Chapter 7: A Dangerous Secret

The fire crackled softly between them.

For a long moment, neither Lyra nor Arnold spoke.

The forest, which had been filled with fear only hours ago, now felt strangely peaceful.

Arnold’s eyes remained fixed on Lyra.

Not because she was beautiful.

Although she was.

Not because she was Karl Blackwood’s rejected mate.

But because of the mark.

The Royal Moon Mark…

A symbol that had disappeared for over three hundred years.

“If the legends are true…” he thought, ”…then she’s in far greater danger than she realizes.”

He forced himself to look away before Lyra noticed his concern.

Lyra finished the last piece of bread and looked toward the flames.

“Thank you.”

Arnold smiled gently.

“You’ve thanked me three times already.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“I’ve never had anyone show me kindness without expecting something in return.”

His expression softened.

“That’s a lonely way to live.”

“It is.”

For a brief moment, silence settled between them.

Then Arnold asked quietly,

“Do you have any family?”

Lyra lowered her eyes.

“I don’t know.”

“I was told my parents died during a rogue attack when I was little.”

“You don’t remember?”

“Only fragments.”

She closed her eyes.

“Fire.”

“Screaming.”

“A woman holding me.”

“And…”

She frowned.

“Silver eyes.”

Arnold’s heart skipped.

Silver eyes?

There were very few bloodlines with naturally silver eyes.

Could someone from the royal families have been there that night?

“What happened after that?” he asked carefully.

“I woke up in Blackwood Pack.”

“They said they rescued me.”

Arnold nodded slowly.

“But you don’t believe that anymore.”

Lyra shook her head.

“I don’t know what to believe.”

Meanwhile…

Inside Blackwood Manor…

Karl stood before the council of elders.

The room was silent.

Five elderly wolves sat around a circular stone table.

Each wore ceremonial robes embroidered with the crest of the Blackwood Pack.

Elder Magnus spoke first.

“You made the correct decision.”

Karl remained expressionless.

“The future Luna must come from a noble bloodline.”

Another elder nodded.

“A human would weaken our standing among the other packs.”

Karl’s hands slowly clenched behind his back.

For the first time…

Their words irritated him.

He remembered the tears in Lyra’s eyes.

He remembered her trembling voice.

“I’m sorry.”

She had apologized…

Even though she had done nothing wrong.

His wolf growled.

You failed her.

Karl ignored the voice.

“The discussion is over.”

He turned to leave.

Before he reached the door, Elder Magnus spoke again.

“There is one more matter.”

Karl stopped.

“The rogues.”

“They knew about the mate bond.”

Karl slowly turned around.

The room became silent once more.

“Only those inside the ceremony witnessed it.”

Magnus narrowed his eyes.

“Which means…”

“There may be a traitor inside Blackwood Pack.”

Elsewhere…

Selena sat alone inside her luxurious chamber.

A raven landed quietly on her balcony.

Tied to its leg was a tiny rolled parchment.

She untied it and read the message.

She survived.

Her beautiful face twisted with rage.

The paper crumpled in her hand.

“You had one job,” she hissed.

A cold voice suddenly echoed from the shadows.

“Control your temper.”

Selena looked up.

A tall man stepped from the darkness.

His face was hidden beneath a black hood.

“You promised me she would die.”

“I promised to create an opportunity.”

“You failed.”

The stranger chuckled.

“No.”

“The game has only begun.”

He stepped closer.

“The girl has awakened.”

Selena frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

The man smiled beneath his hood.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

Before she could ask another question…

He vanished into the darkness.

Selena’s fingers tightened around the torn letter.

For the first time…

Fear crept into her heart.

Back in the forest…

The rain had finally stopped.

Arnold stood and walked toward the edge of the clearing.

“We should leave before sunrise.”

Lyra looked up.

“Leave?”

“The rogues may return.”

She hesitated.

“I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Arnold turned to face her.

“Then come with me.”

Her eyes widened.

“You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough.”

“And if I refuse?”

He smiled warmly.

“Then I’ll make sure you’re safe before I leave.”

No pressure.

No threats.

Just a choice.

Something Karl had never given her.

Lyra stared at the man standing beneath the moonlight.

Every instinct warned her not to trust strangers.

But another voice…

A quiet voice deep inside her heart…

Whispered that this path would change her life forever.

She slowly stood despite the pain in her back.

“…Alright.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Arnold nodded.

“Good.”

As they disappeared into the forest together, neither of them noticed the pair of silver eyes watching from the top of a distant cliff.

Karl.

He had followed Lyra’s trail all the way there.

He had arrived just in time…

To watch another man walk away with his mate.

His wolf erupted in fury.

Go after her!

Karl’s fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.

His silver eyes never left Arnold.

For the first time in years…

The Alpha King felt something he had never experienced before.

Jealousy.