The Winged Wolf Queen

Forgotten Blood

The morning training had left every muscle in Astera's body aching.

Her palms were covered with small cuts.

Bruises marked her arms.

Yet not a single complaint escaped her lips.

She quietly returned to the Crystal Heart Palace under her new identity.

Ariana Tidewell.

The name still felt unfamiliar.

Every time someone addressed her as Ariana, a small part of her instinctively wanted to respond as Astera.

But Astera was dead.

At least...

That was what the world believed.

The tiny dragon rested comfortably on her shoulder as she walked through the magnificent palace corridors.

Servants greeted her politely.

Young nobles bowed their heads with curiosity.

Word had already spread throughout the palace.

The Alpha had personally accepted a young woman under his protection.

That alone was enough to make everyone curious.

A palace attendant approached and bowed respectfully.

"Lady Ariana."

"The Alpha requests your presence in the royal dining hall."

Astera nodded.

"I'll be there."

---

The royal dining hall overlooked the endless blue ocean.

Crystal chandeliers reflected the sunlight across polished marble floors while fountains flowed gently through the center of the room.

Everything about the Ocean Tide Pack reflected peace.

So different from the Inferno Pack.

So different from the place where her life had been destroyed.

Alpha [Uncle's Name] stood near one of the windows, speaking with several advisors.

When he noticed Astera, he dismissed them.

"You've recovered quickly."

Astera smiled faintly.

"I've had no choice but to."

The Alpha nodded with quiet approval.

Before either of them could continue...

The grand doors opened.

Laughter echoed through the hall.

A young woman walked inside confidently, followed by several palace guards.

She wore the royal training uniform of the Ocean Tide Pack.

Long ocean-blue hair flowed behind her.

Bright sapphire eyes sparkled with confidence.

She carried herself like someone born to lead.

"Nerina," the Alpha said warmly.

The young woman smiled brightly.

"Father."

She hugged him without hesitation.

"I finished today's combat assessment."

"And?"

"I defeated every opponent."

The Alpha chuckled.

"I expected nothing less."

Only then did Nerina notice the unfamiliar girl standing nearby.

Her curious eyes settled on Astera.

"So..."

"This must be Father's mysterious guest."

The Alpha nodded.

"Nerina."

"This is Ariana Tidewell."

"The daughter of one of my closest friends."

"She'll be staying with us for some time."

Nerina walked closer.

She looked Astera up and down before extending her hand.

"Welcome to the Ocean Tide Pack."

"I hope my father hasn't already started giving you impossible expectations."

Astera accepted the handshake.

"I'm beginning to think he enjoys difficult training."

Nerina laughed.

"Oh..."

"Then you've already met Commander Orion."

"My condolences."

For a brief moment...

Astera almost smiled.

Almost.

---

The three of them sat together for lunch.

Conversation remained light at first.

Nerina spoke about university life.

The Royal Alpha University.

The upcoming Moon Challenge.

The representatives from the other three great packs.

"I heard this year's competition will be the toughest in decades," Nerina said excitedly.

"The heirs of every major Alpha family are participating."

She looked toward Astera.

"Father said you'll be joining the university too."

Astera nodded.

"Yes."

Nerina raised an eyebrow.

"Then we'll be classmates."

A competitive smile appeared on her face.

"I hope you can keep up."

"I don't enjoy weak teammates."

Astera calmly met her gaze.

"I'll do my best."

---

A servant entered carrying fresh tea.

As he placed the cups on the table, another servant whispered quietly,

"Have you heard?"

"They're still talking about the criminal from the Inferno Pack."

Nerina looked up.

"The criminal?"

"The girl thrown into the Forbidden Volcano."

The servant nodded.

"They say the punishment shocked the entire Wolf Realm."

Nerina sighed.

"I remember hearing something about that."

She looked thoughtfully toward the ocean.

"I think..."

"My aunt once had a daughter there."

