The corridors of the palace were unusually silent that morning, the echoes of footsteps reverberating off the polished stone walls. Natalie's pace was steady but cautious as she approached the King's private chambers. An urgent summons had arrived just hours before, framed under the pretense of a casual discussion. Still, she knew better than to trust such wording; nothing in this palace was ever casual.
The chamber doors opened at her knock, revealing the King seated behind his massive, obsidian desk. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes,piercing as ever,fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach flutter. For a moment, silence stretched between them, heavy and charged, until he finally spoke.
"Princess," he began, his voice smooth yet commanding, "from this day forward, the courtiers, the guards, everyone must stop referring to you as the princess. You are no longer merely a visitor in my pack. You are Luna of the Black Moon Pack and my Mate."
The weight of the title pressed upon her. It was not merely a change of words; it was an official declaration, an acceptance of her as his mate and a recognition of her place within the pack hierarchy. Natalie's heart raced. Though a part of her longed to kneel or express gratitude, another part;the part that had learned to survive in this treacherous court;remained cautious, vigilant.
"I… I understand, Your Majesty," she replied carefully, her voice steady even as her pulse quickened. She had anticipated the change, yet hearing it aloud, so official and unyielding, sent a shiver through her.
The King's gaze softened momentarily, though a shadow of something dangerous lingered in his eyes. "Good," he said, leaning back slightly. "Titles are not merely for ceremony. They carry power, responsibilities, and… expectations. And you, Mate, will learn that very quickly."
He rose from his seat, walking toward her with the silent, fluid grace of a predator. Natalie straightened instinctively, trying to match his calm despite the rapid beating of her heart. His presence alone was suffocating, overwhelming, yet magnetic in a way that made it impossible to look away.
"You will move into my quarters," he said abruptly, the statement more a command than a request.
Natalie's heart skipped. She had anticipated a confrontation, but not so direct, not so bold. "I… I cannot, Your Majesty," she said firmly. "I am grateful for your trust and your declaration, but I cannot move in. I am not ready, and...."
The King's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile, one that carried both amusement and warning. "You are defiant. Good. I do not seek submission without resistance. But know this, Luna: the longer you delay, the harder the path becomes. You understand what is at stake."
Natalie met his gaze, refusing to falter. "I do," she admitted, "but I will not be forced. I will not....."
"Enough," he interrupted smoothly, though his eyes glimmered with something feral beneath the calm exterior. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You know of my curse. You know that the blood moon has marked me since birth, that the power within me carries a limit. I will not survive much longer without an heir."
The words struck her like a physical blow. His eyes, intense and unflinching, searched hers for understanding. "I need someone to continue the legacy, to ensure the survival of this pack. And you… you are the one who will bear that responsibility. Do you understand, Luna?"
Natalie swallowed hard, the weight of the demand settling over her. It was not simply a request,it was a directive, a binding of fate. To refuse would not only endanger herself but also jeopardize the future of the pack. And yet, the thought of moving into his chambers, becoming intimately bound to a man whose ferocity and darkness she barely comprehended, filled her with trepidation.
"I… I understand, Your Majesty," she said again, this time with the careful neutrality of someone who had mastered survival. "But I ask for time."
He studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, as if satisfied with the acknowledgment, he straightened and turned toward the large window overlooking the pack grounds. The sun glinted off the dew-laden grass, casting long, sharp shadows.
"Time is a luxury we no longer have," he said quietly, almost to himself. "You see, Luna, the curse that courses through my veins… it is relentless. And those who would seek to manipulate or control me, or my legacy, will not wait for courtesy."
He turned back, his eyes sharp, cutting. "Which brings me to another matter. Aurora has returned."
Natalie stiffened. She did not know this name, yet the way the King said it carried weight, importance, and a clear threat.
"She is the daughter of Malrick," the King added, as if reading her thoughts. "Her lineage gives her influence and power within court circles. Her presence here is not by chance,nor is it to be taken lightly. You will face challenges because of her, Luna. Challenges that test your position, your loyalty, and your strength."
Natalie nodded cautiously, trying to digest the information. She had not known Aurora, yet already the name carried danger, a threat to her newly solidified position as Luna.
The King's eyes softened, just slightly, revealing the faintest glimpse of the man beneath the Alpha the man marked by the curse, by duty, and by the burden of leadership. "You are mine, Luna," he said quietly, almost as if confessing. "And you will stand by me. Not out of fear… but out of choice."
Natalie met his gaze steadily, her own resolve hardening. "I will stand by you, Your Majesty," she replied, "but I will not surrender myself blindly. I will learn, I will adapt, and I will endure,on my own terms as much as yours."
A small smile curved his lips, faint but undeniable. He stepped back, allowing her a fraction of space, a silent acknowledgment that her strength had not gone unnoticed. "Good," he murmured. "Do not underestimate the power within you, Mate. But also… do not forget the dangers that circle us all. Aurora's return is just the beginning."
The chamber fell silent for a moment, the tension thick but tempered by understanding. Natalie's chest rose and fell steadily, her mind racing with the implications of his words. The King's curse, the need for an heir, the return of a cunning adversary,everything was converging, and the path ahead was fraught with peril.
Finally, she bowed slightly, a gesture of respect and acknowledgment. "I will be vigilant, Your Majesty," she said, her voice firm, carrying the weight of both promise and defiance.
He nodded once, sharply, and gestured toward the door. "Go. Prepare yourself. The Black Moon Pack is watching. And remember, Luna… your choices shape more than your own fate."
As Natalie stepped out into the corridor, the reality of her new role pressed down on her shoulders. She was no longer merely a princess in name; she was Luna of the Black Moon Pack. The King had acknowledged her, accepted her, and yet set before her a path that would test every ounce of her courage, cunning, and resilience.
And in the shadows, a whisper of dread lingered,Aurora, daughter of Malrick, had returned.