REJECTED BY THE ALPHA, CHOSEN BY HIS ENEMY

The night my mate rejected me was the night I discovered that my entire life had been built on a lie.

I stood beneath the enormous silver moon, surrounded by hundreds of werewolves celebrating the annual Moon Ceremony. Music filled the royal courtyard, expensive dresses shimmered beneath the lanterns, and the air carried the excitement of young wolves waiting to discover their destined partners.

But I wasn't celebrating.

I was terrified.

At nineteen, I had never shifted into a wolf. While other girls my age had already discovered their wolf identities, I remained the strange girl who couldn't even produce a single growl.

Some called me defective. Others called me wolfless.

I had learned to pretend their words didn't hurt, but every insult reminded me that I was different.

"Arabella, stop looking like someone is about to bury you."

I turned towards Clara, my only friend. Her blonde curls fell over her shoulders, and her blue gown made her look like a princess.

"I'm nervous," I admitted.

She smiled and squeezed my hand.

"Tonight could change everything. Perhaps you'll finally find your mate."

I forced a smile.

"Perhaps."

Deep inside, however, I wondered whether the Moon Goddess had forgotten that I existed.

I had never known my father, and my mother had supposedly died giving birth to me. I had grown up in the Blackwood Kingdom under the care of distant relatives who constantly reminded me that I was a burden.

The only thing I possessed from my mother was a small silver bracelet with a crescent symbol engraved on it.

I wore it every day.

Whenever I felt lonely, I held it and imagined that somehow, somewhere, my mother was watching over me.

A sudden announcement interrupted my thoughts.

"Everyone, please welcome Alpha Darius Blackwood!"

The courtyard erupted into cheers.

I looked towards the grand staircase.

Darius descended with the confidence of a man who owned everything around him. His dark blond hair was neatly styled, and his golden eyes reflected the moonlight. At twenty-four, he was one of the youngest and most powerful Alphas in the region.

He was handsome, wealthy, and feared by neighbouring kingdoms.

He was also the last person I expected to become important in my life.

"Why are you staring?" Clara whispered.

"I'm not."

She followed my gaze and laughed.

"Careful. Someone might think you admire the Alpha."

I quickly looked away.

"I barely know him."

The High Priestess stepped onto the ceremonial platform, raising her silver staff.

"Tonight, the Moon Goddess shall reveal the mates destined to walk together. Let every heart remain open to her blessing."

Everyone bowed their heads.

I closed my eyes.

Please, Goddess. I don't ask for wealth or power. I only want someone who will accept me.

A strange warmth suddenly spread through my chest.

I frowned.

The feeling grew stronger, and a sweet fragrance filled my senses. It smelled like wildflowers after rainfall.

Then a voice echoed inside my mind.

Mate!

My eyes flew open.

I looked around in confusion until my gaze met Darius's.

He was staring directly at me.

His golden eyes widened.

For one beautiful moment, the entire world seemed to disappear.

"Mate," he whispered.

My heart leapt.

The Alpha of Blackwood was my mate.

I couldn't believe it.

Tears gathered in my eyes as I took a hesitant step towards him.

"Alpha Darius..."

But his expression changed before I could reach him.

The happiness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by disbelief and anger.

"Who is she?"

The High Priestess looked uncomfortable.

"Alpha, the Moon Goddess has chosen your destined partner."

Darius descended the remaining steps and stopped in front of me.

I lowered my head respectfully.

"I am Arabella Veyne."

He stared at me.

"Veyne?"

"Yes, Alpha."

His gaze travelled over my appearance before settling on my wrist.

"Are you the girl who has never shifted?"

My cheeks burned.

"Yes, but I believe that-"

"Enough."

His voice silenced the surrounding crowd.

"You're telling me that this wolfless girl is my mate?"

Nobody answered.

I looked towards the High Priestess, hoping she would explain that there had to be a mistake.

Instead, she stepped forward.

"Alpha, the mate bond is sacred. You should not make a decision while your emotions are unsettled."

Darius ignored her.

He moved closer until I could see the anger in his eyes.

"Do you understand what it means to become Luna of Blackwood?"

