1
The palace did not sleep that night.
Whispers traveled through the halls like restless ghosts. Servants spoke in hushed voices, warriors exchanged cautious glances, and everyone seemed to be waiting for something terrible to happen.
Because Hazel was back.
And nothing in the Alpha palace stayed peaceful when two sisters were at war.
Fia stood by the tall window of her room, staring at the moon hanging above the forest. The cold light painted the palace courtyard silver.
Her mind replayed the scene in the hall again and again.
Hazel's furious eyes.
Her cruel smile.
And the promise hidden inside her whisper.
This isn't over.
Fia tightened her grip on the window frame.
"No," she murmured quietly.
"It's not."
2
Across the palace, Ronan sat in his office.
The room was dark except for the faint glow of the desk lamp.
Papers were scattered across the table, but he hadn't read a single word.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
On Fia.
On Hazel.
And on the strange bond forming between him and the woman he never expected to claim as his mate.
His wolf stirred uneasily inside him.
She is ours.
Ronan clenched his jaw.
"That was never the plan," he muttered.
Yet the memory of Fia standing in the training ring earlier that day refused to leave his mind.
She had been terrified.
Bruised.
Exhausted.
But she hadn't surrendered.
Most wolves would have broken.
She hadn't.
And that made her dangerous.
3
Meanwhile, Hazel stood in the palace garden.
The moonlight reflected off the fountain beside her as she paced slowly across the stone path.
Her expression was dark with anger.
"That useless Omega," she hissed.
"How dare she stand beside him."
Hazel had left the palace believing Ronan would wait for her.
That everything would remain exactly as she left it.
But now…
Everything had changed.
And the worst part?
Ronan had defended Fia.
The thought made Hazel's nails dig into her palms.
"No," she whispered coldly.
"I will not lose."
4
The next morning arrived quickly.
Fia barely slept.
When she entered the dining hall, the entire room went silent.
Warriors.
Servants.
Advisors.
Everyone stared at her.
Word had spread quickly after Hazel's return.
Now the palace had two women claiming the Alpha.
Fia ignored the whispers and walked to the table calmly.
She sat down and began eating as if nothing had happened.
But inside, her nerves were tight.
Just as she lifted her cup.
The door slammed open.
Hazel walked in.
The atmosphere instantly turned icy.
5
Hazel looked flawless.
Her long hair flowed over her shoulders, and her elegant dress made her look every bit like the Luna she once expected to become.
She stopped when she saw Fia sitting at the Alpha's table.
Her lips curled slightly.
"Well," Hazel said loudly.
"Looks like someone is getting comfortable."
Fia slowly placed her cup down.
"You're late for breakfast," she replied calmly.
Gasps spread across the room.
Hazel's smile disappeared.
"You're sitting in my seat."
Fia tilted her head slightly.
"Are you sure?"
6
The tension exploded.
Hazel stepped closer to the table.
"That seat belongs to the Alpha's mate."
Fia leaned back in her chair.
"Then I suppose I'm exactly where I should be."
The room fell silent again.
Hazel's eyes burned with fury.
"You think a fake marriage makes you Luna?"
Fia met her gaze without fear.
"I think actions matter more than titles."
Hazel laughed bitterly.
"You always did love pretending to be strong."
7
Before the argument could continue
A deep voice filled the room.
"That's enough."
Ronan had arrived.
The warriors immediately stood.
Ronan walked into the hall slowly, his presence commanding instant silence.
His golden eyes moved between the two sisters.
Then he spoke.
"Both of you sit down."
Hazel turned toward him.
"Ronan"
But he cut her off.
"I said sit."
The authority in his voice left no room for argument.
8
Hazel reluctantly sat down across from Fia.
The tension between them felt like a ticking bomb.
Ronan remained standing.
His gaze rested briefly on Fia.
"You start training again today."
Fia blinked.
"Training?"
"With the warriors," he said.
Hazel scoffed.
"You're serious? She's an Omega."
Ronan's eyes flashed.
"And yet she lasted longer in the ring than most of my soldiers."
The room erupted with whispers.
Hazel stared at him in disbelief.
"You're defending her again."
Ronan's voice became cold.
"I'm stating facts."
9
Fia stood up slowly.
"If you're finished arguing about me," she said calmly, "I'll go prepare."
She walked past Hazel without another word.
But as she reached the door.
Hazel whispered quietly.
"You won't survive here."
Fia paused.
Then she smiled slightly.
"We'll see."
10
From the balcony above the hall, Mira watched the entire scene.
Her sharp eyes followed Fia as she left.
Then she turned toward Ronan.
"Your palace is about to become a battlefield," she said.
Ronan's expression remained calm.
"Yes."
Mira smirked slightly.
"But battles reveal true strength."
Ronan looked toward the door where Fia had disappeared.
"And I intend to see just how strong she really is."