Chapter 16: The Truth Behind the Betrayal
712 Words
The courtyard had fallen into an uneasy silence.
Dust still hung in the air from the burst of Aria’s Moon-Bound power. The silver glow around her slowly faded, and her feet finally touched the balcony floor again.
Her body felt weak.
Like all the strength had been drained from her.
Kael shifted back into his human form beside her, his chest rising heavily from the battle. His golden eyes burned with anger as he stared down at the traitorous guard lying against the broken wall.
Royal guards quickly rushed up the stairs and surrounded the attacker.
“Bind him,” Kael ordered coldly.
Two soldiers grabbed the man and forced him to his knees.
The guard laughed weakly despite the blood running down his face.
“You’re too late, my king.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“Who sent you?”
The guard lifted his head slowly.
His red-glowing eyes flickered again.
“You already know.”
Kael’s gaze darkened.
“Magnus.”
Down in the courtyard, Magnus stood calmly among the rebel wolves, watching everything with quiet interest.
He gave a small mocking bow.
“I see my influence reaches even your royal palace.”
A furious growl rumbled from Kael’s chest.
“You corrupted one of my soldiers.”
Magnus shrugged.
“Corrupted? No.”
His smile turned darker.
“He simply chose the stronger future.”
Aria stepped closer to Kael, still shaken by the vision she had seen moments earlier.
“What prophecy were you talking about?” she asked quietly.
Magnus looked up at her with sharp eyes.
“So the girl doesn’t even know.”
Kael turned toward the traitor again.
“Speak,” he demanded.
“What prophecy?”
The guard smirked weakly.
“The Moon-Bound prophecy.”
He coughed, blood staining the stone floor.
“Centuries ago, the first Lycan seers predicted the rise of a queen who would carry the power of the moon itself.”
Aria’s heart began pounding.
“The Moon-Bound Queen.”
The guard nodded slowly.
“She would either save the Lycan kingdom… or destroy it completely.”
The royal guards exchanged uneasy glances.
Even Kael’s expression grew more serious.
Aria swallowed hard.
“And Magnus?”
The traitor laughed again.
“Magnus believes the prophecy means the kingdom must be destroyed first… so a new one can rise.”
Below them, Magnus spread his arms dramatically.
“Now you’re finally understanding.”
Kael stepped forward to the edge of the balcony.
“You’re a fool if you think rebellion will win you the throne.”
Magnus tilted his head slightly.
“Oh, I don’t want your throne.”
His eyes lifted toward Aria again.
“I want the power standing beside it.”
The courtyard suddenly filled with low growls.
Magnus raised a hand, signaling his rebel wolves.
“This battle isn’t over, King Kael.”
He began walking backward toward the palace gates.
“Tonight was only the beginning.”
The rebel wolves slowly retreated with him.
Before disappearing into the darkness, Magnus called out one final warning.
“Guard your Moon-Bound carefully…”
“Next time, I’ll be the one who takes her.”
The gates slammed shut behind the retreating rebels.
For a moment, the entire palace remained silent.
Then Kael turned toward Aria.
His golden eyes softened slightly.
“You should rest,” he said quietly.
But Aria shook her head.
Her mind was racing with the visions she had seen.
The prophecy.
The war.
Her destiny beside Kael.
“If Magnus wants my power,” she said slowly, determination growing in her voice, “then I need to learn how to control it.”
Kael studied her carefully.
“You’re asking to train like a warrior.”
Aria nodded.
“Yes.”
A faint smile appeared on Kael’s lips.
“Good.”
He looked toward the moon shining above the palace.
“Because tomorrow… your training begins.”
And far away in the dark forest beyond the kingdom walls—
Magnus stood watching the palace from a distant hill.
One of his soldiers approached him nervously.
“My Alpha… what is our next move?”
Magnus’ smile returned.
“Simple.”
He looked toward the glowing moon.
“We prepare to capture the Moon-Bound.
- Writer
