I was in my study, going over some documents, when Thorian entered the room. His face was serious, and I could see he had something important to say.“Prince Alaric,” he started, his voice low and urgent. “We need to talk about Caspian.”I put down my papers and looked at him. Thorian usually didn't interrupt unless it was critical. “What’s wrong, Thorian? What have you found out?”Thorian stepped closer to my desk. “I’ve noticed Caspian behaving strangely. He’s been wandering alone in the secluded palace garden, almost like he’s searching for something or waiting for someone.”A cold feeling settled in my stomach. Caspian had always been secretive, but this sounded more suspicious. “Tell me more,” I urged him.Thorian’s eyes were intense. “He’s also been meeting with Lady Amora a lot. Their meetings seem very secretive, like they’re plotting something together. And there’s more… Alina’s condition has gotten worse since these meetings started. She caught a cold right after one of thei
_Alaric's POV_"Alina," I whispered, my voice full of desperation. "Please, wake up."The doctor looked up at me and there was a grave expression on his face. He continued his examination, listening to her heartbeat and checking her breathing. After a few tense moments, he turned to me."Prince Alaric," he said in a calm voice. "It appears that Lady Alina has only a common cold. Her fever is high, but with rest and proper care, she should recover."I felt relieved when I heard his words, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. "Thank you, Doctor Alden. Your presence here means everything."He nodded, but his expression remained serious. "However, we must be vigilant. If her condition changes or worsens, we’ll need to act quickly."I nodded. "Of course. Please, do everything you can for her."As the doctor and the servants continued to tend to Alina, Thorian stepped into the room. He had been waiting anxiously outside. He approached me carefully."Is she going to be alr
As the plague spread among the people, Alaric’s coronation was delayed. Rumors about the plague’s origin filled the palace and the streets. Many whispered that it was a curse from the Moon Goddess since she was angry with Alina being chosen as the Luna Queen. Tanya and Caspian spread these rumors, making people more fearful and unhappy.Caspian, ever the manipulator, seized this opportunity. He played the role of a savior during the crisis, distributing a medicine that seemed to alleviate the symptoms of the sick. People who took Caspian's medicine found temporary relief, and their gratitude grew. They praised his medical skills and saw him as a beacon of hope during the dark times. Some even started to doubt if Alina should be the Luna Queen since they thought that she might be the cause of their suffering.Faced with increasing pressure, the kingdom’s ministers advised Alaric to select a new Luna Queen. They believed that this would satisfy both the people and the Moon Goddess. Howe
_Alina's POV_As I walked into Alaric’s chamber, the weight of the situation pressed heavily on my heart. The plague was spreading fast, and our people were scared. Alaric was pacing back and forth, and there was a look of frustration on his face.“Alaric,” I called softly, trying to catch his attention.He stopped and looked at me, his eyes filled with pain. “I failed, Alina. I couldn’t stop Caspian. The people won’t listen to me. They think that he’s their savior.”I moved closer to him, my hand reaching out to touch his arm. “You haven’t failed, Alaric. You’re doing everything you can. This isn’t your fault.”His shoulders slumped, and he sat down heavily on the edge of the bed. “But my father… I couldn’t protect him. He’s suffering, and I’m powerless to help him.”I sat beside him. My heart was aching for him. “We’ll find a way to help King Edgar and everyone else. We’re not giving up. You’re not alone in this, Alaric. I’m with you, and together we’ll get through this.”Alaric’s v
_Alina's POV_Without a word, Alaric pulled me into a tight embrace. Before I could react, he kissed me, his lips warm and fervent against mine. The room around us seemed to disappear, and for a moment, it was just the two of us.When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless, and my cheeks flushed. The room was filled with amused and knowing gazes. I playfully punched Alaric’s shoulder. “You have to warn a girl before doing that, you know,” I teased him.Alaric laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I couldn’t help myself,” he said. “You saved my father’s life. You saved us all.”I smiled. I could feel a warmth spreading through me at his words. “Well, the potion isn’t a complete cure,” I admitted. “It stops the disease from progressing, but we need to find the source of the plague to completely eradicate it.”Alaric’s expression turned serious. “Then we need to find that source as quickly as possible. We can’t let this disease continue to spread.”Before we could discuss it fu
_Alina's POV_Once we were inside our room, the door clicked shut behind us. The weight of the day's events seemed to melt away as Alaric turned to me, a soft smile playing on his lips."Alina," he said in a low voice. "Today has been overwhelming, but through it all, you were my rock."I stepped closer. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. "Alaric, I couldn't have done it without you. We're in this together, remember?"He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I remember. And I won't forget."Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms, his lips finding mine in a tender, lingering kiss. My breath hitched as I felt the warmth of his embrace. We broke apart, our foreheads resting together as we both caught our breath."Alaric," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "I love you."He pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. "I love you too, Alina. More than anything."With that, he kissed me again, t
