The castle bells echoed through every corridor.
Aria watched Kael’s expression harden into that of a king.
The warmth in his golden eyes vanished, replaced by authority.
“Bring them to the throne room,” Kael ordered.
Rowan bowed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” As Rowan disappeared, Kael turned back to Aria.
“I’m sorry.” She frowned.
“For what?” “Your first day here was supposed to be peaceful.” A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
“I don’t think peace likes following me.” For the first time, Kael smiled.
It wasn’t the smile of a king.
It was simply a man trying to comfort someone who had forgotten what kindness felt like.
“You’d be surprised.” Before Aria could answer, three maids entered carrying elegant gowns in shades of silver and midnight blue.
One curtsied.
“Your Majesty, we’ve prepared dresses for the future queen.” Aria immediately shook her head.
“No.” The maids exchanged confused glances.
“I won’t wear those.” Kael raised an eyebrow.
“And why not?” “Because I’m not a queen.” “And I’m certainly not dressing like one.” A few guards near the door struggled to hide their smiles.
No one had ever refused the Lycan King’s gifts before.
Instead of becoming angry, Kael folded his arms.
“What would you rather wear?” Aria pointed toward the simple clothes folded on a nearby chair.
“Those.” Kael chuckled softly.
“As you wish.” The maids looked horrified.
“But, Your Majesty—” “I said,” Kael interrupted gently, “as she wishes.” Aria stared at him.
He wasn’t trying to control her.
He was giving her a choice.
It was such a small thing…
Yet no one had done that for her in years.
The Lycan throne room was breathtaking.
Towering marble pillars stretched toward the ceiling.
Silver banners bearing the royal wolf crest lined the walls.
At the far end stood an enormous throne carved from black stone.
Around it waited twelve elders.
The Lycan Council.
Their expressions darkened the moment Aria entered.
“So,” one elderly woman said coldly.
“This is the girl.” “She looks ordinary.” Another elder sniffed in disgust.
“A rejected she-wolf.” “Unfit to stand beside our king.” Aria lowered her gaze.
The words hurt.
Not because she believed them…
But because she’d heard them her entire life.
Kael stepped forward.
His voice was calm.
“Mind your words.” One elder slammed his staff against the floor.
“We speak only the truth.” “Our queen should come from noble blood.” “Not an orphan abandoned by fate.” The room fell silent.
Kael’s eyes flashed gold.
“You know nothing about her blood.” The elders laughed.
“We know enough.” Aria felt the familiar ache in her chest.
Maybe they were right.
Maybe she truly was no one.
Suddenly…
The silver pendant around her neck grew warm.
Very warm.
She touched it instinctively.
A pulse of brilliant silver light burst from the pendant.
The entire throne room shook.
The elders stumbled backward.
A powerful gust of wind swept through the hall.
The royal banners fluttered wildly.
Then…
A glowing crescent moon appeared on Aria’s wrist.
Everyone froze.
The oldest elder’s walking stick slipped from his hands.
His face turned deathly pale.
“No…” He whispered.
“It can’t be.” Kael stared at the glowing mark.
His heart skipped a beat.
He knew that symbol.
Every Lycan child knew it.
The Mark of the Moon.
A mark that had not appeared…
For over a thousand years.
The oldest elder slowly dropped to one knee.
Then another elder followed.
Soon…
Every member of the council was kneeling before Aria.
The old elder’s voice trembled.
“The prophecy…” “It’s true.” “The Moonborn Queen has returned.” Aria looked at the glowing mark on her wrist in shock.
“I…
don’t understand.” Neither did she notice the shadow watching from the highest tower.
Hidden beneath a black hood, a stranger smiled.
“So…” “She has finally awakened.” He turned and disappeared into the darkness.
“The hunt begins.”