LUNA BY MISTAKE

Chapter 5: TRUTH

AMIRATA

The moment the gates of the Lycan City came into view, my chest tightened. I couldn't just wrap my head around how it happened, and it really broke my heart seeing Tamara in tears.

She had locked herself in the room, refusing to see me off. I know she might hate me now, hence that was why she didn't want to see me.

Her mother made it look like I had stolen what was meant for her daughter, like, how could I wish to be mated to the enemy, my grandfather warned me about.

Only the goddess knew why the bond had refused to break, and right now I don't even know what my life would be like in the Lycan city. This wasn't the life I’d planned for myself.

“We are heading to the palace now,” the guards said and drove off.

A cold breeze hit my skin, while my gaze wandered around the city. Everywhere looked sparkling clean, with servants moving here and there. A chilling

Scent that made my wolf restless and my heart raced.

Every building was bigger than anything I had ever seen, a fortress carved for rulers and warriors, not for a wandering she-wolf like me.

I felt the weight of every gaze. Every step toward the palace made me shrink a little inside, the reality of being in the heart of my mate’s world hitting me like a wave.

Behind me, the car door closed, I was alone, or at least, I felt it. My hands gripped the edge of the seat tightly as I watched the city pulse with life, markets glowing faintly, patrols moving like , and enormous gates that could crush a wolf under their weight if they wished.

However, I thought of him. Antonie. The Lycan King. My mate, and my stomach twisted. His rejection still lingered in my mind, and yet the bond hummed against my skin, as real and alive as the pulse in my veins. It demanded attention, demanded recognition, and despite the politics, the fear, the rage of the Lycans, it knew me.

The carriage stopped abruptly in front of a massive gate. Guards flanked the doors, their stares sharp, but I refused to bow, refused to show the tremor running through me.

The gates swung open, revealing the palace courtyard. Light spilled over black cobblestones, catching on statues of Lycans in mid-hunt. My eyes widened as I took it all in, this was his world, and I was stepping inside it.

“I'm scared, Rata.” My wolf shrieked, pulling back.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stand tall, but my heart raced. Every nerve screamed at me that I was in enemy territory.

“Step forward,” a voice commanded. Low, firm, and carrying authority that made the air itself tense.

I froze. A guard, massive and broad-shouldered, was standing just ahead, his eyes flicking to me like a predator.

I swallowed, forcing my legs to move, and each step felt heavier than the last. And then I saw him, Antonie. Standing at the top of the grand staircase, his form against the glowing light of the throne chamber behind him.

His piercing blue eyes landed on me instantly. The moment our gazes locked, the bond surged violently, almost knocking me to my knees.

My chest heaved, my wolf growling, as he descended the stairs with fluid, predatory grace. Every step made the ground feel heavier beneath my feet, every movement radiating power that I had never experienced before.

“You’re here,” he said finally, his voice deep and commanding, resonating through the courtyard like a drumbeat. He had left me back at Crimson Pack, for his guards to bring me back.

“Do you understand the danger of this place, Amirata?”

“Yes,” I whispered, though my voice was steadier than I felt. “We are enemies, and I'm in your territories”

A flicker of something, surprise, amusement, perhaps admiration, crossed his face. “You are bold,” he said, each word deliberate, slow, heavy with meaning. “And yet… reckless.”

I clenched my fists at my sides. “I don’t care about your rules, or your people. I’m here because of the marriage deal. Nothing else.”

For a moment, silence fell between us. The Lycans around us stiffened, sensing the tension radiating from my mate. And then Antonie smiled faintly, just a hint, like a predator testing its prey.

“This will not be easy,” he said. “Not for you. Not for me. But if you survive… if you can endure this world… you may just find that you are stronger than you realize.”

And with that, he turned, the cloak flowing behind him as he led me into the palace, my heart pounding, my wolf screaming in anticipation. I was stepping into the lion’s den, and yet… I felt alive in a way I never had before.

We got into a huge room, with a queen-sized bed. The space of the room was twice the size of Tamara’s room. Not like I’m comparing, but this room is the most beautiful room I have ever seen in my whole life.

Couldn’t just believe I've owned one for myself, for the past nine years of living in the dark basement.

“This room is everything.” My wolf began jumping excitedly within me.

For the first time, I smiled. However, I turned around toward the Lycan King but he was no where in sight in the room.

“Have he left?” I muttered.

“Come on, let’s go and check out, outside." My wolf suggested, and I saw sense in that.

I shook my head in refusal. “Zara. We can't wander around.” I scolded her.

She shrugged, like my words meant nothing. “But he never restricted us from going out,” she said.

True to her word, the Lycan King never said any of such, so I was tempted to look around the palace.

I quickly made my way outside and opened the main door, making my way outside the Lycan City street. Instantly the sight made my stomach drop.

Wolves from my pack, my people, were shackled, working in the open streets under the watchful eyes of Lycans. Their faces were pale, hollow, defeated. Some lifted their heads, recognition flickering in their eyes, but quickly lowered them again.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. “This… this is… impossible,” I whispered to myself. “The peace… it was supposed to protect them.”

But there was no doubt. The chains rattled, “Move!” Lycans barked commands, and my people moved with the weight of oppression pressing down on them.

I quickly turned around and ran as fast as my legs would carry me back to the palace. My heart beating hard against my ribs, I needed to know what was going on.

What was my people suffering, when they were supposed to call Lycan City their home too.

I finally got to the palace. I stepped forward, heart hammering, and then I saw him, Antonie. He was calm, and composed while watching me from the balcony above. His piercing blue eyes locked on mine, unreadable as ever.

I marched toward him, my voice trembling but loud enough to reach him. “Why?” I demanded. “Why are they like this? You promised, this was supposed to be peace! They’re my people!”

He descended the balcony slowly, each step deliberate, the weight of his presence filling the courtyard. “Your people?” he said softly, almost amused. “They were never yours to protect, Amirata. They belong to the law of this land now. If they obey, they live. If they resist… they pay the price.”