5. THE CHOICE ISN'T YOURS TO MAKE

I could feel my legs going weak from the intensity of Kian's gaze, his gentle yet possessive hold on my neck sending shivers down my spine, and I could feel my body heating up from his touch.

He meant every word, that, I was certain of. But I couldn't let myself be swayed by him. I couldn't trust him, mate bond or not, he wasn't mine to claim.

“What are you saying? He's our mate!” My wolf growled and I shut her out immediately, sending her to the back of my mind.

I will try to calm her down later.

“I am not yours, Kian. I will never give in to you.” I said boldly, holding his gaze.

Kian chuckled softly as he removed his hand from my neck, the cold air replacing the warmth of his hand.

“I don't expect you to.” Came his firm response as he walked towards the door, halting at the entrance. “I was told you had sustained some injuries from the attack, but you seem rather fine. Get enough rest, Elena, we leave for the palace first thing tomorrow.” And with that, he left, not sparing me another glance.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding the moment the door was shut close, my hand subconsciously moving to my chest as I tried to steady my racing heart.

I had expected Kian to try to impose his will on me but he did the exact opposite. I was glad he was gone, but the stupid mate bond kept playing a trick on my emotions.

A part of me longed to get as far away from him as possible while the greater part was ready to throw everything on the line over a silly mate bond.

“This is really bad.” I muttered to myself as I made my way towards the mirror.

It wasn't a dream, I wasn't hallucinating either. I really was trapped in the body of the Lycan Queen.

What does this mean for me?

I wasn't certain if I should be happy about it or disgusted by it. I mean this is the very same Pack that invaded my home and took everything away from me. The thought alone made me despise everything about this Pack, including this very body I was trapped in.

But on the other hand, I was somehow given a second chance at life. It's not the kind I had hoped for, but at least I survived. Now all I had to do was find a way out of this cursed body.

I need to get out of here, no, I must!

And so without wasting any more second, I headed for the door. I paused the moment I walked out as I was greeted by two hefty men whom I assumed were guards, judging from their uniformed attire.

They were strong, I could sense the energy of their wolves, but the moment they saw me, they both got on one knee with their heads bowed low.

“My queen.” They greeted simultaneously.

At first I was taken aback by their actions, but it finally sank in a few seconds later.

I am their queen!

I doubt I could take them out in a serious combat since I lacked the proper training, but I didn't even have to lift a finger to get them on their knees.

This... This is actually good. No, this is great!

I may resent this body, but she has placed me in a position where I no longer had to serve but be served!

Maybe this was the Moon Goddess' way of helping me! She heard me! She really did!

“You may rise.” I said, a bit uncertain if that was the right way to address them but I knew I had to say something as they had been in that kneeling position for almost two minutes now, and just as I thought, they rose to their feet immediately.

“Do you need to go somewhere, my queen? We would be happy to escort you.” One of them said, his tone firm but respectful.

I shook my head a bit. “No need. Just remain at your post.” I responded and made to walk past them but they remained stationed, blocking my path.

“The king's orders, my queen.” The second said, giving me an apologetic gaze and I let out a small sigh.

As expected of Kian, however, I couldn't let them be my escort. I needed to escape. Not just this place, but this body and whatever secrets buried in it.

It was obvious now that I was somehow reborn but I still couldn't understand why?

There were so many questions that I didn't have answers to.

Why was I reborn as the Lycan Queen and not myself? No, why was I reborn at all?

I'd heard stories of great warrior wolves who were reborn as a way of rewarding them for their hard work and sacrifice in their past lives. But that was centuries ago. I never imagined it could actually happen in this present time.

Which also lead me to a particular question.

Why was the Lycan Queen murdered?

Whatever reason it was, I knew I would have to uncover it as well as I felt it was somehow connected to why I had ended up in her body instead of mine.

So many questions, but they would have to wait. One at a time.

“I do not wish to have an escort.” I responded firmly, making my gaze as stern as possible. I knew if I wanted to bypass them, I would need to put up an intimidating font.

“But my queen, the king —”

“I don't care what the king says!” I snapped, finally gaining more confidence. I mean since I was a queen, I might as well make good use of the power it granted me.

“I simply want to go out for a stroll. If the king is so worried about me, then he might as well be my escort rather than have you both follow me around like lost puppies.”

And with that, I walked past them, and this time, they didn't bother to stop me.

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

I paused as the words echoed in my mind.

The voice… it was familiar.

“How did you break through the barrier?”

“There wasn't one to begin with.” She fired back and I furrowed my brows in confusion.

“You know what, I think we got off at a wrong start. I'm Heaven, what's yours?”

Fighting with my wolf was the last thing I wanted to do. She was my second half, and we both have to be on the same page if I'm going to get out of here in one piece.

“I am Kila, and you are not getting out of here. Not without our mate.”

“He's not ours!” I snapped. I didn't mean to, but the thought of being mated to anyone, Lycan king or not, from the Lunar Knights Pack just throws me off.

“Kian is not our enemy. I will not fight him.” Kila growls and honestly, I can't blame her but this is a fight that started decades ago, and it's a fight I must end.

“The choice isn't yours to make, Kila. You must stay guided. Don't trust him. Don't trust anyone here.”

Kila makes a low growl but doesn't say a word, making me conclude that we were on the same page... For now.

I finally made my way out of what seemed like an infirmary, the cold breeze brushing against my skin, carrying the distant clang of swords and the sharp scent of burning torches.

My eyes swept across the stone courtyard, and I froze at the sight before me. I have never been to this side of the Pack in my days of working as a slave.

No, it wasn’t just a Pack. It was a kingdom built for war.

The Lunar Knights Pack was nothing like the Blue Moon Pack. Unlike the fertile lands surrendered with green pastures and the smell of fresh daisies I remembered from my childhood, this place reeked of power. Iron-wrought gates towered like giants at the entrance, flanked by two obsidian statues of howling wolves, each twice my height. Beyond them, sharp spires reached toward the sky like claws ready to strike down the heavens.

Everything was constructed in layers — gray stone walls, thick with moss in the crevices, arched passageways carved with ancient runes, and towering keeps that cast long shadows even in the morning light. Guards patrolled every balcony and tower, clad in dark silver armor trimmed with deep midnight blue, their capes fluttering behind them like the wings of vultures.

Torches lined the pathways, flickering beside frosted glass lanterns that gave off a dim violet glow, probably enchanted. The scent of metal, smoke, and damp stone filled the air, mixed with something darker… the kind of magic that never slept.

As I passed a tall wall carved with the Pack's crest — a crescent moon behind a howling wolf, surrounded by thorny vines — I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine.

This place was a fortress. Built to keep outsiders out… and prisoners in.

And now, I was their Queen.

“Elena!” I jolted at the sound of a deep masculine voice which had successfully pulled my drifted mind back to reality, and all of a sudden, I was being engulfed by large arms, my tiny frame disappearing completely as he engaged me in a tight, overly dramatic hug.

“Thank the goddess you're safe. I was worried sick.”

Before I could speak, he pulled back just enough for me to see his face… but I didn’t recognize him.

Why did he look like he’d been waiting for me all his life?