I swallowed.

"I would do my best to-"

"You cannot even shift. How could you stand beside me?"

My throat tightened.

"I can learn. I can become stronger. Please, just give me a chance."

He laughed bitterly.

"A chance? Do you think I can allow the entire kingdom to laugh at me because I accepted a defective mate?"

The word struck harder than any physical blow.

Defective.

I felt Clara take my hand, but I barely noticed.

Darius raised his voice so everyone could hear.

"I, Darius Blackwood, Alpha of the Blackwood Kingdom, reject you, Arabella Veyne, as my mate!"

Pain exploded through my chest.

I screamed and collapsed onto the marble floor.

It felt as though an invisible hand had reached inside me and torn something apart.

My breathing became uneven. My fingers trembled against the cold ground.

"Please..." I whispered.

But Darius didn't move.

The High Priestess looked horrified.

"Alpha, a rejection of this nature can have serious consequences. You should reconsider."

"I have made my decision."

He turned away.

"Remove her from the ceremony. I don't want to see her again."

The crowd began whispering.

Some people looked at me with pity. Others laughed openly.

I covered my face as tears slipped between my fingers.

The man I had hoped would give me a family had publicly declared that I wasn't worthy of him.

And everyone had witnessed it.

Clara helped me back to my small bedroom.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

She placed a glass of water beside my bed and sat down.

"Arabella, you need to drink something."

I shook my head.

"Why did the Goddess choose him for me if he was going to reject me?"

Clara reached for my hand.

"His decision doesn't make you worthless."

"But everyone heard him."

"Let them talk. One day, they'll regret laughing at you."

I looked at her through my tears.

"How can I face them tomorrow?"

"You don't have to face anyone tonight. Rest."

She remained beside me until my breathing became steady.

After she left, I removed my silver bracelet and examined the crescent engraved on its surface.

"Mother," I whispered, "why did you leave me?"

I had asked that question countless times throughout my childhood.

Nobody had ever given me an answer.

I placed the bracelet against my chest.

Suddenly, a faint silver light appeared beneath my fingers.

I sat upright.

The crescent symbol was glowing.

A strange vibration travelled through the bracelet, and a sharp sensation spread across my wrist.

I gasped.

For a moment, I saw a beautiful woman standing beneath a silver moon.

She had long dark hair and eyes that looked exactly like mine.

Then I heard a whisper.

My daughter, forgive me.

The vision disappeared.

I stared at the bracelet, trembling.

"Mother?"

There was no answer.

I slowly pulled my sleeve over the mark.

Perhaps I was imagining things because of the pain.

But deep inside, I knew something had changed.

A loud knock interrupted the silence.

"Arabella Veyne! Open the door!"

I recognised the voice of the royal guard.

I wiped my cheeks and opened it.

Two guards stood outside.

"What happened?"

The older guard handed me a small travelling bag.

"By order of Alpha Darius, you are to leave Blackwood territory before sunrise."

I stared at him.

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"That is no longer the Alpha's concern."

My lips parted.

"Please. I have nowhere to stay."

The younger guard looked uncomfortable, but his companion remained expressionless.

"Your presence is no longer welcome here. You have until sunrise."

He turned and walked away.

I stood in the doorway, holding the bag.

I had lost my mate, my home, and the only place I had ever known.

But I refused to beg.

I packed my few belongings, wrapped my mother's bracelet in a piece of cloth, and left the room.

As I walked through the empty corridors, I looked back one final time.

I had once dreamed of becoming Luna of Blackwood.

Now I was being thrown out like a stranger.

The northern forest was cold and almost completely silent.

I had been walking for nearly an hour when I heard branches snapping behind me.

I stopped.

"Hello?"

Nothing.

I continued walking.

Another sound came from the trees.

This time, it was followed by a growl.

My heart began racing.

Two enormous wolves emerged from the darkness. Their eyes glowed red, and their teeth were exposed.

Rogues.

I stepped backwards.

"Please, I don't want any trouble."

The larger wolf lowered its body.

Then it charged.

I screamed and ran.

