BY HER HAND, THE WOLF SLEEPS

The night the prince was born, the moon was not silver. It was blue. Not the pale blue of a clear morning sky. Not the soft blue of sapphire jewels. It was the deep, haunting blue of an ancient curse. Every bell in the Kingdom of Arvendor fell silent. The birds disappeared from the forests. The wolves stopped howling. Even the wind held its breath. Inside the royal palace, Queen Eleanor screamed in pain as servants rushed around her chambers. Candles flickered wildly despite the windows being shut. "Your Majesty... just one more push!" the royal midwife cried. Outside the palace gates, thousands of citizens waited anxiously. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration. Their future king was about to be born. Instead, darkness spread across the sky. The castle astrologer looked up and dropped his telescope. "No..." His voice trembled. "The Blue Moon..." Within seconds, every royal advisor gathered on the palace balcony. "It wasn't supposed to appear for another thousand years." "This is impossible." "It only rises when an ancient curse awakens." Lightning split the sky. Then— A baby's cry echoed through the palace. Prince Steffon Aurelius Valerian was born. For one glorious second, everyone smiled. Then every candle went out. A freezing wind burst through the room. The shadows twisted together until they formed the figure of a woman floating above the prince's cradle. She wore a crown made of moonlight. Her silver hair flowed like water. Her glowing blue eyes held no warmth. The servants fell to their knees. "The Blue Moon Spirit..." one whispered before fainting. King Alaric stepped forward, drawing his sword. "Leave my son!" The spirit laughed. "You cannot fight destiny, King." She looked down at the sleeping infant. "So this is the child chosen by fate." Queen Eleanor clutched her baby tightly. "What do you want?" The spirit's smile was beautiful... ...and terrifying. "Long ago your ancestors betrayed the Moon Guardians." "They hunted the sacred wolves." "They stole what was never theirs." "The debt has waited centuries." "And tonight..." "It is finally paid." The room became impossibly cold. The spirit raised one glowing hand. "I curse this child." "When the sun disappears beyond the horizon..." "He shall become the beast your family feared." "A prince by day." "A monster by night." Gasps filled the room. "No!" the Queen cried. The spirit continued. "He shall know endless loneliness." "He will hide from the world." "He will fear the moon that created him." King Alaric lunged forward. His sword passed straight through her. The spirit never flinched. "There is only one way to break this curse." The entire palace became silent. "When he finds the one whose heart loves him without fear..." "When love is freely given—not forced..." "The curse shall end." "But beware." "If he gives his heart to the wrong woman..." "The curse will consume him forever." With those final words, the spirit vanished. The candles relit. The moon returned to silver. And the prince slept peacefully... ...as though nothing had happened. --- Seventeen years later... Prince Lucien stood before the palace mirror. He looked every bit the perfect future king. Tall. Handsome. Golden hair. Emerald eyes. Every noblewoman in the kingdom dreamed of becoming his wife. None knew his secret. Not even his closest friends. A knock came at the door. "Your Highness," the royal butler announced. "His Majesty requests your presence." Lucien sighed. "I'll be there." Downstairs, the royal dining hall sparkled with crystal chandeliers. King Alaric smiled as Lucien entered. "My son." "You are finally old enough." Lucien already knew what was coming. "The engagement?" The king nodded proudly. "The House of Ravenshade has remained our strongest ally for generations." "Their heiress, Lady Seraphina Ravenshade, will become your wife." Around the table, ministers applauded. "She is beautiful." "Brilliant." "The richest young lady in the kingdom." "The perfect future queen." Lucien forced a smile. "If that is your wish, Father." The king stood. "It is more than my wish." "It is your duty." Far away in the palace kitchens... A girl struggled to carry a basket nearly larger than herself. She stumbled. Apples rolled across the stone floor. "Oh no!" The other servants groaned. "Again, Elara?" "I-I'm sorry!" She hurried to pick them up before anyone slipped. One apple rolled through the kitchen doorway. A polished black boot stopped it. Elara looked up. The prince. Their eyes met for only a heartbeat. Lucien bent down, picked up the apple, and handed it back to her. "Here." "T-thank you, Your Highness." She lowered her head immediately. Servants were never supposed to look directly at royalty. Lucien walked away. Neither of them noticed the strange blue mark on Elara's wrist beginning to glow beneath her sleeve. High above the palace... The Blue Moon appeared for only a single second. And somewhere deep inside the forest... A wolf opened its glowing blue eyes. The curse...