เข้าสู่ระบบARIAFinding Morgana's daughter took less time than expected. Vera had contacts in every territory, and within hours, we had a name and location.Elara. A healer in a small Northern pack. Twenty-five years old. No record of who her mother was."I'll go," I said, studying the map Ryker had spread across the table. "It's a three-day journey by horse. We can't delay the execution that long, but I can bring her back in time.""You're not going alone," Kael said immediately. "Not with your shoulder still healing and half the realm in chaos.""Then come with me.""I can't leave right now. The council needs to see strength, and stability. If both of us disappear, it'll cause panic." He turned to Ryker. "You'll go with her. Take your best guards.""And leave you here unprotected?" Ryker shook his head. "That's not happening.""I'll have the entire palace guard. I'll be fine for three days.""Kael, your curse could flare up at any moment, especially now that we know about the failsafe." I touc
ARIAThe interrogation chamber was deep under the palace, in a part of the dungeons I didn't know existed. The air was thick with old magic, the kind that made my skin crawl and my wolf whine nervously."This room was built centuries ago," Vera explained as she arranged candles in a specific pattern on the floor. "Before the ban on dark magic. It's warded to contain whatever happens inside.""Comforting," I muttered.Morgana was brought in, still bound in silver chains. She looked around the chamber with interest rather than fear."The old interrogation room. How nostalgic." She smiled at Vera. "I didn't think you had it in you, Councilwoman. You always were such a stickler for the rules.""Desperate times," Vera replied coldly. "Sit."Guards forced Morgana into a chair at the center of the candle circle. More chains were added, binding her completely."This won't work, you know," Morgana said conversationally. "I've spent years building mental shields. Your little spell won't break t
KAELThe trial was set for noon in the great hall, giving the entire realm time to gather. By midmorning, wolves packed every available space, spilling into corridors and courtyards. They wanted it all, blood, justice and revenge for the chaos Drake and Morgana had caused.I wanted answers."You're brooding," Aria said from where she sat, letting Helena fix her hair. Her shoulder was still bandaged, but she'd refused to miss the trial."I'm thinking.""Same thing with you." She met my eyes in the mirror. "Morgana's threat is eating at you."Of course she could tell. The mate bond meant hiding nothing from her anymore." I moved behind her chair, my hands settling on her good shoulder. "What if this trial is exactly what she wants? What if we're playing into her hands?""Then we play smarter." Aria tilted her head back to look at me. "We watch for every tell, and every slip. People that confident make mistakes. We just have to catch them."Helena pinned the last section of hair. "All d
ARIAI woke in the healing ward with sunlight streaming through the windows and my shoulder wrapped in bandages that smelled like antiseptic and moonflower."Don't move," Helena's voice came from beside the bed. "That wound was deep. You're lucky Morgana's spell didn't sever the muscle completely."I tried to sit up anyway. Pain lanced through my shoulder, making me gasp."I said don't move." Helena pushed me back down with surprising strength for someone half my size. "You've been unconscious for six hours. Your body needs rest.""Kael?" My voice came out hoarse."Fine. He is exhausted, but fine. He's been in here every hour checking on you." She poured water into a cup and held it to my lips. "Drink."I drank, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat. "What happened after I passed out?""Drake and Morgana are in the dungeons awaiting trial. The wolves who fought for them surrendered or fled. No one died, thank the Moon Goddess, though we have plenty of injuries to deal with." Helena s
ARIAThe day of the full moon ceremony dawned cold and clear.I spent the morning being prepared like a sacrifice. Helena and her assistants bathed me in ceremonial oils, dressed me in a gown of pure silver that shone like moonlight, and wove my hair into an intricate braid threaded with tiny diamonds."You look like the Moon Goddess herself," Helena said, stepping back to admire her work.I looked like a target. A very expensive, very visible target."Remember," she added quietly, "stay close to the King during the ceremony. Don't let anyone separate you.""I won't." I touched the silver dagger hidden in my dress. Small enough to conceal, but sharp enough to kill. Ryker had given it to me this morning with strict instructions on where to aim if things went wrong.I hoped I wouldn't need it.The ceremony grounds were set up in the palace's largest courtyard, a massive space that could hold thousands of wolves. Stone pillars marked the four cardinal directions, each carved with ancient
KAELReading Drake's letter felt like being punched in the gut.They had planned it all. From the guard's murder to my supposed breakdown at the full moon ceremony. They'd been counting on my curse, weaponizing it against me.And I'd almost let them win. Almost believed I was the monster they wanted everyone to think I was."Arrest them both," I ordered, my voice cold enough to freeze blood. "Now."Guards moved forward, but Morgana was faster. Purple light exploded from her hands, creating a barrier between her and the advancing wolves."I don't think so," she said calmly. "You have no proof. Just a letter that could easily be forged.""My handwriting can be verified," Drake added, looking far too confident for someone caught red-handed. "But even if the letter is real, it proves nothing. Planning is not the same as action. We've committed no crime.""You murdered a guard!" Aria's voice rang out clear and strong."Did we? Where's your evidence? The claw marks were too small to be Lyca







