Celine's eyes fluttered open, and a sharp ache shot through her shoulder. The room was dimly lit, soft morning light filtering through the heavy drapes, casting golden hues over the walls.
She lay on her own bed, the familiar scent of lavender filling her senses, yet something felt off.
She shifted slightly, wincing as pain flared from her wound. Her fingers brushed against the bandages, a reminder of what had happened just two nights ago. The assassins, the attack, the blood and then Damian. His wolf had torn through them, brutal and merciless. Celine had never seen such raw, terrifying power before and then in the chaos, he had turned to her, eyes glowing like molten gold as he whispered a single word. "Mine."
The word still echoed in her head refusing to fade away. She tried to push the memory aside, it was clear that she didn't want to think about the way her body had reacted. The way her heart had slammed against her ribs at the sound of his voice. She exhaled sharply, Forcing the thought down, she scolded herself silently, 'It was nothing, it doesn't mean anything.' Stop thinking about him!'
A knock at the door broke her thoughts. Before she could answer, the door swung open, revealing Lilian. The young maid carried a tray of food, balancing it with surprising grace and her usual mischievous smirk. Then she greeted Celine.
"Good morning, my warrior princess."
Celine sighed, pushing herself up against the pillows. "Please, Lilian. Not today."
Lilian ignored her completely, placing the tray down and plopping onto the bed. "Oh no, today is the perfect day." She leaned closer, her brown eyes twinkling with mischief. "So… how does it feel to have the Lycan King go feral for you? I wish I could get such a handsome one along my side."
Celine groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Lilian…please"
Lilian only laughed. "No, no, listen! I heard the guards whispering about it. Damian practically lost his mind when he saw you bleeding."
At those words, Celine stiffened. Lilian's playful tease cut deep.
Lilian wiggled her eyebrows. "And then he carried you here himself? Very romantic. Very dramatic. I love it, I wish I was there."
Furious Celine grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. "Shut up!"
Lilian dodged the flying pillow and burst into laughter. "Come on! I heard that he growled 'Mine' like a true protector, didn't he?"
Celine's cheeks burned with embarrassment. "It wasn't, he wasn't." She inhaled sharply. "It doesn't mean anything!"
Lilian gasped dramatically feigning sympathy. "Oh, poor thing. You actually believe that."
Before Celine could argue, Lilian's expression turned serious. "You could have died, my princess." The mood in the room shifted as Celine lowered her gaze. "I know." she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lilian sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Someone must have let those assassins in. Someone inside the palace." She murmured.
A chill crept down Celine's spine, that meant there was a traitor and whoever it was they wanted her dead.
…
In a chamber beneath the palace, Damian sat at a heavy wooden desk with several reports scattered in front of him. His golden eyes were cold, unreadable as he scanned through the names of suspects. Next to him his Beta and trusted second- in -command, Marcus, stood at his side.
"The assassins weren't acting alone," Marcus said, his tone grim. "Someone must have ordered the hit."
Damian had already suspected that but the problem was, who? Suddenly a knock sounded at the door. "Enter," Damian commanded.
A man stepped in, it was one of his informants and bowed quickly. "We have a name, my King." The informant said, is voice trembling slightly.
Damian lifted his gaze, then in a sharp voice he ordered. "Speak." After a brief hesitation the informant answered. "Lord Vincent."
A heavy Silence fell over the room, Damian's fingers tightened around the parchment in his hand.
Lord Vincent was a noble from a rival Lycan house, one that had long opposed Celine's presence in the palace.
Damian had suspected him for weeks, but something about this felt… too easy. 'Was Vincent really the mastermind? Or just a distraction?' He thought then turned back to the informant.
"Keep digging," Damian ordered, "I want every piece of information on him. And find out who he is working with." Immediately The informant bowed again and left, leaving Damian and Marcus in a tense quiet.
…
Later in the day Celine wandered through the palace gardens, the fresh scent of roses filling the air. It had been two days since the attack and she needed space. Yet an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
As she strolled, everything shifted unnaturally sending a shiver down her spine. Then, A voice whispered in her ears, the words were soft but clear {Awaken, Luna.} Celine's breath caught, her heartbeat pounded against her ribs, At that moment her fingertips burned as a faint golden glow flickered across her hands. She stumbled back, staring at her hands then suddenly the glow vanished.
'What… was that?' she wondered, her voice trembling with confusion. before she could deeply think about the changes she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned quickly, ready to defend herself only to find Ray standing there with his arms crossed, watching her. His silver eyes held a knowing glimmer . "You felt it, didn't you?" he murmured.
"I don't know what I felt."
Ray smirked. "Not yet. But you will." Then his gaze flickered to her injured shoulder. "That looks painful."
"It's nothing." She pulled the cloth away, revealing a deep cut. Ray sighed and walked over. "Let me see."
She hesitated but let him stand beside her, he took her arm gently, examining the wound.
"You should be healing faster," he muttered. Celine frowned. "What do you mean?"
Ray smirked but didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jar of ointment. He scooped some onto his fingers and carefully spread it over her wound. A cool sensation spread through her skin, dulling the pain and without saying another word he disappeared.
Later, in the quiet of the palace library, Celine sat alone at a long wooden table. She flipped through an old book, though her eyes did not truly read the words. The strange whisper from the garden, Awaken, Luna.} kept echoing in her mind. What could it mean? Was it a call to power hidden deep within her?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the stone floor. She looked up, it was Damian the Lycan King. He strode in, his presence commanding, Celine closed her book slowly. Then she asked Damian while trying to put her light, "Are you here to lecture me again?"
Damian's jaw tightened. "I need answers, Celine." She leaned back, feigning nonchalance. "About what?"
His golden eyes flashed. "The assassins. The attack. Your training. Everything."
Celine stood up, facing him, then she declared firmly "You want to control everything I do. But I won't let you."
Damian moved too fast and in one second, he was across the room. The next moment he had her pinned against the bookshelf. Hs hands caged her in, his breath warm against her cheek.
"You drive me insane, Celine." His voice was rough, edged with something dangerous. Celine's pulse increased, the mate bond pulsed between them, and for a moment she felt the intensity of his closeness. Her heart raced as she thought that he was going to kiss her.
But then as if fighting against his own inner beast, the Alpha that had driven him towards Celine, Damian pulled himself away. Celine exhaled sharply, her heart racing.
Damian ran a hand through his hair, his breathing uneven. "Damn it," he muttered and without another word he stormed out.
…
Later on , Damian sat in his study, his jaw tight in anger and worry. A guard entered in the study holding a sealed letter.
He bowed and handed the later to Damian, "This arrived for you, my King." Damian took it, breaking the wax seal. His eyes darkened as he read the words written in bold.
'Let go of the lost princess before it's too late.'