Chapter 123: The Enemy in the Shadows

The wind howled through the treetops as Serena stood at the edge of the Blackmoon forest, the moonlight silvering her skin and setting her dark curls aglow. The chill in the air wasn’t just from the mountain breeze — it was something else. A warning.

Caine and Theron had gone ahead to secure the eastern border, where whispers of rogue movements had stirred restlessness among the ranks. Serena was supposed to stay back at the central outpost with Queen Naelia and the younger warriors. But something in her gut — that same ancient pull she couldn’t explain — had drawn her here.

She wasn’t wrong.

A low growl rumbled in her throat as she stepped past the first tree. The mark on her collarbone burned faintly, a signal that danger, or worse, fate was near.

Another step. A snap of a twig.

Serena turned sharply, eyes glowing gold, claws half-shifted. “Show yourself.”

From the shadows stepped a tall, broad-shouldered man cloaked in black. His hair, once silver-streaked, had darkened over time — or perhaps magic had warped him. His presence crackled with old power and barely concealed hatred.

“Still quick to fight, just like your father,” he said, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Her breath hitched. “Darian.”

The name felt like venom in her mouth. She hadn’t seen him since the trial — since he testified against her father and sealed her family's disgrace. Her knees locked. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch.

“I should kill you where you stand,” she spat.

“You should try,” Darian replied, unmoved. “But I didn’t come here to fight, little Omega. Not yet.”

“Then what? To scare me?”

“To warn you.”

Serena laughed dryly. “You expect me to believe you came all this way to help me?”

“No,” Darian said. “I came to tell you that your precious King will destroy you.”

Serena’s claws twitched. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” He stepped closer, the air growing heavier. “Ask him what happened the night your father died. Ask him who ordered the arrows. You think Caine Thorn just stumbled into the rebellion? He ended it. With blood. With betrayal.”

Her breath faltered. “You’re twisting things.”

“I’m revealing things,” Darian said, voice low. “Before the bond kills you. Before the truth does.”

She shook her head. “You lost, Darian. The realm rejected your madness. You’re nothing but a ghost.”

“A ghost,” he repeated, smirking, “with allies stronger than you realize.”

Dark mist curled at his feet. The sigils on his cloak shimmered. He reached into his pocket and tossed something into the dirt — a golden pin. It was old, worn... her father’s insignia from the warrior's guild.

“I found this in the ashes of a ruined truth,” he said, then disappeared into the trees like smoke, his scent lingering like rot.

Back at camp...

Caine stormed into the war tent moments later, his eyes wild until they found Serena pacing. He crossed to her in two strides, gripping her arms.

“Where were you? You disappeared.”

“I went to the forest,” she said quickly. “I felt… something. And I was right.”

He tensed. “What happened?”

“Darian,” she said.

Everything in him went still. Even Theron, seated near the map table, froze.

“He’s back,” she continued. “He knew I’d be there. He said the bond won’t protect me. He said you—” Her voice cracked. “He said you were part of what happened to my father.”

Caine stepped back as if she’d struck him.

“I told you before,” he said tightly, “I didn’t—”

“You didn’t shoot the arrow,” she said. “But did you order it?”

He said nothing.

Theron stood. “Serena…”

“No,” she snapped, turning to Caine. “Don’t let your silence say more than the truth.”

The silence grew thick.

Finally, Caine spoke, voice raw. “I was ordered to lead the raid. I didn’t know who was inside until it was too late. The elders marked your father a traitor… I followed orders. It haunts me every day.”

Serena’s heart squeezed.

“You were my mate,” she whispered. “Even then, the bond was trying to warn me. I just didn’t know.”

“I tried to protect you—”

“You marked me without warning.”

“I couldn’t lose you.”

The room crackled with tension.

Theron cleared his throat. “There’s more. Elias intercepted a letter from Darian’s old allies. He’s planning something bigger. And he’s using the legend of Serena’s curse to stir unrest among the rogue packs.”

“Of course he is,” Serena murmured bitterly. “I’m the perfect puppet — cursed blood, disgraced name, and now mated to the man who helped destroy my family.”

“You’re not a puppet,” Caine growled. “You’re the Queen this realm needs.”

“You say that,” she replied, stepping past him, “but even queens fall when the truth isn’t on their side.”

Meanwhile…

In the deepest wing of the rogue encampment, Darian stood before a council of shadows.

“She suspects,” one hissed.

“She always would,” Darian replied calmly. “But she’s not ready. The bond will weaken her.”

Another voice spoke — this one female. “And if it strengthens her?”

Darian smiled cruelly. “Then we kill her before she fully ascends.”