After the plague stopped spreading, Alina and Alaric did not let their guard down. They knew that only by finding the source of the plague could they truly resolve the problem. An idea sparked in Alaric's mind as he recalled Caspian often wandering alone in a secluded palace garden before the outbreak. This detail, like a ray of light, illuminated their path to the truth.The next day, as Alina and Alaric walked side by side through the palace grounds, Athena stirred within Alina."Alina," Athena's voice resonated in her mind. "I smell poison. It's faint, but it's definitely here."Alina stopped, her eyes widening. "Athena smells poison," she said while turning to Alaric. "We need to follow her guidance."Alaric nodded. "Lead the way, Alina. We need to find the source of this."Following Athena's guidance, they made their way to the old water tower on the palace grounds. The structure had been there for centuries, providing water for the palace and its inhabitants. As they approached,
_Alina's POV_In this ancient and mysterious forest, I led a team of werewolf warriors on a difficult journey to find a cure for the plague. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the damp ground, and the air was thick with the scent of decaying leaves and earth. The forest was alive with sounds: the rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects, and the distant calls of unseen creatures. Every step felt heavy with the weight of our mission, and the knowledge that failure was not an option.As night fell, the forest became even darker and more enigmatic. We found a small clearing and decided to make camp for the night. The warriors lit a campfire, its flickering light casting long shadows that danced eerily on the surrounding trees."Everyone stay close," I instructed in a firm voice. "This forest is dangerous, especially at night. Do not stray from the camp."The warriors nodded, though I noticed one of them, a tall and muscular werewolf named Torin, rol
A few days had passed since the burning in the square and the capital had begun to return to a semblance of normalcy. The people felt safer and their faith in Alina and Alaric was stronger than ever. To mark the victory and bring hope back to the kingdom, Alina and Alaric decided to hold a celebration.The square, where the execution had taken place, was transformed. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and tables were set up, filled with food and drink. Music filled the air and the people danced and laughed. Their fear was replaced by joy.Alina stood on a balcony overlooking the square, watching the festivities. She smiled, seeing her people happy and at peace. Alaric came to stand beside her, his arm brushing against hers."They needed this," he said softly, his eyes on the crowd below."They did," Alina agreed. "And so did we."Alaric turned to her, his gaze searching her face. "You seem different," he said, his voice gentle. "Is something on your mind?"Alina hesitated. She had been
Alina stood over the witch and watched the last of the dark magic fade from the room. This battle was over but she needed to make sure there would be no more from Tanya or the witch.Alaric came to her side. "What do you want to do with her?" he asked."We need to send a message," Alina said firmly. "To everyone. They need to see what happens to those who use dark magic against us."Alaric nodded. "We’ll take them to the capital. We’ll burn them in the square for all to see."Caleb, who had been leaning against a wall, slowly walked over. His face was pale, and he looked exhausted, but there was a fire in his eyes. "I’ll help," he said.Alina looked at him. She was grateful for his support. "Thank you, Caleb," she said. She turned back to Alaric. "Let’s get them ready. We need to do this quickly."The warriors moved quickly. They tied the witch’s lifeless body and carried her out of the ruins. Tanya, still bound and furious, was dragged along. Her eyes were filled with hatred and fear
Caleb looked up at Alina. He felt relieved. He hadn't expected her to find him but now that she was here, he knew that they had a chance."Alina..." Caleb started to say, but she shook her head, her focus entirely on Tanya."You can't win, Tanya," Alina said, taking a step forward. "Surrender now, and maybe we'll show you mercy."Tanya snarled. "You think you can just walk in here and take me down? You're nothing, Alina! Nothing!"Alina didn't flinch. She raised her hand, and the palace guards moved forward, their weapons ready. "This is your last chance, Tanya," Alina said. "Give up, or we'll make you."For a moment, it looked like Tanya might fight back, but then she glanced around, realizing that she was outnumbered. With a frustrated scream, she lashed out with one final burst of dark magic, but Alina was ready. She raised her hands, and a barrier of shimmering light formed in front of her, deflecting the attack.The palace guards rushed forward, surrounding Tanya before she could
