MasukSleep abandoned Kael long before dawn. He had returned from the hidden archives carrying a burden no king should ever have to bear, yet he spoke of it to no one. The ancient prophecy rested inside a locked iron chest hidden beneath the floor of his private study, while the copied parchment had already turned to ash in the palace fireplace. Even after destroying it, the final verse continued to burn itself across his thoughts every time he closed his eyes. "Only by the willing sacrifice of the Alpha King shall the Creator survive the awakening." The words echoed through his mind with relentless cruelty. Shadowfang paced restlessly beneath his skin, refusing to settle. "Tell her," the wolf growled. Kael stood beside the tall window overlooking Blackstone, his hands braced against the stone frame. "I can't." "She deserves the truth." "I know." "Then why are you hiding it?" Kael watched the first rays of sunrise spread across the rooftops below. "Because if Tanya believes my life is t
The return journey to Blackstone Palace felt entirely different from the carefree walk that had brought them into the city. The laughter of the festival faded behind them until only the distant echo of music remained, replaced by the steady rhythm of hurried footsteps through the palace corridors. Tanya sensed the change in Kael long before he spoke; his shoulders had straightened, the warmth in his expression replaced by the quiet focus of a king answering an urgent call. Whatever Rowan had discovered beneath the archives was important enough to pull them away from the first peaceful night either of them had enjoyed in months. Rowan was already waiting outside the restricted archive wing. Dust covered the sleeves of his uniform, and a lantern hung from one hand while the other gripped an ancient leather scroll case that looked as though it had not been touched for centuries. Several royal historians stood behind him, their faces pale with disbelief, while two guards remained
The warmth of the festival slowly gave way to cooler night air as the moon climbed higher above Blackstone. Lanterns reflected across the river like scattered silver stars while the crowds drifted toward the central square where musicians prepared for the final performance of the evening. Tanya found herself walking closer to Kael without realizing it, their shoulders brushing now and then as they navigated the growing crowd. For once, neither of them felt the need to fill every silence with words. Rowan's voice suddenly echoed through Kael's communication crystal. "My Alpha." Kael sighed dramatically. "There goes my peaceful evening." Tanya laughed. "You say that as if you're surprised." "I was hoping the kingdom could survive one night without me." "It survived years before you." "My wolf disagrees." She rolled her eyes. "I'm beginning to think your wolf has an opinion about everything." "He does." "And is he always this dramatic?" "He says he's perfectly reasonable." Nyx sti
Night settled gently over Blackstone, transforming the capital into a sea of silver lanterns that swayed above every street like captured stars. Music drifted through the evening air, blending with laughter, the scent of roasted meat, sweet pastries, and blooming moon lilies that decorated every corner of the city. Merchants called cheerfully to passing customers while children raced between colorful stalls wearing glowing wolf masks carved from polished crystal wood. For the first time in many weeks, the kingdom chose joy instead of fear. Tanya paused beneath the palace entrance, surprised to find Kael waiting instead of the evening security detail she had expected. He had abandoned his formal military uniform in favor of a dark jacket over a simple shirt, making him look less like the Alpha King and more like an ordinary young man enjoying a rare evening away from responsibility. His hair refused to stay neatly in place, and the relaxed smile he offered her felt strangely unfam
The first rays of dawn slipped through the tall windows of Tanya's room, painting the cream-colored walls in soft shades of gold. For the first time in what felt like years, she woke without the weight of screaming, blood, or nightmares pressing against her chest. The silence felt strange after everything she had endured, almost unreal, and she remained still for several seconds, listening to the quiet rhythm of another person's breathing. It wasn't until her eyes drifted toward the sofa beside the bed that she remembered she wasn't alone.Kael had fallen asleep sitting upright, one arm stretched awkwardly across the mattress where his hand remained entwined with hers. Sometime during the night, she must have tightened her grip around his fingers because she found herself unwilling to let go even now. His head rested against the back of the sofa, dark hair slightly disheveled, while the exhaustion on his usually composed face made him look years younger. Without the armor of autho
Tanya barely slept after Rowan's revelation. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard whispers she couldn't understand. The voices were distant, almost drowned beneath water, yet she could feel them pulling at something buried deep inside her. By dawn, she had given up trying to rest and was standing beside the window of her room, watching the city below awaken. Blackstone City never truly slept.Delivery drones moved between skyscrapers while wolf-owned transport companies prepared for the morning rush. Digital billboards flashed news headlines about Selene, the Moon Heir controversy, and the growing political tension across the kingdoms.Somewhere below, people were buying coffee, opening businesses, and arguing over traffic as if the world wasn't standing on the edge of war. A knock interrupted her thoughts. Before she coul







