Chapter 124: Cracks in the Crown

The storm broke that night.

Thunder rolled across the horizon as lightning fractured the sky above the Blackmoon stronghold. Inside the war room, silence reigned—but it was the kind of silence that spoke of unraveling bonds and painful truths.

Serena stood before the ancient table, her hands planted firmly on its edge. Her breath was steady, but her heart was chaos. The golden insignia Darian had dropped lay between her fingers, its edges worn, still faintly smelling of ash and old betrayal.

Caine stood across from her, unreadable. The Alpha King who once ruled the room with unwavering presence now seemed… shaken. And Serena didn’t know if she wanted to break through his silence—or shatter under the weight of it.

Elias leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. He hadn’t said much since the confrontation, but his eyes never left Serena’s face. There was a subtle sadness there. One she wasn’t sure she had the strength to address yet.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked finally. Her voice was quiet, but it struck like a blade.

Caine exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair. “Because I didn’t want to lose you.”

“You didn’t trust me.”

“No. I was afraid,” he said, meeting her gaze. “I’ve lost too much. Too many. And you… you’re the one thing I didn’t know how to protect without lying.”

Theron shifted uncomfortably behind them. “We don’t have time for this,” he said. “Darian’s resurfaced. That means he’s ready to act.”

“He already has,” Elias added. “Two outposts have gone silent near the southern border. One of my spies says he’s rallying the Crescent rogues — the ones who refused to bend the knee after the last war.”

“He’s trying to paint me as the enemy,” Serena said bitterly. “Using my past. My blood. My mistakes.”

“He’s using your strength,” Queen Naelia cut in, striding into the room. Her royal cloak was soaked from the rain, her silver eyes fierce. “Because he fears it. He always did.”

Serena blinked, surprised by the older woman’s support.

“You are the daughter of a warrior,” Naelia continued. “And now the mate of a king. Your power is not a liability. It’s a weapon. Wield it.”

Caine straightened beside her, jaw tightening.

“We’ll increase patrols,” he said. “And double security around the capital.”

Serena shook her head. “That’s not enough. Darian won’t strike where you’re looking. He’ll come for the heart.”

“Which is?” Elias asked.

“Me,” she replied quietly. “He’s coming for me. The question is, are we going to keep reacting to his moves—or make the first strike?”

For the first time that night, a dangerous glint lit Caine’s eyes.

“What are you proposing?” he asked.

Serena looked around the room — to her mate, to Elias, to the Queen, and to Theron who had once vowed to guard her with his life.

“I want to go to the Crescent border,” she said. “Draw him out. Make him believe I’m vulnerable.”

“You’re not going alone,” Elias said immediately.

“She’s not going at all,” Caine snapped.

“I have to,” she countered. “He needs to see me as bait, not a threat. If we let him keep choosing the battlefield, we lose.”

Caine walked to her, voice low and angry. “You’re asking me to put you in the direct path of the man who wants you dead.”

“I’m telling you I won’t be hunted anymore,” she said fiercely. “Let me end this.”

Silence again.

Then Naelia stepped forward. “I’ll go with her.”

“What?” Caine turned. “You—”

“I ruled before you were born,” she cut in smoothly. “And I’ve fought worse men than Darian. Let the girl lead. She’s more queen than I ever was.”

Serena swallowed, her throat tight. “Thank you.”

Theron nodded once. “Then we move at dawn.”

Elias didn’t say a word. But when Serena passed him by on her way out, he caught her wrist gently.

“Be careful,” he said, eyes locking with hers. “Darian isn’t the only one watching you.”

Her heart skipped.

But she nodded.

That night…

Rain drummed against the window of Serena’s chamber as she stood alone in the dim glow of the hearth. Her fingers traced the edge of the golden insignia again, the weight of the past and future pressing down on her chest.

The door creaked open.

Caine entered, drenched, his expression unreadable.

“I shouldn’t have let him near you,” he said.

“You didn’t,” she said softly. “I found him.”

A bitter chuckle. “Of course you did.”

He walked to her, his presence calming and dangerous all at once. “Whatever happens tomorrow… just come back to me.”

She looked up at him, heart aching. “I want to trust you.”

He placed a hand over her mark. “Then trust this. The bond doesn’t lie.”

She leaned into him slowly, her forehead resting against his. “Then hold me tonight. Like it’s the last time.”

He did.