Share

Secrets in the palace.

Penulis: Mira
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-05 17:09:10

Lila’s POV

Adrian Wolfe.

My one night. My mistake. My secret.

Sofia stood frozen, her pale eyes wide with disbelief. She glanced toward me like she needed assurance that she wasn’t dreaming. I forced my lips to stretch into a smile that didn’t reach my heart, while every part of me screamed to run.

Adrian stopped in front of her. His voice was smooth, deep, carrying the weight of authority even in its gentleness. “Sofia Hayes.”

Her lips trembled. “Adrian Wolfe.”

“Nice to finally meet you in person, your wolf gave me sleepless nights. She is a fierce one.” He joked , as he lifted her hands to his lips and gently placed a kiss on it.

“I-I-“ Sofia stuttered, her cheeks as red as beet.

The elder raised his hands. “Step forward for the rites.”

They obeyed, walking into the circle etched in silver dust on the floor. The crowd hushed. The elder drew out the ceremonial blade, its edge gleaming in the light of the lanterns.

“By blood, by bond, and by the will of the Moon Goddess, the ties of fate are sealed.”

Sofia held out her hand first. Adrian, steady as stone, cut his palm without hesitation and extended it. Their hands met, blood mingling. The silver dust shimmered, sparking faintly with a pulse of divine approval. The pack exhaled in awe as the bond sealed, visible only in the light that flickered briefly across their joined skin.

“It is done,” the elder announced. “The future Luna of this pack has been chosen.”

Applause thundered through the hall. My mother sobbed openly, clutching her chest. “Moon Goddess has blessed us. She truly has.”

I swallowed hard, my eyes burning. Adrian smiled faintly at Sofia, courteous but distant. He leaned closer only to whisper, “We’ll have time to know each other properly.” His voice carried enough for me to hear, a reminder that what lay between us was buried, unspoken.

The Alpha rose to his feet, his presence commanding instant silence. Daniel Wolfe, broad-shouldered and silver-templed, raised a hand. “The Goddess has spoken. Adrian and Sofia will take their place among us as the future leaders of this pack. You and your family will move into the palace at once. Prepare yourselves. Tonight you belong with us.”

The crowd erupted again. My heart, however, plummeted.

The ride home blurred past me, lanterns streaking against the dark. Sofia hadn’t stopped smiling since the announcement. She squeezed my hands, her excitement tumbling out in breathless bursts.

“Lila, can you believe it? Me—fated to Adrian Wolfe! I never thought, not in a thousand years. Everyone expected him to be tied to some noble daughter, not me. Not us.”

Mother beamed from across the carriage, her eyes wet. “This is a blessing none of us could have imagined. The Goddess works beyond our understanding.”

I forced a nod. “Yes… she does.”

The words tasted bitter. My secret pressed against my chest like thorns.

When we reached our home, it was chaos—grabbing trunks, folding clothes, choosing what to bring and what to leave. Servants had already been sent by the palace to help us. Sofia flitted from room to room, too restless to stay in one place. Mother tried to calm her, but her own hands shook as she packed.

I lingered in my room, folding things slowly, staring at the familiar walls as if they were slipping away forever. By the time we returned to the waiting carriage, I felt as though I had left part of myself behind.

The palace loomed high when we arrived, its windows glowing like watchful eyes. Inside, everything gleamed—marble floors, carved wolf motifs on the walls, chandeliers that caught every glint of light. Servants bowed as we passed, their eyes curious.

“This way,” one of them said, leading us through a maze of corridors.

Sofia’s chamber was luxurious, draped in silks and overlooking the gardens. She gasped, running her fingers over the embroidered linens. “This… this is mine?”

Mother smiled, though a touch of worry softened her expression. “Yes, child. It’s yours now. Treat it well.”

I was shown to a smaller chamber down the hall. Still vast compared to anything we’d known. Tall windows stretched up toward the stars, and murals of running wolves covered the ceiling. I set my bag down quietly, my heart heavy.

When the servants finally left and the halls quieted, I sat by the window in silence, staring at the moon. My chest felt tight, as though the walls themselves were pressing in.

A knock broke the stillness.

“Come in,” I said softly.

The door swung open and Sofia rushed in, her golden hair spilling over her shoulders, her nightgown trailing behind her. Mother followed, smiling faintly.

“Can you believe it?” Sofia spun in the middle of the room, her laughter bubbling out. “I’m mated to Adrian Wolfe! The future Alpha. Me!”

Mother chuckled but shook her head. “Don’t lose yourself in the excitement. Being Luna is more than jewels and glory. It takes strength, discipline.”

“I know, Mama,” Sofia said, grinning. “But I’ll learn. Adrian will guide me. You saw how calm he was, how sure.”

She turned to me, grabbing my hands. “And you, Lila—you’ll be by my side. No one will ever look down on us again. Isn’t it wonderful?”

Her joy pierced me like glass. I forced a smile. “Yes. Wonderful.”

She kept talking, her words tumbling fast—about the dinner tomorrow where she will be properly introduced as the future Luna , about what she might wear, how she will carry herself without humiliating herself or the royal family . Mother listened, occasionally cautioning her, but mostly letting her dream.

I listened in silence, every laugh, every hopeful word of hers weighing heavier on me. My secret clawed at my throat, desperate to be free.

At last, when her chatter paused, I felt the words push past my lips before I could stop them.

“I…” My voice cracked. I swallowed hard. “I have something to say.”

