chapter 3

"Alaric?"

Standing a few steps away was a young Alpha with ash-blond hair and striking green eyes. He wore the black uniform of the Royal Knights, and a playful smile rested on his lips.

It had been years since Elias had last seen him.

"You remembered me." Alaric chuckled.

"How could I forget?" Elias smiled for the first time that evening.

When they were children, Alaric had been Elias's closest friend... and his very first crush.

They had spent countless afternoons training, reading, and sneaking away from palace lessons together before Alaric left to train with the Royal Knights.

"It's been so long," Elias said.

"Too long." Alaric scratched the back of his neck. "I returned a few days ago, but I was assigned to guard duty. Tonight was the first chance I had to see you."

Elias laughed softly.

"You've changed."

"So have you."

Alaric looked at him carefully.

"But you still smile when you're hurting."

Elias's smile faded. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who knows you."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn't awkward. It was comforting, like old times.

"You know," Alaric said, "I used to wonder if we'd ever meet again."

"I'm glad we did."

"So am I."

Back inside the ballroom, Kael accepted another round of congratulations.

His smile never reached his eyes. Without realizing it, he glanced toward the open garden doors.

Then he saw them.

Elias...

Standing beneath the moonlight.

Smiling with another Alpha.

"Who is the man with Prince Elias?" kael asked

The guard bowed respectfully.

"That is Alpha Alaric Ashbourne, Your Highness."

Kael frowned slightly.

"Alaric?"

"Yes, Your Highness. He recently returned to the capital after completing his training with the Royal Knights."

Kael watched as the two continued talking.

"They seem close."

"They are, Your Highness. Prince Elias and Alpha Alaric grew up together. They were inseparable as children before Alpha Alaric left for his training. They are simply very close friends."

Kael looked at them for another moment.

A strange feeling that had settled in his chest slowly disappeared.

"So... just friends."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Kael gave a small nod, his expression softening almost immediately.

For some reason, hearing those words made him restlessness.

"Alpha Kael."

He turned to find Selene approaching with a gentle smile.

"The final toast is about to begin."

"I'll be there."

Kael cast one last glance toward the garden.

Elias and Alaric were still talking, completely unaware they had been watched.

Kael quietly returned to the ballroom.

The banquet continued late into the night with music, dancing, and endless congratulations. The nobles celebrated the upcoming union between the two royal families, raising their glasses in honor of the future Alpha King and Luna.

When the celebration finally came to an end, guests began leaving the palace one after another.

Outside, carriages lined the entrance as servants helped the nobles depart.

Elias climbed into his family's carriage beside his parents. He looked out the window one last time, his eyes briefly meeting Kael's across the palace courtyard. As the carriage rolled away into the night.

The palace grew quite as the last carriage disappeared into darkness