The castle's corridors were colder than usual, shadows lengthening with every step Aria took. The memory of the midnight ambush lingered like a dark stain on her thoughts. Despite the victory, the danger had only intensified.
Lucien met her in the grand hall, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning with silent fury.
"They're escalating," he said, voice low. "This was no random attack—it was a message. They want to shake your confidence, make you doubt your place."
Aria shook her head. "I won't give them that satisfaction."
Lucien's hand found hers, his grip firm and grounding. "Good. But you must be careful. Not everyone in the kingdom is loyal. There are whispers of betrayal."
A chill ran down her spine. The palace, once a sanctuary, now felt like a labyrinth of secrets and lies.
That night, Aria met with Isolde in the library, seeking guidance.
"Trust must be earned, and some will never give it," Isolde warned. "You have enemies in the court—and even among those closest to the King."
Aria's fingers tightened around the edge of a dusty tome. "How do I protect myself?"
Isolde's eyes narrowed. "By learning who wears a mask and who wears their true face."
As they spoke, a soft knock interrupted them. A servant entered discreetly, whispering a warning: "There's a message for you, Your Majesty. No sender."
Aria unfolded the dark parchment carefully. The words were written in jagged script:
"The wolf you trust is the one who will bite."
Her breath caught. The threat was unmistakable.
Over the next days, Aria became vigilant, watching the faces around her with new suspicion. Even loyal friends seemed to hide secrets.
Lucien remained her steadfast protector, but even his confidence faltered when discussing the dangers lurking within their walls.
"We must root out the traitors," he said grimly. "Before they destroy everything."
One evening, as the moon rose high, Aria heard footsteps outside her chamber. She peered through the crack in the door to see a shadowy figure slipping away.
Heart racing, she followed silently, her wolf senses guiding her.
The figure moved to a secluded garden, where Selena waited, speaking in hushed tones to a group of cloaked conspirators.
Aria's blood ran cold.
Selena's smile was venomous. "The King's Luna thinks she is safe, but her throne is built on sand."
Aria retreated quietly, the weight of betrayal heavy on her shoulders.
Back in her chambers, Lucien awaited, sensing her turmoil.
"I know," she confessed. "The danger is closer than we imagined."
He pulled her into a fierce embrace. "Then we fight—together."
In that moment, surrounded by shadows and whispered threats, Aria realized that her true battle was only just beginning.