Helenâs POV I didnât expect her to look soâĶ ordinary. When I bumped into Kira in the corridor, I was prepared to offer my most gracious smile and a polite compliment just as I had rehearsed. But the moment she turned toward me, startled like a frightened doe, something sharp twisted in my chest. She had Julianâs mark and she was suddenly the evil woman who replaced me. I must admit that she is small, delicate, with eyes too soft for the role sheâd been given. And yet there she stood, Luna Queen-to-be, holding the heart of the only man I had ever truly loved. My smile didnât falter. I even offered to train her, masking my bitterness beneath well-practiced charm. She refused, of courseâsweetly, and awkwardlyâbut eventually said yes, likely just to end the conversation. I didnât mind. I had seen what I needed to see. She was in way over her head. Now, as I follow the winding path through the palace gardens, my heels click softly against ground, I carry that moment with
Kiraâs POV âHurry Kira, before weâre caught,â Martha whispers, glancing nervously over her shoulder. My fingers tremble as I unfold the aged letter. A photograph slips out and flutters to the floor like a forgotten memory. I bend to pick it upâand freeze. The woman staring back at me is young, radiant, with wild red curls and a knowing, soft smile that mirrors the one Iâve seen in my own reflection a thousand times. My breath catches in my throat. She looks just like me. My knees threaten to give way, and I grip the edge of the desk to keep myself upright. âMartha...â I whisper, my voice barely audible. âThis is my mom.â Martha steps closer, her face grave. âI thought she might be. But then I asked myselfâwhy was her picture and an old letter hidden in Luna Cassandraâs private drawer?â I donât respond because even I don't have an answer to her question. My hands move on their own, unfolding the yellowed paper. --- Dearest Cass, I am leaving Crimson Crown. I cannot stay now
kira's POV. âI forgave them because holding on to anger would only weigh me down as queen Luna,â I say softly. âLetting go was for meânot for them.â Julianâs gaze lingers on mine, filled with warmth. âYouâre going to be an incredible Luna. No wonder I missed you so much while you were missing.â He pulls me closer, voice low and tender. âJust one more minuteâĶ Let me hold you a little longer.â I smile too, but my thoughts are racing. I think of my mother and her gentle voice, the way she always said I was meant for more. Maybe she knew this day would come. "Babe, I have to go now," I slither out of his hold and he groans. "Please be careful around her. Father might have forgiven her because we had no solid proof of their evil deeds but don't let your guard down," he warns and I nod with a smile. As I reach for my robe, one thought wonât leave me. Who was my mother, really? And what is Luna Cassandra so afraid Iâd discover if she was talking about my mom? *** A fe
Kira's POV (The next morning after the summit) "Good morning, my beautiful Luna queen," Julian murmurs, waking me with soft kisses along the back of my neck. We're wrapped in the warmth of our new, elegant bedroomâlarger and more regal, befitting our upcoming coronation as Alpha King and Luna Queen in just five days. "Good morning, my Alpha king," I reply with a lazy stretch, turning to face him after a long, exhausting night because after Alpha Magnus named Julian as his successor, tensions rose. Luna Cassandra and Damian were forced to apologize publicly for all the pain they had caused me. And with family bonds hanging by a thread, Alpha Magnus had no choice but to forgive themâjust as I had been forced to. Julian's smile deepens as his gaze roams over my bare skin, now bathed in the soft morning light. "You look like you barely slept," he teases, letting his finger trace a slow line from my neck down to my navel. "Well, you kind of wore me out last night," I murmur, shif
Julian's POV. A few minutes later, I pull the car to a stop outside the palace entrance, my heart is pounding harder than it has in days. Kira rests quietly beside me, her hand in my free hand, and Katie sits in the back seat like a prisoner awaiting trial. âKatie, get down,â I say coldly. âJulian, pleaseâĶ canât we just talk about thisâthe three of us?â she stammers, desperation flickering in her voice. I scoff. âIt's Prince Julian to you and I donât have time to talk. Now, get down, or Iâll drag you in there myself.â She flinches at the edge in my tone, then slowly opens her door, stepping out like a prisoner headed for execution. The moment I step out and round the car to open Kiraâs door, I spot Alpha Ryder approaching, eyes locked on her like a wolf circling prey. His steps are fast, his brows low, and I can already feel my rage sharpening behind my teeth. âSophia,â he says, voice firm but confused, âwhat are you doing back here with him?â I move between them ins
