Chapter 3: Behind The Palace Walls
1010 Words
Aria could not sleep.
Hours had passed since her meeting with Alpha Lucas, yet her mind refused to rest.
She lay awake beneath soft blankets in the guest chamber assigned to her, staring at the moonlight filtering through the curtains.
The palace was quiet.
Too quiet.
Every time she closed her eyes, fragments of strange images flashed through her mind.
Silver light.
Ancient symbols.
A voice calling her name.
Then darkness.
Aria sat up with a frustrated sigh.
"Who am I?" she whispered.
The question haunted her.
Three days ago, she had apparently been found unconscious inside the sacred Moon Grove. Yet she had no memory of how she got there.
No memory of where she came from.
No memory of her family.
Nothing.
The only thing she possessed was her name.
Aria.
And even that felt incomplete.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door opened.
Clara entered carrying a tray.
"Still awake?"
Aria offered a weak smile.
"I can't sleep."
The healer nodded knowingly.
"I expected as much."
She placed the tray on a nearby table.
Fresh bread.
Fruit.
Warm tea.
The scent immediately filled the room.
"You should eat."
Aria hadn't realized how hungry she was until that moment.
As she ate, Clara sat nearby.
For several minutes neither spoke.
Then Aria finally broke the silence.
"What's Alpha Lucas really like?"
The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
Clara smiled slightly.
"Curious?"
Aria quickly looked away.
"No."
The healer laughed softly.
"Of course."
Heat crept into Aria's cheeks.
Thankfully, Clara didn't tease her further.
"The Alpha is difficult to understand."
"Everyone seems afraid of him."
Clara's expression became thoughtful.
"Many people are."
"Are you?"
The healer considered the question.
"Respectful would be a better word."
Aria listened carefully.
"The Alpha carries burdens few could survive. He became ruler when he was only sixteen."
"I heard."
"Since then, he has protected the kingdom through wars, betrayals, and challenges."
Clara sighed.
"People see his ruthlessness but often forget why it exists."
Aria found herself thinking about the silver-eyed ruler.
There had been something lonely about him.
Something hidden beneath the cold exterior.
Before she could ask another question, a loud howl echoed outside.
Aria froze.
The sound sent an unexpected chill through her body.
For a split second, her heart raced.
A strange sensation stirred deep within her.
Then it disappeared.
"What was that?"
"A patrol wolf."
Clara stood.
"Get some rest."
After the healer left, Aria attempted sleep once more.
Unfortunately, her curiosity had other plans.
Eventually she climbed out of bed.
Just a little walk, she told herself.
Nothing more.
The palace corridors were nearly empty.
Only a few guards remained stationed throughout the halls.
Aria wandered quietly.
The palace looked different at night.
The shadows seemed deeper.
The silence heavier.
Moonlight spilled across the floors, creating silver pathways through the darkness.
As she walked, she discovered a long hallway lined with portraits.
Curious, she approached.
Each painting depicted a former ruler of Silvercrest.
Powerful Alphas.
Warriors.
Kings.
Then her eyes landed on the final portrait.
Alpha Lucas.
The painting captured him standing before a battlefield beneath a full moon.
He looked younger.
Perhaps eighteen.
Yet the intensity in his silver eyes remained unchanged.
Aria studied the portrait.
Why did she feel as though she had seen those eyes before?
The thought made no sense.
She had only met him today.
Yet something felt strangely familiar.
A sudden noise interrupted her thoughts.
Footsteps.
Quick footsteps.
Aria immediately stepped behind a pillar.
Two palace servants hurried down the corridor.
Their voices were hushed.
"...heard the rumors?"
"Everyone has."
"They say the girl was found in the Moon Grove."
Aria's breath caught.
They were talking about her.
"The elders are worried."
"They should be."
The second servant lowered her voice further.
"The Moon Grove has been silent for centuries."
The two women disappeared around a corner.
Aria frowned.
What did they mean?
Silent?
Before she could think further, another sound reached her ears.
This one came from deeper within the palace.
Voices.
Several voices.
Curious, she followed them.
The corridor eventually led to a large wooden door that stood slightly open.
Light spilled through the narrow gap.
Aria hesitated.
Then she peeked inside.
A meeting was taking place.
Several older men stood around a large table.
Among them stood Alpha Lucas and Beta Ethan.
Maps covered the table.
The atmosphere was tense.
"...the symbol appeared again," one elder said.
Aria frowned.
Symbol?
Lucas's expression darkened.
"Are you certain?"
The elder nodded.
"We checked twice."
Another elder spoke.
"The prophecy is beginning."
A chill ran through Aria.
Prophecy?
Lucas folded his arms.
"We still know nothing about the girl."
The room fell silent.
The girl.
They were talking about her.
"The timing cannot be ignored," Elder Magnus said.
"An unknown maiden appears in the Moon Grove on the same night the ancient seal awakens."
The elder's voice trembled slightly.
"That cannot be coincidence."
Aria's pulse quickened.
Ancient seal?
Awakens?
None of it made sense.
She leaned closer.
Unfortunately, her foot brushed against a decorative vase.
Crash!
The sound shattered the silence.
Aria froze.
Inside the room, every head turned toward the door.
For one horrifying second, nobody moved.
Then Lucas spoke.
"Who's there?"
His voice was calm.
Dangerously calm.
Aria's heart nearly stopped.
The door swung open.
Silver eyes met hers instantly.
Caught.
Lucas stared at her.
Aria wished the floor would swallow her whole.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Ethan broke the silence.
"Well."
A smile tugged at his lips.
"This is awkward."
Several elders looked horrified.
Aria opened her mouth.
"I can explain."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Can you?"
The answer was no.
No, she absolutely could not.
And judging by the expression on the Supreme Alpha's face, she was about to have a very long night.
Far beneath the palace, hidden within ancient ruins forgotten by time, the silver symbol glowed brighter than before.
As if responding to her presence.
As if recognizing her.
As if it had been waiting for her all along.
- Writer