Branches scratched my arms as I struggled through the forest. My lungs burned, and my legs grew weaker with every step.

A second growl sounded behind me.

I turned just in time to see one of the wolves leap.

I closed my eyes.

But the expected pain never came.

A terrifying roar shook the forest.

The two rogues stopped immediately.

Something powerful emerged between the trees.

A massive black wolf stood before them, its silver eyes shining like the moon.

The rogues lowered their heads.

The black wolf advanced, and the forest seemed to tremble beneath its paws.

Within seconds, the two attackers disappeared into the darkness.

I remained on the ground, unable to move.

The black wolf turned towards me.

Then silver light surrounded its body.

A moment later, a tall man stood in its place.

He wore a black coat, and his dark hair fell across his forehead. His expression was cold, but his silver eyes held an intensity I had never encountered before.

"Can you stand?"

I tried, but my injured leg gave way.

He caught my arm.

"Careful."

I pulled away.

"Who are you?"

"Lucien Voss."

My blood ran cold.

Everyone knew that name.

Lucien Voss was the Alpha of the Voss Kingdom, the most powerful enemy of Blackwood.

I stared at him.

"You're Darius Blackwood's enemy."

His expression didn't change.

"That is correct."

"Then why did you save me?"

He glanced at the crescent mark on my wrist.

For the first time, his calm expression disappeared.

"Where did you get that mark?"

I quickly covered it.

"It's mine."

He stepped closer.

"Show me."

"No."

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't force me.

Instead, he looked towards his approaching warriors.

"Prepare the carriage."

One of them bowed.

"Yes, Alpha."

I turned towards him.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To my kingdom."

"I don't trust you."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Good. You shouldn't trust strangers."

I frowned.

"Then why should I go with you?"

He looked at my wrist once more.

"Because I believe you have been lied to your entire life, Arabella Veyne."

My heart began pounding.

"What do you know about me?"

Lucien held my gaze.

"More than you think. And if my suspicions are correct, Darius Blackwood has just made the greatest mistake of his life."

He offered me his hand.

I hesitated before accepting it.

As he helped me towards the carriage, I looked back at the forest.

I had entered that night believing I was nothing more than a rejected, wolfless girl.

I was about to discover that my entire existence was connected to a secret powerful enough to threaten kingdoms.

And the man who had just saved me was the enemy I had been taught to fear.

Note: Darius believes he has gotten rid of a worthless girl, but Lucien has recognised something unusual about Arabella. What is the secret behind her mysterious crescent mark? And why does her past seem connected to an ancient kingdom? Turn to Chapter Two, because Arabella's journey is only beginning!

The journey to the Voss Kingdom was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

I sat quietly inside the carriage, watching the unfamiliar landscape pass through the window. Tall trees surrounded the narrow road, and the moonlight illuminated the silver decorations on the carriage walls.

Across from me sat Lucien Voss.

He had barely spoken since we left the forest.

His presence alone was enough to make me uncomfortable. He was not simply an Alpha. He was the ruler of a kingdom that had been enemies with Blackwood for generations.

And I was a former member of the very kingdom he hated.

I looked at him.

"Can I ask you something?"

He raised his eyes from the document in his hand.

"You can ask."

"Why did you save me?"

He placed the document aside.

"Would you have preferred that I leave you for those rogues?"

"That's not what I mean."

"Then explain."

I hesitated.

"You knew I was from Blackwood. You knew I was Darius's mate, and you still brought me here. Most people would consider that suspicious."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"You're more observant than you look."

I frowned.

"That isn't an answer."

"Perhaps I have my reasons."

I turned towards the window.

"Everyone seems to have reasons for keeping secrets from me."

Lucien studied me for a moment.

"Tell me about your childhood, Arabella."

I looked back at him.

"Why?"

"Because I want to understand something."

I considered refusing, but there was something about his expression that made me curious.

"My mother died when I was born. I never knew my father. I was raised by distant relatives who never treated me like family."

"Did they tell you anything about your mother?"

"Only that she was an ordinary woman."

Lucien's jaw tightened.

"Did she leave you anything besides the bracelet?"

I shook my head.

