When the full moon rose, I was locked in the tower outside Kael's chambers.
Through the narrow window, I could see the massive silver-white moon hanging in the sky.
Howls echoed across the Royal Court, rising and falling—werewolves completing their transformation under the moonlight.
Instinctively, I touched my chest.
A silver wolf had once lived there—proud, powerful, stirring restlessly inside me on nights like this.
Now, it was empty.
I thought I had accepted that. But as the moonlight fell over me, and those familiar sounds filled the air, my tears slipped free before I could stop them.
Then a thunderous crash erupted from below.
The entire tower shook, dust raining down from the walls. I leaned out the window and saw the windows of Kael's chambers explode as a massive dark shape burst out.
It was a wolf.
But it was three times the size of a normal werewolf, its fur black as the abyss, its eyes a frenzied crimson. Saliva dripped from its jaws as it let out a deafening roar.
The guards raised their silver weapons at once, trembling.
"His Majesty's lost control!" someone screamed. "Get Ms. Crowe!"
Selena appeared quickly, leading over a dozen elite warriors, each carrying specially crafted silver nets.
"Your Majesty, it's me, Selena," she said carefully as she approached. "Please calm down."
The massive black wolf turned its head, those crimson eyes locking onto her.
The next second, it lunged.
"Scatter!" Selena shouted, but it was too late. The wolf's claws swept through them, sending three warriors flying into the walls, blood spilling from their mouths.
"Use the nets!"
Several of them cast the silver nets over it, but the beast tore them apart as if it felt no pain, even as the silver threads burned into its flesh.
The scent of blood filled the air.
Panicked voices echoed from the tower guards. "Watch out! His wolf's completely out of control! Even Ms. Crowe can't contain him!"
I stared at the chaos below, my heartbeat quickening.
For some reason, a strange sensation spread through me, like something was calling out.
My hand began to burn. When I looked down, a faint silver glow had appeared in my palm.
I stared at it as it grew brighter, hotter, my blood seeming to boil along with it.
Fragments flashed through my mind—moonlight, an altar, a woman in white robes…
The tower door was thrown open.
I ran.
"Hey! What are you doing? Get back here!" the guards shouted behind me.
I didn't know what I was doing. I only knew I had to go down.
I rushed down the spiral staircase, through the corridors, and shoved open the doors to the chambers.
The courtyard was in ruins, wounded bodies scattered everywhere. Even Selena bore cuts across her face.
"Everyone fall back!" she shouted. "Prepare the final silver bullets!"
"No!"
I didn't know where the courage came from, but I rushed in front of her, spreading my arms to block the wolf.
"Have you lost your mind?" Selena stared at me.
The black wolf stared at me, its crimson eyes filled with killing intent. It bared fangs longer than daggers, letting out a low growl.
My legs trembled, but I didn't move.
"Kael. I know you're still in there," I said softly.
The wolf hesitated.
Instinctively, I raised my glowing hand and slowly reached for him.
The moment my fingers touched his forehead, silver light spread outward.
The crimson in his eyes faded, returning to gold. His massive body shrank, black fur receding until he returned to human form.
Kael knelt naked on the ground, gasping for breath.
The entire Royal Court fell silent.
All eyes were fixed on the fading silver light in my palm.
"This is…" an elderly elder said, his voice trembling. "The power of a Moon Priestess!"
"Impossible!" Selena shouted. "The Moon Priestess bloodline went extinct long ago! She must have used some kind of trick!"
"Enough." Kael spoke weakly, lifting his head to look at me, his gaze unreadable. "Take her to the Council of Elders."
The guards stepped forward immediately, seizing my arms.
I looked back at Kael. He stood under the moonlight, those golden eyes locked on me.
In the darkness, the silver light in my palm flickered one last time—then vanished completely.
