BOUND BY DESTINY:the cursed mate's revenge

BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 1: The Rejected Luna The rain fell like arrows from the heavens, soaking the white gown Aurora Vale had dreamed of wearing since childhood. The Moon Temple stood silent. No music. No cheers. Only whispers. Aurora tightened her trembling fingers around the bouquet as hundreds of wolves stared at her with pity. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Instead, it became the day her world shattered. At the altar stood Alpha Kael Blackwood—the man destined to be her mate. The man she had loved for seven years. The man who had sworn to protect her. He didn't even look at her. Instead, he held another woman's hand. Selena Ashcroft. Beautiful. Elegant. And carrying his child. Aurora felt her knees weaken. "No..." she whispered. Kael finally raised his cold silver eyes. "I reject you, Aurora." The words echoed through the temple. Every wolf gasped. Aurora's heart stopped. "You can't..." she cried. "We're fated mates." Kael laughed without warmth. "Fate made a mistake." The elders looked horrified. One stepped forward. "Alpha, rejecting your true mate before the Moon Goddess is forbidden." Kael's voice turned icy. "Then let the Moon Goddess watch." He wrapped an arm around Selena's waist. "Selena is the Luna I choose." Aurora stared at the woman she had once called a friend. Selena smiled sweetly. "You were never enough." Laughter rippled through the crowd. Aurora's wolf whimpered in agony. Her chest burned as the mate bond cracked. The pain was unbearable. She collapsed onto the marble floor. Tears mixed with rainwater. "I loved you..." she whispered. Kael didn't even flinch. "Take her away." Two guards grabbed her arms. They dragged her down the temple steps while the pack watched in silence. No one defended her. No one spoke her name. She had become nothing. Hours later... Aurora wandered deep into the Darkwood Forest, her wedding dress torn and stained with blood. Lightning split the sky. She fell beside the ancient Moon Lake. "I have nothing left," she sobbed. "If this is my destiny... then let it end here." She stepped toward the black water. Just as she closed her eyes— A deafening growl shook the forest. The ground trembled. Every bird fled into the night. Golden eyes appeared between the trees. One pair. Then another. Then dozens. An enormous black wolf emerged from the darkness, larger than any wolf Aurora had ever seen. Its eyes glowed like molten gold. It wasn't an ordinary Alpha. It was the legendary Lycan King. He walked toward Aurora slowly. She tried to move but couldn't. The beast stopped inches away. Then, before the stunned wolves hidden in the forest, the Lycan King lowered his head. His deep voice echoed directly into her mind. "At last... I have found my true Queen." Aurora's eyes widened. "What...?" Behind them, a furious roar split the night. Alpha Kael had come. And the look in his eyes made one thing clear. The mate he had rejected... ...was never meant to be his. CHAPTER 2 🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 2: Claimed by the Lycan King The forest fell eerily silent. Every wolf present lowered their heads, trembling. The towering black Lycan stood protectively in front of Aurora, his golden eyes fixed on Alpha Kael. Kael's chest rose and fell with anger. "Move," he ordered. The Lycan King didn't budge. Instead, a deep, dangerous growl rolled from his throat. The sound alone sent several of Kael's warriors crashing to their knees. Aurora looked from one man to the other in confusion. "You... you know him?" she whispered. The Lycan King finally shifted. Dark smoke swirled around his massive body. Bones cracked, muscles rippled, and within seconds, the wolf was gone. Standing before her was a man unlike any she had ever seen. He was over six and a half feet tall, broad-shouldered, with raven-black hair that brushed his neck. His golden eyes glowed even in human form, and an ancient crown-shaped mark rested on his chest. He wore a long black coat that fluttered in the wind. Power radiated from him. Aurora couldn't breathe. The stories were true. King Lucien Nightbane. The ruler of every Lycan kingdom. A warrior no Alpha had ever defeated. Lucien removed his coat and gently draped it over Aurora's soaked shoulders. "You're freezing," he murmured. No one had spoken to her with kindness all day. Tears filled her eyes. Kael clenched his fists. "She belongs to my pack." Lucien slowly turned toward him. "No." His voice was calm. "But she is no longer yours." Kael laughed bitterly. "I rejected her." "Exactly." Lucien's golden eyes narrowed. "You threw away the greatest gift the Moon Goddess ever gave you." Murmurs spread through the gathered wolves. Kael's expression faltered for the first time. "What do you mean?" Lucien stepped closer. "The Moon Goddess never intended Aurora to