"Not that I know of."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Did anyone ever try to take it from you?"

I remembered something.

"When I was younger, one of the royal healers saw it and asked where I got it. After that, my relatives warned me never to show it to anyone."

Lucien's expression became serious.

"What was the healer's name?"

"I don't remember. It happened years ago."

He looked towards the window.

"Interesting."

I sighed.

"Can you stop saying that and tell me what you know?"

He met my eyes.

"Your bracelet carries an ancient royal symbol. It is not something an ordinary family would possess."

I touched the bracelet beneath my sleeve.

"Then who did my mother really belong to?"

"That is what I intend to find out."

I wanted to ask more, but the carriage suddenly slowed.

Lucien looked outside.

"What happened?"

A guard riding beside us approached the window.

"Alpha, there is a patrol ahead. They have requested permission to inspect the carriage."

Lucien's expression hardened.

"Who commands them?"

"Captain Rowan."

"Tell him I will speak with him."

The guard bowed and moved away.

I looked at Lucien.

"Are we in danger?"

"Not unless someone gives me a reason to believe we are."

His calmness did little to comfort me.

A few moments later, a broad-shouldered man approached the carriage. He wore a dark uniform with the silver insignia of the Voss warriors.

"Alpha Lucien."

"Captain Rowan."

The captain glanced through the window and noticed me.

His expression changed.

"Is that a Blackwood woman?"

"Her name is Arabella Veyne."

"Why are you bringing her into our territory?"

Lucien's eyes narrowed.

"Because I have decided to."

"But Alpha, the council will question your decision."

"Then they can question me directly."

Rowan bowed reluctantly.

"Understood."

He stepped aside, and the carriage continued.

I looked at Lucien.

"Do your people dislike me already?"

"Some of them dislike anything connected to Blackwood."

"And you?"

He turned towards me.

"I haven't decided what I think about you yet."

I raised an eyebrow.

"How reassuring."

This time, his smile was more noticeable.

By the time we reached the Voss Kingdom, the sky had begun changing colour.

A magnificent castle stood beyond the enormous stone gates. Its dark walls rose above the surrounding trees, while silver towers reflected the early morning light.

I had never seen anything so beautiful.

As the carriage entered the courtyard, several warriors approached.

"Welcome home, Alpha!"

They bowed respectfully.

Lucien stepped outside and offered me his hand.

I accepted it carefully.

Their eyes immediately moved towards me.

Whispers spread through the courtyard.

"Who is she?"

"Isn't she from Blackwood?"

"Why would the Alpha bring her here?"

I lowered my gaze.

I was familiar with being judged, but that didn't mean I enjoyed it.

Lucien noticed the whispers.

"Enough."

His voice carried across the courtyard.

Every warrior immediately became silent.

"Arabella Veyne is under my protection. She will be treated with respect. Anyone who forgets that will answer to me."

The warriors bowed.

"Yes, Alpha."

He turned towards me.

"Come inside."

I followed him through the enormous entrance.

The castle was decorated with beautiful paintings, ancient weapons, and silver ornaments. Everything looked expensive, but the atmosphere was strangely peaceful.

A woman approached us from the opposite corridor.

She appeared to be in her late forties, with grey hair arranged neatly behind her head. Her dark blue dress was decorated with a silver brooch.

"Alpha Lucien, you have returned earlier than expected."

"Lady Isolde, I need you to prepare a guest chamber."

"Certainly."

Her eyes moved towards me.

"Who is this young woman?"

"Arabella Veyne. She will be staying here."

Isolde offered me a polite smile.

"Welcome to Voss Castle."

"Thank you."

She was about to turn away when her gaze fell upon my wrist.

The smile disappeared.

"Where did you get that bracelet?"

I instinctively covered it.

"It belonged to my mother."

Isolde looked at Lucien.

"Alpha, may I speak with you privately?"

Lucien nodded.

"Arabella, wait here."

I watched them move towards the end of the corridor.

Their voices were low, but I caught a few words.

"...the crescent symbol..."

"...the Moonless Bloodline..."

"...the last heir..."

My heart began beating faster.

The last heir?