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terbaru

  • My sister’s mate became my forbidden love.   The REQUEST

    Sophia's POV Every morning I vowed myself only ten minutes walk, as little as it was better to stir the joints, to get the breath of air that was not laden with medicine or smothered anxiety. However, it happened that an hour always stretched to those ten minutes. Do not overdo it, a voice that I recognized said behind me. Adrian’s beta , Lucas. It was just walking, I said, as though I were innocent. “Not running laps.” He chuckled, stepping closer. That is not what the healers told last time. Someone had apparently decided to use the stairs which lead to the southern terrace, in order to get a glimpse of the view. I rolled my eyes. You make it sound as though I climbed up a mountain. And then it was to one who fainted two weeks ago? His eyebrow arched. “It’s close enough.” I attempted not to laugh, without success. “You sound like my mother.” He smiled. Then perhaps you had better hear once. We stepped in time with each other and walked along the road bordered with growing

  • My sister’s mate became my forbidden love.   The finalConfession

    Victoria's POV There was no council chamber in years that had been so tense. All the seats were occupied, old folk, guards, counsellors, all awaiting the word of the Alpha. The air was full of suspicion and questions not to be asked.Yet today it was not Adrian who was in command of the room. It was Marissa.I requested an audience, I said, sweetly, because I think that this court is entitled to the truth.Adrian was sitting at the chamber-head, but his features were indescribable. He spoke calmly with his voice. “Truth, Marissa? You have made a life of cringing that word.“Maybe,” she said with a shrug. But there are truths that you do not want to know.It started all at once, gossiping voices, glancing at each other. She loved the surge, and was feasting on the anarchy.I know things, I went on, and my voice went up, things your sweet Luna would not like the world to know. The secrets that would destroy the ideal image of your happy little family.Adrian didn’t flinch. “Then speak.

  • My sister’s mate became my forbidden love.   Shadows at the gate

    Adrian's POV The morning began too still. The silence which was not repose, even the instant before something disintegrated.I was sitting in my office, going through patrol reports when Rowan broke the door open, gasping. His habitual composure had been lost in something, tense and suspicious.Alpha, said he, with a lowering head. “We’ve found them.”My hand stood in mid writing. “Who?”He met my gaze. “Ethan and Marissa. They’ve come back.”The words hit like cold steel. I sat back in my chair, and tightened my fingers on the pen until it snapped.“Where?”“At the western border. They came to the patrol being unarmed saying that they want to repent. The tone of Rowan was enough to make it understood that he did not think so. “They asked to see you — only you.”Before I could help myself a bitter laugh got out. “Repentance. That’s new.”Rowan hesitated. “Your orders?”“Bring them in,” I said quietly. “Alive.”He blinked. “Alive? You’re sure?”“Yes.” My voice hardened. It is my desir

  • My sister’s mate became my forbidden love.   A visit from the past

    Victoria's pov It was a different atmosphere when I went through the palace gates once more. Lighter. Warmer.It was not the place that I used to conquer with fear and control. The guards showed no deference, as they were too terrified of me; they bent with deference to Adrian, and perhaps with politeness to the lady I once was.Welcome, Lady Victoria, one of them said in a polite manner.Lady. Not Luna.I smiled faintly. “Thank you.”The smell of the lavender and fresh bread was floating in the air as I walked through the familiar halls. It was flowered all in the passages, there was laughter at some point towards the gardens, and the weak cry of a baby giggling against the stone walls.My steps slowed. That noise, which was light, soft, pure, struck deeper than I had thought.Adrian was waiting to meet me at the great staircase. He was not like him, not in youth, but peace mate. His eyes looked calm as I had not seen the like of them since he was a boy.“Mother,” he greeted.“Adria

  • My sister’s mate became my forbidden love.   The letter’s weight

    Lila's POV I didn’t sleep that night.I admired Lucien, who slept next me, with his little hand holding on to the edge of his blanket. His composed face was a difficulty to breathe. I had said to myself that I did the right thing. That it was worth it. The fact that one life would be swapped with another was a decision I was comfortable with.However, the act of reading the letter written by Sophia made me see something mean, forgiveness did not heal pain. It only made it gentler.The dawn came too soon.As I entered the passage the young morning sun tipped all the things gold. The palace was alive once more, servants murmuring, guards relieving, the sound of kitchen work in the distance. However, my thoughts were dragging in me as it was as if I were moving in water.The room of Sophia was only some doors away. I waited in the doorway listening. I might have heard the sound of her voice, so low, but still warm.Before I had knocked, she called Come in.When I got there she was sitti

  • My sister’s mate became my forbidden love.   Moonlight

    Lila's povLucien waves his little fists feebly in my arms.“Hungry again, little wolf?” I said, and turned him softly against me.When he made me suckle, I began humming, hardly noticing that it was a melody my mother would sing to me and Sophia when we were sisters.Lucien twittered a little, like he knew. I chuckled under my breath. You will be a girl knowing that, won’t you? Forgiveness is the greatest virtue in this world. Power stronger than anger, Stronger than power, stronger than anger.I gazed a moment in the direction of the nursery door. I heard some humming--the voice of Sophia.My throat tightened, and I smiled. That is your aunt, I said to Lucien. “The bravest heart I know.”He winked and his small hand squeezed my finger.It is because of her you are here, I added covertly. And that it was what love is all about.Once his breathing came to balance, I laid him lying in his cradle beside the bed. The moonlight touched his features, and a moment made him look like a dream

Bab Lainnya
Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status