Moonfire Heir of the Fallen Throne

The Moon Goddess had a cruel sense of humor. That was the only explanation Kaelithra Voss could think of as she stood in the center of the Moonfire Hall, staring at the man fate had chosen for her. Alpha Zevrik Draven. The most feared Alpha in the Northern Territories. The man she had loved in silence for three years. The man who was now sliding a silver ring onto another woman's finger. Applause erupted throughout the hall. Kaelithra felt every clap like a knife against her chest. "Smile," her best friend whispered beside her. "Everyone is watching." Kaelithra forced her lips upward. The result felt more like a grimace. At the center stage, Zevrik looked devastatingly handsome in his black ceremonial suit. His dark hair brushed his collar, and his icy silver eyes held the entire room captive. All except her. Because she had seen something no one else had. Pain. For a brief second, before he placed the ring on Lady Nymera Ashthorn's finger, pain had flashed through his eyes. Then it vanished. Just like that. As if it had never existed. "As future Luna of the Nightfang Pack," Nymera announced proudly, raising her hand, "I promise to stand beside Alpha Zevrik until my last breath." The crowd cheered louder. Kaelithra couldn't breathe. Future Luna. The title should have been hers. Three months ago, during the Blood Moon Ceremony, the Moon Goddess herself had revealed Zevrik as her fated mate. She still remembered the moment. The electric bond. The burning mark on her wrist. The way her wolf had howled with joy. Mate. Mate. Mate. But Zevrik had looked at her with cold indifference. Then he had walked away. without an explanation. And somehow that hurt even more. A rejected mate could move on. A forgotten mate remained trapped. "Kaelithra." Her breath caught. That voice. Deep. Dangerous. Unforgettable. She turned. Zevrik stood behind her. Her heart betrayed her immediately. Three years. Three years and he still had that effect on her. "You wanted to see me?" she asked quietly. His expression remained unreadable. "Follow me." Without waiting for an answer, he headed toward the balcony overlooking the frozen cliffs. Kaelithra hesitated. Then followed. The cold night air slapped against her skin as she stepped outside. The sounds of celebration faded behind them. For several moments, neither spoke. Finally, Zevrik broke the silence. "You should leave Nightfang." Her head snapped toward him. "What?" His gaze remained fixed on the moon. "Leave before sunrise." Every word hit harder than the last. "I don't understand." "You don't need to." The pain inside her exploded. "Don't do that." His jaw tightened. "Do what?" "Treat me like I don't matter." For the first time, his eyes met hers. Silver. Stormy. Dangerously beautiful. And full of secrets. "You matter more than you should." The words stole her breath. "What does that mean?" A muscle ticked in his jaw. Then "Nothing." Rage surged through her. "You're marrying another woman!" He flinched. A tiny movement. Almost invisible. But she saw it. "Why?" she demanded. Silence. "Why her?" Silence. "Why not me?" The question shattered between them. Zevrik closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, they were colder than winter itself. "Because if you stay near me, you'll die." Kaelithra froze. The air suddenly felt heavier. "What are you talking about?" Before he could answer, a deafening explosion echoed through the mountains. BOOM! The entire balcony shook violently. Screams erupted inside the hall. Another explosion followed. Then another. The scent hit her instantly. Blood. Fire. Death. Zevrik's face darkened. "No..." For the first time, genuine fear flashed in the Alpha King's eyes. A warrior burst through the balcony doors. His face was pale. Terrified. "Alpha!" "What happened?" The warrior swallowed hard. "The southern gates have fallen." A chill ran down Kaelithra's spine. Impossible. Nightfang's walls had never fallen. Not once in two hundred years. The warrior's next words turned her blood cold. "The Shadowborn are here." Silence. Deadly silence. Then Zevrik looked at Kaelithra. And for the first time since she had known him... She saw terror. Not for himself. For her. "Run." Her pulse thundered. "What?" "Run, Kaelithra." The ground trembled again. The warrior looked sick. "Alpha..." Zevrik's eyes never left hers. "They found you." Kaelithra's heart stopped. Found her? What did that mean? Who was she? And why would an entire army come for her? Then a monstrous howl split the night. Something far worse than anyone could think of. And somewhere in the darkness beyond the walls... Hundreds of glowing red eyes opened. Watching. Waiting. Hunting. For her.