The journey to the Northern Palace took three days.

Kai, Jett, and Cole traveled in wolf form, while I rode on Kai’s massive black wolf with Oliver clinging to my back. My little brother thought it was the greatest adventure of his life. I was too busy trying not to panic at how high and fast we were moving.

On the second night, we stopped at a cabin in the mountains—simple but clean, clearly meant for the Alpha King’s use.

“There’s a bedroom upstairs for you and Oliver,” Kai said after shifting back to human form. He wore jeans but left his chest bare, scars crisscrossing his skin like silver rivers. “Jett and Cole will take watch. You’re safe here.”

“Thank you,” I murmured. Oliver was already half-asleep, worn out from the day’s travel.

Upstairs, the small room had two clean beds. Oliver fell asleep instantly. I sat beside him, stroking his hair, wondering how my life had changed so quickly—from the pack’s punching bag to the mate of the most powerful Alpha alive.

“He’s a good kid.”

I jumped at Kai’s voice. He leaned in the doorway, arms folded.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“A few minutes. You looked deep in thought.” He stepped closer. “What were you thinking about?”

“Everything. Nothing. I just want Oliver to be happy.”

“He will be. The palace has teachers, trainers, friends his age. He’ll be safe, Isla. I promise.”

“Why do you care so much? You don’t even know us.”

“I know you’re my mate. That’s enough.”

“But you don’t know me. What if the mate bond made a mistake?”

“The bond doesn’t make mistakes. The Moon Goddess pairs those who need each other.”

“I don’t need anyone,” I whispered.

“Everyone needs someone,” he said softly. “I know this is overwhelming, but I’m not Damien.”

“I know.” I hesitated. “Then why did you wait so long? If you knew six months ago—why not come sooner?”

Kai was quiet for a long time. “Because I was afraid.”

I blinked. “Afraid? Of what?”

“Of losing you.” His eyes darkened. “I’ve had mates before—three. All of them died.”

The air left my lungs. “What?”

“The first died in childbirth. The second was killed by rogues. The third… took her own life.” His jaw tightened. “After that, I swore I’d never take another mate. I blocked the bond, but three years ago, it broke through. I felt you like lightning in my chest. I found you at Crescent Valley and saw how they treated you. I was furious.”

“So why didn’t you come for me?”

“You were seventeen. Too young. And I was terrified.” He gave a short, bitter laugh. “The Alpha King, afraid of a girl. But I was. I told myself I was protecting you when really, I was protecting myself.”

“And?” I whispered. “Did you figure it out?”

“Yes.” His eyes locked on mine. “When I saw Damien touch you tonight, something in me snapped. I realized I was already yours.”

His honesty stole my breath. “What if I die too?”

“Then I die with you.” His voice was steady. “But you won’t. You’re stronger than you know.”

“I don’t feel strong.”

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s moving forward despite it.” He stood. “Get some rest. Tomorrow’s a long journey.”

“Kai?”

He paused. “Yes?”

“Thank you—for telling me the truth.”

He nodded and disappeared into the darkness.

Sleep didn’t come easily. My thoughts circled his words—three dead mates, a curse, and now me. My hand brushed the locket around my neck. Elder Sarah’s words echoed: The truth is in your blood.

I must’ve drifted off because Oliver’s voice jolted me awake. “Isla, wake up! Something’s wrong!”

I sat up fast. “What is it?”

“I heard shouting. And there’s a weird smell.”

Then I smelled it too—something acrid and wrong.

I looked out the window and froze. Wolves surrounded the cabin—at least twenty of them, eyes glowing in the dark. Rogues.

Downstairs, Kai’s roar split the air, followed by the crash of glass and snarls.

“Hide,” I ordered Oliver, pushing him toward the closet. “Don’t come out until I say so.”

“But—”

“Now!”

He obeyed, and I grabbed a heavy candlestick before creeping downstairs. Chaos filled the room. Jett and Cole fought desperately, while Kai—massive in wolf form—tore through rogues like shadows. But there were too many.

A rogue crashed through the window and lunged. I swung the candlestick, smashing its skull. It fell, but two more replaced it.

I backed up the stairs, heart racing. I wasn’t a fighter. I had no wolf.

Then something inside me shifted. Power surged through my veins like fire. My vision flared white, and I heard a voice that was both mine and not: LET ME OUT.

My wolf.

After eighteen silent years, she was finally awake—and furious.

My bones started to shift, skin burning. I was about to transform for the first time.

Then a rogue slammed into me. I tumbled down the stairs, hit my head, and everything went black.

The last thing I heard was Kai’s roar of anguish: “ISLA!”

---

When I woke, everything hurt.

I was lying in a massive bed with silk sheets. Mountains gleamed outside tall windows.

“You’re awake.”

Kai sat beside the bed, exhaustion written across his face.

“Where’s Oliver?”

“Safe. Next room. Cole’s watching him.” He leaned forward. “How do you feel?”

“Like I fell off a cliff.”

“You almost transformed. Your wolf tried to emerge during the attack.”

I remembered the surge of energy, that fierce voice. “She spoke to me.”

“The danger triggered her instincts. You’ve been unconscious for two days.”

“What happened to the rogues?”