What were they talking about?

Before I could move closer, Lucien returned.

His expression was unreadable.

"Come. I'll show you your room."

My guest chamber was larger than the entire house I had grown up in.

There was a beautiful bed covered with white blankets, a dressing table, a private bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the gardens.

A maid had already prepared clean clothes.

"These were selected for you, my lady," she explained.

I looked at the elegant white dress.

"Thank you."

After the maid left, I sat on the edge of the bed.

For the first time since Darius rejected me, I felt safe enough to close my eyes.

But my thoughts kept returning to the same questions.

Why had Lucien reacted so strangely to my bracelet?

What was the Moonless Bloodline?

And why had Lady Isolde called me the last heir?

I reached into my bag and removed the bracelet.

The crescent symbol looked ordinary again.

I rubbed my thumb across its surface.

"Mother, what are you hiding from me?"

A sudden flash of silver light filled the room.

I dropped the bracelet.

It landed on the bed, glowing brightly.

Then a woman's voice whispered.

Arabella.

I froze.

"Who's there?"

My daughter.

My eyes filled with tears.

"Mother?"

A beautiful woman appeared before me. She wore a silver gown and a delicate crown. Her dark hair flowed down her back, and her silver eyes were identical to mine.

I recognised her immediately.

She was the woman from the painting.

Queen Elara.

"Are you really my mother?"

Her image flickered.

Yes, my precious daughter. I have waited so long for this moment.

I moved closer, desperate to touch her.

"Why did you leave me? Why did everyone tell me you were dead?"

I was forced to hide you. There were people who wanted to destroy our family, and I knew they would come for you if they discovered you were alive.

"Who were they?"

Her expression became sorrowful.

The people who stole our kingdom.

My breathing became uneven.

"What kingdom?"

Before she could answer, the light surrounding her began to disappear.

Find the pendant, Arabella. It holds the truth about your birth and the power they tried to bury.

"Where can I find it?"

Trust no one until you know what happened to me. Not even the man who promises to protect you.

Her image vanished.

I stood motionless, trying to understand what I had just heard.

Not even Lucien.

My heart tightened.

Why had my mother warned me about him?

A knock sounded at the door.

I quickly hid my bracelet.

"Come in."

Lucien entered.

"I hope you managed to rest."

"A little."

His gaze moved towards my face.

"You look as though you've seen a ghost."

I hesitated.

"I need to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Who destroyed the Moonless Bloodline?"

His expression changed immediately.

"Where did you hear that name?"

"Lady Isolde mentioned it."

He remained silent.

"Arabella, what else did you hear?"

I looked directly into his eyes.

"She called me the last heir."

Lucien slowly closed the door.

"Then I suppose it's time you learned part of the truth."

He walked towards the window.

"Many years ago, the Moonless Bloodline ruled a powerful kingdom. Its royal family possessed abilities that other werewolf bloodlines could not understand. They were believed to have a special connection with the Moon Goddess."

I listened carefully.

"Queen Elara was their final ruler. Then, one night, her kingdom was attacked. The royal family disappeared, and their enemies claimed that the bloodline had been destroyed."

I swallowed.

"Was my mother really the queen?"

Lucien turned towards me.

"I believe she was."

I covered my mouth.

"And what does that make me?"

He looked at the crescent mark on my wrist.

"The possible last heir to a lost throne."

I stepped backwards.

"No. I can't be a queen. I'm not even a proper werewolf."

Lucien approached me, but stopped when he noticed my fear.

"Perhaps you have been taught to believe that you are weak."

I looked away.

He continued.

"Tomorrow, I will arrange for the royal archives to be opened. We may find information about your mother there."

I nodded slowly.

"Thank you."

He turned towards the door.

"Get some rest, Arabella."

"Lucien?"

He paused.

"Yes?"

"Why are you helping me?"

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he answered quietly.

"Because I believe someone stole your birthright, and I intend to discover who."

He left the room.

I sat on the bed, holding my bracelet tightly.

I wanted to believe him.

But my mother's warning continued repeating in my mind.

Not even the man who promises to protect you.

Later that night, I stepped onto the balcony.

