Secrets in the palace.

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.”