The Alpha King's Shadow

Moonlight poured out like some kind of shiny liquid all over the royal gardens in Drakemont. It lit up every leaf and every flower with this eerie glow. The wolfbane flowers caught the lightest, though. Their little purple blooms looked so fragile. You wouldn't guess the poison running through their stems. For wolves, it was deadly stuff. For Selene, it meant hope in a way.

She slipped quietly between the flowerbeds. Her feet barely made a sound on the gravel paths. Inside the palace, silence kept her safe pretty much. Outside those walls, it was more like a heavy burden. Nine years since she last said a word. She gave up her voice on purpose back then. All to save the six brothers who meant everything to her. A witch turned them into beasts one terrible night. She had to weave six shirts from that toxic thread. Five done now. One is still waiting. Just six months left before her promise either set them free or sealed their fate for good.

Selene's fingers shook a bit as she grabbed a blossom. She snapped the stem nicely and carefully. The sap hit her skin, and it stung right away. Like tiny nettles biting in. She didn't pull back, though. Pain felt normal to her, almost. Kind of a strange comfort after all this time. The pouch on her hip got fuller with each flower she added. Her hands worked steadily from years of doing the same thing.

From the palace side of the hedges came this muffled noise of a party going on. Laughter mixed with music. Boots stomping on marble floors far off. Aurek the Alpha King came back from his fight up north that very day. The whole court was celebrating him big time. Selene didn't need anyone telling her he was around. His energy filled the air even from way back there.

She tried not to think about him much. Never planned to anyway. But these long, silent years wore on her. No words are coming out. Laughter stuck deep inside. Her heart picked up a different way to speak. It went and chose him of all people. The king, who had no clue about her. The guy whose shadow she caught glimpses of now and then. Like when he trained the young guards. Or slipped a coin to some old servant. Even when he came out here restless under the same moon that watched her hidden tasks.

Selene picked another flower. This one is for her oldest brother. Kael is the firstborn. His wolf still held onto that princely dignity from before. Then a gentler bloom for Finnian, her baby brother. Even as a wolf, he wagged his tail like the curse couldn't touch his joy. She shut her eyes. Breathed in memories of them. For a second, the garden turned into laughter and free days and warmth all around. Then a twig cracked loudly.

She stopped dead. Her heart jumped up into her throat. Beating way too hard in the quiet night. She ducked behind a big hedge. Pressed flat against its thorny side. The pouch rustled like it wanted to give her away. She held it still with shaky hands.

Footsteps came closer. Not rushed at all. Full of confidence. Like the person owned every inch of these paths. No intruder vibe. Selene's chest got tight.

A tall shape stepped into the moonlight. Broad shoulders under a cloak dark as storm clouds. His walk had that leader's weight. But smooth like a predator on the prowl. He looked up at the moon. Silver light hit his strong jaw. The high cheekbones. Eyes burning like amber.

The Alpha King. Aurek himself.

Selene's breath caught all twisted up. Every part of her yelled to run. A servant out here past curfew could get whipped. Or something worse. Her body wouldn't move, though. She couldn't look away from him. No more than she could quiet her pounding heart.

This wasn't her first time spotting him in the garden. Over the years, she learned his ways. How does he come alone after battles? Stared at the stars like they might tell him secrets no one else could. She felt his wolf out here sometimes. Restless thing. Always hunting for something.

Her own wolf woke up inside her now. Deep in her chest. It brushed her thoughts with one word that didn't make sense.

Mate.

Another voice cut through the moment.

"Your Majesty."

Aurek's jaw went tight. A second guy walked in. Dressed fancy with stuff glittering in the light. Alaric, the king's top advisor. Selene knew him from her hiding spots. Sharp mind. Smooth talker. Always pushing his ideas too hard.

"I asked for some time alone," Aurek said without looking.

"I know, Sire," Alaric answered easily. "But the Queen of Ebonveil."

Selene's breath snagged. Queen of Ebonveil. The name burned bitter in her mouth.

"She wants to talk alliance," Alaric went on. "The council thinks a match between your kingdoms."

"Union," Aurek cut in flat. "You make marriage sound like some deal on paper."

Alaric dipped his head. "Duty means giving up things sometimes, Majesty."

Aurek let out a tired sigh. Ran a hand through his dark hair. Eyes still on the moon. "Yeah. Duty's an old friend of mine."

Selene's nails bit into the hedge bark. Her chest hurt badly. Marriage. To Ebonveil's queen. She knew that woman. That face. That voice. Last time in firelight and witch flames. Her father died on the throne. Brothers twisting into wolves howling in pain.

Veyra. The witch queen who cursed her family. Killed her dad. Took their throne. And now she lurked in Drakemont's ballroom. Smiling all painted at Aurek.

Selene's heart hammered with pain that stole her air. Someone else would take the spot her soul said was hers. Stand next to him. But worse. So much worse. If Veyra touched him, she'd suck him dry like she did her father. Leave the strong king empty inside.

Aurek turned quickly. Nostrils wide. His amber eyes scanned the garden sharply. Searching. Selene pushed deeper into the dark. Whole body shaking. For a second, his gaze locked on hers through the shadows. Her wolf howled inside, wanting to break the quiet. Then it passed. Aurek faced Alaric again. Face hard like a king's mask. "Fine. Let's head back."

Their steps faded toward the palace. Lost in the feast, music far away. Selene breathed out only when the night cleared up again.

Her heart wouldn't settle, though. She ought to go to her room. Get back to weaving. Not give a damn. But her feet didn't listen. They took her to the servants' door of the ballroom. If Veyra really showed up here. If that witch had the nerve to walk these halls. Selene needed to see for herself.

Just one look. Make sure. Then she'd slip back into the shadows she knew so well.