The Princess's Secret
1045 Words
“She was murdered.”
Evelyn stared at Kael.
For a moment, she couldn't breathe.
Her mother.
The woman she had spent her entire life believing had simply disappeared was dead.
And Kael had known.
“How?” Evelyn finally whispered.
Kael's expression remained hard, but something in his eyes softened.
“I wasn't there when it happened.”
“Then how do you know?”
“Your father told me.”
Evelyn's heart tightened.
“My father?”
Kael nodded.
“Before he disappeared, he came to me one last time.”
“What did he say?”
Kael looked toward the dark forest behind them.
“He told me that if anything happened to him, I had to find you before the King's hunters did.”
Evelyn's hands curled into fists.
“Why didn't he come for me himself?”
“He tried.”
The answer came so quickly that Evelyn froze.
“What do you mean?”
“Your father spent years keeping you hidden.”
“From the King?”
“From everyone.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“I don't understand.”
“You weren't supposed to.”
Kael stepped closer.
“Your father knew that the moment your royal blood awakened, they would be able to find you.”
Evelyn looked at the golden mark glowing beneath her skin.
“So this is why they're hunting me?”
“Yes.”
“Because I'm Princess Elara's daughter?”
“Because you're more than that.”
Evelyn frowned.
Kael's eyes met hers.
“You are the last surviving heir of the Moon Throne.”
Silence.
The words felt heavier than anything she had heard tonight.
“I don't want a throne.”
“You may not get a choice.”
Evelyn looked away.
Her entire life had been turned upside down in a matter of hours.
Her father was dead.
Her mother had been murdered.
She was supposedly royalty.
And the man standing before her seemed to know more about her past than she did.
“Tell me about my mother.”
Kael hesitated.
“She was powerful.”
“I already know that.”
“She was also kind.”
Evelyn's expression softened slightly.
“What was she like?”
Kael's gaze lowered.
“For someone born into the royal family, she hated power.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“She used to sneak out of the palace and walk among ordinary wolves. She believed an Alpha should protect their people, not rule over them.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“That sounds like someone my father would have loved.”
“He did.”
Kael's voice became quieter.
“They loved each other deeply.”
“Then why did they separate?”
“They didn't.”
Evelyn looked at him sharply.
“What?”
“They were separated.”
“By who?”
Kael's expression hardened.
“The royal council.”
Evelyn's heart began beating faster.
“Why?”
“Because your mother was supposed to marry another Alpha.”
“And she refused?”
“She chose your father instead.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“Then what happened?”
“The council considered their relationship a threat.”
“To whom?”
“To the throne.”
Kael paused.
“Your mother discovered something she wasn't supposed to know.”
“What?”
“That someone inside the royal family was planning to overthrow the King.”
Evelyn felt a chill run through her.
“Who?”
“We never found out.”
“You said she discovered it.”
“She did.”
“Then why didn't she tell anyone?”
“She tried.”
Kael's eyes darkened.
“But before she could expose them, she was killed.”
Evelyn stepped backward.
“And my father?”
“He escaped with you.”
“Where?”
Kael didn't answer.
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
“You know.”
“I know where he took you.”
“Then tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you everything now, you'll go looking for the truth before you're ready.”
Evelyn's anger rose.
“You don't get to decide what I'm ready for.”
“No.”
Kael looked directly into her eyes.
“But I know what happens when someone goes searching for the truth without understanding the danger surrounding it.”
Before Evelyn could respond, a sharp crack sounded from the trees.
Kael immediately turned.
His entire body became tense.
“What was that?”
He raised one hand.
“Stay behind me.”
Evelyn's instincts rebelled.
She stepped forward instead.
“I can protect myself.”
“I know.”
Kael looked at her glowing wrist.
“That's what worries me.”
A low growl came from somewhere in the darkness.
Then another.
Evelyn's wolf stirred inside her.
Danger.
Her golden mark suddenly burned.
She gasped and grabbed her wrist.
Kael noticed.
“They're close.”
“Who?”
“The King's hunters.”
A shadow moved between the trees.
Then another.
Evelyn's heart pounded.
Kael stepped in front of her.
“Whatever happens, don't use your power.”
“Why?”
“Because they aren't hunting you just because you're royal.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“Then why?”
Kael's eyes remained fixed on the darkness.
“Because they know what your blood can awaken.”
The shadows suddenly disappeared.
Silence returned to the forest.
Evelyn looked at Kael.
“What can my blood awaken?”
He didn't answer.
Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small silver pendant.
Evelyn recognized it immediately.
Her mother's symbol.
Her breath caught.
“Where did you get that?”
Kael held it out to her.
“Your father gave it to me.”
Evelyn slowly took the pendant.
The moment it touched her palm, the golden mark on her wrist flared brightly.
And somewhere deep within the forest, a wolf began to howl.
Kael's face went pale.
Evelyn looked at him.
“What just happened?”
Kael stared at the pendant.
“The royal seal has recognized you.”
“Recognized me as what?”
Kael's voice dropped to a whisper.
“The rightful heir.”
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