LOGIN"Took you long enough. I was about to proceed without you if you hadn’t come soon," Elara muttered as she walked down the hallway, her steps brisk but not hurried."You know, Luci can't survive a day without talking to me," Lyra said casually, flipping her hair as she matched Elara's pace."I highly doubt that," Elara replied with a faint smile.Lyra gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "You wound me. Truly. I am deeply hurt."Elara let out a soft laugh. "You're too much, Lyra… but very endearing."For a fleeting second, Lyra's theatrics melted into something softer, a slight blush creeping onto her face at the compliment.As they reached the chamber doors, Lyra pushed them open and stepped inside. "So… how long has it been? Since you started liking Leo?" Elara asked, glancing at Lyra following her into the Ivory Bloom Chamber.Lyra sat down on the edge of the bed, her expression turning thoughtful. "I think… the first time I noticed him was when he came to the throne ro
Lucien merely shifted his gaze away from her..... nothing more.Why would it even affect her?She wasn't a werewolf. She couldn't feel the mate bond. She wouldn't ache for him the way it burned inside him."She wouldn't yearn for us the way we do for her."The thought echoed in his mind, and somewhere deep within, Eryx stirred… restless, wounded."Yes, Luci! I showed her everything.....the entire palace!" Lyra chirped, practically glowing with pride.Lucien gave a small nod, forcing calm into his voice. "That"s good. Elara, make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, just inform me."Elara nodded quietly, rising from the couch."Your Highness, shall we head to our chamber ?"Lyra asked, then hesitated, glancing at Lucien. "But… I need to discuss something with Luci first. May I?"Elara blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "He's your brother, Lyra. Why would you need my permission? Go ahead."Lyra opened her mouth.....then froze."But he's yours too....."Her words cut o
Lucien's gaze held Elara’s for a moment longer before he spoke."Don't underestimate my wolf form," he said quietly.There was something in his tone.....something firm, almost warning.Then, just as quickly, it softened."So… the answer to your earlier question," he continued, more composed now. " Werewolves are called that because we are both... wolf and human."He backed away, giving her space as he explained."We mostly stay in our human form, but we shift when needed. And no… it doesn't feel strange." A faint smile touched his lips. "The wolf within us is like a second soul."Elara listened carefully, her attention fully on him now."Our wolf can communicate with us," Lucien added. "Like an inner voice. Constant. Sometimes… annoyingly constant."Especially when he won't shut up, Lucien thought as Eryx huffed in his mind."I hope that makes sense."Elara nodded slowly."So you're the True-Blooded Alpha Prince…" she said, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "That must be fascinating."
Silence rang through the Alpha's Crucible.Not the peaceful kind....but the suffocating, heavy silence that pressed against the lungs, thick with unspoken truths and rising tension.Elara stood frozen, her gaze locked onto Lucien.For a heartbeat....two....three....No one moved.Then Lucien broke.He rushed toward her, his boots striking hard against the stone floor, and in one swift motion, he bent down and grabbed the fallen sword."You okay, Elara?" he asked, his voice edged with something dangerously close to panic.But Elara didn't answer.Her eyes narrowed instead, sharp and searching."What is a Fated Mate?" she asked.The question cut through the air like a blade.Lucien stilled.Elara took a step closer, her voice quieter now,but far more dangerous."You called me that… in the Wolf's Den," she continued. "And just now too."A pause.Then, deliberately...."Mate. Fated Mate, to be exact."Lucien froze completely.For the first time since she had met him, the True-Blooded Alp
"That… that tree…" Lyra whispered, still staring at it like it had just broken a centuries-old rule.Elara looked between the tree and Lyra, her brows knitting slightly. "What about it?"Lyra didn't answer immediately. Then suddenly...She squinted at the tree.Then at Elara.Then back at the tree.A slow, mischievous grin spread across her face, completely ruining the tension."…I think it has a crush on you."Elara blinked. "What?"Lyra nodded very seriously, as if she had just solved an ancient mystery. "Yes. That's the only explanation. A dead, lifeless tree that hasn't reacted to anyone in years suddenly moves the moment you touch it?" She placed a hand dramatically over her heart. "That's not coincidence. That's romance.""Lyra....." Elara tried to protest, but a smile was already tugging at her lips."I mean, look at it," Lyra continued, getting up and circling the tree like she was inspecting a shy admirer. "Standing here all lonely for years… probably waiting for you to arriv
Location: The Royal Garden, The Moonveil Garden.The garden felt like another world entirely."This place is so soothing and peaceful," Elara murmured, her voice soft as she absorbed the calm silence wrapped around them. The chaos of the throne room still echoed faintly in her mind, but here, the air felt lighter, almost as if the garden itself refused to let tension survive within its walls."This is my favourite place in this palace!" Lyra announced excitedly. She skipped ahead, her robes swaying as she ran toward a towering tree standing at the center of the garden.Elara followed, only to slow when she noticed something strange.The tree had no leaves.She glanced around, confused. Every other tree in the garden was lush and alive, branches heavy with green leaves and blossoms in shades of pink, gold, and violet. Flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their fragrance filling the air .... yet this one tree stood bare, its branches empty, almost forgotten."Why doesn't this tree have