become your Luna." "What?" "You were merely a bridge." Kael frowned. Lucien continued, "She was born under the Blood Moon." The elders gasped. "The prophecy..." One elderly wolf fell to his knees. "The Lost Queen..." Aurora stared in disbelief. "I don't understand." Lucien looked directly into her eyes. "Thousands of years ago, the Moon Goddess foretold the rise of a queen whose blood would unite wolves and Lycans." "Only the Lycan King can awaken her true power." "You are that queen." Aurora shook her head. "That's impossible." "I've lived as an orphan my entire life." Lucien's expression softened. "You were hidden." "For your protection." "Your parents were murdered before they could place you on the throne." Aurora's heart pounded. Everything she believed about herself... ...was a lie. Kael suddenly grabbed Aurora's wrist. "Enough!" "I don't care about prophecies." "She is staying with me." Aurora froze. The same man who had rejected her only hours ago now refused to let her go. Lucien's gaze darkened. "You dare touch my destined queen?" The ground exploded beneath their feet. A terrifying wave of power burst from Lucien, sending Kael flying backward into a tree. The Alpha crashed to the ground, coughing blood. No one moved. No one dared. Lucien gently took Aurora's hand. His touch was warm. Safe. "Come with me." Aurora hesitated. "If I leave..." "You'll never have to beg for love again," Lucien said quietly. Those words broke something inside her. She looked back one last time. At the temple. At the pack that had abandoned her. At the man she had once loved. Then she wiped away her tears. "I'll go." Lucien smiled for the first time. The moment their hands fully intertwined, a brilliant silver light erupted from the sky. A glowing crescent moon appeared above them. Every wolf dropped to their knees. The Moon Goddess had acknowledged the bond. And somewhere in the darkness, unseen by all, a pair of crimson eyes watched them. A woman's chilling voice whispered, "So... the Lost Queen has finally awakened." She smiled. "Then the hunt begins." End of Chapter 2 CHAPTER 3🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 3: The Lycan Kingdom The silver light surrounding Aurora slowly faded. The crescent moon above the forest disappeared, leaving behind an eerie silence. Every wolf remained on one knee. No one dared to meet the Lycan King's gaze. Lucien turned toward Aurora, his expression softening. "Can you walk?" Aurora nodded, though her legs still trembled. "I... I think so." Without another word, Lucien scooped her into his arms. Aurora gasped. "I can walk!" "You've suffered enough for one night," he replied calmly. His voice carried a quiet authority that made arguing impossible. Behind them, Alpha Kael struggled to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Aurora!" She froze. Kael's blue eyes were filled with desperation. "Don't leave." Aurora looked back. Only hours earlier, this was the man who had humiliated her before the entire pack. Now he looked terrified. "You rejected me," she said quietly. Kael swallowed hard. "I made a mistake." Aurora laughed bitterly. "A mistake?" "You destroyed my life." "I can fix it." "No." Her voice was stronger this time. "You only want me because someone more powerful chose me." Kael had no answer. Lucien smiled faintly. "My Queen has spoken." With one powerful leap, he disappeared into the darkness. Hours later... Aurora awoke to the scent of cedarwood and fresh rain. She blinked. A magnificent bedroom stretched before her. The walls were carved from black marble streaked with silver veins that shimmered like moonlight. Massive windows overlooked endless snow-covered mountains. "This place..." "The Lycan Palace." Aurora turned to find Lucien standing near the fireplace. He had changed into a fitted black shirt and dark trousers. Without the heavy coat, she could see countless scars covering his arms. Some looked ancient. Others had barely healed. "You stayed?" she asked. Lucien nodded. "I wanted to make sure you were safe." Safe. The word felt unfamiliar. For years, she had never truly known what safety meant. A maid entered carrying a tray filled with food. Fresh bread. Roasted meat. Fruit. Warm tea. Aurora's stomach growled loudly. Embarrassed, she lowered her head. Lucien chuckled softly. "You haven't eaten all day." She hadn't. The wedding preparations had started before sunrise. She reached for the bread. The moment she took a bite, tears rolled down her cheeks. Lucien frowned. "Is it bad?" She shook her head. "No." "It's the first meal anyone has ever served me with kindness." Silence filled the room. Lucien's hands slowly curled into fists. "They treated you that poorly?" Aurora hesitated before nodding. "I was always told to endure because I would become Luna someday." His golden eyes darkened with anger. "No one will ever mistreat you again." Suddenly, the