Chapter 4: The Moon Crown’s Secret

Kael stumbled backward, his heart hammering against his ribs.

The silver ring clung tightly to his finger.

No matter how hard he pulled, it refused to move.

“What… what did you do to me?” he demanded.

Rowan shook his head.

“I did nothing, Your Highness.”

“The Moon Crown recognized its rightful owner.”

Kael stared at the glowing gemstone embedded in the ring.

It pulsed like a heartbeat.

“This can’t be happening.”

“I’ve lived as an ordinary omega my entire life.”

“I’m not a prince.”

“I’m certainly not the heir to a fallen kingdom.”

“You are,” Rowan said quietly. “Even if you don’t believe it yet.”

Before Kael could argue, a sharp pain shot through his head.

He cried out, dropping to one knee.

Fragments of memories flashed before his eyes.

A magnificent palace bathed in silver moonlight.

A woman with long silver hair smiling as she placed a kiss on his forehead.

A man in royal armor lifting him into his arms.

Then—

Fire.

Screams.

Blood stained across white marble floors.

A soldier shouting, “Protect the prince!”

The images vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

Kael gasped for breath.

“What… were those?”

“Your memories,” Rowan answered.

“The seal hiding your royal blood has begun to break.”

Kael looked up, fear written across his face.

“My parents…”

“They died protecting you.”

Rowan’s voice was heavy with grief.

“The king and queen knew the Moon Kingdom would fall.”

“So they entrusted you to a loyal family in Black Fang Kingdom.”

“They believed your enemies would never search for a powerless omega.”

Kael’s hands trembled.

“They sacrificed everything…”

“So I could survive?”

Rowan nodded.

“Your father gave his life buying enough time for us to escape.”

“And your mother sealed your bloodline with the last of her Moon Magic.”

“The price was her own life.”

Silence fell over the ruined shrine.

Kael lowered his head.

The people he had mourned for years…

Had died believing he would one day reclaim everything they had lost.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

“They protected the wrong person.”

“I’m weak.”

“I couldn’t even protect my own dignity.”

“I let an entire kingdom laugh at me.”

Rowan’s expression hardened.

“Do you truly believe strength is measured by how loudly others cheer?”

Kael looked at him in surprise.

“The greatest kings are not those born powerful.”

“They are those who rise after losing everything.”

“You survived.”

“That alone makes you stronger than the men who destroyed your kingdom.”

Kael fell silent.

For the first time since the rejection, someone believed in him.

Not because of fate.

Not because of a mating bond.

But because of who he could become.

A distant howl echoed through the forest.

Rowan’s expression changed instantly.

His hand moved to the sword at his waist.

“They’ve found us.”

Kael’s heartbeat quickened.

“Who?”

“The ones who hunted your family.”

“They’ve been searching for the Moon Crown’s heir for twenty years.”

The wind carried the scent of wolves.

Not one.

Not two.

Dozens.

Red eyes appeared between the trees.

One after another.

A deep voice rang through the darkness.

“Hand over the prince…”

“…and we’ll make your deaths painless.”

Rowan stepped in front of Kael, drawing his silver blade.

Moonlight reflected off its edge.

His voice was calm.

“You’ll run when I tell you.”

Kael shook his head.

“I’m not leaving you.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

The wolves emerged from the shadows, surrounding the ruined shrine from every direction.

Their leader smiled coldly.

“We finally found the last heir.”

He raised his sword.

“Kill them.”