LightReader

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

From the moment she opened her eyes that morning, Luciana knew something wasn't right.

Her teeth ached—not like a normal discomfort, but with a constant, pulsing sting, as if something inside her was trying to break free. At her fingertips, there was a dull burn, a strange new energy, uncomfortable and electric, that made her clench her fists without knowing why.

"Is it possible I'm becoming allergic to this dress?" she muttered irritably while Liana adjusted the corset.

"Pardon, Your Highness?"

"Nothing… Just that if this tightens one more inch, I'm going to throw up my breakfast and the name of the Empire's next traitor."

Liana laughed nervously, unsure if she was joking or not.

Luciana looked at herself in the mirror. She was dazzling: the midnight blue dress made the sharp gray of her eyes stand out, her blonde hair fell in soft waves like liquid gold, and her posture was that of a confident princess… but inside, everything was chaos.

Her body burned. Her breathing was getting more and more shallow. It felt like a fever—but it wasn't a fever that was running through her. It was something else. Something more primal.

Something awakening.

She spent the day on autopilot: curtsies, greetings, fake smiles. The emperor took her by the arm just before the start of the ball.

"Tonight is your night," he said proudly. "Your debut and farewell as Princess of Normalia. Remember that after this evening, you'll leave with the King of the North."

"I remember," she replied, forcing a smile. "Hard to forget I'm being handed off like a diplomatic trophy."

The emperor didn't catch the sarcasm.

When the ball began, Luciana tried to keep her composure. Every step, every turn, every courteous word required monstrous effort. All around her, nobles from across the continent exchanged glances and whispers. Among them, werewolves disguised as humans. She could tell by the way they watched her. By the way they… smelled her.

And that was the problem.

She was smelling herself. She felt her body radiating heat, her skin releasing a sweet and wild scent she couldn't control. She was panting, her senses overloaded—sounds too sharp, scents too intense, colors too bright.

A strange anxiety twisted in her belly. She felt hot. Not sick. Not weak. Just… aroused. And the worst part: she didn't know why.

"Liana…" she whispered as she passed by.

"Your Highness?"

"I need air. Now."

---

The garden was decorated with hanging lanterns and night-blooming flowers. Luciana walked toward one of the stone columns and leaned against it, trying to catch her breath. She closed her eyes, but that only made things worse. The heat in her belly grew, spreading like fire. She felt the need for… something. Something she couldn't name.

"What the hell is happening to me? Did someone spike my drink? An aphrodisiac?"

But no. This was different. Deeper. Wilder.

And then she knew.

Her heat had begun.

The wolf inside her was waking… in the middle of a party full of werewolves.

She wasn't alone.

From the darkness of the garden, several shadows approached. Male figures, elegant, dressed as noblemen. But not human. Not entirely.

Wolves.

One of them stopped just a few steps away, pupils dilated, breathing heavily.

"It's her," he said, with a mix of awe and desire. "The mate."

"Are you sure?" asked another.

"That scent… the moon… it's calling."

Luciana stepped back. She felt every muscle in her body tense.

"Stay back," she ordered firmly.

But one of them smiled.

"Do you know what you are, princess? Do you know what's inside you?"

"I don't have time for your riddles."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. What matters is that you haven't been claimed yet…"

One of them reached out. Another stepped closer.

Luciana felt the impulse to run, but her legs trembled. She was about to scream when—

A shadow larger than any other descended on the garden.

The air shifted.

Like a silent storm. The lanterns flickered. The leaves rustled. The pressure became unbearable.

And all the wolves backed away.

A figure pushed through them. Tall, imposing, cloaked in black and with a killer's gaze.

Kilian.

His aura filled the garden. His eyes burned like embers. And when he stopped in front of her, the others bowed without even thinking.

Luciana could barely remain standing.

Kilian said nothing at first. He just looked at her. His pupils narrowed. A low growl rumbled from his chest. He raised a hand, and with brutal confidence, took her face in his hand with a touch that asked for no permission.

"Mate," his wolf declared, voice ringing like a sacred roar.

Luciana blinked. Something inside her responded, and she couldn't stop it.

"Mate," she echoed… or at least she thought so. Because it wasn't her voice. It was another. Deep. Wild. From within.

Her wolf.

Everything went blurry.

She couldn't breathe. Her head throbbed. Her legs gave out. Her eyes glazed over. She tried to steady herself… but couldn't, and fainted.

---

"Alpha King!" Ian called, running over. "We must get her out of here."

"Yes," Kilian replied, barely restraining his inner beast. "If I don't get her away now, I'll mark her right here."

He lifted her in his arms. Her scent wrapped around him like a delicious poison.

Liana appeared, running down the path with a pitcher of water.

"Your Highness!" she cried, alarmed to see her unconscious. "What happened?"

"She fainted," Kilian said, voice firm and calm. "Where is her room?"

"This way, please. I'll guide you… and call the royal physician…"

"That won't be necessary. My men will summon mine."

Liana looked at him, struck by the authority in every word.

"If it's not too bold of me to ask… who are you? I must inform the Emperor."

Kilian looked at her for a second before answering.

"I am the King of the North. Kilian Aurelian Luperca. Betrothed to Princess Abigaíl."

And as he said it, he looked again at the young woman in his arms.

His wolf.

His moon.

And his… from that moment on.

More Chapters