palace doors burst open. A silver-haired man rushed inside. "Your Majesty!" He stopped the moment he saw Aurora. His emerald eyes widened. "So..." "She's really here." Lucien sighed. "Rowan." Rowan grinned. "The entire kingdom is celebrating." "They've waited centuries for the Lost Queen." Aurora blinked. "Everyone knows?" "The prophecy is older than every kingdom," Rowan replied. "But..." His smile slowly faded. "We also have terrible news." Lucien's expression hardened. "What happened?" "Three northern villages were attacked last night." Aurora's heart sank. "By whom?" Rowan's voice became grim. "The Crimson Order." Lucien's jaw tightened. "They've finally made their move." Aurora looked between the two men. "Who are they?" Lucien walked toward the window. "The Crimson Order is an ancient cult." "They believe the Blood Moon Queen must die before she awakens her full power." Aurora's breath caught. "They're hunting... me?" Lucien turned to face her. "Yes." "And now that you've been revealed..." "They won't stop until you're dead." As if on cue, a deafening explosion echoed through the palace. The walls shook violently. A guard burst into the room, panic written across his face. "Your Majesty!" "The eastern gates have fallen!" "They're inside the palace!" Lucien's eyes blazed with fury. He stepped in front of Aurora. "Stay behind me." Outside, the screams of soldiers echoed through the night. The hunt for the Blood Moon Queen had begun. End of Chapter 3 CHAPTER 4🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 4: The Blood Moon Awakens The palace trembled as another explosion echoed through the halls. Dust rained from the ceiling. Outside, the clash of swords and the howls of wolves filled the night. Aurora's heart pounded. "They're here because of me..." Lucien drew a long black sword from the wall. Its silver blade shimmered with strange runes. "They're here because they fear what you'll become." He turned to Rowan. "Get Aurora to the Moon Chamber." Rowan nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." "No," Aurora interrupted. "I'm not hiding while innocent people die." Lucien's golden eyes met hers. "You don't know how to fight." "Then teach me." Before he could answer, a guard stumbled into the room, covered in blood. "Your Majesty... they've broken through the eastern courtyard." Lucien's face darkened. "I'm going." He stepped closer to Aurora. "No matter what happens, don't leave Rowan's side." Aurora nodded reluctantly. "I'll be back." With that, Lucien vanished through the doorway. Outside... The once-beautiful palace courtyard had become a battlefield. Lycan warriors fought desperately against hooded figures dressed in crimson robes. The attackers wore silver masks marked with a blood-red crescent moon. "The Blood Moon Queen must die!" they chanted. Lucien landed in the middle of the battlefield. His golden eyes blazed. "You dare invade my kingdom?" One of the masked leaders laughed. "Your Majesty, hand over the girl, and we will spare your people." Lucien raised his sword. "I'd rather watch the world burn." The ground cracked beneath his feet. With a thunderous roar, his body transformed. Black fur burst from his skin. His claws lengthened. Within seconds, the legendary Lycan stood before them. The invaders froze. "Monster..." one whispered. Lucien attacked. His claws tore through the enemy ranks with terrifying speed. Every swipe sent warriors flying. The courtyard echoed with screams. Meanwhile... Rowan led Aurora through a hidden passage beneath the palace. The tunnel glowed with blue crystals embedded in the walls. "Where are we going?" Aurora asked. "The Moon Chamber." "It's the safest place in the kingdom." They stopped before a massive silver door. Ancient symbols covered its surface. As Aurora stepped closer, the symbols suddenly began to glow. The door opened on its own. Rowan stared in disbelief. "It only opens for the true Queen..." Aurora slowly walked inside. At the center of the chamber stood a crystal pedestal. Resting upon it was a radiant silver crown. The moment Aurora reached out— The crown floated into the air. A brilliant beam of moonlight poured through the ceiling. The crown settled gently on her head. Pain exploded through her body. She cried out as silver markings spread across her arms like living vines. Her blue eyes slowly changed. One became silver. The other glowed gold. A powerful wave of energy burst from her body, shaking the entire palace. Far away, in a dark fortress hidden among jagged mountains, a hooded woman opened her crimson eyes. She smiled. "So..." "The Blood Moon Queen has awakened." She rose from her throne. "Prepare my army." "This time..." "I'll finish what I started twenty years ago." Back in the Moon Chamber, Aurora opened her eyes. A strange voice echoed inside her mind. Find the truth... before the traitor finds you first. Aurora