The moon was shining above the Voss Kingdom, and the gardens below were completely silent.

I rested my hands against the railing.

Suddenly, a strange sensation moved through my chest.

I closed my eyes.

A voice entered my thoughts.

Arabella.

I gasped.

"Who are you?"

I am the part of you they tried to silence.

My heart began racing.

"Are you my wolf?"

Yes.

Tears filled my eyes.

"Why did you stay silent for so long?"

Because someone placed a seal upon us. But the seal is weakening.

"What is your name?"

A gentle warmth spread through my body.

Lunara.

I repeated the name silently.

Lunara.

For the first time in nineteen years, I had finally heard my wolf speak.

But before I could ask another question, her voice became urgent.

Arabella, we are not safe here.

I looked around the balcony.

"What do you mean?"

Someone is coming for the pendant.

I turned towards the bedroom.

A faint silver light was shining beneath my pillow.

Then three sharp knocks sounded against the balcony door.

I froze.

A woman wearing a black cloak stood outside.

Her face was hidden beneath a hood.

In her hand was a silver pendant bearing the same crescent symbol as my bracelet.

She raised it towards me.

"Arabella Veyne," she whispered. "Your mother sent me to find you."

My breath caught.

Before I could respond, she added something that made my blood run cold.

"Your mother is not dead in the way they told you."

Note: Arabella has discovered that she is the daughter of a lost queen, but her mother's final warning raises a dangerous question about Lucien. Who is the mysterious woman outside her balcony, and what does she know about Queen Elara? The secret inside the pendant awaits in Chapter Three!

I stared at the mysterious woman standing outside my balcony.

For several seconds, neither of us moved.

The silver pendant in her hand reflected the moonlight. Its crescent symbol looked almost identical to the mark on my bracelet.

"Your mother sent you?" I whispered.

The woman nodded slowly.

"Yes, Arabella. I have searched for you for nineteen years."

My fingers tightened around the balcony railing.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Seraphine. I was one of your mother's most trusted guardians."

My heart began racing.

"Then you knew Queen Elara?"

A sad smile appeared beneath her hood.

"I knew her better than anyone. I was there the night the Moonless Kingdom fell."

I swallowed.

"What happened that night?"

Seraphine glanced towards the bedroom.

"Not here. This castle is not as safe as you believe."

Her words reminded me of Lunara's warning.

Someone is coming for the pendant.

I looked at the silver object in her hand.

"Is that the pendant my mother told me to find?"

"Yes. It belonged to Queen Elara. She entrusted it to me before everything was taken from her."

I reached towards it, but Seraphine immediately pulled her hand away.

"Wait."

I frowned.

"Why?"

"Because this pendant does not reveal its secrets to just anyone. It responds only to the blood of its rightful owner."

I looked down at my bracelet.

"Then why did my mother tell me to find it?"

"Because the bracelet is the key."

Before I could ask another question, Lunara stirred inside my mind.

Arabella, be careful. I can sense something unusual about her.

I swallowed nervously.

"Can you come inside?"

Seraphine shook her head.

"No. Someone is approaching."

I turned towards the bedroom.

"Who?"

"Your Alpha's guards."

"Lucien?"

"Not necessarily."

She stepped closer to the balcony door.

"Listen carefully. Do not let anyone take this pendant from you. There are people who would rather see you dead than allow you to reclaim your throne."

She extended her hand again.

This time, I accepted the pendant.

The moment my fingers touched it, a powerful warmth spread through my palm.

The crescent symbol began glowing.

My bracelet responded with the same silver light.

Suddenly, both objects vibrated.

I gasped as a strange image flashed through my mind.

A magnificent throne.

A woman wearing a silver crown.

A little girl crying in someone's arms.

Then darkness.

I stumbled backwards.

"Arabella!"

Seraphine caught my arm.

"What did you see?"

I struggled to breathe.

"I saw a woman. She was wearing a crown."

Seraphine's eyes filled with tears.

"Queen Elara."

I stared at her.

"Was the little girl me?"

She nodded.

"Yes. You were only a few hours old when I carried you away from the palace."

