The Lycan King’s Hidden Luna

The night should have been the happiest of Selene Hart’s life. Instead, it became the night her heart was shattered. The magnificent Silver Moon Pack Hall sparkled beneath thousands of crystal lights. Noble wolves from every kingdom had gathered to witness the marriage between Alpha Kael Blackthorn the most feared Lycan King alive and the woman chosen to become his Luna. Everyone believed the bride would be Lady Vivienne, the beautiful daughter of an Alpha. Instead… A servant girl stood at the altar. Whispers erupted across the hall. “Who is she?” “I heard she’s an orphan.” “They say she cleans the palace.” “Is the Lycan King joking?” Selene lowered her head, gripping the bouquet so tightly that white roses lost their petals beneath her trembling fingers. She wasn’t supposed to be here. Only twenty four hours ago, she had been cleaning the royal library. Then the royal elders had appeared. “You have been chosen.” Chosen? She had laughed. Until they handed her the royal decree. According to an ancient prophecy, the Lycan King’s true mate carried the Moon Goddess’s hidden blessing. That woman… …was Selene Hart. No one believed it. Least of all the groom. Kael Blackthorn stood before her in a black ceremonial suit embroidered with silver thread. He looked less like a groom and more like a king going to war. Tall. Powerful. Cold. His silver eyes never softened as he stared at her. They looked through her instead. The High Elder cleared his throat. “Do you, Alpha Kael Blackthorn, accept Selene Hart as your mate before the Moon Goddess?” Silence. The entire hall waited. Kael’s jaw tightened. “I accept the Moon Goddess’s will.” Not “I accept her.” Only duty. Selene swallowed the lump in her throat. The ceremony continued. When it was her turn, she whispered, “I accept.” The Moon Goddess’s blessing descended like silver rain. A glowing mark appeared on both of their wrists. Gasps filled the room. “It’s real.” “They’re true mates.” Even then… Kael didn’t smile. Instead, he stepped backward. His voice echoed throughout the palace. “Do not mistake this marriage for love.” Every guest froze. “I married you because the elders demanded it.” His icy gaze locked onto hers. “You will have the title of Luna.” “But never my heart.” The words struck harder than any slap. The guests exchanged awkward glances. Some pitied her. Most laughed quietly. Selene forced herself to smile. “I understand.” No. She didn’t. How could someone reject their destined mate so easily? The banquet began. Music played. Couples danced. But Selene sat alone. No one approached the new Luna. The noble ladies mocked her openly. “A maid wearing the Luna crown.” “What a joke.” “I give her one month.” “She’ll be divorced before winter.” One careless servant “accidentally” spilled red wine across Selene’s white wedding dress. “I’m so sorry,” the servant said without sounding sorry at all. Laughter erupted. Selene quietly stood. “It’s alright.” She walked toward the palace garden before anyone could see the tears gathering in her eyes. The moon shone brightly above. She stared upward. “Moon Goddess…” “What did I do wrong?” A soft breeze answered. Nothing else. Behind her Footsteps. Kael. He stopped several feet away. “You embarrassed yourself tonight.” Selene looked at him in disbelief. “I embarrassed myself?” “You cried.” “I did not.” “You almost did.” She bit her lip. “You hate me that much?” “I don’t hate you.” His voice remained emotionless. “I simply don’t love you.” Silence. Then he continued. “I already chose the woman I intended to marry.” Lady Vivienne. Selene had guessed correctly. “My heart belonged to her long before destiny interfered.” The confession hurt more than she expected. “I’m sorry.” Kael frowned. “Sorry?” “I ruined your life.” His eyes narrowed. “You didn’t choose this.” “Neither did I.” For a brief moment… Something flickered in his eyes. Regret? Compassion? It disappeared too quickly. “You’ll stay in the east wing.” “I’ll stay in the royal quarters.” “We will appear together in public.” “But privately…” He paused. “We will live separate lives.” Selene nodded slowly. “If that’s what you want.” Without another word, Kael walked away. She watched until he disappeared. Only then did she allow the tears to fall. One by one. Silent. Hidden. Just like her. Far above the palace… Someone else watched. An old woman wrapped in silver robes smiled gently. “The prophecy has begun.” Beside her stood another elder. “Do you think the king will ever accept her?” The old woman laughed softly. “The Moon Goddess never makes mistakes.” “The girl carries a power neither of them understands.” “What power?” “The Blood Moon.” The elder gasped. “Impossible.” “It disappeared hundreds of years ago.” “So everyone believed.” The old woman looked toward Selene’s bedroom window. “The last Blood Moon Luna was murdered before her powers awakened.” “But this child survived.” “And when the Blood Moon rises again…” “The kingdoms will kneel.” Meanwhile… Deep beneath the palace… Something ancient opened its glowing eyes. Chains rattled violently. A monstrous voice echoed through the darkness. “I can smell her…” “The Hidden Luna has returned.” The walls shook. Guards rushed toward the underground prison. “What was that?” “I don’t know!” The creature laughed. “Wake up, little Luna…” “Our fate is tied together.” “And when your power awakens…” “Not even your husband will be able to save this world.” Above ground… Selene wiped away her tears. She had no idea that her unhappy wedding was only the beginning. Because the greatest secret in the werewolf kingdoms… …wasn’t that she was the Lycan King’s mate. It was that she carried a power capable of destroying every Alpha alive.