Caleb walked through the dimly lit streets. The night was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. He knew that Tanya was somewhere nearby, hiding in the shadows, but finding her was no easy task. Dark magic hung in the air like a thick fog making it hard to track her scent.His mind raced as he thought about what had happened in the square. Alina had been strong, stronger than he’d ever seen her before. She had saved the werewolves from the dark magic and proved herself as a true leader. But now, they were facing a threat even more dangerous than the chaos in the square. Tanya was still out there and her power was growing. Caleb had to find her before she caused more harm.Suddenly, he heard a soft sound, like a whisper on the wind. He paused and listened. There it was—a low, almost inaudible chant. It was Tanya. She was close.Caleb followed the sound, his steps quickening as he made his way through the narrow alleys. The chanting gr
_Alina's POV_As the door closed behind us, the weight of everything that had happened finally began to lift. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe, to let go of the tension that had been building up inside me. Alaric was still holding my hand and I could feel the warmth of his presence enveloping me like a comforting blanket.He turned to me. “Alina,” he said quietly. “I missed you so much.”“I missed you too,” I whispered. The truth of it hit me hard. We hadn’t had a moment like this in so long—just the two of us.Alaric stepped closer, closing the small distance between us. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. “I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Every moment you were gone, I was terrified that something would happen, that I wouldn’t be there to protect you.”I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes as I savored the feel of his hand against my skin. “I know,” I whispered. “But I’m here now. We’re together
_Alina's POV_Tanya was somewhere inside the Capital and I had to find her before it was too late. As Caleb and I entered the city, the signs of chaos were everywhere. The streets were empty but the air was filled with darkness.We made our way to the heart of the city where I knew Alaric would be waiting. As we approached, I could feel his presence growing stronger in my mind. He was nearby and I needed to reach him before the situation spiraled out of control.“Alina!” Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind. “I’m at the main square. Hurry!”“We’re on our way,” I replied while quickening my pace.When we arrived at the square, the scene was worse than I had imagined. Werewolves were on the brink of tearing each other apart, their eyes wild with fear and rage. The dark magic was strong here. Alaric stood in the center and he was trying to keep order, but even he was struggling against the overwhelming force of Tanya’s influence.“Alaric!” I called out as I reached him.He turned to me. His
_Alina's POV_As Caleb and I moved swiftly along the dark road, my mind was focused on what lay ahead. The capital was in danger, and every second counted. The night was quiet, the only sounds were our footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. But I knew that this calm was deceptive. Something dark and terrible was waiting for us.We traveled in silence for a while, each of us lost in our own thoughts. But then, I felt a familiar presence in my mind. It was Alaric, reaching out to me through our mind link. His voice echoed in my heart, urgent and filled with worry.“Alina,” he called out. “I’ve found evidence of Tanya’s involvement. She’s here, in the capital, but the people… they’re blinded by fear and rumors. They refuse to believe that she’s the one behind this. Her influence is spreading and it’s causing chaos. Some of the werewolves have started to riot. The city is on the brink of losing control.”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I could hear the desp
_Alina's POV_I knew that I had to return to the capital immediately. The urgency in Alaric’s voice echoed in my mind like a warning bell that wouldn’t stop ringing. The plague had returned and there was no doubt in my heart that this was the work of the witch. Tanya wasn’t dead, as I had once believed. She was still out there, and her influence was spreading like poison. The thought of her dark magic wreaking havoc sent a chill down my spine and I knew I couldn’t afford to waste any time.I turned to the rogues who had gathered around me. Their eyes were filled with concern and a newfound admiration. They had just been freed from the clutches of dark magic and they were still recovering from the ordeal. I could see the exhaustion in their faces, the lingering fear that had yet to fully fade. But I didn’t have the luxury of time to explain everything to them. They needed to rest and regain their strength. They had fought their own battles and now I had to fight mine.“Stay here,” I to
_Alina's POV_I stepped out of the room. My heart was still pounding from the battle with Caspian. As I moved into the open air, a chaotic scene unfolded before my eyes. The rogues, twisted by dark magic, were attacking each other in a frenzy. Snarls and growls filled the night as they bit and clawed at one another, their eyes wild with the madness that had taken hold of them.For a moment, I stood frozen, watching the carnage. These wolves, once proud and strong, were now reduced to mindless beasts, slaves to the dark magic that had consumed them. But then, I remembered the mission that had been entrusted to me by the moon wolf. I had the power to purify them, to free them from the darkness that held them captive.But I knew what I had to do. Closing my eyes, I reached deep within myself, calling upon the power that I had gained in the ruins. I felt it surge through my body. My mind and body merged with my wolf and I could feel her strength and courage flowing through me.When I open