As we stepped into the kingdom, a peculiar silence settled over the streets. Everything looked normal, yet my senses tingled with a mix of nervousness and awe. People whispered among themselves, some pointing our way as we passed by, their eyes shifting from the twins, Blue and Grey, to me. I knew most of these people weren't entirely human; there was a palpable aura of power around them. And beyond that, a feeling in the air, almost instinctive, told me that most of these onlookers were Lycans. It was overwhelming. I could feel my pulse quicken, and my fingers dug into Blue's arm, seeking some form of reassurance. Blue turned his head slightly, his gaze soft and comforting. "How are you holding up, Amelia?" he murmured, so only I could hear. I swallowed, trying to steady my voice. "Honestly? I’m terrified," I admitted. "It feels like everyone is watching… judging." Grey’s voice came from my other side, smooth and steady. "You’ll be okay," he said, offering me a quick, reassuring s
Settling into the palace was surreal. I had a spacious room, luxuriously furnished and positioned just a few doors down from Blue and Grey’s quarters. Every piece of furniture gleamed with polished wood and metal accents, while soft, heavy curtains framed windows that overlooked a lush garden below. It was strange to think that this place, so far from everything I’d known, was to become my new home.The first morning, a gentle knock sounded at my door. I opened it to find a young woman with a warm smile and an air of quiet strength. Her hair was braided back, and she wore a simple but elegant dress that matched her unassuming nature. She bowed slightly, then introduced herself. “Good morning, Miss Amelia. I’m Lea, your personal assistant. I’ll be helping you with anything you need during your time here in the palace.”
The first few days of training were like stepping into a dream—and a nightmare. The palace teachers, with their strict postures and watchful eyes, observed my every move, correcting even the slightest misstep. They drilled me in all the finer points of royal etiquette: how to stand, how to hold a teacup, how to speak with an air of calm authority. Every gesture, every word, had to be perfectly measured. I fumbled at first, feeling clumsy and out of place. But as the hours wore on, something strange began to happen. Movements I thought would feel foreign instead came naturally, almost instinctively, as if some hidden part of me had always known how to move with elegance and grace.A few times, I heard whispers as the teachers glanced at each other, nodding with satisfaction. “She’s a natural,” one of them said quietly, as if marveling at something unexpected. A warmth b
Sitting in the dim light of my chambers, I couldn’t escape the thoughts that had plagued me since that awful duel with Astrid. Accepting her challenge had been a terrible mistake; revealing my Lycan form in front of everyone had been even worse. Now, it seemed my every action had consequences, rippling out far beyond what I’d intended. I thought about Alpha Cedric’s warnings and how he’d tried to protect me, telling me to tread carefully, not to let my emotions rule me. And yet, one bitter taunt from Astrid had been enough to send me into a blind rage.My hands trembled, and I wrapped them tightly around myself, trying to stave off the creeping chill of regret. Somewhere deep down, Astrid’s words had wormed their way into my mind, infecting me with self-doubt. Could it be that she was right? That my mother’s death, my struggles, all the pain—had it al
I spent the days after the trial in a strange, muted haze. Everything I had learned in the court gnawed at me, refusing to leave me in peace. I tried to find solace in my room, hiding from the curious gazes of the palace staff, but it didn’t help. The truth was, I didn’t know where I belonged anymore. Being here in the kingdom felt like a betrayal of everything I’d been through, and yet, returning to Wood Mist Pack seemed impossible now.Lea was my constant companion, her quiet presence a balm to my aching soul. She sat with me for hours, talking softly, trying to distract me with stories from her own life. She even brought books from the palace library and offered to teach me about Lycan history, though the thought of it only twisted the knife in my heart. History, after all, was what had condemned my family and left me with nothing but questions.
The palace gardens were like a hidden world, their beauty nearly stealing my breath every time I wandered there. Today, sunlight danced on the dewdrops resting on the flowers, casting a soft glow on the neatly trimmed hedges and winding paths. It was a relief to be outside after so many tense days within the palace walls, where whispers followed me and the weight of judgment lingered in every room. With Lea by my side, I felt I could finally breathe again, at least for a moment.“Lea, do you ever feel like this place is almost too perfect?” I asked as we walked slowly through the garden, taking in the floral aromas that floated in the warm air. “Like it’s hiding something?”Lea chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Every place has its secrets, Lady Amelia. And some gardens can be dangerous, too. Beautiful, but thorny.”
