Chapter Title: "Eyes in the Dark"
The moon had reached its zenith, casting silver light over the royal palace of Nareth, but the air inside the walls remained thick—not with celebration, but with calculation.
The Queen's Private Chamber
Queen Rhaelyra stood at her tall window, arms folded, her long silver braid resting on her shoulder like a sword at rest. Beside her, Princess Kaelenna sat quietly, her posture composed—but her heart far from still.
"You saw it, didn't you?" the Queen said, eyes locked on the stars.
Kaelenna didn't answer immediately.
"His aura," the Queen continued, "wasn't just powerful. It was ancient. Refined. Trained by something more than wolves."
Kaelenna swallowed.
"I've never felt anything like it. Even my wolf bowed... willingly."
The Queen turned to her daughter, her voice softening.
"You may not just be marrying a prince, Kaelenna. You may be standing beside a force that could tip the world on its axis."
Kaelenna looked down, hiding the flicker of fear—and something else: yearning.
Elsewhere… in Shadows and Servants
In the servant's entrance near the western gate, Mei Lin stepped into the palace under the guise of a maid. Her once-elegant attire was dirtied and dulled, her face hidden under a shawl.
Her eyes burned—not just with regret—but with ambition.
She moved through the hallways like smoke until she found Lady Vireya's assistant, a pale girl with clever eyes.
Without a word, Mei Lin passed her the scroll, sealed with the Jhen family crest.
The girl took it, then motioned to wait.
"Lady Vireya is at the banquet," she whispered.
Mei Lin stepped back into the shadows, anxiety crackling through her veins.
"Let this be my way back in," she murmured. "If I help them escape to the vampires… I'll matter again."
---
Meanwhile… The Wolf Watches
Back in the banquet hall, San Qi sat tall and still, his cup untouched now, his aura humming just beneath his skin.
He wasn't laughing anymore.
He was watching.
Every face.
Every whisper.
Every flicker of a smile that lasted too long.
He'd killed Elder Myros in this very hall.
And power like his never came without enemies.
Some were likely here now—smiling politely while planning his fall.
---
His Thoughts
"Elder Jhen will not stay silent. And if his daughter's near… the trap is already laid."
He narrowed his eyes.
A servant passed.
She walked too quietly. Her hands too steady.
He didn't move.
Didn't react.
But inside—
Frienor stirred. Amarok growled.