ARIA

Thirty minutes later, I was dressed in a gown that Helena swore was "appropriate for putting bitches in their place," deep silver that matched my wolf, with a neckline that showed off Kael's claiming mark. My hair was arranged in an elaborate style that probably took years off Helena's life to create.

I looked like a Luna.

Now I just had to act like one.

Morgana's chambers were in the west wing, as far from Kael's as possible while still being in the palace. The corridors leading there were decorated with enchanted flowers that whispered as we passed, nothing sinister, just unnerving.

Kael walked beside me, his hand possessively on my lower back. Ryker followed two steps behind, his hand on his sword hilt.

We didn't knock. Kael simply opened the door and walked in like he owned the place.

Which, technically, he did.

Morgana's chambers were a study in calculated beauty. Silk curtains, plush furniture, shelves lined with spell books and magical artifacts. And in the center of it all, Morgana herself.

She was beautiful in a way that made me feel inadequate, tall, curvaceous, with auburn hair that fell in perfect waves and violet eyes that probably saw straight through people. She wore a dress that was more suggestion than fabric, and her smile when she saw Kael was pure seduction.

Then she saw me, and the smile turned to ice.

"Your Majesty," she purred, her tone making the title sound like an insult. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

"Cut the act, Morgana," Kael said flatly. "Did you break into Aria's chambers last night?"

"Me? Goodness, no. I have far more elegant ways of expressing displeasure." She moved closer, her hips swaying. "Though I can't say I'm surprised someone did. The court is... restless about your sudden choice."

"The court can get over it."

"Can they?" She turned those violet eyes on me, and I felt magic pressing against my skin, testing, probing. "A silver wolf. How interesting. I haven't seen one in centuries. Tell me, little Luna, how does it feel to be a legend come to life?"

"About the same as being a servant, actually. People still underestimate me." I smiled sweetly. "Though I'm learning that's an advantage."

Her eyes narrowed. "Bold words from someone who's been Luna for less than two days."

"Bold seems to be working so far."

The temperature in the room became cold. Morgana's magic flared, visible as purple light dancing across her skin.

Kael moved between us instantly. "Enough."

"I didn't start it," Morgana said innocently. "Your little mate seems to have claws. How delightful."

"She also has my protection. Touch her, threaten her, or even look at her wrong, and I'll burn your entire faction to the ground." His voice was deadly calm. "Are we clear?"

Something flickered in Morgana's expression, pain, quickly hidden. "Crystal. Though you should know, others feel differently about your... choice. I may not have broken into her chambers, but I can't control everyone who shares my concerns."

"Then maybe you should try harder," I said. "Unless you want to be held responsible for whatever they do next."

She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You think you can threaten me? I've been part of this court for twenty years. I've survived several Alphas. I'll survive you too, little silver wolf."

"I'm not trying to survive you, Lady Morgana." I stepped around Kael, ignoring his growl of warning. "I'm trying to understand you. You loved him once, didn't you? Before the curse got bad. Before everything fell apart."

Her mask slipped for just a moment, revealing raw hurt underneath. "Love is a strong word."

"But accurate." I studied her carefully. "You thought he'd choose you eventually. That your loyalty and power would be enough. And then I showed up and ruined everything."

"Don't psychoanalyze me, girl."

"I'm not. I'm empathizing." I took a breath. "I know what it's like to have something taken from you. To feel powerless while your entire world changes. If our situations were reversed, I'd probably hate me too."

Morgana stared at me like I was speaking a foreign language. "You're trying to... what? Bond with me?"

"I'm trying not to have enemies I don't need." I glanced at Kael, who looked thoroughly confused by this approach. "I can't change what happened. I can't give you what you wanted. But I also don't want to spend every day watching my back because you're plotting revenge."

"So you're asking for a truce?"

"I'm asking you to give me a chance. One Luna to... well, to whatever you are. If I fail, if I'm as terrible at this as everyone expects, you can say 'I told you so' and plot my downfall to your heart's content. But if I succeed?" I held her gaze. "Maybe you'll find there are better things to do than waste your considerable power on jealousy."

Silence stretched between us.

Then Morgana laughed, a real laugh this time, surprised and almost genuine. "You're either very clever or very naive. I haven't decided which."

"Both, probably."

She circled me slowly, her magic still pressing against my shields. "The court will eat you alive. They're vipers, all of them. Pretty faces hiding poison."

"Then I'll learn to be a viper too."

"Will you?" She stopped in front of me. "Or will you try to change them? Save them? Most new Luna make that mistake. They think they can bring light to dark places. It never works."

"Maybe I'm not most Luna."

Something shifted in her expression. Not friendship, we were way too far from that. But maybe the beginning of respect.

"No," she said slowly. "I suppose you're not." She turned to Kael. "I didn't break into her chambers. But I'll make inquiries. If someone in my faction is acting without my knowledge, I'll handle it."

"See that you do," Kael said coldly.

Morgana's smile returned, sharp-edged. "Oh, and little Luna? A word of advice. The court gathers tonight for the formal introduction ceremony. You'll be presented to every important family in the realm. They'll be watching for weakness, for any sign you're not worthy of the crown."

"I know."

"Do you? Because these aren't your stepfamily's petty cruelties. These are predators who've been playing political games since before you were born. One wrong move, one moment of hesitation, and they'll destroy you."

I lifted my chin. "Let them try."

Morgana's laugh followed us out into the corridor.

Once we were alone, Kael pulled me against him, his arms tight around my waist. "That was either brilliant or suicidal. I'm still deciding which."

"She's not the one who broke into my chambers," I said with certainty. "She's too smart for something that crude. She'd use magic, not vandalism."

"Agreed," Ryker said. "Which means we still don't know who the real threat is."

"Someone who wants me to leave. Someone who thinks scaring me will work." I leaned into Kael's warmth. "They don't know me very well."

Kael's hand cupped my face. "Tonight is going to be brutal. The formal introduction means every Alpha family, every council member, every noble in the realm will be there. They'll question you, test you, try to find any excuse to declare you unfit."

"I know."

"And you're still willing to do this? To stand in front of them and claim your place?"

I thought about the girl I'd been three days ago. The one who hid, who made herself small, who believed she was worthless.

She was gone now. Burned away by silver fire and a bond I never asked for but was starting to cherish.

"I'm not just willing," I said. "I'm ready."

Kael's kiss was fierce and possessive, pouring everything he couldn't say into the contact. When he pulled back, his eyes were gold-tinged but clear.

"Then let's show them their Luna."

As we walked back toward his chambers, my hand in his, I felt the weight of what was coming. Tonight would be my true test. Not just of whether I could be Luna, but whether I wanted to be.

Whether I was willing to fight for a crown I never asked for and a King I was falling for faster than I should.

The answer, terrifyingly, was yes.

But first, I needed to survive whatever tonight would bring.

And in a palace full of enemies, with a curse waiting to consume us both, survival was far from guaranteed