Silence consumed the throne room.
Every elder remained on one knee.
Every guard stood frozen.
Only Aria moved.
She stared at the glowing crescent moon on her wrist as though it belonged to someone else.
“This…” Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
“What is happening to me?” The mark shimmered once more before fading into her skin.
The light disappeared.
It was as if it had never been there.
The oldest elder slowly lifted his head.
His cloudy eyes were filled with tears.
“I waited seventy years to see that mark again.” Aria looked at him.
“What does it mean?” The old elder opened his mouth…
But Kael stepped forward.
“Not here.” The king’s voice echoed through the chamber.
“There are ears in every corner of this castle.” His gaze swept across the council.
“If anyone speaks a single word of what happened today…” His golden eyes flashed.
“…they will answer to me.” No one argued.
No one dared.
— That evening…
Rain poured over the castle.
Aria stood alone in her chamber, unable to sleep.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the mark.
The prophecy.
The way everyone had looked at her.
She crossed the room toward the tall mirror.
For a long moment…
She simply stared.
A plain girl looked back at her.
Dark hair.
Grey eyes.
A face that had spent years believing it was invisible.
“There is nothing special about me,” she whispered.
The mirror rippled.
Aria frowned.
Had she imagined it?
Before she could step away, the reflection smiled.
Her own reflection.
Except…
Aria hadn’t smiled.
Her blood ran cold.
“W-who are you?” The reflection spoke.
“I have waited for you.” Aria stumbled backward.
The woman inside the mirror looked exactly like her.
Only…
Her eyes glowed silver like moonlight.
She wore a flowing white gown embroidered with ancient symbols.
Her hair floated around her as though touched by an unseen wind.
“You are afraid.” “I would be too.” Aria’s heart pounded.
“Am I dreaming?” “No.” “Then who are you?” The woman’s smile was both kind and sad.
“I am a memory.” “A memory carried in your blood.” Aria shook her head.
“I don’t understand.” “You will.” “But not tonight.” The reflection slowly raised her hand.
“So many lies have surrounded your life.” “They told you that you were abandoned.” “They told you your parents were dead.” “They told you you were ordinary.” She paused.
“They lied.” Aria felt her knees weaken.
“My parents…” “They’re alive?” Before the reflection could answer— BANG!
The bedroom door burst open.
Kael rushed inside, sword already drawn.
“Aria!” The mirror returned to normal.
The mysterious woman vanished.
Kael searched the room.
“What’s wrong?” Aria pointed toward the mirror.
“There was a woman…” “She looked like me.” “She spoke to me.” Kael slowly lowered his sword.
His expression became unreadable.
“What did she say?” Aria swallowed.
“She said…” “My parents may still be alive.” For the first time since meeting her…
Fear crossed the Lycan King’s face.
Not fear for himself.
Fear of the truth.
Because if the mirror had awakened…
Then someone else had awakened too.
Far beyond the kingdom…
Hidden beneath a mountain of black stone…
An ancient pair of crimson eyes opened.
A voice echoed through the darkness.
“The Moonborn has awakened.” Chains rattled.
A smile spread across the unseen figure’s face.
“At last…” “The war can begin.”