CHAPTER EIGHT

~Aiden~

I ran through the corridors until I reached the Luna's Chambers. My chest heaved as I knocked once, then pushed the door open without waiting.

Mother was by the window. She turned at the sound, smiling like she always used to when I was a boy.

“Aiden,” she said softly. “What troubles you?”

“Everything,” I whispered. “He’s doing it again.”

She frowned, placing her hands neatly on her lap. “Who?”

“Father,” I choked out. “He’s enslaved the Nightfang wolves. Because of jealousy, but it doesn't feel right.” I began to stammer. “I… I don’t like what he’s doing, but I can’t stop it. I can’t abandon the politics of this pack. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

Mother rose slowly and came to me. “My son, the great Aiden Greene of Darkmoon,” she murmured, “you carry too much.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”

She pulled me into her arms, and I wept into her shoulder like a child, all the guilt, fear, and disgust pouring out of me as her hand stroked my hair. “Shh… it’s alright,” she whispered.

When she finally pulled away, I noticed the crimson stain spreading across my shirt.

“Mother…” I froze. “You’re bleeding!”

She looked down at herself. “My heart has been bleeding, Aiden. For the wrongs of this pack.” She pressed a trembling hand against my chest. “And only you, my son, can stop it.”

Before I could respond, the world faded. The light drained from the room, and her voice echoed as if it were coming from miles away.

“Only you…”

I woke up with a start. My heart was beating so hard it hurt. Sweat clung to my skin as I breathed heavily.

I sat up, pressing a hand to my chest. “What kind of dream was that?” I muttered, rubbing my temple. I swung my legs off the bed and reached for my shirt, still shaken by how real her touch had felt.

I needed something, anything, to clear my mind, so I rushed to the kitchen.

As I walked, the castle was quiet, still half-asleep, although the sun had already fully risen. Only one person moved about the counters.

“Nora,” I said.

The maid turned and gave a small smile. “Prince Aiden, you’re down quite early.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. “I need something strong.”

She raised a brow. “Strong? It’s barely morning.”

“Then make it stronger,” I said.

She chuckled softly. “How about Indian black tea? It’s Ayurvedic. Calms the nerves, clears the head. You’ll love it.”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Fine. Do it.”

“Coming right up, sire.”

I sat at the kitchen table, my mind wouldn’t stop replaying her voice: Only you can stop it. What did that even mean?

Before I could think too deeply, the door swung open.

“Morning, bro!” Jayden’s voice was too loud for this hour. He sauntered in, his hair messy and his shirt half-buttoned. “Nora, are my croissants ready?”

“Almost, your majesty,” she said with a faint grin.

“Almost?” Jayden gasped dramatically. “Nora, come on! I’m making a painting of it. A croissant sitting pretty in this kitchen beside a real croissant, tell me that’s not art!”

She laughed quietly and turned back to the counter.

I stared at him, unimpressed. “When are you going to start caring?”

He looked over his shoulder. “About what?”

“About this pack. About what’s happening.”

Jayden rolled his eyes. “Oh, don’t start that speech again.”

“I’m serious.”

He snorted. “Aiden, Father’s an evil bastard… solidified evil. Everyone knows that. But he keeps this pack safe and thriving, doesn’t he?” He smirked. “So why should I lose sleep over his sins?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words didn’t come out.

Jayden’s smirk faded. He turned slowly, and I followed his gaze.

Father stood in the doorway.

“Father,” Jayden said with a mocking smile. “Didn’t hear you come in.”

Father’s eyes were cold and cutting as his fist twitched at his side.

“Morning, Father,” I greeted carefully.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured toward Nora. “Leave us.”

She bowed her head. “Yes, your highness.” She disappeared quickly, the scent of tea and fear lingering behind her.

Father moved to the head of the table and sat down. “I’ll be getting married by dawn.”

Jayden barked out a laugh. “Married?”

I blinked. “To whom?”

He didn’t answer.

Jayden leaned forward. “To the Nightfang Luna, I bet. After fucking her the whole night, you probably figured she’d make a fine wife.”

The crack of Father’s slap echoed through the kitchen. Jayden’s head snapped to the side, a red mark already blooming on his cheek.

“How dare you,” Father hissed.

Jayden’s smile didn’t waver. He spat on the floor, right at Father’s feet.

“Jayden,” I warned under my breath.

But my brother only wiped his mouth. “Enjoy your wedding, old man.” He turned and walked out before anyone could stop him.

Father’s hand twitched again, but he didn’t follow. He just sat there, seething.

“Father, you can’t possibly mean…”

“It’s done,” he said flatly.

“At what cost? For what? Why would you want her?”

He turned his cold eyes on me. “They are slaves, Aiden. I can do whatever I please with my slaves.”

I froze. “And her daughter?”

“She’ll remain a prisoner. That girl was raised by a strong king; she’d outsmart you weak males if I let her too close.”

My jaw clenched. “Father!”

“No questions, Aiden.” He stood. “Prepare for the ceremony by dawn.”

He left without another word, the door swinging shut behind him.

For a moment, all I could hear was the faint ticking of the clock and the pounding in my head.

My mother’s words echoed again: Only you, my son, can stop it.

Nora peeked back into the kitchen, holding her apron. “Sir, the tea should be ready.”

I didn’t look up. “You know what, Nora?”

“Yes, sire?”

“You can have it.”

She blinked. “Sire?”

I forced a thin smile and tapped her shoulder gently. “It’ll do you more good than me.”

Then I walked out, the echo of my footsteps the only sound in the empty hall.

What am I supposed to do now?

The question haunted me as I stepped into the morning light. I possibly co

uldn't stop the marriage.

My mother’s voice lingered like smoke. Only you can stop it.

But how do you stop a king who’s already turned into a monster?