The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Lycan Kingdom's throne room. Tonight, a gathering was underway—a council meeting with Lucien's closest advisors and pack leaders. Aria stood quietly at Lucien's side, still adjusting to the intricate dance of politics and power she now had to navigate.
Isolde's eyes flicked toward her with a sharp edge as she spoke first, her voice smooth but laced with warning.
"Your Majesty, tensions among the northern packs continue to rise. Some question your choice of Luna, and rumors spread like wildfire."
Aria's heart tightened. She knew those rumors well—the whispers that called her an outsider, a pretender, unworthy of the Lycan King's side.
Lucien's gaze swept the room, his voice steady but fierce. "Let them talk. My Luna's strength is undeniable. Those who doubt her will soon regret it."
One of the pack leaders, a grizzled Alpha named Varik, cleared his throat. "With respect, Your Majesty, the power shift unsettles many. The Bloodfang Pack's fall and the rise of the King's Luna threaten the balance."
Aria felt a chill but stood her ground. Lucien nodded toward her.
"This is her realm too," he said. "She has my trust and the kingdom's future in her hands."
Isolde's lips pressed into a thin line. After the meeting, she pulled Aria aside.
"You must be cautious," Isolde warned, her tone sharp. "Enemies lurk not only outside the palace walls but inside them as well. Trust is a dangerous luxury here."
Aria nodded slowly, feeling the weight of every word.
That evening, as the palace halls grew quiet, Aria retreated to her chambers. She unpacked a small leather-bound journal—a gift from Lucien—and opened it to a blank page.
She began to write:
I never imagined my life would change so drastically. Rejected, broken, then claimed by a king. But strength doesn't come from bloodline alone—it comes from heart. And I intend to prove I am more than what they said I am.
Her pen paused as a soft knock echoed.
Lucien stepped inside, his presence filling the room.
"Still writing?" he asked with a hint of amusement.
Aria smiled softly. "Trying to capture this new life before it slips away."
He moved closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"You're growing stronger, Aria. Stronger than even I anticipated."
She looked up at him, warmth spreading through her.
"Thank you for believing in me."
Lucien's eyes darkened with promise. "I will always protect what's mine."
Meanwhile, far beyond the kingdom's borders, Selena met with shadowy figures cloaked in darkness.
"Weakness is our enemy," she hissed. "The King's Luna thrives because she is unprepared for the games we play."
One of the figures stepped forward, a sinister smile curling his lips.
"Let us weave a web of deceit and betrayal. If we cannot break her with strength, we will break her spirit."
Selena's eyes glittered with malicious intent. "Then it begins."
Back at the palace, Aria's dreams were restless. Visions of betrayal and shadows haunted her sleep, but so did flashes of hope and love.
She awoke with resolve hardening her heart.
No matter the webs woven to trap her, she would fight.
For herself.
For Lucien.
For the kingdom that now called her Queen.