gasped. "Traitor?" Before Rowan could answer, the chamber doors slammed shut. Someone else was inside with them. A shadow stepped from the darkness. Its eyes glowed an unnatural red. It smiled. "I've been waiting for you, Your Majesty." End of Chapter 4 CHAPTER 5🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 5: The Traitor's Secret Aurora's pulse thundered in her ears. The silver doors of the Moon Chamber slammed shut with a deafening boom. Rowan instinctively stepped in front of her, drawing his sword. "Who are you?" he demanded. The figure emerged from the shadows, dressed in a black cloak embroidered with crimson thread. A silver mask covered half of the stranger's face, leaving only a pair of glowing red eyes visible. The mysterious intruder smiled. "I've waited twenty years to meet the Blood Moon Queen." Aurora's fingers tightened around the silver crown now resting on her head. "You know who I am?" "Oh, I know far more than you do." The stranger slowly removed the mask. Rowan gasped. "No..." Aurora stared at the man's face. He looked no older than thirty, with long silver hair and a scar running across one eye. "General Cassian?" Rowan whispered. Aurora frowned. "You know him?" "He disappeared before the last war," Rowan said, never lowering his weapon. "Everyone believed he died protecting the royal family." Cassian chuckled bitterly. "I didn't die." "I was betrayed." Before anyone could react, he dropped to one knee before Aurora. "My Queen." Aurora blinked in confusion. "Why are you kneeling?" "Because I swore my life to your family." He raised his head, his expression filled with sorrow. "I failed your parents." Aurora's heart skipped a beat. "You knew my parents?" Cassian nodded. "I was their commander." "They loved you more than their own lives." Tears burned Aurora's eyes. "I don't even remember their faces." Cassian reached into his cloak and carefully pulled out a small silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon. "This belonged to your mother." Aurora hesitated before taking it. The moment her fingers touched the pendant, a blinding flash exploded through the chamber. A little girl laughed as she ran through a beautiful palace garden. "Aurora!" a gentle woman called. The child turned. A beautiful queen with silver hair scooped her into a warm embrace. "You must never leave the palace alone," the queen whispered, kissing her forehead. A tall king walked toward them, smiling. "Our little moonbeam is too adventurous." The little girl giggled. "I want to be strong like Daddy!" "You will be stronger than both of us," the king replied. The happy scene shattered. Flames consumed the palace. Soldiers screamed. Blood stained the marble floors. The queen knelt before Cassian, placing the baby Aurora into his arms. "Protect her." "No matter the cost." Cassian's face was covered in tears. "I swear it." Then— A woman cloaked in crimson appeared. Her crimson eyes glowed with hatred. She drove a black blade through the king's heart. The queen screamed. Everything faded into darkness. Aurora collapsed to her knees as the vision ended. "No..." Her voice broke. "My parents..." Cassian lowered his head. "They died protecting you." Aurora clutched the pendant to her chest and cried. For the first time in her life, she remembered them. Suddenly, the chamber doors burst open. Lucien rushed inside, his clothes stained with blood. His golden eyes searched the room until they found Aurora. Relief washed over his face. "You're safe." Aurora ran to him without thinking. Lucien caught her in his arms. She buried her face against his chest, trembling. "I remembered them..." Lucien gently stroked her hair. "I know." His expression softened with quiet determination. "You'll never face this alone again." Before Aurora could answer, a soldier stumbled into the chamber. "Your Majesty!" Lucien looked up sharply. "What is it?" "The Crimson Order has retreated..." The soldier swallowed hard. "But they've left a message." He handed Lucien a bloodstained scroll. Lucien unrolled it. His expression immediately turned cold. Aurora noticed his hands clench around the parchment. "What does it say?" Lucien slowly read the words aloud. "The Queen has awakened. The King has found her. Now let the prophecy end in blood." At the bottom of the scroll was a single symbol. A crimson crescent moon. And beneath it... One name. Morgana. The woman who had murdered Aurora's parents... ...was coming for her herself. End of Chapter 5 CHAPTER 6🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 6: The King's Promise The Moon Chamber fell silent. The bloodstained scroll slipped from Lucien's hand and landed on the marble floor. One name echoed through everyone's mind. Morgana. Cassian's face turned pale. "I prayed I would never hear that name again." Aurora looked at him. "Who is she?" Cassian closed his eyes. "She was once the High Priestess