Chapter 6

The ballroom was still buzzing when Lucian and Serena stepped onto the raised platform.

The moment they appeared, the conversations died down.

Every eye turned toward them.

Serena kept her expression calm, even though she wanted nothing more than to disappear.

Lucian stood beside her with the confidence of a King who had just received the news his people had been waiting years to hear.

Liam stepped forward.

“My King.”

Lucian gave him a small nod before turning to face the crowd.

His voice carried across the entire ballroom.

“Tonight, the Moon Goddess has finally answered my prayers.”

Excitement spread through the room.

Lucian looked at Serena.

“This is Serena Hawthorne.”

He paused.

“My mate.”

The ballroom erupted.

Applause thundered through the hall. Some wolves cheered while others raised their glasses.

Serena forced herself to smile.

Lucian continued.

“After nine years of waiting, I have finally found the woman chosen to stand beside me.”

More cheers followed.

“The future Queen of the Northern Kingdom.”

Serena's smile almost disappeared.

Future Queen?

She turned her head slightly toward Lucian.

He didn't look at her.

He simply faced the crowd as though he hadn't just added another complication to her life.

Liam raised his glass.

“To the Lycan King and his mate!”

The entire ballroom repeated the toast.

“To the Lycan King and his mate!”

Music filled the hall again.

The guests returned to dancing and socializing. Several wolves began approaching their own potential mates, while others celebrated with their families.

For everyone else, it was a night of happiness.

For Serena, it felt like a performance.

She remained beside Lucian for another moment before a woman approached them.

“Lucian.”

Serena turned.

A beautiful older woman was walking toward them with a warm smile. Beside her was a young woman with long, dark hair and a gentle expression.

Lucian's expression softened.

“Mother.”

Grace Blackwood smiled.

Then her eyes moved to Serena.

For a moment, she simply stared.

Then she walked straight toward Serena and pulled her into a warm embrace.

Serena froze.

She wasn't expecting it.

Grace held her tightly.

“Oh, my dear.”

Serena's arms remained at her sides.

“I am so happy to finally meet you.”

Grace pulled back but kept her hands on Serena's shoulders.

“You are even prettier in person.”

Serena forced a small smile.

“Thank you.”

“You have no idea how long we've waited for this moment.”

Grace glanced at her son.

“My son has spent nine years searching for you.”

Serena looked at Lucian.

He was watching them quietly.

Grace continued.

“And now you're finally here. You have no idea how happy we are to have you.”

Serena didn't know what to say.

She wasn't happy.

She wasn't excited.

She had rejected the bond only minutes earlier.

Yet this woman was looking at her as though Serena had already become part of the family.

Grace noticed her discomfort and softened her voice.

“I hope you'll forgive me. I'm simply overwhelmed.”

Serena nodded politely.

“It's alright.”

Grace smiled.

Then she turned to the young woman beside her.

“And this is Lily.”

Lily stepped forward with a gentle smile.

“It's nice to meet you, Serena.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

Lily glanced at Lucian, then back at Serena.

“I’m Liam's mate.”

Serena looked toward Liam.

He was still near the platform, speaking with several members of the royal council.

“So you're his mate?”

Lily laughed softly.

“Yes.”

Grace smiled.

“Our family has been blessed tonight.”

Serena wasn't sure what to do with that statement.

Grace continued speaking excitedly about how pleased she was to finally meet the woman the Moon Goddess had chosen for her son.

Serena listened quietly.

She remained distant, giving only polite responses whenever Grace asked her something.

After a few minutes, Serena couldn't take it anymore.

“I'll excuse myself for a moment.”

Grace nodded.

“Of course, dear.”

Serena gave Lily a small smile.

“It was nice meeting you.”

“You too.”

She turned and walked away.

She could finally breathe again.

She reached the refreshment table and poured herself a glass of water.

She took a slow sip.

The ballroom was still loud around her.

Music.

Laughter.

Dancing.

Everything felt completely disconnected from what had happened in the garden.

Serena closed her eyes for a moment.

She wanted to go home.

She wanted her normal life back.

“Excuse me.”

Serena opened her eyes.

A woman stood before her.

She was striking, elegantly dressed, and carried herself with the confidence of someone who had never been made to feel insignificant.