Astera's fingers tightened around her teacup.

Her heartbeat slowed.

Every word suddenly became painfully clear.

The servant nodded.

"Yes, Lady Nerina."

"I believe her name was Astera."

Silence filled the room.

Astera lowered her eyes.

Nerina shook her head lightly.

"I barely remember her."

"We met only a few times when we were children."

"I heard she never awakened her wolf."

"What happened was unfortunate..."

She paused before continuing.

"But perhaps fate had already decided her path."

Astera felt as though someone had driven a blade through her heart.

---

A memory surfaced.

Bright sunlight.

Warm sand beneath tiny feet.

Two little girls laughing as they built castles beside the ocean.

"Astera!"

"Come faster!"

Little Nerina held out a seashell.

"When we grow up..."

"We'll become the strongest sisters in the world."

Young Astera laughed.

"You'll protect me?"

Nerina puffed out her chest proudly.

"Always!"

Nearby...

Nerissa watched them with a gentle smile.

She brushed Astera's hair behind her ear.

"My two little stars."

"Promise me..."

"No matter what happens..."

"You'll always protect each other."

The two little girls nodded enthusiastically.

"We promise!"

The memory shattered.

---

Astera returned to the present.

The tea in her cup had grown cold.

She stared silently at its surface.

You don't remember...

You forgot everything.

Or perhaps...

You chose to.

She slowly lifted the cup.

No one noticed the slight tremble in her hand.

Except the Alpha.

From across the table...

He saw the pain hidden behind her calm expression.

His hand tightened beneath the table.

But he remained silent.

He couldn't tell Nerina the truth.

Not yet.

---

Nerina looked back toward Astera.

"I apologize."

"I didn't mean to bring up unpleasant history."

Astera forced herself to smile politely.

"It's alright."

"I never knew her."

The lie tasted bitter.

But it had become necessary.

Nerina smiled.

"That's probably for the best."

"The Wolf Realm is changing."

"We shouldn't live in the past."

Astera looked directly into her eyes.

"No..."

"We shouldn't."

But inside...

Her heart whispered different words.

How easily you erased me...

How easily everyone believed I deserved to disappear.

---

After lunch, Nerina stood.

She stretched her arms confidently.

"Father says you're joining the Moon Challenge."

Astera nodded.

"I intend to."

Nerina grinned.

"Perfect."

"Then starting tomorrow..."

"You'll train with me."

"I want to know whether Father's newest student is actually worth all this attention."

There was no hostility in her voice.

Only confidence.

The confidence of someone who had never experienced betrayal.

Astera stood as well.

"I'll be there."

Nerina smiled.

"I hope so."

"I don't like disappointing opponents."

She turned and walked out of the hall.

The doors closed behind her.

Silence returned.

---

Only Astera and the Alpha remained.

For several moments...

Neither spoke.

Finally, the Alpha broke the silence.

"I'm sorry."

Astera looked toward the ocean instead of at him.

"For what?"

"For everything."

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

A sad one.

"You don't need to apologize."

"She doesn't know."

"No."

"She doesn't."

Astera took a slow breath.

"I thought..."

"...that if I ever met my family again..."

"They would recognize me immediately."

She laughed softly.

Instead...

"They looked into my eyes..."

"And saw a stranger."

The Alpha's expression became heavy.

One day...

He would tell her everything.

But today was not that day.

Astera gently picked up the tiny dragon, who had quietly climbed into her lap during the conversation.

She looked out at the endless ocean.

The waves continued moving as if nothing had changed.

But inside her...

Something had.

The little girl who once believed blood alone created a family...

Had finally accepted the truth.

Sometimes...

The deepest wounds were not caused by enemies.

They were caused by the people who had forgotten your name.

And somewhere deep within her heart...

A silent promise was born.

The day would come when the entire Wolf Realm would remember Astera.

Not as the powerless girl they abandoned.

But as the woman they could never forget.