Days had slipped by since Darius had vanished, his absence like a shadow that clung to every corner of my life. I’d been growing accustomed to our lessons, to his sharp wit, his guidance, and even to the way he always seemed to know the exact moment my mind began to wander. He was more than a teacher; he was becoming an anchor. So, when he disappeared without a word, I couldn’t ignore the pang of betrayal that settled in my chest.In the days that followed, I found myself making excuses for him. Perhaps he’d been sent on an urgent mission or called away by a family matter. But each passing day without a single word from him chipped away at my hope. In desperation, I turned to Lea, asking her to look into his whereabouts quietly. Her return brought news that felt like a punch to the gut.“Lady Amelia,” sh
The palace buzzed with a tense but lively energy as preparations for my coronation resumed. It felt surreal to think that I was just a few days away from becoming a true princess, and, soon after, the bride of Grey and Blue. The weeks since Darius’s disappearance had left me unsettled, but as my training resumed, I found myself oddly grateful for everything he’d taught me. He may have left with more questions than answers, but his lessons had stuck with me in ways I didn’t expect.Each morning began with a rigorous schedule designed to refine every aspect of my future role. Every step, every tilt of my head, every word I spoke was carefully scrutinized by the royal teachers. But this time, I didn’t falter or feel overwhelmed. I moved with a confidence that I hadn’t felt before, and I knew, deep down, it was because of Darius. I silently thanked him every time I f
It was still early when I slipped out of the small wooden cabin I’d been staying in, the first blush of dawn just starting to creep over the tops of the trees. The air was crisp, with that lingering coolness that always comes before the morning fully wakes, and it filled my lungs like a jolt of pure energy. The Red Moon Pack was still quiet, the peaceful lull of a world not yet stirring, and for once, I felt almost… normal. Like maybe this could have been my life all along.The path led me through a dense part of the forest where the canopy of trees hung thick, creating a tunnel of green. I followed it to the clearing where Elder Alara, one of my birth mother’s closest friends, was waiting for me. She was a slender, ethereal figure, with eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the forest and a voice that was as gentle as it was commanding. She was one of the few who knew about my lineage, about the powers that might be lying dormant inside me, waiting to be awakened.When she saw me a
The camp was quiet that evening, the sky draped in a soft twilight. I had finally washed off the day’s sweat and dirt, feeling a rare moment of calm as I sat by the small fire I’d built just outside my tent. The flames flickered, casting a warm glow, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I allowed myself to relax. But just as I settled into the silence, I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Sheila, her face framed by the dim firelight.Sheila had an energy about her—sharp, lively, and a bit intimidating. She was one of the best fighters in the Red Moon Pack, with a reputation for her agility and precise strikes. She’d been with the rogues for years, and she was practically a legend among them. I admired her, but we’d rarely spoken one-on-one.“Mind if I join you?” she asked, her voice casual but her eyes studying me closely.“Not at all,” I replied, surprised by the faint hint of warmth in my own voice. I gestured to the log beside me, and she took a seat, stretching
I never thought I’d be standing here, with these people who call themselves my pack. "The Red Moon Pack" — they were all rogues, outcasts, or descendants of those who had once served my family. It still felt strange hearing them call me “Queen,” but every time they did, I felt a pang of pride and a weight of responsibility. It was surreal and yet felt like the beginning of something inevitable, something that had been set in motion long before I’d even known who I was.Standing in the center of the clearing, I inhaled deeply, letting the earthy scent of pine and wet leaves ground me. My muscles ached, but it was a satisfying ache, one that meant I was growing stronger. Each day, I pushed myself, throwing myself into training with a single-minded focus I’d never known I was capable of. This wasn’t just about survival anymore; it was about reclaiming what was mine, avenging those I’d lost, and protecting the ones I still had.The soft crunch of footsteps pulled me out of my thoughts, an
The Lycan Kingdom had once been the pinnacle of peace and prosperity. Under the wise and generous rule of King Artemis and his beloved Queen, Luna Genea, the kingdom thrived. The Red Lycan bloodline was revered as a symbol of strength and nobility, its rulers known for their compassion and loyalty to their people. With each moonlit festival and harvest season, the Lycan people gathered to celebrate their king and queen, secure in the belief that their reign would endure for generations.But beneath the surface, hidden in the shadows, seeds of envy and ambition were beginning to take root.At the heart of this dark ambition was Darwin, the king’s trusted Beta and the queen’s own brother. As a young Lycan, Darwin had pledged his loyalty to his family and had been a close companion to King Artemis, standing by his side in countless battles and council meetings. But over the years, Darwin’s admiration of his brother-in-law shifted into something more corrosive. Despite his outward devotio
