Selene's POV
Lyra shouldn't have red eyes.
Wolves had gold eyes when they shifted. Everyone knew that. Gold for Alphas, amber for Betas, softer yellow for Omegas.
But my sister's eyes burned crimson, like something demonic had crawled inside her skin and was staring out at me.
Put me down, I whispered to Kael. That's my sister. I need to talk to her
That's not your sister. His arms locked tighter around me. Not anymore.
Lyra tilted her head, studying us with that terrible smile. Running away, Kael? That's not like the big bad Wolf King. I thought you never backed down from a fight.
I don't fight things that aren't real. Kael started backing up, moving us toward a side staircase. How long has the changeling magic been unstable, Lyra? Days? Weeks?
Changeling?
The word hit me like a slap. Changelings were creatures from old stories—fakes made by witches to replace stolen children. They weren't supposed to be real.
I'm more real than she'll ever be, Lyra snarled, her perfect face twisting with rage. I'm the one who trained. Who fought. Who earned the right to rule. She's just a weak little wolfless mistake who got lucky!
She's the Blood Moon Queen, Kael shot back. You're a puppet made of borrowed magic and lies.
Lyra screamed.
The sound wasn't human. It shattered the windows behind her, sent cracks spider-webbing through the marble floor. And then she moved—faster than anything I'd ever seen, crossing the distance between us in a heartbeat.
Kael spun, shielding me with his body. Lyra's claws raked across his back instead of my throat. Blood sprayed.
He didn't even flinch.
Run, he growled at me, setting me on my feet. Follow this corridor to the roof. My Beta is waiting with transport.
I can't leave you
You can and you will. He shoved me toward the stairs. GO!
I ran.
Behind me, Kael and Lyra clashed with a sound like thunder. I wanted to look back, wanted to help somehow, but my legs were shaking and the heat was still burning through me and I could barely think straight.
Changeling. My sister was a changeling.
Which meant she wasn't my sister at all.
I burst through a door and found myself in another corridor—this one filled with guards racing toward the sounds of fighting. They saw me and froze.
There! one shouted. The girl! Alpha Marcus wants her alive!
They charged.
Panic seized my chest. I couldn't fight. Didn't know how. I was just Selene, the worthless servant who scrubbed floors and stayed invisible
NO.
The word blazed through my mind in a voice that wasn't quite mine. Deeper. Older. Furious.
We are NOT prey. We are QUEEN.
Power exploded from my hands.
Silver light blasted outward like a shockwave, picking up all five guards and throwing them backward into the walls. They hit hard and slumped down, unconscious.
I stared at my glowing hands in shock. I did that. I actually
Impressive. Alpha King Darius Blackthorn stepped out of a side room, slow-clapping like this was all some kind of performance. The lost queen shows her teeth. Marcus didn't tell us you had active powers.
I backed away. Stay away from me.
Can't do that, sweetheart. His smile was charming and cold. You're far too valuable. A Blood Moon Queen? Do you know what kind of power you represent? What kind of control?
I'm not a thing to be controlled!
Everything can be controlled. You just need the right leverage. He moved closer, and I felt something oily slide across my skin—his Alpha presence, trying to make me submit. Come quietly, and I won't hurt your Northern friend. Fight me, and I'll make sure Kael Thornridge dies screaming.
The threat made my blood run cold.
But before I could respond, the wall behind Darius exploded inward. A massive silver wolf tore through the debris, bigger than any wolf I'd ever imagined, with eyes that blazed like molten metal.
Kael.
He'd shifted. Partially. His body was caught between human and wolf—claws, fangs, fur covering his shoulders and arms. But there was something wrong about it. Glowing chains wrapped around his chest and throat, digging into his skin like they were trying to strangle him.
He landed between me and Darius with a snarl that shook the floor.
Touch her, Kael's voice was barely recognizable, more growl than words, and I rip your throat out.
The curse is killing you, Darius observed, backing up carefully. You can't even shift properly anymore. How long do you have? A year? Less?
The chains tightened. Kael's snarl turned to a pained gasp. He was dying, and I could feel it through whatever connection was forming between us. Feel his agony like it was my own.
Stop! I stumbled forward without thinking. You're hurting him!
I'm not doing anything. Darius smiled. That's his ancestor's curse. Only a Blood Moon Queen can break it. Which means he needs you alive just as much as I do.
He was right. I could feel the truth of it in my bones.
Kael had saved me because he needed me.
The realization hurt worse than it should have.
We're leaving, Kael forced out through gritted teeth. Both of us. Together.
You can't protect her forever, Darius called as we moved toward the stairs. Marcus has already declared her a traitor. The Continental Council will demand her trial. And when they do, I'll be there to claim what's mine.
We burst onto the roof. A helicopter waited, its blades already spinning. A massive man with dark hair and scarred arms waved us forward—Kael's Beta, I assumed.
Kael collapsed the moment we were inside. The chains around his chest were glowing brighter now, burning into his skin. His breathing was shallow and labored.
What's happening to him? I grabbed the Beta's arm.
Curse is reacting to you. The Beta's voice was grim. Your power calls to his wolf. Makes the chains fight harder to contain him.
I'm killing him?
No. You're the only thing that can save him. The Beta met my eyes. But first, we need to get far away from here. Because your father just put a price on both your heads big enough to start a war.
The helicopter lifted off. Through the window, I watched the palace shrink below us—guards pouring onto the roof, firing weapons that sparked off our hull.
Kael's head dropped against my shoulder. His breathing was getting worse.
Stay with me, I whispered, pressing my glowing hand to his chest where the chains were tightest. Power flowed from me into him—not much, but enough to ease the pressure slightly.
His eyes opened, silver and intense even through the pain.
Why are you really helping me? I asked. The truth this time.
He was quiet for so long I thought he wouldn't answer. Then:
Because eight years ago, my grandmother left me a prophecy before she died. His voice was rough, barely audible over the helicopter blades. She said a queen would rise during the Blood Moon Summit. Said she'd be my salvation or my destruction. Said I'd know her by her scent, like winter storms and wild roses.
My breath caught.
That's what you smell like, he continued, his eyes locked on mine. Exactly what the prophecy described. So yes, I came to the Summit looking for you. I planned to use you to break my curse and then let you go.
And now?
His hand came up, cupping my face with surprising gentleness.
Now I realize my grandmother lied, he whispered. You're not my salvation or my destruction.
Then what am I?
His thumb brushed across my cheekbone, and I felt the mate bond flare between us—hot and undeniable.
You're both.