Julian's POV. (Meanwhile at the palace) I stand there frozen, staring down the road where Kira just disappeared with Ryder's drive. My wolf claws at my insides. âWhy are you standing there like an idiot?â he growls in my head. âWeâve been tearing the world apart looking for herâand now you just let her go again?â âShe doesn't remember me nor does she want me around her,â I recall how she looked at me as if I was a stranger to her. My eyes flick back toward the palace. I know that inside, the council is preparing to announce the next Alpha King, and I know exactly whoâs counting on taking the crown if I walk away now. He wins. But if I stay, I will lose her again. âNo. Not again.â I shift, bones cracking and fur bristling as my wolf takes over. We donât hesitate. We leap forward, following the trail her scent blazes through the woods. It leads away from the hotel all visiting Alphas and their guests are lodging... That bastard Kade never took her back. A low snarl rum
Kiraâs POV My heart wonât slow down, no matter how fast I walk from that Julian guy. His voice still echoes in my ears. âYouâre my mateâ like a broken record. And that kissâgentle, desperateâstill burns on my lips. 'Why was he calling you Kira when your name is Sophia?' my wolf asks and I stumble through the palace halls, barely noticing the curious stares from high ranking guests. The grand chandeliers sparkle above me, but everything feels dim. My head throbsâagain. Just like earlier, when I looked into Damianâs eyes. And the men in the bathroomâĶ what were they trying to do? I touch my wrist instinctively, recalling the sharp sting. Whatever it was, they didnât finish when Julian stopped them. But who is Julian? And why does his voice make my chest ache? I round a corner too quickly and slam into a hard chest. âOh!â I gasp, stumbling back. A firm hand steadies me. âEasy there.â I look up, meeting blue eyes beneath neatly styled dark hair. He smiles at meâc
Julianâs POV The heavy doors of the summitâs grand hall swing open as I step inside alone, my stride calm but commanding. The low hum of murmured conversations and clinking glasses hushes ever so slightly as my presence registers. Some unmated she-wolves pause mid-laugh, their gazes sweeping over me with undisguised interest. I can feel their eyes linger on my broad shoulders, the sharp lines of my jaw, and most of allâon my legs. On the fact that Iâm walking. That Iâm no longer confined to a wheelchair. A tall blonde with too much lip gloss leans in toward her friend. âIs that Prince Julian? He can walk again?â The other one giggles. âMaybe the Moon Goddess changed her mind. Imagine being his Luna now.â I ignore them. Their voices are little more than background noise until something slices through the air and cuts through my ribs like a bladeâĶ it's Kiraâs scent. My whole body stiffens as it hits me like a punch to the chest, dragging my lungs into a vacuum. If Kira is here b
Kira's POV. âWe should go greet Prince Damian and his mate,â Alpha Ryder says beside me, adjusting the cuff of his black jacket. âTheyâre likely to be announced as the new Alpha King and Queen tonight.â I nod, trying to steady my breathing. The summit is unlike anything Iâve ever seenâor at least, anything I remember. The grand hall is enormous, with arched ceilings and glittering chandeliers that throw golden light across polished floors. Dozens of Alphas, Lunas, Betas, and Gammas from all over are already here, mingling and exchanging greetings. And me? I feel like an outsider dressed in silk. âIâll introduce you,â Ryder adds as we start walking, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back to guide me. âJust smile and be polite. We donât need to stir drama.â Drama? I look up at him but decide not to ask what he means. Every step I take toward the pair standing near the dais makes my nerves thrum louder in my ears. Prince Damian stands tall in a navy suit, broad-s