5

The Silver Clan Pack was an ancient bloodline, one of the oldest still standing. Every century, a Moon Descendant would appear among them — a wolf far stronger and more powerful than any ordinary pack member.

The gift was rare and sacred… but it came with a cruel catch. Their true mates were never from this realm. They were bound to other powerful creatures from distant worlds. In theory it should have been a blessing, yet history told a different story. One after another, those fated pairs had died. Every single one.

Alpha Gabriel’s face drained of color as realized what was happening. No. He could not allow his precious daughter to become the next victim. But he had no idea how to stop it. He quietly slipped away from the celebrating crowd and made his way toward the Silver Chamber — the sacred vault where his ancestors had stored every historical relic, scroll, and record of their bloodline. If there were any answers or warnings left behind, he would find them there.

Meanwhile, under the bright full moon, Selene began her journey. The silver wolf stretched her powerful legs and took off into the night, racing across the open fields of the pack territory. Her howl still echoed faintly in the air as she ran.

Dragon Realm

“Your Majesty.” A young man entered Draven’s office and bowed low. “The monthly reports.”

He placed the thick stack of papers on the desk. Draven took them and began scanning the pages. After a moment he frowned.

“The taxes from the West Coastal region are unaccounted for. Too many discrepancies.”

“I have already begun investigating the thieves,” the young man replied quickly. “They will be brought before you within a few days.”

Draven clicked his tongue in irritation. “Bring them alive. There is nothing in this world I hate more than traitors and liars.” His voice dropped, cold and deadly. “They disgust me to the bone.”

Suddenly a sharp ache stabbed through his chest. Again. Draven’s hand flew to his heart as he stood up abruptly from his chair.

“Your Majesty?” the man asked at once, alarmed. “Are you alright?”

“Don’t worry, Tristan. I’m fine.”

Tristan hesitated, then nodded and quietly left the room.

The moment the door closed, Draven gritted his teeth. Dammit. This was the fifth time today. It wasn’t physical pain exactly, he couldn’t even describe it properly.

It felt like someone was calling out to him. The voice was so close, yet far away. Like an invisible bond slowly torturing him from the inside.

A bond?

Impossible. His ancestors never had mates, they believed that mate bonds made kings weak. Over the centuries the very idea of having a true mate had been erased from their bloodline. But the pain didn't fade, instead ached the more. With a low growl, Draven strode out onto the balcony, shifted into his massive dragon form, and launched himself into the sky. He followed the strange pull and flew farther and farther from the capital.

The longer he traveled, the more the world below changed. Civilization slowly disappeared, the lush lands and grasses vanished.

Until there was nothing left but empty, barren wasteland stretching endlessly beneath him.

After flying for what felt like hours, Draven finally landed on a high rocky ridge and stared out at the endless wasteland stretching before him. This was the true border of their realm. Very few knew it existed.

The knowledge was kept only among the royal bloodline and the oldest members of the council, locked away so that no one would be tempted to cross into the other side and stir up chaos. It was safer this way. Creatures of the same kind were meant to remain among their own, so that another Great War would never tear the worlds apart again.

For many long centuries the border had stayed quiet and forgotten. Yet now, for some unknown reason, something on the other side was pulling at him.

A bond, perhaps. He didn't come to any conclusions yet because when hadn't figured out what he was feeling yet. But he knew that it felt more stronger here which made him a little concerned.

Another violent wave of pain suddenly crashed through his chest, which forced him to his knees. He clutched at his heart with both hands, struggling to draw a full breath as the invisible force tightened around him like a living chain. With a ragged snarl he shifted back into his dragon form and threw his head toward the empty sky, releasing a thunderous roar that shook the land around him.

Far away on the other side of the seal, Selene stood alone on a high cliff overlooking the Silver Clan territory. She had run the entire length of the pack borders, howling again and again into the night, yet no answering call had ever come. Her mate was nowhere to be found.

She felt a heavy ache in her chest as she stared down at the familiar lands below, feeling both heartbroken and lost. Just as she turned to leave, a strange current suddenly swept through her body. Her heart lurched hard against her ribs, racing as if it had been struck by lightning.

She became excited instantly, Mate…