My knees nearly gave way.

"Then you were the one who saved me?"

"I promised your mother that I would protect you, even if it cost me my life."

Before I could respond, a voice sounded behind us.

"Arabella?"

I froze.

Lucien.

Seraphine immediately pulled her hood lower.

"Do not mention my name to him," she whispered.

"Why?"

"Because the truth about your mother's disappearance is more dangerous than you understand."

The bedroom door opened.

Lucien stepped inside.

His eyes immediately moved towards the balcony.

"Who are you talking to?"

I turned around.

Seraphine was gone.

Only the cold night air remained.

Lucien approached me.

"Arabella, what happened?"

I quickly closed my fingers around the pendant.

"Nothing."

His gaze dropped to my hand.

"What are you hiding?"

I stepped away.

"Nothing important."

He studied my face.

"You're a terrible liar."

I frowned.

"And you're terrible at minding your own business."

For a brief moment, amusement appeared in his eyes.

Then his expression changed.

He had noticed the silver light escaping between my fingers.

"Where did you get that?"

I remained silent.

"Arabella, show me."

"Why?"

His jaw tightened.

"Because I know that symbol."

My heart began beating faster.

"How?"

He looked towards the balcony.

"That pendant belonged to Queen Elara."

I stared at him.

"How do you know?"

Lucien slowly extended his hand.

"Give it to me."

I remembered my mother's warning.

Trust no one until you know what happened to me. Not even the man who promises to protect you.

I shook my head.

"No."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Arabella, I'm trying to protect you."

"Then tell me the truth. Who are you really protecting me from?"

He remained silent.

I held the pendant more tightly.

"My mother told me to find this. A woman came here and gave it to me. She said she knew my mother."

Lucien's expression became dangerously serious.

"What woman?"

"I don't know if I can trust you enough to tell you."

For the first time, I saw something resembling hurt cross his face.

"Then perhaps you should understand something, Arabella. Not everyone who offers you the truth has good intentions."

"And not everyone who offers protection deserves my trust."

Our eyes met.

Neither of us spoke.

Suddenly, the pendant released a brilliant flash of silver light.

The entire room trembled.

My bracelet began glowing again, and a strange symbol appeared above the pendant.

Lucien stepped backwards.

"What is that?"

I stared at the floating symbol.

It was a crescent moon surrounded by three stars.

Then a woman's voice filled the room.

"To the rightful daughter of the Moonless Kingdom..."

I couldn't move.

"Only the blood of the true heir can awaken the sleeping throne. But beware, child. The enemy who destroyed your kingdom still wears a crown."

The light disappeared.

The pendant fell into my palm.

Lucien stared at me.

His expression was no longer calm.

"Arabella, we need to leave this room."

I looked at him.

"Why?"

Before he could answer, a loud alarm echoed throughout the castle.

Footsteps thundered along the corridor.

Someone shouted outside.

"Alpha! The eastern gates have been breached!"

Lucien immediately moved towards the door.

"Stay behind me."

I followed him into the corridor, clutching the pendant.

A guard came running towards us.

"Alpha, the intruders are demanding the Moonless heir!"

My blood ran cold.

Lucien's eyes darkened.

"Who sent them?"

The guard hesitated.

Then he lowered his voice.

"The order carries the royal seal of Blackwood."

I stopped breathing.

Blackwood.

The kingdom where I had suffered rejection, humiliation, and heartbreak.

The kingdom ruled by Darius.

I looked at Lucien.

"Why would Darius want me?"

Lucien turned towards me.

"Because he has finally discovered who you are."

Suddenly, Lunara's voice echoed inside my mind.

Arabella, the pendant is not the only thing your enemies are searching for.

I swallowed.

"What else?"

Her answer made my heart stop.

They're searching for the power sleeping inside your blood.

And before I could ask another question, a familiar voice echoed from the castle entrance.

"Bring me Arabella Veyne!"

I recognised that voice immediately.

Darius Blackwood.

Note: Darius has discovered Arabella's identity, but what does he really want from her? And why is Lucien so afraid of the pendant? Turn to Chapter Four to uncover the next secret!