Serena had never seen her before.

The woman smiled.

“My name is Isabella Velo.”

Serena waited.

Isabella seemed to expect recognition.

When none came, she continued.

“My family is one of the wealthiest families in the Northern Territory.”

“Oh.”

Serena took another sip of water.

Isabella's smile tightened.

“We have been close to the royal family for generations.”

“I see.”

“I grew up knowing the responsibilities that come with being part of the royal household.”

Serena looked at her.

“And?”

Isabella glanced toward Lucian.

“He is the man I was expected to stand beside.”

Serena followed her gaze.

Lucian was across the ballroom speaking with Liam.

Isabella continued.

“My family always believed I would become the perfect mate for the Lycan King. I know the kingdom. I understand the traditions. I know what is expected of a Queen.”

Serena remained silent.

Then she asked,

“So why are you telling me this?”

Isabella's expression became colder.

“Because you should understand what you've stepped into.”

Serena frowned.

“I didn't step into anything.”

“You're his mate.”

“I know.”

“And you should stay clear of him.”

Serena stared at her for a moment.

Then, unexpectedly, she shrugged.

“You can have him.”

Isabella froze.

“What?”

“I don't want him.”

The woman's eyes widened.

“You don't want the Lycan King?”

“No.”

“You're serious?”

“Very.”

Serena set her glass down.

“If you want him, take him. I won't fight you over him.”

Isabella looked completely confused.

“You're willing to give up being Queen?”

“I never asked to be Queen.”

“But you're his mate.”

“I didn't choose it.”

Isabella studied her carefully.

Most women would have been thrilled to be chosen by the most powerful wolf in the territory.

Serena looked like she wanted nothing to do with it.

“You really don't care?”

“No.”

Isabella didn't know how to respond.

Across the room, Lucian's attention shifted.

He noticed Isabella standing with Serena.

Something immediately felt wrong.

His wolf stirred.

Why is she talking to our mate?

Lucian's expression hardened.

Liam noticed.

“My King?”

Lucian didn't answer.

His eyes remained on Serena.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You've been staring at them for the last few seconds.”

Lucian finally looked away.

“I don't trust Isabella.”

Liam glanced toward the women.

“Should I intervene?”

“No.”

Lucian's eyes returned to Serena.

“She can handle herself.”

Still, something inside him remained uneasy.

At that moment, Zara and Leo approached Serena.

“Serena!”

Serena turned.

Zara immediately noticed Isabella.

“Is everything alright?”

Isabella smiled.

“Of course.”

Leo looked between them suspiciously.

Serena answered before he could ask.

“She was just introducing herself.”

Zara raised an eyebrow.

“To you?”

“Yes.”

Isabella picked up her purse.

“I should return to the others.”

She looked at Serena.

“It was nice meeting you.”

Serena nodded.

“You too.”

Isabella turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Zara watched her leave.

“Who was that?”

“Isabella Velo.”

Leo's expression changed.

“The Velo family?”

Serena nodded.

“What did she want?”

Serena sighed.

“She wanted me to stay away from Lucian.”

Zara looked shocked.

“Why?”

“Apparently, she believes she was supposed to be his mate.”

Leo glanced toward Lucian.

“And what did you tell her?”

Serena took another sip of water.

“I told her she could have him.”

Zara nearly dropped her glass.

“You said what?”

Serena shrugged.

“I don't want him.”

Leo stared at her.

“Serena, what happened in that garden?”

Her expression immediately changed.

“Nothing.”

Zara stepped closer.

“Don't lie to me.”

Serena looked between them.

“I'll tell you later.”

“When?”

“When I'm ready.”

Leo didn't push her further.

But he knew something had happened.

Something serious.

Across the ballroom, Lucian watched Serena with her brother and Zara.

He couldn't hear their conversation.

But he could see the concern on their faces.

His eyes moved toward Isabella.

She was standing across the room, watching Serena too.

Lucian's expression darkened.

He didn't know what Isabella had said to his mate.

But he knew one thing.

He would find out.

And Isabella, watching Serena from across the ballroom, had reached the same conclusion.

There was something unusual about the new mate of the Lycan King.

And Isabella intended to discover exactly what it was.