Chapter 3
1068 Words
The grand dining hall of Crimson Moon Castle glowed with warm torchlight and polished stone. Long tables filled with roasted meats, fruits, and goblets of wine.
Sable entered with her back straight, chin high. She walked with a grace that denied her earlier weakness. Her leg is healed .
At the far end, Prince Zane sat at the head of the table.
Ethan stood immediately and bowed.
“Princess “
Sable offered Ethan a quick, reassuring smile before her gaze shifted—like a magnet—to Zane.
He didn’t blink.
Didn’t move.
Just watched her, golden-brown eyes burning with something dangerous. Possessiveness? Annoyance? Fascination?
She couldn’t tell.
A servant pulled her seat beside Ethan—directly across from Zane.
Zane finally rose to his feet.
“Princess Sable. Welcome.”
His voice echoed through the hall, commanding silence.
“I am Prince Zane. Our king is not in residence, and the queen will arrive shortly.”
Sable lowered herself into the seat, never looking away.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Prince Zane.” She replied—spitting his title like venom.
“Hospitality?” His lips curved. “You clawed at my throat last night. I think mercy is the word you seek.”
Sable slammed her goblet down. “I claw at any beast that threatens me.”
Before Sable could bite back another retort, the hall doors swung open with ceremonial force.
In glided Queen Erica of Crimson Moon — tall, graceful, silver-crowned brown hair flowing down her back like moonlight over water. Her eyes were the same molten brown-gold as Zane’s… but far wiser. Stronger. She wore authority like a mantle.
Beside her walked a younger male — leaner, playful-eyed, with a softer charm. Prince Rowan, Zane’s younger brother.
Immediately, everyone at the table rose to their feet — Sable included, though reluctantly.
Queen Erica smiled warmly as her gaze rested on Sable.
“Welcome to Crimson Moon, my dear Princess.” She spoke with poised sweetness, though strength coiled underneath.
Sable bowed her head slightly in respect — not to submit, but to acknowledge rank.
“I know the circumstances of your arrival were… less than ideal,” the Queen continued, glancing briefly — sharply — at Zane. “But I trust you have not been mistreated?”
Sable’s lips curled into a knowing smirk.
“Physically? No.” She flicked her gaze at Zane. “Annoyingly? Yes.”
Rowan stifled a laugh. Ethan covered his face.
Zane’s jaw ticked.
Queen chuckled softly — approvingly.
“Good. I prefer guests who do not cower.”
She lifted her hand with grace.
“Please, be seated everyone.”
They obeyed.
Zane didn’t take his eyes off Sable.
Rowan leaned forward with that same easy grin, about to say something —
But then his eyes widened.
Sable froze halfway through lifting her go
Rowan leaned toward her with a grin. “So you’re the infamous princess who attacked my brother?”
Sable raised a brow. “Only because he pounced first.”
Rowan winked. “Bold. I like her.”
Zane growled low in warning.
Rowan casually rested his elbow on the table, chin in hand — looking far too entertained.
Zane noticed immediately, his golden gaze flicking between them.
“You two know each other?” Zane asked sharply.
Rowan shrugged lazily.
“We’ve… crossed paths.”
Sable sipped her drink without breaking eye contact with Rowan
“Briefly.” Flirtly replied. He is the same stranger she met at festival.
Zane’s observing both with confusion
The Echo That Changed Everything
Conversation, laughter, clinking goblets — and then…
A whisper cut through their minds.
Mate.
…Mate.
Zane stiffened. His hand froze on his goblet.
His wolf’s voice thundered inside him.
Mate.
Zane’s eyes flashed gold.
Drake! he mind-linked sharply. Control yourself.
But his wolf was pacing, snarling, clawing at the inside of his chest.
She is our mate. Drake growled. Claim her.
Zane’s pulse roared in his ears. He glanced — slowly — to his right.
Sable.
Sable, who had gone rigid in her seat, spoon halfway raised — now trembling between her fingers.
Nyra? she mind-linked desperately. What is happening?!
Her wolf’s voice came low. Him… mate.
The spoon clattered from her hand.
Her breath hitched.
She looked directly at Zane — eyes wide with disbelief.
No. No. No.
Not him.
Not the arrogant prince who chained her, not the enemy she had fought, not—
She stood up so abruptly her chair nearly toppled.
“Thank you for the dinner, my Queen,” she forced out, voice trembling with rage. “We are leaving. Now.”
Ethan stood in alarm. “Princess —”
She didn’t wait.
She turned and strode toward the exit, fury in every step.
Ethan followed hurriedly, bowing apologies along the way.
At the Table… Silence.
Rowan blinked. “Well. That was… dramatic.”
Zane remained seated, unmoving — but every vein in his body thrummed with fire.
His fingers curled slowly against the table.
——
Sable burst through the castle doors into the cold night air, lungs heaving like she had just escaped a battlefield rather than a dinner table.
Her nails were digging into her palms.
Her heartbeat was not her own — it was doubled, echoing with another heartbeat that was not in her body but calling to her.
“Control yourself, Nyra,” she hissed under her breath.
Her wolf whimpered inside her mind — a sound that was usually fierce, now trembling.
Mate…
“No!” Sable snapped aloud. “Not him. He chained us, remember?
Nyra didn’t answer.
Instead, her wolf… curled inward, like she was in pain.
That scared Sable more than anything.
“Don’t you dare go weak on me now, Nyra.”
But her wolf’s voice came soft.
He is ours…
Sable’s throat tightened.
⸻
Ethan rushed to her side, worry etched into his face.
“Princess . What’s happening? You’re pale.”
She swallowed hard, forcing steel back into her spine.
“We’re leaving. Now.”
He didn’t argue — something in her tone was not to be tested.
Within minutes, Ethan had gathered his escort. Horses and wolves at the ready.
Sable mounted up stiffly, jaw clenched, refusing to look back at the towering Crimson Moon castle.
“Ride,” she ordered.
The pack moved — fast and silent — disappearing into the forest.
- Writer
