Chapter 9: The Secret Sanctuary

The words hung heavily inside the Moon Sanctuary.

'Someone tried to unlock it?' Serena asked, struggling to process what Aero had just said.

The Alpha King nodded once.

'Only members of the royal family know this place exists.'

'Then whoever attempted to enter...'

'Is someone we trust,' Magnus finished grimly.

Silence settled over the sanctuary.

The crystal lake shimmered softly, as if it had sensed the tension surrounding them.

Serena glanced toward the entrance tunnel.

'Can they get in?'

'Not without my permission,' Aero answered.

'The sanctuary recognizes the bloodline of the Alpha Kings.'

'Then we're safe?'

'For now.'

Those last two words did little to comfort her.

Rowan arrived moments later, escorted by two elite royal guards.

'Your Majesty,' he greeted before noticing Serena's troubled expression.

'The spirit appeared, didn't it?'

Magnus looked surprised.

'You knew that could happen?'

'I hoped it wouldn't.'

'Who was she?' Serena asked.

Rowan walked toward the crystal lake.

'According to our oldest records, she was the first Keeper of the Moon Gate.'

'A real person?'

'Once.'

'And now?'

'Only her spirit remains.'

Serena wrapped her arms around herself.

'She said I could only return home after the Alpha King's heart accepted its true destiny.'

Rowan slowly looked toward Aero.

The king remained expressionless.

'Prophecies rarely speak plainly,' Rowan murmured.

'I hate riddles,' Serena sighed.

'So do I,' Aero admitted.

Magnus almost smiled.

'I never thought I'd hear His Majesty complain about anything.'

'Don't get used to it,' Aero replied.

The brief moment of humor disappeared when one of the guards entered the sanctuary at a hurried pace.

'Your Majesty!'

'Report.'

'We've captured someone trying to access the eastern archives.'

'Who?'

'Captain Roland.'

Magnus frowned deeply.

'Captain of the Night Watch?'

'Yes.'

'Bring him to the interrogation chamber,' Aero ordered.

'Alive.'

'At once.'

As the guard hurried away, Rowan looked troubled.

'Roland has served the crown for nearly fifteen years.'

'Which makes his betrayal even worse,' Aero replied.

Serena watched the conversation quietly.

She barely knew these people, yet she could feel the disappointment in Aero's voice.

Being betrayed by an enemy was one thing.

Being betrayed by someone you trusted was something entirely different.

Later that evening, Serena was escorted back to her chamber.

Although more guards now stood outside her room, the atmosphere felt strangely quieter.

Lily was waiting inside.

'I heard the castle is under lockdown,' she whispered.

'Apparently someone betrayed the king.'

Lily's face immediately paled.

'No...'

'You know him?'

'Captain Roland trained my older brother.'

'Do you think he's guilty?'

Lily lowered her eyes.

'I don't know what to believe anymore.'

Serena sat beside the window.

'Neither do I.'

'Everything here changes so quickly.'

'One moment I'm buying a painting...'

'The next I'm caught in a prophecy, a fake engagement, and a kingdom preparing for war.'

Lily placed a reassuring hand on Serena's shoulder.

'You're stronger than you think.'

'I don't feel strong.'

'Strength isn't about never being afraid.'

'Then what is it?'

'Moving forward despite being afraid.'

Serena smiled faintly.

'You sound wiser than your age.'

'Living in a castle teaches you many things.'

Across the palace, Captain Roland sat chained inside the interrogation chamber.

His face was bruised from resisting arrest.

Aero entered alone.

The guards immediately stepped outside.

'Your Majesty,' Roland said quietly.

'Why?'

That single question echoed through the chamber.

'Fifteen years of loyalty... and you throw it away?'

Roland lowered his head.

'I never wanted to betray you.'

'Then why did you?'

'Because they have my family.'

Aero remained silent.

'Who?'

'The Black Fang Pack.'

'When?'

'Three months ago.'

'Why didn't you tell me?'

'Because they promised to kill my wife and son if I spoke.'

For several long moments, neither man spoke.

Finally, Aero asked the question that mattered most.

'What did they want?'

Roland closed his eyes.

'Information.'

'About what?'

'The prophecy.'

'What exactly did you tell them?'

'Only the old legends.'

'Nothing about Serena?'

Roland hesitated.

That hesitation was answer enough.

Aero's expression hardened.

'You told them a human woman had appeared.'

'...Yes.'

'Did you tell them where she is?'

'No.'

'I'm telling the truth.'

'I never revealed the sanctuary.'

Aero believed him.

Not because Roland deserved trust anymore...

But because the fear in his eyes couldn't be faked.

'Take him away,' Aero ordered after opening the chamber door.

Magnus stepped inside.

'Execution?' he asked quietly.

Aero looked back at Roland.

'No.'

'Your Majesty?'

'Lock him in the eastern tower.'

'He betrayed the kingdom.'

'He also protected it by refusing to reveal Serena's location.'

'Mercy isn't weakness, Magnus.'

Magnus nodded respectfully.

'Understood.'

Late that night, Aero stood alone on the highest balcony of the castle.

The full moon illuminated the mountains beyond the capital.

Something felt wrong.

The Black Fang Pack wasn't moving like a conquering army.

They were moving like hunters following a trail.

Behind him, Rowan quietly approached.

'Your Majesty...'

'Yes?'

'Our scouts have returned once more.'

'What have they found?'

'The Black Fang army has stopped marching.'

'Stopped?'

'Yes.'

'Where?'

'Less than twenty miles from the capital.'

'Why would they stop there?'

Rowan's face grew grave.

'Because... they're waiting for someone.'