Under the silver moon

Chapter 1 : Silver moons shadow The chandeliers shimmered with crystal illumination, their radiance reflected in the mirrored walls of the Grand Diplomatic Hall. Under the shimmering light pouring from the expansive skylight, silks whispered and boots tapped onthe glossy marble. Melodies twirled a gentle waltz, refined to excellence, intended to disguise the subtle tension in the atmosphere. Serena stood near the champagne table, head raised chin tilted, lips curved in the polite, diplomatic smile her father expected of her. But her dark eyes scanned the hall with practiced calculation. The wolves moved differently than the humans smooth, predatory, always with that restrained strength coiled beneath their formal attire. She told herself she was only observing them for strategy. She would never admit the truth: the sight of them made her heart raise with a mix of doubt and something she was reluctant to admit. She gripped her glass tighter as every minute passed. It had been fifteen years since her mother’s death in a “border incident” the official report’s words, spoken by a shrug of men who had wanted the matter buried . But Serena remembered the odor of wolf musk lingering on the soldiers’ clothes when they came back with the news of her mother’s death. Outside the tall windows, the moon hung low and heavy, a perfect silver coin in the velvet night. Beyond the palace walls, were raised voices carried through the thin winter air humans protesting , signs lifted high, slogans painted in angry red: No wolves in our cities. End the treaty now. The protests had been growing every week, but the High Chancellor insisted tonight would heal the rift. Serena doubted it would . A shadow fell across her. “Someone’s observing them,” came a voice, deep and edged with something sharp and a hint of harshness . Serena looked over to find Alpha Kael Draven himself standing beside her. Even in formal black, the man looked like he’d been carved from danger and arrogance. Tall, broad-shouldered, with eyes like molten gold catching every flicker of movement, he radiated authority in a way that gave her goosebumps. “Observing,” she corrected, lifting her chin. “I like to know who’s in the room.” “Do you?” His mouth barely curved, the faintest ghost of a smirk. “Then you know some of them would happily see this treaty not happen .” She met his gaze evenly. “On that, Alpha, we agree.” Before he could reply, a ripple tore through the crowd a scream, high and sharp, slicing through the music. The orchestra stopped ,the violin’s final note hanging broken in the air. A wolf delegate lay crumpled on the marble floor, his ceremonial sash stained with dark blood. The scent of blood, sharp and metallic, bloomed in the air. Guards surged forward, both human and wolf, but the assassins three hooded figures were already vanishing into the shadows beyond the open terrace doors. Chaos and fear disrupted. Serena’s father, High Chancellor Vale, strode into the center , voice booming commands. The wolves growled low, hackles raised, eyes focused toward the humans in suspicion. Already, whispers hissed through the hall: This was a human attack. They’ve broken the peace treaty . War is coming . Serena’s pulse pounded. If this night collapsed into violence, the fragile Silver Moon Treaty would be nothing but ashes. An hour later, the hall was nearly emptied, the delegates sent the guards to secure locations. The Chancellor stood at the head of a long table in a private chamber, his knuckles had turned white on the polished wood. Across from him, Kael loomed, every inch the unyielding Alpha. “This cannot be salvaged,” one human minister muttered. “The wolves will seek for revenge . They already believe….” “They will believe what we show them,” the Chancellor cut in. “The treaty survives only if we prove unity and innocence now, before dawn.” “And how do you propose that?” Kael’s voice was ice. The Chancellor looked between them. “A symbolic bond between our most influential houses. A marriage between the humans and the werewolves must be arranged” Serena froze. “You can’t be serious.” “It would send a message stronger than any speech,” her father pressed. “Vale blood and Draven blood united. No assassin’s blade can cut that.” Her laugh was short, sharp. “You want me to be the symbol? A pawn in your power game?” “Serena” “No.” The word was steel. “I will not marry a wolf. Especially not him.” She glanced at Kael, whose expression could have been carved from granite. “Rejecting means war,” her father said quietly. “Do you want to count the bodies?” The silence that followed was loud enough to choke on. Serena’s stomach rumbled and twisted. Kael spoke at last, his gaze locked on her. “I don’t want a mate. I have no interest in humans interfering in my pack’s politics. But if this marriage keeps my people alive and safe , I’ll do it.” His tone was flat, but something in his eyes just for a moment flashed with reluctant challenge, as if daring her to refuse. Serena’s nails dug into her palms. This man was everything she despised about wolves: pride, power, and the belief that human lives were pieces on a board. But her father’s words echoed, each one a stone on her chest. If she said no, war would follow. If she said yes, she’d be caging herself beside a man who might hate her more than she hated him.she couldn’t imagine being caged for the rest of her life. The moonlight through the high window painted Kael’s profile in silver. Somewhere outside, the protesters’ voices still rose against the night. Serena took a slow breath. “Fine,” she said at last, each syllable cold as frost. “Let’s give them their symbol.” Kael’s mouth curved not in amusement, but in something darker. “Then the game begins, Vale.”