Chapter 14: The Next Full Moon

Derek unfolded the small note once more.

'Protect her before the next full moon.'

The elegant handwriting was unfamiliar, yet every letter had been written with deliberate care.

Magnus examined the paper before shaking his head.

'No seal. No scent. Whoever left this knew how to avoid being traced.'

Kira looked toward the empty garden path.

'I know what I saw.'

'I believe you,' Derek said.

She blinked in surprise.

'You do?'

'You've never lied to me.'

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

It was the first time Derek had openly trusted her words.

The silence was broken by Magnus.

'The full moon is only six days away.'

'Then we increase security immediately,' Derek ordered.

'Double the palace guards.'

'Seal every entrance after sunset.'

'No one enters or leaves the palace without my permission.'

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

As Magnus walked away, Derek turned back to Kira.

'You'll stay close to me until this is over.'

'I don't need a prison,' she replied.

'I'm offering protection, not imprisonment.'

'There's a difference.'

Kira studied his face.

His expression remained calm, but she could see genuine concern hidden beneath his usual cold exterior.

'Very well,' she said quietly.

'Good.'

The following morning, the palace buzzed with unusual activity.

Guards patrolled every corridor.

Servants whispered nervously as new orders spread through the castle.

Inside the royal council chamber, Derek met with his generals.

'Someone entered the palace twice without being seen,' one commander reported.

'First the assassin. Then whoever fired the arrow into the library.'

'Find every weakness in our defenses,' Derek commanded.

'No mistake happens twice.'

Hours later, Kira wandered through one of the palace courtyards with two female guards accompanying her.

Everything felt different.

People who once ignored her now bowed respectfully.

Some even smiled.

Word of the assassination attempt had spread throughout the palace.

Many believed the quiet Queen had become a target because she mattered.

As Kira passed the training grounds, the sound of clashing swords caught her attention.

Dozens of Lycan warriors sparred under the afternoon sun.

Derek stood among them, effortlessly defeating one opponent after another.

His movements were precise, powerful, almost effortless.

One soldier charged with a spear.

Derek sidestepped, twisted the weapon away, and knocked the man onto his back within seconds.

The watching soldiers erupted into cheers.

Kira couldn't help smiling.

Derek noticed her standing near the gate.

He dismissed the soldiers before walking over.

'You've been watching for a while,' he said.

'You're better than I expected.'

One corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

'Is that a compliment?'

'Don't get used to it.'

For the first time, Derek gave a faint chuckle.

The sound surprised both of them.

Before either could speak again, a royal messenger came running across the courtyard.

'Your Majesty!'

'Report.'

'Scouts from the northern border have returned.'

'They found an abandoned camp hidden in Black Forest.'

'Whose camp?' Derek asked.

'We don't know.'

'But they recovered this.'

The messenger handed Derek a torn piece of black fabric.

Embroidered on it was a silver crescent moon surrounding the head of a wolf.

The moment Magnus saw the symbol, the color drained from his face.

'That crest...' he whispered.

'It belonged to the Shadow Blood Clan.'

'I thought they were wiped out years ago,' Derek said.

'So did everyone else,' Magnus replied.

'If they're back...'

He looked directly at Kira.

'Then the Queen was never their first target.'