of the Moon Temple." "The most gifted woman our kingdom had ever known." Aurora frowned. "Then why did she kill my parents?" "Because she desired power more than loyalty." Cassian's voice trembled. "When the prophecy revealed that the Blood Moon Queen would surpass every ruler before her, Morgana believed the throne should have belonged to her." "So she betrayed the royal family." Lucien's jaw tightened. "And she's been hunting Aurora ever since." Outside, dawn slowly painted the mountains gold. The battle was over. The palace grounds were scarred with broken stone and fallen warriors. Aurora stood on a balcony overlooking the kingdom. The wind carried the scent of pine and snow. "So many people were hurt because of me." Lucien walked beside her. "They fought because they chose to." "They believe in you." Aurora shook her head. "They don't even know me." Lucien smiled faintly. "They know hope when they see it." For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Aurora whispered, "What if I fail them?" Lucien gently took her hand. "You won't." "How can you be so sure?" "Because I've spent centuries waiting for someone worth believing in." Aurora looked into his golden eyes. For the first time since her rejection, she felt her heart beating for a reason other than pain. Later that morning... The Royal Council gathered in the grand hall. Generals, nobles, and elders filled the room. As Lucien entered with Aurora beside him, everyone rose to their feet. Then, one by one, they bowed. "Long live the Blood Moon Queen!" Aurora froze. Lucien leaned close. "They're greeting their future queen." The oldest elder stepped forward. "Your Majesty, according to our ancient laws, the Queen must begin her training immediately." Aurora blinked. "Training?" The elder nodded. "Combat." "Leadership." "Magic." "And the history of your bloodline." Lucien agreed. "Starting today." Aurora took a deep breath. "Then I'm ready." Deep beneath the palace... In a prison sealed by ancient magic... A pair of crimson eyes slowly opened. Chains covered the figure's wrists and ankles. A dark smile spread across her lips. "The Blood Moon Queen has awakened..." A guard approached the cell. "My lady... Morgana has begun her attack." The prisoner laughed softly. "Good." She looked toward the ceiling as if she could see Aurora from miles away. "Tell Morgana she's too late." "The Queen is no longer a frightened girl." "She is becoming exactly what destiny promised." The guard hesitated. "And if Morgana fails?" The prisoner's smile widened. "Then I will finish the job myself." As the torches flickered, her silver hair caught the light. Around her neck hung the royal crest of Aurora's family. Aurora believed both her parents had died that night. But fate was hiding one final secret. Her mother was still alive. CHAPTER 7🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 7: The Queen's Trial The revelation struck Aurora like lightning. "My... mother?" She stared at Lucien, searching his face for answers. Lucien remained silent for a moment before speaking. "We believed both your parents died the night the palace fell." Cassian lowered his head. "I searched for years. I never found any trace of Queen Selene." Aurora's chest tightened. "If she's alive... why didn't she come for me?" No one had an answer. Later that afternoon... Aurora stood in the Royal Training Grounds, dressed in black leather armor instead of the elegant gowns the maids had prepared. Around her stood dozens of Lycan warriors. Some looked curious. Others looked doubtful. One warrior stepped forward. He was tall, muscular, and carried two curved swords on his back. "I am Commander Darius," he said, bowing slightly. "His Majesty has ordered me to train you." Aurora nodded. "I'm ready." Darius tossed her a practice sword. "Show me." Aurora caught it awkwardly. She had never held a weapon before. The warriors exchanged amused glances. Darius attacked without warning. Clang! Aurora barely blocked the strike. The impact sent her stumbling backward. Again. And again. Within minutes, she was on the ground, bruised and exhausted. Some of the younger warriors laughed. "So that's the Blood Moon Queen?" "She can't even hold a sword." Aurora gritted her teeth and climbed back to her feet. "I'm not done." Darius raised an eyebrow. "You've had enough." "No." She lifted her sword again. "I'll keep getting up." From a balcony overlooking the arena, Lucien watched quietly. A faint smile touched his lips. "She's stronger than she knows." The training continued until sunset. Aurora's hands were blistered. Her muscles burned. She could barely stand. Darius finally lowered his sword. "Enough for today." Aurora sighed with relief. Then suddenly— A loud horn echoed across the palace. Every warrior froze. A guard sprinted into the arena. "Your Majesty!" Lucien appeared instantly. "What happened?" The guard