Chapter 30
Liana’s POV
The music died.
The air shifted,
Everyone turned.
The guard was breathing heavily, his armor slightly scuffed, his face pale.
Alaric’s grip on me tightened.
His voice was calm. Too calm. “Say that again.”
The guard swallowed. “The border, Your Majesty. It’s been-”
A loud boom echoed through the castle, shaking the chandeliers
Screams erupted from the nobles.
Some women clutched at their pearls
Others grabbed their children and tried to flee
But Alaric!
He didn’t move.
He didn’t blink.
His entire body went still
I barely had time to process what was happening before he turned to Knox, who was already stepping forward,
“Get everyone out,” Alaric ordered.
Knox nodded. “On it”
Then
Alaric let go of me.
And I hated how cold the absence of his touch felt..
I grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. “What’s happening?”
He exhaled, turning to me briefly. His expression was unreadable, but something dark lurked beneath it.
This isn’t your concern.
I scowled. “I’m supposed to be your Luna, aren’t I?”
Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone before I could name it.
A second later, he pulled his wrist from my grasp.
And then he was gone.
The Aftermath
The castle was in cha
Know was harking orders, sending guards toward the borders, while Cecilia tried to calm down the hysterical nobles.
I stood in the middle of it all, my heart pounding.
Chapter 30
What the hell was going on?
“Elizal
The maid turned quickly, looking surprised. “My Lady?”
I took a breath, steadying myself. Tell me what’s happening. What’s at the border?”
She hesitated.
“Eliza.” My voice sharpened. “Tell me now.”
Her expression faltered.
“The rebels,” she whispered. “They’ve finally made their move.”
My stomach dropped.
The Rebel King
to understand why people kept throwing his name around me, why I was being accused of working with
For months, I had been trying to u him.
But now-
Now I might finally get my answer
I turned sharply. “I need to go.
Eliza’s eyes widened. “My Lady, you can’t-
I can
And before she could stop me, I grabbed my skirts and ran
The Battlefield.
I didn’t know what I expected.
But it wasn’t this.
The fields outside the castle were covered in smoke, flarnes licking at the grass, bodies already scattering the ground.
The stench of blood was heavy.
Swords clashed in the distance, and through the chaos-
I saw him.
Alaric
He moved like a shadow, his sword a blur as he cut down anyone who came too close.
He was deadly.
Unstoppable.
Like a beast of war in human form.
I stood frozen, watching as be ripped through his enemies, his face emotionless, his movements precise.
And then-
Someone appeared behind him.
A man cloaked in black, blade raised.
My heart stopped.
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924 AM ₫ ɗ ·
Chapter 30
FALERICT
He turned just in time.
Their swords clashed
But Alaric wasn’t fast enough.
The man twisted, slamming his dagger into Alaric’s side.
1 screamed.
Alaric grunted, staggering slightly.
The attacker smirked. “You’re slipping. Your Majesty.”
Alaric snarled, gripping the hilt of the dagger.
And then-
He pulled it out
Blood spilled onto the dirt, but he didn’t even flinch.
With a single strike, he decapitated the man.
The body crumpled.
I could barely breathe.
Then-
Alaric turned, his gaze landing on me
I should have run.
Should have looked away.
But I didn’t.
Because for the first time since I met him-
I saw fear in his eyes.
A fear I didn’t understand.
A fear that was gone in the next second.
His mask returned
He stepped toward me.
Blood dripped from his fingers.
His voice was low. “What are you doing here?”
I swallowed hard. “1—”
A roar erupted behind us.
I barely had time to react before Alaric grabbed me, shoving me behind him as something huge barreled toward us.
My blood ran cold
Because stepping from the smoke, eyes burning with rage-
924 AM ct ct
Chapter 30
Twice the size of a man
Dark fur
Glowing red eyes.
Fangs as long as my forearm.
Alycan
A real one.
Not like the wolves in th
This was a monster.
the park.
And it was coming straight for us.
I grabbed Alaric’s arm. “We need
But he was already moving.
Already shifting
His bones cracked.
His muscles rippled.
I took a step back, my breath caught in my throat as he transformed.
And then-
The King of Lycans stood before me.
Eyes burning silver.
Claws gleaming in the firelight.
A beast of war.
A monster.
My lips parted.
i didn’t know whether to run.
Or bow.
But there was no time for either.
Because the other beast was already lunging
And Alaric met hum midair, teeth bared.
The fight was merciless.
Langs snapped.
They rolled across the battlefield, locked in a deadly struggle, shaking the very earth beneath them.
Trouldn’t breathe.
This wasn’t a bande
Chapter 30
Then-
Something changed.
The other Lycan-
It stumbled.
Just slightly.
But it was enough.
Alaric struck
His teeth sank into the beast’s throat.
A sickening crack.
And then-
It was over.
It wa
The other Lycan collapsed.
Dead.
The battlefield was silent.
Alaric stood over
er the body, chest heaving, eyes wild.
I took a step forward. “Alaric-”
His head snapped toward me.
His gaze burned.
1 froze
Because in that moment-
I wasn’t sure if he b
knew who I was
Or if he was about to kill me too.
And then-
He moved.
Fast
Too fast.
One second, he was standing over the corpse of the dead Lycan, chest heaving, claws still dripping red. The next, he was right in front of
- ne.
I barely had time to suck in a breath before I was pinned.
