Chapter 16: The Truth Behind the Betrayal
662 Words
The courtyard fell into an uneasy silence.
Dust lingered in the air after the burst of Alina’s Moon-Bound power. The silver glow around her slowly faded, and her feet finally touched the balcony floor.
Her body felt weak.
Drained.
Like the power had taken more than she could give.
Beside her, Kael shifted back into his human form, his chest rising heavily. His golden eyes burned with restrained fury as he stared at the traitorous guard pinned against the broken wall.
Royal guards rushed forward immediately.
“Bind him,” Kael ordered coldly.
Two soldiers forced the man to his knees.
Even then—
He laughed.
“You’re too late, my king.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“Who sent you?”
The guard slowly lifted his head.
His red-glowing eyes flickered.
“You already know.”
Kael’s voice dropped.
“Magnus.”
Down in the courtyard, Magnus stood calmly among his wolves, watching with quiet satisfaction.
He gave a mocking bow.
“I see my influence reaches deeper than you thought.”
A growl rumbled low in Kael’s chest.
“You turned one of my own soldiers.”
Magnus shook his head slightly.
“Turned? No.”
His smile darkened.
“He simply chose the stronger future.”
Alina stepped closer, her body still trembling slightly.
“What prophecy were you talking about?” she asked.
Magnus looked up at her, sharp and calculating.
“So… she doesn’t even know.”
Kael’s gaze snapped back to the traitor.
“Speak,” he commanded. “What prophecy?”
The guard smirked weakly.
“The Moon-Bound prophecy…”
He coughed, blood staining the stone.
“Long ago, the Lycan seers foretold the rise of a queen who would carry the power of the moon itself.”
Alina’s heartbeat quickened.
“The Moon-Bound Queen…”
The guard nodded.
“She will either save the kingdom…”
His voice lowered.
“Or destroy it completely.”
Uneasy murmurs spread among the royal guards.
Even Kael’s expression hardened.
Alina swallowed.
“And Magnus?”
The guard laughed again.
“Magnus believes the old kingdom must fall… so a new one can rise from its ashes.”
Below, Magnus spread his arms slightly.
“Now you understand.”
Kael stepped forward to the edge of the balcony.
“You’re a fool if you think destruction will give you a throne.”
Magnus tilted his head.
“Oh, I don’t want your throne.”
His gaze lifted to Alina again.
“I want the power standing beside it.”
Low growls filled the courtyard.
Magnus raised a hand, signaling his wolves.
“This battle is far from over, King Kael.”
He began stepping back toward the gates.
“Tonight was only the beginning.”
The rebels slowly withdrew.
Before disappearing into the darkness, Magnus called out—
“Guard your Moon-Bound carefully…”
His smile turned cold.
“Next time, I’ll be the one who takes her.”
The gates slammed shut.
Silence returned.
Kael turned to Alina.
His expression softened slightly.
“You need rest.”
But she shook her head.
Her mind raced with everything she had seen.
The vision.
The prophecy.
Her place beside him.
“If Magnus wants my power,” she said slowly, “then I need to learn how to control it.”
Kael studied her.
“You’re asking to train like a warrior.”
Alina nodded.
“Yes.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Good.”
He glanced at the moon above.
“Because tomorrow…”
His voice grew firm.
“Your training begins.”
Far beyond the kingdom walls—
In the shadows of the forest—
Magnus stood watching the palace from a distant hill.
One of his soldiers approached cautiously.
“My Alpha… what is our next move?”
Magnus didn’t look away from the glowing palace.
His smile returned.
“Simple.”
His eyes darkened.
“We prepare…”
“To capture the Moon-Bound.”
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