Secrets Beneath Blackthorn Keep

The letter trembled in Clover’s hands.

Seven nights.

Seven nights until the Blood Moon.

Seven nights until Selene came for her.

The words replayed in her mind as Kael folded the letter and slipped it inside his coat.

“No one leaves the keep without my permission,” he ordered.

The guards nodded.

“Double the watch on every gate. Send scouts to every border.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Within minutes, the courtyard emptied as warriors rushed to carry out his commands.

Only Clover remained.

She looked at Kael.

“You knew this was coming, didn’t you?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately.

“I knew Selene wouldn’t stop.”

“But I didn’t think she’d move this quickly.”

Clover lowered her gaze.

“She’s coming because of me.”

“No.”

Kael stepped closer.

“She’s coming because she’s afraid of what you might become.”

⸻

The following morning…

Blackthorn Keep buzzed with activity.

Blacksmiths forged weapons day and night.

Healers prepared herbs and potions.

Warriors trained from sunrise until sunset.

Every member of the Shadow Pack was preparing for war.

Clover hated it.

Everywhere she looked, people were risking their lives because of her.

She wandered into the castle library, hoping the silence would calm her thoughts.

The library was enormous.

Towering shelves reached toward the ceiling, filled with books older than the kingdom itself.

As she ran her fingers along the dusty spines, one book suddenly slipped free and fell to the floor.

Thud.

Clover bent to pick it up.

The title was almost unreadable.

The Moon Kingdom

She frowned.

“I’ve never heard of that.”

As she opened the first page, a small silver key dropped onto the floor.

Clink.

It was no bigger than her thumb.

Strangely…

It was warm.

“What are you hiding?” she whispered.

Curiosity got the better of her.

She looked around.

No one was there.

The key seemed to pull her toward the far corner of the library.

Behind an old bookshelf stood a carved stone wall covered in faded ivy.

At its center…

A tiny keyhole.

Her heart raced.

She slid the silver key inside.

Click.

The entire bookshelf rumbled.

Stone groaned as a hidden doorway slowly opened.

Cold air rushed out from the darkness below.

A staircase.

Leading underground.

⸻

Meanwhile…

Kael stood in the training yard, sparring with Damon.

Steel rang against steel.

Neither brother spoke.

Finally, Damon lowered his sword.

“You’re distracted.”

Kael sighed.

“I know.”

“It’s the mate bond.”

Kael looked away.

“You felt it too.”

“I saw it.”

Damon crossed his arms.

“So when are you going to tell her?”

“I’m not.”

Damon blinked.

“You can’t hide it forever.”

“I have to.”

“Why?”

Kael’s voice grew quiet.

“Because every Moon Queen in history died protecting the one she loved.”

Silence.

Damon stared at him.

“You think if she knows…”

“I think she’ll choose me over her destiny.”

“And if she does…”

Kael closed his eyes.

“…our world loses its last hope.”

⸻

Beneath the castle…

Clover carefully descended the spiral staircase.

Each step echoed through the darkness.

At the bottom…

She gasped.

An enormous underground chamber stretched before her.

Moonlight somehow filtered through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating hundreds of ancient statues.

They were all women.

Each wore a crown shaped like crescent moons.

Moon Queens.

In the center of the chamber stood a crystal pedestal.

Resting upon it…

A silver crown.

Its delicate branches twisted together to form four tiny clovers around a glowing moonstone.

The moment Clover stepped closer—

The crown began to shine.

A voice filled the chamber.

“Welcome home…”

Clover froze.

“Who’s there?”

The statues glowed one after another.

Then…

The spirit of the First Moon Queen appeared before her.

She smiled warmly.

“You have finally found the Hall of Queens.”

Clover could barely breathe.

“Are you… real?”

“As real as memory.”

The Queen walked toward her.

“You seek answers.”

“I do.”

“Then ask.”

Tears filled Clover’s eyes.

“My parents…”

The Queen’s smile faded.

“They loved you beyond measure.”

“Then why did they leave me?”

“They didn’t.”

The spirit gently touched Clover’s cheek.

“They died protecting you.”

Clover’s knees weakened.

“No…”

“They believed one day you would return…”

“…and finish what they could not.”

Tears rolled freely down Clover’s face.

Before she could speak again—

A violent explosion shook the chamber.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

The spirit’s expression changed instantly.

“They’ve found the entrance.”

“Who has?”

The Queen looked toward the staircase.

“The traitor.”

Footsteps echoed through the darkness.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Someone else knew about the Hall of Queens.

And they were coming.