His claws dug into the dirt beside my head, his massive body caging me against the ground.
I didn’t move.
Didn’t breathe
Alaric’s beast was massive, larger than any Lycan I’d ever seen. His
is silver eyes burned like wildfire, wild and hungry.
But it was his snarl—the deep, primal growl vibrating through his chest–that made my stomach twist.
swallowed hard “Alaric_*
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Chapter 32
“Thank you,” I said to Eliza, who handed me a cup of warm cocoa,
The warmth seeped into my fingers, the rich scent of chocolate curling in the air around me. The fire crackled beside me, casting soft golden light against the stone walls of my chambers. The castle had grown quiet after the chaos of the night, but the silence felt heavier than usual.
Eliza hesitated before stepping back, her eyes flickering over my face. “Would you like anything else, my lady?”
I shook my head. “No. This is fine.”
She nodded, but something about her posture made me pause.
“Eliza?” I tilted my head.
She hesitated. “Just… be careful.”
I frowned. “Careful of what?”
She hesitated again.
But then-
She turned and left.
I exhaled slowly, bringing the cup to my lips.
But the. I stopped.
Was it a test of some sorts?
I looked around before dropping the cup back without drinking it.
Everyone is suspicious. Everyone may be an enemy
The next morning, I stood in the center of the training grounds, my muscles aching from the last few days of intense practice. The sky was still overcast, a storm brewing somewhere in the distance, but Knox didn’t seem to care.
“You’re slow,” he said, blocking my strike effortlessly.
I scowled, stepping back/ “I’m trying.”
Knox smirked. “Try harder.”
I exhaled sharply before lunging again, but as expected, Knox countered my movements like it was nothing.
I dropped my sword with a frustrated huff, rolling my shoulders. “You enjoy this, don’t you?”
Knox chuckled, crossing his arms. “Maybe a little.”
I glared at him. “I’m not built like you.”
He tilted his head. “No. But you’re built smart.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Was that a compliment?”
He shrugged. “Don’t get used to it.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching for my sword again. “Tell me something useful, then.”
Knox raised a brow. “Like what?”
I exhaled. “Who is the Rebel King?”
The amusement in his face disappeared.
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Chapter 32
His grip on his own sword tightened slightly, his stance shifting in a way that told me I had struck a nerve.
“Why are you asking?” His voice was suddenly careful.
I wiped the sweat from my brow. “Because people keep accusing me of working with him.”
Knox watched me for a long moment.
Then he sighed. “The Rebel King is a ghost, Liana.”
1 frowned. “A ghost?”
He nodded. “No one’s seen him. Not really. His men speak for him. His messages are sent through other hands. He’s more of a legend than a man.”
I tilted my head. “So how does he control his army?”
Knox smirked slightly. “Fear.”
A chill crept down my spine.
exhaled, adjusting my grip on the sword. “And what does he want?”
Knox’s expression darkened. “The same thing every man wants.”
I swallowed. “Power.”
He nodded once.
I hesitated before speaking again. “And you think he’s connected to the attack last night?”
Knox’s jaw tightened.
“Knox,” I pressed.
He exhaled sharply. “I think everything in this castle is connected to him.”
I stiffened.
Knox studied me for a second before speaking again, voice lower. “You do realize your position isn’t as secure as you think, right?”
I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?“,
He leaned in slightly. “You may be Alaric’s Luna, but you’re not safe.”
A lump formed in my throat.
Knox’s silver eyes flickered with something unreadable. “This palace is full of people who would love to see you fail. And they won’t hesitate to make that happen.”
I clenched my fists. “Let them try.”
Knox’s lips twitched. “Careful, little wolf.”
But there was something in his voice–something worried.
Before I could ask him more, a servant appeared, calling Knox away.
I watched him go, something unsettled stirring in my chest.
That Night
I sat by my fireplace again, staring into the flames.
Knox’s words haunted me.
“You’re not safe.”
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9:24 AM
Chapter 32
I turned-
But nothing was there.
The room was empty.
Still, the feeling remained.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
“Who’s there?” My voice came out steadier than I expected.
Silence.
I took a slow step back toward my bed, my pulse thrumming wildly.
I needed to calm down.
I was paranoid after everything that had happened. That was all.
But as I reached for the covers, the fire suddenly snuffed out.
My breath hitched
Darkness swallowed the room whole.
Then-
A whisper.
Right behind me.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
I spun, my heart slamming against my ribs, but there was-
Nothing.
No one.
But the air felt different.
Colder.
Thicker.
The shadows seemed to breathe.
My fingers trembled as I reached for the dagger hidden beneath my pillow, gripping the hilt tightly.
“Show yourself,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
No answer.
Only the pressing sensation of being watched.
I clenched my teeth, every muscle in my body tensed for an attack that never came.
Then-
A sharp, ice–cold touch skimmed the back of my neck.
I gasped, stumbling forward, whirling around-
But the moment I turned-
Everything went black.
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Chapter 32
I woke up with a start.
My body jerked upright, breath ragged, my skin covered in a thin sheen of sweat.
I clutched my chest, my pulse slamming against my ribs.
The fire was back, flickering gently as
if nothing had happened.
The room was warm again.
Safe.
Like last night had been… a dream.
But it wasn’t.
I knew it wasn’t.
I swallowed, rubbing at my arms, trying to shake the lingering chill from my bones.
What the hell was that?
A vision?
A ghost?
A warning?
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