The small village nestled in the jungle was nothing like the towering palace halls or the sprawling gardens I’d grown up in. Here, everything was simple, raw, and somehow more alive. There were only five houses, all made of rough wood, arranged in a circle around a fire pit. The jungle was dense around us, the air thick with the smell of pine and damp earth, and the distant chirping of birds was the only sound that broke the quiet.As I walked through the village, children peeked out shyly from behind their parents, their eyes wide with curiosity. There were only eight of them, and they clung to one another, some clutching their mothers' skirts. Most of the adults nodded as I passed, eyes warm and filled with something I hadn’t seen in a long time—respect.They all called me “Queen,” and each time, a flutter of disbelief and something like pride stirred within me. A title I’d only ever been scorned for was now spoken here with reverence, as if it was something I deserved.When lunch c
The dream was too perfect, a cruel comfort, offering me a glimpse of everything I’d lost. I was with my family. Mira was there, her laughter bright and clear as she teased Levi. Bea’s familiar smile warmed me like sunlight, and we sat together, the four of us, as if nothing terrible had ever happened.But as quickly as the comfort appeared, it shattered. Astrid emerged from the shadows, her eyes cold and full of malice, and she killed them—one by one, while I was helpless to stop her. I screamed, desperate and terrified, but my voice seemed trapped within my own throat.With a gasp, I woke, my body drenched in cold sweat, my heart pounding wildly. I was back in reality, and the weight of it crushed me all over again. “It was just a dream,” I whispered, but somehow, it still hurt.Wiping the tears from my face, I took a shaky breath. Just then, a quiet voice broke through the silence. “Amelia?”I froze, the voice almost too familiar, too comforting. My gaze snapped to the side, and my
I sat on the cold floor of my cell, staring at the wall as if somehow it could bring me comfort. I had long lost any hope of rescue. My time was running out, and though my body was heavy with exhaustion, my heart oddly felt light. The end would be peace. I would see Levi, Bea, and my family again. I would finally be free from the pain that had clung to me since their deaths.The guards would be here soon. They would lead me to the gallows, and I would be another piece of the kingdom’s history, a name to be whispered with caution, a warning of the danger that a red lycan could bring. I straightened my back, reminding myself that I would walk to my death with dignity. They wouldn’t see me tremble or break. This was my last defiance.A loud clanging interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up to see a tray being slid through the iron bars. On it were silver goblets of wine, a loaf of freshly baked bread, slices of cheese, and a hunk of roasted meat—the last meal. How considerate of them.Fo
I opened my eyes to darkness. A darkness so deep it felt like it was swallowing me whole. The damp, icy stone walls pressed in on me, as if they, too, condemned me to this small cell, tucked away in the farthest corner of the palace dungeons. Days had passed—I’d lost count—and I’d seen no one. Not Grey, not Blue, not even Lea. I was alone, a prisoner in every sense, with nothing but the suffocating weight of grief and the relentless bite of the silver chain around my ankle, searing into my skin.Yet the physical pain was nothing. The raw, gaping wound in my heart made everything else fade to numbness. Levi and Bea were gone, ripped from my life. My family, the only ones who truly knew me… gone. I kept replaying that moment when I found them, the blood, the horror. And then Astrid’s mocking smile flashed through my mind, her words echoing like a curse.“You will regret this,” she had said. “You’ll lose everyone.”Every instinct, every shred of me knew she was behind it. I could feel it
The palace hallways were silent as I stalked through them, my wedding gown trailing behind me, smeared with blood and dirt. I could hear the distant sounds of my mates, Grey and Blue, calling my name, but I ignored them. My world had narrowed to a single point, a single purpose: find Astrid and make her pay.Each step echoed in the vast, empty corridors as I searched, my heart thudding with the weight of grief and rage. Levi… Bea… the two people who had been with me through everything, my family, were gone. Murdered. The pain of it was more than I could bear, yet it fueled me, sharpened my senses, driving me to find the one person I knew was responsible. Astrid. I felt it in my bones, in the deep, unshakable certainty that only grief could bring. She had done this, or she knew who had. And I would make her tell me everything.“You’re Highness, please!” Lea’s voice called from behind me, desperate and pleading. I felt her small hand wrap around my wrist, trying to pull me back. “Don’t…