CHAPTER FOURTEEN

~Aiden~

I woke up with a rumbling stomach. I blinked, groaning. Although my stomach sang, my head still ached, not from wine, but from thoughts that refused to leave me alone.

Thoughts about Riya.

Even now, when she was gone, she lived rent-free in my mind. The poor, innocent girl who had lost everything because of me, because of my father's bad decisions. I hated that it still lingered.

I sat up and rubbed my face. Why her? Why couldn’t I just move on?

I dragged myself toward the mirror, stopping to stare at my reflection. The man looking back didn’t seem like a prince. He looked tired and maybe haunted.

Enough.

“I am Prince Aiden Greene,” I said quietly, looking boldly at my reflection. “Heir of Darkmoon. I am kind. I am calm. I am strong.”

Each word rolled out steadier than the last, a reminder that I was more than my emotions. I straightened my shoulders and breathed in.

Then, I saw the reflection of the woman who made my heart melt: my mother.

Her image shimmered faintly, her eyes filled with the same warmth I remembered as a child.

And together we continued the affirmation. “I am born to save Darkmoon from cruelty and bring peace,” we whispered in unison.

For a second, it felt real as her hand brushed my shoulder, and I smiled. But when I turned around quickly, she was gone. The mirror was empty again.

I stood there for a moment. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe my mind was playing tricks. Still… it felt like a sign.

I dressed quickly and left my room, hoping food would silence the ghosts.

The castle was quiet as usual. My footsteps echoed through the long marble hall until I reached the kitchen.

I expected Nora. Instead, I found Siarah with her.

“Good morning,” I said flatly.

She looked up from the counter, her hair tied in a messy bun, maybe she had another rollercoaster with Father. “Good morning, Aiden,” she smiled softly.

I turned to Nora, who stood nervously by the stove. “Orange-flavored pancakes, apple juice, and fruit salad dressing.”

“Right away, Your Highness,” she said, already reaching for the pan.

“Wait,” Siarah said.

“How about we start afresh?” Her voice softened. “I’ll make your breakfast. We could talk. Just… a quick chat while I prepare it.”

I blinked at her. The woman who slapped me across the face yesterday wanted to “start afresh”?

Before I could answer, another voice cut through the air. “Hell no.” It was Jayden.

He strode into the kitchen, his hair also messy, shirt half-buttoned.

“Nora,” he said, pointing toward her, “make the breakfast for two. Aiden, let’s roll.”

He didn’t wait for my response, just grabbed my arm and pulled me along the hallway.

“Jayden,” I said, half-amused, half-irritated, “you just saved me from an ambush.”

“You’re welcome,” he muttered.

As we walked toward his room, his tone shifted. “I don’t trust her, man. I don’t even trust her to breathe in your direction.”

I laughed. “You think she’d poison me?”

He didn’t laugh. “I think she’d do worse. You’re all I’ve got left, Aiden. Father’s already sold his soul to the devil. I’m not losing my only brother.”

I looked at him and shook my head. “So you do love me.”

Jayden hissed. “Don’t start.”

I chuckled under my breath, but the sound died quickly. “I still can’t believe Father sent her to the human realm.”

Jayden stopped walking. “Who?”

“Riya,” I said. “He sent her to work off her father’s debt. Like a slave. Imagine that.”

“So that’s what yesterday’s…” He raised his hand, making a circle in the air. “...whole royal drama was about?”

I nodded. “Pretty much.”

Jayden snorted. “That’s nonsense. Bro, we stand our ground for truth. Always.”

I arched a brow. “Look who’s talking.”

He smirked. “I’m serious, Aiden. I know you like her.”

“What?”

“Oh, come on,” he teased. “You’re not exactly subtle. But at least she seems genuine. Innocent. She probably has no idea what Father and Siarah are really up to.”

I stopped walking. “How sure are you Siarah’s as evil as Father? Maybe she’s just a pawn in his hands.”

Jayden gave a dry laugh. “A pawn wouldn’t be fucking the king like that.”

I groaned. “Thanks for the visual, brother.”

He grinned, proud of himself.

Before I could reply, Nora appeared at the end of the hall, looking nervous. “Sire, breakfast is served. The King insists you all eat together.”

Jayden groaned. “Of course he does.”

We followed her back to the dining room.

The table gleamed with polished cutlery and platters of steaming food. Siarah sat beside Father, laughing softly at something he’d said. They looked too comfortable, too perfect, and too fake.

“Morning, Pops,” Jayden said, plopping into a chair across from him.

“Morning, Father,” I added, sitting beside him.

Father nodded, still chewing. “Morning, boys.”

He swallowed and licked his thumb clean. “Mmm. Delicious.” He turned and pressed a kiss to Siarah’s chin. She smiled like a queen accepting tribute.

Jayden and I exchanged a look. A silent mockery passed between us.

“Serve our food,” Jayden said to Nora.

“Yes, Sire.”

Nora began to dish the pancakes, keeping our plates separate from the mac and cheese pile Father and Siarah shared.

The room was thick with forced civility. Forks clinked, and no one spoke.

Finally, Father cleared his throat.

“Boys,” he began, “I don’t want us to continue living in conflict.”

Jayden leaned back, chewing slowly. “That’s rich.”

Father ignored him. “We lead this pack. We must show strength and unity. Set an example.”

Siarah nodded quickly. “Yes, exactly.”

Jayden looked at her, smirking. “And? You’re building up to something. Let’s hear it.”

Father’s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed calm. “The war is behind us. We are strong, and wealthy, in fact the biggest pack there is. It’s time we embrace each other in love.”

I set my fork down. “Father, go straight to the point.”

He looked between us and Siarah. “She is your new mother. The new Luna of Darkmoon. I want you both to embrace her as one of us.”

Jayden's eyes met mine, and we let out a loud, disapproving laugh.

“Luna, yes,” Jayden said, raising his glass. “But mother? No. We already have one, and you… ehm, well, she’s dead.”

Siarah’s face stiffened, and her hand tightened around her fork.

Jayden continued. “We’ll respect her. As long as she respects us. And minds her business.”

I lifted my glass of juice in a slow toast. “Exactly.”

Father’s jaw flexed. “Very well,” he said finally. “That will do just fine.”

Siarah forced a smile, cutting into her food like the conversation hadn’t just declared war. Father went back to eating, pretending the tension didn’t exist.

Jayden nudged me under the table. “See? Big happy family.”

I almost smiled. Almost. But I tried to compose myself.

Because as I looked at the people around that table, all I

could think was how fragile this peace really was, thin ice waiting to crack.

And just like that, we played pretend, acting like one big, happy royal family.