LOGINTwo weeks had passed since Princess Aria entered the world.The palace had settled into a comfortable rhythm. The sleepless nights had become a little easier, the anxious uncertainty of first-time parenthood had slowly transformed into growing confidence, and every day brought another small discovery.Aria had begun recognizing familiar voices.Whenever Nova spoke softly to her, the little princess would immediately calm, her tiny eyes searching the room until they found her mother. When Kieran held her, she would often curl comfortably against his chest, soothed by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.Doctor Miriam smiled every time she witnessed it."She already knows where she belongs."Those simple words warmed Nova's heart.That morning, Doctor Miriam completed another examination.She carefully checked both mother and daughter before closing her notebook with a satisfied smile."I'm pleased with both of you."Nova looked hopeful."Does that mean...?"The physician chuckled."Yes.
The celebrations lasted long after the blessing ceremony ended.For days, the streets of Blackthorn remained alive with music and laughter. Inns offered free meals to travelers in honor of Princess Aria's birth, children wore small white ribbons in their hair to celebrate the little princess, and churches throughout the kingdom held prayers of thanksgiving for the royal family.Yet, inside the palace, life had become wonderfully ordinary.The grand halls still echoed with footsteps and royal business continued as always, but for Nova and Kieran, the world had shrunk to one tiny cradle.Every moment revolved around Aria.Every smile.Every cry.Every peaceful breath she took while sleeping.One week after her birth, the nursery had become the busiest room in the palace.Queen Lyra entered carrying freshly washed baby blankets.King Kael followed behind with a carved wooden mobile that slowly turned above the cradle."I finished it this morning," he announced proudly.Tiny wolves, stars
Three days after Princess Aria's birth, the palace was alive with quiet excitement once again.Winter still covered Blackthorn in sparkling white, but inside the castle, warmth filled every hallway. Servants hurried from room to room carrying flowers, polished silver, and fresh evergreen branches. Candles were placed along the corridors, and the Great Hall was decorated with white roses, pine garlands, and golden ribbons.Today was not a day for politics.Nor was it a day for military affairs.It was a day of thanksgiving.A day to celebrate the newest member of the royal family.Nova stood before the mirror in her chambers while two attendants carefully adjusted her elegant ivory gown.Unlike the magnificent dresses she wore during state ceremonies, this one was simple.Its long sleeves were embroidered with silver thread, and tiny pearls decorated the neckline.She wanted the day to be about Aria.Not herself.Nearby, Princess Aria slept peacefully in a beautifully crafted cradle.T
Morning arrived gently over Blackthorn.The first rays of sunlight spilled across the snow-covered palace roofs, turning the white landscape into a sea of sparkling gold. The storm clouds had disappeared completely, leaving behind a brilliant blue sky.For the first time in many months, Nova awoke to a different sound.Not the steady rhythm of her own heartbeat.Not the gentle movements of the child within her.But the soft, contented sighs of the tiny baby sleeping peacefully beside her.Nova opened her eyes slowly and turned toward the cradle.Their daughter lay wrapped in a cream-colored blanket, one tiny hand resting against her cheek. Her dark hair, though still fine, was enough to make everyone laugh the night before."She has your hair," Ava had proudly declared."No," King Kael had argued."She has Lyra's."Doctor Miriam had only smiled."She's only one day old.""Let's give her time."Nova couldn't help smiling at the memory.A gentle knock sounded at the door."Come in," Nov
The palace was silent.Outside the royal chambers, no one dared to speak above a whisper. Servants moved quietly through the halls, their footsteps muffled against the thick carpets. The crackling fireplaces offered the only sound as everyone waited for news.Snow continued to fall gently beyond the palace windows, covering Blackthorn in a blanket of white.It was a peaceful evening.Yet inside one room, everything was about to change.Nova drew in another deep breath as Doctor Miriam encouraged her gently."You're doing wonderfully."Another contraction came, stronger than the last.Nova tightened her grip on Kieran's hand.He remained beside her exactly as he had promised.Never once letting go.Never once leaving her side.She looked at him through tired eyes."I didn't know..."She paused to steady her breathing."...it would be this hard."Kieran brushed a damp strand of hair away from her face."I know."His voice trembled slightly."I wish I could carry some of it for you."Nov
The palace awoke before sunrise.A gentle silence hung over Blackthorn, broken only by the crackling of fireplaces and the distant footsteps of guards changing shifts along the castle walls. Outside, the winter sky was painted in soft shades of blue and silver, while snow continued to fall in delicate flakes.Inside the royal chambers, Nova stirred in her sleep.A sudden, unfamiliar ache spread across her lower back.She frowned, slowly opening her eyes.For several moments, she remained perfectly still.The discomfort faded.She exhaled quietly."Perhaps I slept in an awkward position," she murmured.Carefully, she sat up and looked toward the window. The world outside looked peaceful, untouched by anything but snow.She smiled faintly.Then another wave of discomfort came.This time it wrapped around her abdomen before slowly easing away.Her smile disappeared."Kieran?"Beside her, Kieran immediately woke."What is it?""I... I'm not sure."She rested both hands over her stomach."
The room fell into deadly silence.Lyra stared at the silver Moonridge insignia in the guard’s bloody hand while her pulse thundered violently in her ears.Rowan sent someone here?Why?Kael’s expression became terrifyingly unreadable.“Where is he?” the Alpha King asked calmly.The guard swallowed
Lyra barely slept.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Rowan standing before the entire pack.You are too weak to stand beside me as Luna.The words replayed endlessly in her mind like a curse.She tossed restlessly beneath silk sheets that felt far too expensive for someone like her while moon
Silence crashed over the ceremonial grounds.No one moved.No one breathed.Lyra stared at Alpha King Kael Draven in complete shock, certain she had misunderstood him.Belongs to me?The words echoed violently inside her head.Around them, terrified whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
“I, Alpha Rowan Vale, reject you as my mate.”The words shattered through the ceremonial grounds like a death sentence.For one horrifying second, Lyra Nightshade forgot how to breathe.The sacred fire crackled violently in the center of the arena while hundreds of wolves stood frozen around them b







