Chapter 5

Silence swept through the ruined hall.

No one dared breathe as their eyes darted between Lucienne and the stranger. Two identical mate marks glowed beneath the Blood Moon, each pulsing in perfect rhythm with the one on Selena’s wrist. The impossible had happened. Even the priestess stood frozen, her lips moving soundlessly as though searching for a prayer that no longer existed.

Lucienne stepped forward, placing himself between Selena and the man in black armor. “State your name,” he ordered. “And explain why you carry my mate’s mark.” The stranger’s expression remained unreadable. “My name is Kael.” His gaze never left Selena. “The mark isn’t yours to question, Alpha. It belongs to fate.”

“The Moon Goddess gives only one mate,” the priestess said, finally finding her voice. “This has never happened before.” Kael let out a quiet laugh. “Then perhaps everything you’ve been taught is incomplete.” His eyes swept across the hall before settling on the shattered altar. “The prophecy has begun. Nothing will ever be the same again.”

Lucienne’s wolf snarled beneath his skin. “Leave. Now.” Crimson energy flared around his wrist as he took another step. Bloodfang warriors immediately raised their weapons behind him, while Darius silently positioned himself beside Selena, ready for whatever came next. Across the hall, Seraphine watched with narrowed eyes, every word and every glance etching itself into her memory.

Kael looked at Selena one last time. “We will meet again.” His voice softened, carrying a certainty that unsettled her. “When the truth is finally revealed, you’ll understand why I came.” Without waiting for permission, he turned and walked toward the broken entrance. The masked warriors followed him without question, disappearing into the darkness beyond the palace gates.

Only after the last of them vanished did the crushing pressure inside the hall begin to ease. Warriors lowered their swords. Guests slowly emerged from hiding. No one spoke. The celebration that had begun with music and promises had ended with broken stone, spilled blood, and secrets that refused to stay buried.

The priestess looked toward Luna Alara, her expression grave. “Until the council gathers, no one leaves SilverMist.” She turned to Lucienne. “Alpha, your people will remain here as honored guests.” The title sounded hollow now. Everyone understood it wasn’t hospitality that kept them there. It was fear.

Lucienne glanced at Selena, whose fingers still trembled around the silver bracelet. “Get some rest,” he said quietly. “Tomorrow, we uncover every lie that has been hidden from us.” Selena nodded, though sleep felt impossible. As she followed the servants from the hall, she caught Seraphine watching her from across the room. Her sister smiled… a small, chilling smile that held no warmth at all.

Outside, the Blood Moon slipped behind heavy clouds, plunging SilverMist into darkness. Somewhere deep within the forest, unseen eyes watched the palace in silence.

Selena closed the bedroom door behind her, the silence pressing heavier than the chaos she had left behind. Moonlight spilled through the windows, casting pale shadows across the room she had shared with Seraphine since childhood. For a brief moment, she thought her sister hadn’t returned.

The door slammed open.

Seraphine stormed inside, her gown stained with dust and dried blood. She locked the door without a word before slowly turning to face Selena. The tears she’d shed in the hall were gone. In their place burned a fury Selena had never seen before.

“So…” Seraphine said with a bitter laugh. “You finally got what you wanted.” She took another step forward. “The Alpha. The prophecy. Mother’s secrets. Was stealing my life worth it?”

Selena stared at her in disbelief. “I never asked for any of this.” She held up the silver bracelet with shaking fingers. “I only learned the truth tonight, just like you.” But Seraphine wasn’t listening. She snatched a crystal vase from the table and hurled it across the room. It shattered against the wall inches from Selena’s head.

“You’ve been ruining everything since the day you were born!” Seraphine screamed. “People loved you even when Mother tried to hide it. The servants pitied you. Now Lucienne has chosen you.” She laughed through her tears. “Tell me, Selena… what will you steal from me next?”

Selena’s patience snapped. “Enough!” she shouted, shoving Seraphine backward. The force sent Seraphine crashing into the bedpost. Both sisters froze. Selena stared at her own hands in shock. She had never fought back before.

Seraphine slowly lifted her head, a thin line of blood running from the corner of her mouth. Then she smiled. “There you are,” she whispered. “I was wondering how long it would take for the real you to appear.” Her fingers slipped behind her back and closed around a silver dagger hidden beneath her pillow.

Before Selena noticed the blade, a loud knock shook the bedroom door.

“Selena!” Lucienne’s voice came from outside. “Open the door.”

Seraphine hid the dagger behind her back and looked at the door. “Don’t answer him,” she said softly. “Let’s see who he chooses when he walks in.” Her voice was calm now, almost frighteningly so. Selena stood her ground, refusing to look away from her sister.

Another knock echoed through the room.

“Selena,” Lucienne called again. “Are you alright?” Before Selena could answer, Seraphine suddenly let out a terrified scream. She stumbled backward, throwing herself onto the floor as though she had been attacked.

“Help!” she cried, tears pouring down her face. “She’s trying to kill me!”

The bedroom door burst open.

Lucienne and Darius rushed inside with several Bloodfang warriors close behind. They froze at the sight before them. Seraphine lay on the floor sobbing, while Selena stood a few steps away, stunned into silence. The silver dagger had slipped from Seraphine’s hand during her fall and disappeared beneath the bed before anyone noticed.

“Lucienne…” Seraphine whispered, reaching toward him with trembling fingers. “She attacked me. I only tried to calm her down.”

Selena’s eyes widened. “That’s not true!” She turned to Lucienne, desperate for him to believe her. “She threw the vase. She…” The words caught in her throat as she realized there was nothing to prove it. Everything that could have exposed Seraphine was gone.

Lucienne looked from one sister to the other. His expression revealed nothing. Then his eyes drifted to Selena’s trembling hands before he quietly crossed the room and stood beside her. “Everyone out,” he ordered.

Seraphine’s heart sank.

As the room emptied, Darius was the last to leave. Just before he stepped outside, something beneath the bed caught his eye. He bent slightly and saw the silver dagger glinting in the darkness.

He said nothing… but the look in his eyes told Seraphine he had seen enough.