SOLD TO SIX ALPHA'S

Chapter 6: The Queen Who Never Died

"Your mother is alive."

Kael's words shattered everything I thought I knew.

I stared at him.

"No."

He didn't look away.

"She survived."

My chest tightened.

"But everyone said she died."

"Because that's what she wanted everyone to believe."

I shook my head.

"You're lying."

"I wish I were."

I stepped closer.

"Then where is she?"

Kael hesitated.

"I don't know."

My hope rose and fell in the same breath.

"You said she was alive."

"She was alive when I last saw her."

"When?"

"Eighteen years ago."

My heart pounded.

"What happened?"

Kael looked toward his brothers.

None of them spoke.

Finally, Rowan answered.

"The night the Moon Kingdom fell, your mother asked us to protect you."

I frowned.

"All six of you?"

"Yes."

"But I don't remember you."

"You were a baby."

I touched my necklace.

"Then why didn't you protect me?"

Pain flashed across Kael's face.

"We tried."

His voice dropped.

"We failed."

The words hung between us.

"What happened?"

Kael closed his eyes.

"Malric's army attacked the palace. Your mother knew she couldn't defeat them and protect you at the same time."

He opened his eyes.

"So she made a decision."

"She sent you away."

I remembered the woman from my vision.

The silver cloak.

The burning palace.

My mother crying.

"Who took me?"

Kael shook his head.

"We never found out."

I felt tears gathering.

"Then how can you be certain my mother is alive?"

Kael looked at my wrist.

"Because the seal reacted."

"What does that mean?"

"Your mother created the six seals before she disappeared."

I stared at him.

"Why?"

"To protect you."

My heart ached.

"From what?"

Kael's expression darkened.

"Your own power."

I frowned.

"My power?"

Rowan nodded.

"Your mother was powerful, but you inherited something she didn't have."

"What?"

No one answered.

I looked at the six glowing symbols.

"What am I?"

Kael walked toward me.

"You're the last Moonborn."

The words sounded familiar.

I'd heard them before.

"The Moonborn can control the power of the Moon Goddess."

I shook my head.

"That's impossible."

"It was thought to be."

"Why was my power sealed?"

"Because if Malric found you before you were ready, he could use your power to take control of every supernatural kingdom."

My stomach turned.

"So he wants me because of my power."

"Yes."

"And the six seals?"

Kael looked at the mark on his palm.

"Each seal is connected to one of us."

I looked at him.

"What happens when all six awaken?"

He didn't answer.

I waited.

Finally, Rowan spoke.

"The prophecy says the Moonborn will either unite the kingdoms..."

He paused.

"...or destroy them."

Silence.

I swallowed.

"And which one will I do?"

Kael's gaze softened.

"That depends on you."

For the first time, I felt something different.

Not fear.

Choice.

For eighteen years, everyone had made decisions for me.

My adoptive family had decided I was worthless.

They decided to sell me.

The auctioneer decided my price.

The Alpha Kings decided to protect me.

But perhaps my destiny was the one thing nobody could choose for me.

A sudden pain struck my wrist.

I gasped.

The first silver seal cracked again.

Kael immediately caught my arm.

"Don't fight it."

"I'm not doing anything!"

The room filled with silver light.

A voice echoed through my mind.

One bond has awakened.

I looked at Kael.

His eyes were glowing.

Then the voice continued.

Five remain.

I gasped.

Kael pulled away.

"What did you hear?"

"Someone said one bond has awakened."

His expression changed.

"The first seal."

I looked at the others.

Their marks were still dim.

Only Kael's was glowing.

Then a sharp knock came from the door.

Everyone turned.

A warrior entered.

"Your Majesties, we found something."

"What?"

He held out a small wooden box.

"It was discovered beneath the castle."

Kael took it.

The moment I saw the box, my heart began racing.

I knew it.

Somehow, I knew it.

"Give it to me."

Kael hesitated.

Then he handed it over.

My fingers touched the lid.

The box opened by itself.

Inside was a single letter.

My hands trembled as I unfolded it.

The handwriting was elegant.

Familiar.

I didn't know how I knew.

But I did.

It was my mother's handwriting.

My eyes filled with tears.

I began reading.

My beloved daughter,

My breath caught.

If you are reading this, then the first seal has awakened.

I looked at Kael.

He was staring at the letter.

I continued.

I prayed you would never have to discover the truth. But if the seals have begun to break, then Malric has found you.

My hands trembled.

Do not trust everyone who calls themselves your protector.

My heart stopped.

I looked at the six Alphas.

The letter continued.

One of the six men beside you will betray you.

Silence.

Nobody moved.

The paper suddenly began to glow.

A final sentence appeared beneath my mother's words.

And when you discover which one... you will wish you had never met him.

The letter burst into silver flames.

I dropped it.

Kael stared at the ashes.

Then a slow smile appeared on Zayne's face.

It wasn't his usual playful smile.

It was darker.

"Well..."

He looked at his five brothers.

"This just became interesting."

I stared at the six Alphas.

One of them would betray me.

One of the six men I was apparently destined to love.

One of the six men who had sworn to protect me.

My heart began pounding.

Then Cassian suddenly looked toward the window.

"Someone's coming."

A figure stood outside in the darkness.

A woman.

She was wearing a silver cloak.

The same cloak from my memory.

She raised her face.

Even from a distance, I recognized her.

She was the woman who had carried me away from the burning palace.

My mother had trusted her.

I whispered:

"That's her."

Kael turned.

"Who?"

I pointed toward the window.

"The woman who saved me."

But when we looked again...

She was gone.

And on the glass, written in silver blood, were four words:

DON'T TRUST THE ALPHAS.