ANMELDENDarkness clung to Aria like a heavy blanket.Somewhere in the distance…She heard a faint voice. “…My Lady.” Another voice followed. “She’s waking up.” Aria’s eyelids fluttered. The sunlight pouring through the windows forced her to close them again. Her head throbbed. Every muscle in her body ached. Slowly, she opened her eyes once more. The familiar ceiling of her chamber came into view. She was still here in the lycan palace. “My Lady.” Lady Elyra appeared beside the bed, relief washing across her usually composed face. “You’re finally awake.” Aria blinked, trying to clear the haze clouding her thoughts. Then… Her eyes widened. The parchment. She was supposed to meet Rowan at the abandoned watchtower. She pushed herself upright so suddenly that pain shot through her body. “Rowan!” Lady Elyra quickly steadied her. “My Lady, please. You’ve only just regained consciousness.” “When…?”Aria’s voice trembled. “How long have I been asleep?” Lady Elyra hesitated. “One week
The next morning arrived quickly than expected. Aria stood by the window of her chamber, watching servants cross the palace courtyard below. Her fingers brushed against the inside of her cloak. The parchment was still there. Hidden exactly where she had left it. She had checked more times than she cared to admit. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Rowan's handwriting. A gentle knock sounded. "My Lady." Lady Elyra entered carrying a neatly folded silver gown over one arm. It was simple compared to the dresses Aria usually wore. Elegant... but practical. "His Majesty asked that you wear this for today's channeling." Aria accepted it with a quiet nod. "Thank you." Lady Elyra didn't leave immediately. Instead, she remained standing near the door. "There is something else." Aria noticed the concern in her expression. "What is it?" "The palace is under a quiet lockdown." Aria looked up."Lockdown?" Lady Elyra nodded. “Additional guards have been stationed throughout the pala
Aria stared at the folded parchment in her hands. Kael hadn't taken his eyes off her. "Go on," he said quietly."Read it." She carefully unfolded the worn paper. The moment her eyes fell on the handwriting... Her breath caught, it wasn't the words, it was the writing itself. She knew it very well. Her fingers trembled slightly as she traced one of the letters. Kael noticed. "Do you recognize it." Aria swallowed."...Yes." She lowered her eyes and began to read. *If this reaches you… I'm inside the kingdom. Meet me tomorrow night at the abandoned watchtower beyond the eastern cliffs. Come alone and be watchful.* Aria knew exactly who had written it. "Rowan..." His name escaped her lips as little more than a whisper. For a moment, the room disappeared around her. She remembered the day she'd left Mooncrest. He has betrayed her but he needed his help to escape this place with her daughter. She couldn’t believe he’ll cross into the Lycan Kingdom, for her. Or maybe it was because of
The question settled over the room. Aria's heartbeat quickened. For the briefest moment, she considered telling him everything. The hidden chamber, the faded journal maybe it might remove his mind from Rowan. But something deep inside warned her against it. She met Vaelric's gaze. "There wasn't much." He waited. "It looked like an old chamber. There were broken statues... shelves... and ancient scrolls. I didn't stay long." "You touched nothing?" Aria hesitated for only a fraction of a second. "I was afraid to." Vaelric watched her quietly. His expression revealed nothing. Finally, he gave a small nod. "That was wise." Aria frowned. "You don't seem surprised." "Should I be?" "I entered a restricted corridor." "You did." "And you're not angry?" Vaelric walked toward the fireplace, watching the flames dance across the logs. "Tell me, Aria. If you found an unlocked door..." wouldn't you wonder what lay behind it?" She blinked. "You knew." "I suspected." "You left it unguard
The Royal Library was quieter than any other place in the palace. Aria pushed open the heavy oak doors, wincing as the old hinges groaned softly. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the distance, disappearing beneath a high arched ceiling. The scent of aged parchment, leather, and candle wax lingered in the air. Aria stepped inside. She had only taken a few steps when a voice broke the silence. "You're looking for something." She turned. An elderly man stood on a small wooden ladder, carefully returning a thick book to one of the upper shelves. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and a pair of round spectacles rested low on his nose. Unlike the servants she had met, he showed no surprise at seeing her. Instead, he climbed down slowly and dusted off his robes. "You must be Lady Aria." She offered a small nod. "And you are?" "The keeper of forgotten stories." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Most simply call me the librarian." Aria returne
Aria moved quietly through the palace corridors, following the faint pull of the mate bond whenever it resurfaced. Each time she thought she was getting closer… It slipped away again. “Come on…” she whispered. “Where are you?” Nova remained focused.“He’s somewhere inside the palace… I’m certain of it.” Aria rounded another corner before stopping abruptly. Something was different. Her eyes drifted toward a familiar passage. The restricted corridor. She had passed it several times since she was restricted. There were always two Lycan guards stationed outside its entrance. But tonight it stood completely deserted. Not a single guard remained. Aria frowned. “That’s strange.” Nova immediately became alert. “Don’t even think of it.” “I’m only looking.” “That’s exactly how trouble begins.” Aria glanced up and down the hallway. There was still no one around there. “Why would they leave a restricted corridor unguarded?” Nova didn’t answer. The silence itself felt like a warning.
The carriage rolled to a stop in the courtyard of Mooncrest. Lina felt the jolt through her bones, or perhaps it was only her nerves, wound tight as bowstrings since the moment Beta Morris had appeared at her cottage door. Outside, she could hear the stamp of hooves on cobblestone, the low murmu
IN NIGHTFANG PACK Kael stood at the window of his study, watching the moon rise over the mountains. The training yard below was empty. The warriors trained in the mornings and take turns in the evenings and no one lingered after dark. The fortress felt hollow, as if something vital had been carve
"This isn't finished," Alpha Magnus said quietly."The meeting chamber," “Now.” He commanded.The remaining few fell into step behind him,Elder Aldric, his weathered face heavy with trouble; Elder Helena, sharp-eyed and watchful; Luna Lydia with her hand resting possessively on Selene's shoulder; B
Aria stepped into the grand hall slowly, her breath catching as the massive doors shut behind her with a dull, echoing thud. The scent of polished wood and warm candle wax mingled with the heavy perfumes lingering in the air, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that was both regal and suffocating.







