Seven years had passed.
Aphrodite was no longer the quiet, forgotten child hidden in the shadows of the palace. She had grown into a striking young woman—her beauty effortless, her presence impossible to ignore. Wherever she went, eyes followed… even when people pretended they didn't.
And that was exactly what Princess Slyvara hated.
No matter how hard Slyvara tried—no matter how extravagant her gowns or how carefully she styled herself—Aphrodite always outshone her without even trying. It wasn't just beauty. It was something else… something natural. Untouchable.
That quiet, unintentional brilliance only fueled Slyvara's jealousy.
And Aphrodite paid the price for it.
Punishments came often. Sometimes for mistakes she didn't make. Sometimes for no reason at all.
Still, she endured.
Beyond the palace walls, the world had changed just as much.
Whispers of King Nikklaus had spread far and wide.
They said he had become powerful—far more powerful than anyone expected. Under his rule, his kingdom had flourished, expanding into the largest and most feared territory known. He was ruthless, unforgiving to his enemies… yet deeply respected by his people, who saw him as their protector.
But there were darker rumors too.
Stories that his kingdom had moved—hidden itself away, shifting locations so no one could ever truly find it. That alone made others uneasy.
And then there was the land.
A stretch of territory cloaked in unnatural darkness, where no one dared to step foot. It was said that creatures lurked there… things not meant to exist. Whether the stories were true or not, one thing was certain:
No one was foolish enough to find out.
Even in the modern world, governments spoke of Nikklaus with caution—and interest. Some sought alliances, not out of trust… but out of fear of what he might become if left unchecked.
Aphrodite stood quietly on her balcony, her hands resting lightly against the railing as she gazed out at the lake below. Waves crashed softly against the shore, the sound calming… almost hypnotic.
For a moment, she allowed herself peace.
"Aphrodite."
The voice shattered it instantly.
She turned to see Slyvara standing in the doorway, arms crossed, expression cold.
"Go tidy my room. Now."
Aphrodite gave a small nod.
No argument. No hesitation.
She simply obeyed.
She had barely begun when a guard entered.
"Aphrodite," he said firmly, "your presence is required in the throne room."
She paused, then nodded again, setting everything aside before making her way there.
The throne room buzzed with quiet anticipation.
Slyvara stood beside her, both of them facing Queen Alaria.
"We have special guests arriving," the queen announced smoothly. "You will both present yourselves properly. Dress your best."
Both girls bowed their heads before leaving.
The palace soon filled with elegance and noise.
Slyvara emerged first, draped in a deep red gown that clung to her figure, the neckline daring and attention-grabbing. Every detail of her appearance screamed for admiration.
Aphrodite followed shortly after.
Her dress was royal blue, flowing gracefully to the floor, adorned with delicate diamonds that shimmered subtly in the light. The sleeves hugged her arms before parting softly at the shoulders, revealing just enough to be elegant without being revealing.
She didn't try to stand out.
Yet somehow… she did.
The lounge filled with nobles, royals, and high-ranking figures—nearly a hundred guests in total.
Laughter, conversation, and the clinking of glasses echoed through the room.
King Xavion spoke with both girls for a time, his charm easy and practiced. Soon after, more notable figures arrived—Duke Angus, Prince Ashore, and Commander Zeke, whose reputation as both a skilled fighter and a heavy drinker preceded him.
Aphrodite found herself speaking with Duke Angus. Their conversation flowed naturally, surprisingly easy.
Across the room, Slyvara had already found her target.
King Nikklaus.
He had arrived without announcement, yet his presence alone shifted the atmosphere.
He was no longer the boy people once remembered.
Now, he was something else entirely.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Commanding.
His skin was pale but warm-toned, his sharp features framed by long hair and a well-kept beard. His eyes—an unsettling mix of icy blue and faint red—held a depth that made people look twice… and then look away.
There was something dangerous about him.
Something unknown.
Slyvara approached him eagerly.
"Hello, handsome," she said with a smile.
Nikklaus glanced at her, offering a faint, polite smile. "You're beautiful yourself."
The words were effortless—but empty.
Still, Slyvara lit up, completely captivated.
Nikklaus, however, wasn't interested.
Not in the conversations. Not in the admiration.
Not in any of it.
After a while, he slipped away toward the bar, pouring himself a drink. The noise around him dulled as he took a slow sip, his mind elsewhere.
He shouldn't have come.
And yet…
Something felt off.
Without thinking, he set the glass down and began to walk.
Slowly. Intentionally.
As if something unseen was pulling him forward.
The balcony doors opened.
And there she was.
Aphrodite stood alone, facing the water, the night air gently moving through her hair.
Nikklaus froze.
His wolf surged violently beneath the surface.
Mine.
The word hit him like a удар.
His jaw tightened instantly.
No.
That wasn't possible.
His gaze narrowed as he studied her more closely.
She carried no wolf scent.
No human scent.
Nothing he could recognize.
And yet… every instinct in him screamed the same thing.
Mate.
His expression darkened.
Either his wolf had lost its mind—
Or the girl standing before him was something far more dangerous than she appeared.
Aphrodite felt it.
That presence.
Heavy. Watching.
She turned slowly.
And saw him.
For a brief moment, everything stilled.
He was… breathtaking.
Sharp. Cold. Unreadable.
But what caught her attention wasn't his appearance.
It was the aura surrounding him.
A faint, glowing cyan light—subtle, but unmistakable—wrapped around him like a shadow.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
No one else had that.
No one.
A flicker of unease passed through her.
Am I imagining things…?
Silence stretched between them.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
And then—
As suddenly as it began—
He turned and walked away.
Aphrodite watched him go, her heart strangely unsettled.
She didn't understand why.
But something had changed.
Will they acknowledge the bond? Or will fate force their paths together again?