." The black scroll still resting at Rowan's feet, untouched. The festive air that had filled Mooncrest only moments ago had disappeared, replaced by a suffocating silence. Aria's fingers curled tightly against the folds of her gown. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. "What mission?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. Yet in the silence, it carried across the entire courtyard. Rowan never looked at her. His eyes remained fixed on the scroll. "Answer her." The messenger's smile widened. "You owe her that much." Rowan finally lifted his head. "There is nothing to explain." The messenger laughed. "Oh, there is everything to explain." He took a slow step forward, his boots striking the stone with deliberate ease. "You've hidden the truth for years. “I think it's finally time." A low growl escaped Rowan's chest. "I won't warn you again." "You already hav
Silence settled over the ceremonial grounds.No one moved or spoke.The stranger remained standing at the entrance, the hood of his black cloak casting a shadow over most of his face. Only the faint curve of his smile was visible beneath the moonlight.Aria's heart pounded against her ribs. Beside her, Rowan's hand slowly slipped from hers. Nova growled deep inside her mind.“Danger.“The word echoed through Aria's thoughts like a warning bell.The Moon Priest lowered his hands, the sacred blessing forgotten as every eye remained fixed on the unexpected guest.It was Elder Aldrin who finally broke the silence."Who are you?" His voice, though steady, lacked its usual confidence. "And how dare you interrupt a sacred ceremony?"The stranger inclined his head politely."My identity is of little importance. "My message is not."He reached beneath his cloak.Instantly, dozens of warriors drew their swords.Steel flashed beneath the moonlight. The stranger merely chuckled."If I wished your
Mooncrest Pack had never looked more beautiful. Green banners embroidered with the silver crescent crest swayed gently from rooftops and stone pillars, dancing with the evening breeze. Lanterns lined every pathway leading to the ceremonial grounds, their warm glow blending with the silver light pouring from the full moon overhead. Laughter drifted through the pack as pack members gathered in their finest clothing, eager to witness a ceremony many believed would mark the beginning of a new era. Inside the Luna quarters, Aria stood before a polished mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at her. The simple girl who had once wandered into Mooncrest, barely alive with no wolf now wore a flowing white gown embroidered with silver vines. Her silver hair had been braided loosely over one shoulder, tiny moonflowers woven carefully between the strands. Around her neck rested the Moonstone pendant every Mooncrest Luna wore, a symbol of trust passed down through generations.
The fortress hummed with preparation.It was the day before the Luna Ceremony, and Mooncrest had transformed. Green banners bearing the crescent moon hung from every window. The great hall had been swept and polished until the long tables gleamed. The kitchens had been in a state of controlled chaos since dawn, Gretta directing the cooks and servants with quiet efficiency, her voice never rising above a measured tone. The scent of fresh bread and roasting venison drifted through every corridor.Aria stood at the window of her chambers, Audra on her arms, watching the first of the guests arrive. The gates had been opened at midday, and a steady stream of wolves had been passing through ever since. But it was a small, familiar group near the courtyard entrance that made her breath catch.“They came, Aria murmured. “I didn’t think they would acknowledge my invite.”“Yes, Nova said softly. “They did.”Mira was the first through the gates.She had come from Nightfang with only one companio
Rowan woke to an empty bed. The sheets beside him were cold. The cradle was empty. For a moment, his heart seized, then he saw her. Aria stood at the window, Audra cradled in her arms, her silver hair loose down her back. The first pale light of dawn was just beginning to creep over the mountains
The days after Audra's birth passed in a blink of of the nights and quiet vigilance. Aria rarely left their chambers. The fortress was on high alert, patrols doubled, guards at every entrance, Bael's quiet presence a constant at the end of the corridor. Rowan spent hours in his study with Lois, r
The storm had passed. Moonlight spilled through the windows of the healer's wing, pale and clean, washing the room in silver. The candles had burned low. Elara had retreated to her quarters an hour ago, leaving strict instructions for rest and a pot of herbal tea on the bedside table. Aria lay p
A storm came over the mountains without warning, black clouds swallowing the stars, wind howling through the pines like a living thing. Rain lashed against the windows of the healer's wing. The torches in the corridor guttered and spat. Inside, the room was warm despite the cold pressing at the g