bowed. "We've captured one of the Crimson Order's spies." "He's asking to speak only to the Queen." Aurora frowned. "To me?" Deep beneath the palace... The prisoner sat chained to a stone wall. His face was hidden beneath a torn hood. Lucien stood beside Aurora. "If anything feels wrong, stay behind me." She nodded. The prisoner slowly lifted his head. His eyes widened the moment he saw Aurora. A smile spread across his lips. "So..." "You look just like your mother." Aurora stepped forward. "You know my mother?" "I do." "Where is she?" Aurora demanded. The prisoner's smile faded. "I'll tell you." "But first..." He leaned closer and whispered, "You have a brother." Aurora's eyes widened in shock. "My... what?" The prisoner nodded. "He survived the massacre." "And someone very close to you..." "...has been lying about him all these years." Before anyone could ask another question, the prisoner's body suddenly convulsed. Dark veins spread across his skin. "No!" Cassian shouted. "It's poison!" The prisoner laughed weakly. "They'll never... let me betray them..." With one final breath, he whispered, "Find... the Black Rose..." His head fell forward. He was dead. The dungeon fell into silence. Aurora's hands trembled. A mother who might still be alive. A brother she never knew existed. And now... A mysterious clue. The Black Rose. Far away, hidden within Morgana's fortress, a young man opened a small wooden box. Inside lay a black rose, perfectly preserved. He smiled coldly. "So..." "The Queen is finally looking for me." End of Chapter 7 CHAPTER 8🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY Chapter 8: The Black Rose The dungeon was silent. Aurora couldn't take her eyes off the prisoner's lifeless body. "You have a brother..." The words echoed in her mind like a curse. Lucien rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll find the truth." Aurora looked at him, her silver and golden eyes filled with determination. "I've spent my whole life believing I was alone." "If my mother is alive... if I have a brother..." She clenched her fists. "I'm bringing them home." Lucien smiled proudly. "That's the Queen I was waiting for." The next morning... The Royal Council gathered around a massive map spread across the war room. A single black rose had been placed in the center of the table. Cassian folded his arms. "The Black Rose isn't just a flower." "It's the symbol of an ancient guild." Rowan frowned. "A guild?" Cassian nodded. "Spies." "Assassins." "Information brokers." "They sell secrets to the highest bidder." Aurora stepped closer. "Where can we find them?" Cassian pointed toward a city marked in red. Shadowhaven. "The city where no king rules." "Everyone wears masks." "And trust is worth less than gold." Lucien looked at Aurora. "I'm going with you." Aurora shook her head. "No." The room fell silent. Lucien raised an eyebrow. "No?" "If everyone sees the Lycan King walking through Shadowhaven, every criminal in the city will disappear before we learn anything." Rowan couldn't help smiling. "She has a point." Lucien sighed. "Very well." "But you're not going alone." Two days later... Aurora, Lucien, Rowan, and Cassian entered Shadowhaven disguised as ordinary travelers. The city was unlike anything Aurora had ever seen. Dark stone streets twisted between crowded marketplaces. Merchants sold enchanted weapons beside magical potions. Every face was hidden behind a mask. Even children wore them. A woman brushed past Aurora and whispered, "Keep your purse close." Aurora instinctively touched the small pouch at her waist. It was gone. "What?" She spun around. The thief was already running through the crowd. "Stop!" Aurora chased after the hooded figure. The thief darted through narrow alleys with incredible speed. Just when Aurora was about to lose sight of them, the figure suddenly stopped. They stood in the middle of a dead-end alley. Slowly... The thief turned around. He removed his hood. Aurora froze. He looked about her age. Dark hair. Piercing blue eyes. And around his neck hung a silver pendant identical to the one Aurora wore. The young man stared at her just as intensely. "No..." he whispered. "It can't be." Aurora's heart pounded. "You..." Before either of them could move, dozens of masked assassins dropped from the rooftops. Their leader laughed. "How convenient." "We've found both royal heirs in one place." The young man immediately stepped in front of Aurora. "Stay behind me." Aurora blinked. "You don't even know me." Without taking his eyes off the assassins, he answered, "I know enough." "I'd never let my sister die." Aurora's breath caught. Her brother. She had finally found him. But before they could say another word, the assassins attacked. Steel flashed through the air. The battle for the lost royal bloodline had begun. End of Chapter 8 CHAPTER 9🎀 BOUND BY DESTINY TO BE CONTINUED••••••••••••