The rain fell harder against the castle windows.
Kael stood silently, staring at the old mirror.
His jaw tightened.
“Destroy it.” Two guards immediately stepped forward.
“No!” Aria rushed between them and the mirror.
“You can’t.” Kael’s golden eyes met hers.
“Aria…” “It spoke to me.” “Exactly.” His voice was unusually serious.
“Mirrors like this haven’t awakened in centuries.” She frowned.
“What is it?” Kael hesitated.
“It is called the Moon Mirror.” “It only reveals itself to those carrying the blood of the First Queen.” The room fell silent.
Aria laughed nervously.
“That’s impossible.” “I grew up as an orphan.” Kael looked away.
“Did you?” His question hung in the air.
Before Aria could answer, Rowan knocked once before entering.
“My King.” Kael nodded.
“What is it?” “We found something.” “What?” “The royal archives.” “The old records…” “They’ve been opened.” Kael’s expression darkened.
“Who entered them?” “We don’t know.” “But one book is missing.” “Which one?” Rowan swallowed.
“The Book of the Moonborn.” Kael cursed under his breath.
“They’re already moving.” — Deep beneath the castle…
Far below the dungeons…
Below even the oldest foundations…
A hidden stone door slowly opened.
A hooded figure carried a flickering lantern through a forgotten tunnel.
Ancient carvings covered the walls.
Every carving showed the same woman.
A queen with silver eyes.
Standing beside a giant black wolf.
The hooded stranger stopped before a massive stone coffin wrapped in glowing chains.
He smiled.
“It won’t be long now.” He placed one hand against the chains.
Cracks spread across the glowing seals.
A low laugh echoed through the darkness.
— Meanwhile…
Unable to sleep, Aria wandered onto the castle balcony.
The rain had finally stopped.
Thousands of stars covered the sky.
“You should be resting.” She turned.
Kael stood beside her.
“I’ve had enough sleep for one day.” He smiled faintly.
They stood together in silence.
Finally, Aria spoke.
“Do you really believe I’m this…
Moonborn Queen?” Kael didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the moon.
“When I was a boy…” “My mother told me a story.” “She said the Moon Goddess blessed the world with a queen whose light united every wolf.” “What happened to her?” “No one knows.” “Some believe she died.” “Others believe she disappeared.” “And you?” Kael’s gaze slowly found hers.
“I believe she left someone behind.” Aria looked confused.
“Who?” “You.” She quickly looked away.
“You barely know me.” “I know enough.” “You choose kindness even after people have been cruel to you.” “You still defended a mirror everyone else feared.” “You thanked servants who expected nothing.” He stepped closer.
“Power doesn’t make a queen.” “Her heart does.” For a moment…
Neither of them spoke.
Aria realized how close they were standing.
She could hear his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
Safe.
Suddenly— A scream echoed through the castle.
Kael’s expression changed instantly.
“Stay here.” Before Aria could stop him, he was gone.
She rushed after him.
The scream had come from the royal library.
When they arrived…
Books were scattered across the floor.
Shelves had been torn apart.
A royal guard lay unconscious against the wall.
And written across the stone floor…
In fresh blood…
Three chilling words.
SHE BELONGS TO ME.
Kael’s golden eyes blazed with fury.
Because he recognized the handwriting.
He hadn’t seen it in over five hundred years.
And he had prayed…
He never would again.