A heavy silence settled over the ruined forest.
No one spoke.
No one dared disturb the place where the First Alpha had made his final stand.
Aria stared at the empty space, her heart aching.
“I never even got to thank him.” Kael stepped beside her.
“He knew.” She looked at him.
“How can you be sure?” Kael’s golden eyes softened.
“Because he smiled.” “He smiled at you like someone who had finally fulfilled his life’s purpose.” Aria lowered her gaze, fighting back fresh tears.
The journey back to the Lycan Castle was quiet.
Even the horses seemed to sense that something precious had been lost.
As they rode through the castle gates, every servant and every guard bowed.
News of the battle had spread.
The Moonborn Queen had survived.
The Shadow Gate had been sealed.
But the cost had been great.
The castle bells rang thirteen slow chimes in honor of the First Alpha.
That evening…
Aria stood alone on the highest balcony.
The moon hung low over the kingdom.
“So much has changed,” she whispered.
A warm cloak settled over her shoulders.
She turned.
Kael.
“You’ll catch cold.” She smiled faintly.
“I thought kings had more important things to do.” “They do.” “So why are you here?” “Because my queen looked lonely.” Aria laughed softly.
“You still call me that.” “You still deny it.” They stood side by side, watching the stars.
After a long silence, Kael spoke.
“When I was young…” “My mother used to bring me here.” “She told me every star was the soul of someone who had protected the kingdom.” Aria looked up.
“Do you think the First Alpha is among them now?” Kael smiled.
“I think he always was.” Meanwhile…
Deep beneath the royal archives…
An ancient stone door slowly opened.
Dust swirled through a forgotten chamber no one had entered for centuries.
Rows of shelves lined the walls.
In the center stood a crystal pedestal.
Resting upon it…
…was an old silver crown.
The same crown from Aria’s vision.
A frail old woman, dressed in the robes of the castle’s chief librarian, knelt before it.
“I’ve waited a thousand years…” She gently lifted the crown.
“It is time.” Far away…
Inside the Blackwood Pack.
Damon hadn’t slept in days.
His wolf paced restlessly.
Find her.
“I don’t know where she is.” Find her.
The command grew louder.
More desperate.
A knock sounded at his door.
“Come in.” Alpha Victor entered, his expression unusually serious.
“We’ve received news.” Damon looked up immediately.
“What news?” Victor placed a sealed letter on the table.
“It came from one of our scouts.” “They were returning from the northern forests.” Damon tore the seal open.
His hands began to tremble as he read.
“What is it?” Victor asked.
Damon looked up, his face drained of color.
“The Lycan Kingdom…” Victor’s eyes narrowed.
“What about it?” Damon swallowed hard.
“Our scouts say…” “…the Lycan King has publicly presented his mate to the entire kingdom.” Silence filled the room.
Victor slowly closed his eyes.
“So…” “It’s true.” Damon’s chest tightened until he could barely breathe.
His mate.
The woman he had rejected.
Now stood beside the most powerful king in the werewolf world.
His wolf howled in agony.
Too late…
Damon clenched the letter in his fist.
“No…” His voice was barely a whisper.
“It’s not over.” Far above the kingdom…
A raven with crimson eyes watched from the clouds.
It spread its wings and flew toward a dark fortress hidden beyond the mountains.
Its master would be pleased.
The game had entered its next stage.