The Prince Of The Lycans My Mate Dark Secrets

“Silver More 18th Century – The Evening Before the Moon Festival”

The Silver More palace sparkled in the bright moonlight, its old towers made of black stone that shone like smooth obsidian. Fire torches lit the grand staircases, and guards stood still in their shiny ceremonial armor holding spears that sparkled in the moonlight. The throne room was very quiet. The only sound was the soft crackling of a flame against the cold metal. 

Prince Jayden Alaric stood alone beneath the tall ceiling. He was surrounded by marble statues of kings and queens who had been laid to rest in the castle long ago. His black cloak, which had silver threads stitched into it, flowed behind him as he walked toward the platform. The Moonlight Throne was waiting for him there.

Tomorrow, he will sit on it as the King.

However, the power felt light compared to the turmoil in his heart.

He breathed out quickly and ran his gloved hand over his chin. He had fought against assassins trained by wild wolves and defeated rebels who challenged the king. With the coronation just one night away, he was not troubled by duty or fighting.

“It was the smell of her.”

The same smell—jasmine mixed with pine smoke—floated through the night air like a soft reminder of the past. He hadn’t taken a breath of it in five years. It has been five years since the girl who had fire in her eyes and betrayal in her words disappeared into the night, taking more than just his heart.

Ivy.

Her name felt hot on his tongue like a word he wasn't supposed to say. He hadn’t said it out loud in years.

“Hey, she’s nearby…”

His wolf moved around nervously, shifting behind his ribs like an animal trapped in a cage.

A soft voice called from behind, “Your Majesty.”

Jayden stayed facing the same way. He immediately recognized the voice of Lucien Hale, his Beta and lifelong friend. The only person who understood the truth about the bond Jayden had hidden under years of metal and quiet was him.

“She is here, right?” Lucien asked softly as he walked up next to him. “The troublemaker.”

Jayden clenched his jaw. “She was never just a rogue.”

“Then why did she abandon you in the courtyard, leaving you hurt and your bond with your mate only partly broken while your wolf went wild for weeks?”

Jayden shut his eyes, trying to forget about that night. The moon turned red, and Ivy vanished without a sign—only stories and scars were left. No note. No explanation. “Only the fading warmth of her skin and the empty feeling of being betrayed.”

He confessed, “I don’t know.” “I will discover the truth.”

Lucien stayed quiet for a moment. He let out a big sigh. “Make sure you want to know the truth.”

At times, it’s better to leave the past undisturbed.

Jayden stared at him intensely. “She is still alive.”

I can’t agree to that. “However, you were.” “For a long time.”

They remained quiet, paying attention to the wind howling outside the palace walls.

At last, Jayden looked at the tall stained-glass windows that looked out over the courtyard lit by the moon. His people were gathering for the Moon Festival—a sacred celebration of unity between packs, a tradition of peace, power, and matebond blessings.

Ironically, the crown prince would be standing alone without a Luna by his side.

The council encouraged him to make a choice. They showed the noblemen's daughters to him as if they were lambs being led to be killed. Some were stunning. Some were clever. Everyone had big dreams.

“However, none of them had the scent of jasmine and pine.”

None of them silenced his wolf out of respect.

“None of them was her.”

Jayden’s expression became serious. “If Ivy came back, he would find her.”

“This time she would stand her ground.”

Outside the castle walls in the dark of the northern forest, Ivy held her daughter close under her old cloak. The moonlight shone through the branches, creating silver shapes on the mossy ground. The little girl in her arms moved and made a quiet whimpering sound.

"Ivy softly said, ‘Be quiet, my dear.’” “We’re close to reaching our destination.”

Her heart raced. Every step closer to Silver More felt like walking into a dangerous situation. She promised that she would never go back. Pledged to raise her daughter away from the troubles of the past.

But destiny—unpredictable and harsh—had different ideas.

Aelin had the right to learn the truth about her origins.

Even if it meant Ivy had to confront the one man she was most afraid of…

“The dad of her child.”

At the palace, Jayden walked over to the throne and placed his hand on the chilly armrest. A chill ran through him. The silver stitching on his sleeve sparkled in the torchlight as he held the stone tightly.

He quietly said to himself, “She left me once, but I promise to the moon—if she comes back, she won’t leave again.