“Dead—all of them. But they shouldn’t have known where we were. That cabin was a private safe house. Someone betrayed us.”

“You think your people?”

“I don’t know. But I’ll find out.” His hand brushed mine. “You’re safe now. This is the Northern Palace.”

“This is your home?”

“Our home. If you’ll accept it.”

Before I could answer, Oliver burst in. “Isla! You’re awake!” He threw his arms around me.

“Easy, Ollie.”

“Cole said you were brave! You fought off three rogues!”

I glanced at Kai, who smiled faintly. “He may have exaggerated. But you did fight. That takes courage.”

Oliver grinned. “This place is amazing! There’s a library, a training ground, and the kitchen lady makes the best cookies!”

Despite everything, I laughed softly.

Kai’s expression turned serious. “While you were unconscious, my healers examined you. They found something unusual.”

My smile faded. “What kind?”

“Your wolf isn’t just dormant. She’s been magically suppressed.”

“What?”

“Someone bound her when you were a child. It’s been locking her away ever since.”

Elder Sarah’s words echoed again. The truth is in your blood.

“Can it be broken?”

“They’re working on it. But Isla…” He hesitated. “When it breaks, your wolf will be powerful. Whoever bound her used ancient magic. Someone feared what you could become.”

“Feared me? Why?”

“Because you’re special. My healers found traces of old magic in your bloodline—the Moon Shadow bloodline.”

I froze. “That’s impossible. The royal line’s extinct.”

“Apparently not. The Moon Shadow Pack once ruled all werewolves. They had gifts others didn’t. Your parents must have hidden it to protect you. I think that’s why they were really killed.”

I touched my locket. “Elder Sarah gave me this. She said my mother wanted me to have it—that the truth was in my blood.”

Kai opened the locket, tracing the crescent moon and star. “This is the Moon Shadow crest. Your mother told you the truth.”

“So what now?”

“First, we break the binding. Then we find out who suppressed your wolf and why. Someone wanted you powerless. We’ll stop them.”

“You think they’ll come after me again?”

“I know they will. The moment they learn the Moon Shadow bloodline lives, every power-hungry wolf will want you—dead or controlled.”

Oliver squeezed my hand. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Kai covered both our hands. “And I’ll protect you. Always.”

A knock sounded. Jett entered, unusually tense.

“Alpha, we have a problem. A delegation from Crescent Valley is at the gates. Damien Reed is demanding to see Isla.”

My stomach dropped.

“Tell him no,” Kai said coldly.

“He claims he knows who ordered the rogue attack.”

Kai and I exchanged a look. We couldn’t ignore that.

“Fine,” Kai growled. “He meets us in the throne room. And if he so much as looks at Isla wrong, I’ll rip his tongue out.”

Twenty minutes later, dressed in soft palace clothes that actually fit, I followed Kai into the grand throne room—arched ceilings, marble floors, sunlight pouring in. He led me to the smaller throne beside his. Oliver stood at my side, proud and serious.

“Bring them in,” Kai ordered.

The doors opened. Damien entered with Beta Marcus and two guards. He looked terrible, eyes haunted.

“Isla, thank the goddess,” he began.

“You’ll address her as Luna Isla,” Kai cut in. “And you’ll bow.”

Damien flushed but obeyed.

“Rise,” I said calmly. “You have information about the attack?”

Damien nodded. “It wasn’t random. It was ordered by someone from your pack—your former pack. After you left, Maya confessed she’d been working with someone who wanted you dead.”

Kai’s gaze sharpened. “Who?”

“She wouldn’t say. But she gave them your route, the safe house location. I came to warn you.”

Kai’s tone was ice. “And we should believe you? You rejected her. You chose Maya.”

“I was wrong!” Damien’s voice cracked. “Maya used magic on me—an enchantment that made me think she was my mate. When it broke, I realized the truth.”

“Magic?” I whispered. “Maya doesn’t have magic.”

“She does now,” Marcus said grimly. “We found spell books in her room—binding spells, mind control.”

Binding spells. My pulse quickened. “Like ones that suppress a wolf?”

Marcus blinked. “Yes. How did you—”

“Because someone bound mine,” I said.

Kai stood abruptly. “Where is she?”

“In our cells,” Damien said. “But she won’t talk.”

“She will,” Kai growled. “Marcus, take me to her.”

“I’m coming,” I said.

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am. She knows who bound my wolf. I need to hear it.”

Kai studied me, then sighed. “Fine. But stay behind me.”

I nodded, then turned to Oliver. “Stay here.”

“But—”

“No arguments.”

He pouted but obeyed.

As we left, Damien walked beside me. “Isla, I know I hurt you, but I never stopped loving you. Please, give me another chance.”

I looked at him—his tired eyes, his regret—and felt nothing. “I don’t hate you, Damien. But I don’t love you either. You broke something that can’t be fixed. The only thing you can do now is help us find who’s behind this.”

I walked away without looking back.

Kai waited at the hall’s end and offered his hand. I took it. Sparks tingled through my skin. Together, we headed for the cells where Maya waited.

I didn’t know what we’d find—but I knew one thing for sure.

My world was about to change again.

And this time, there was no going back.