Chapter 5
Noticing the sudden change in atmosphere, Xandra grew visibly uneasy. Her fingers instinctively tightened around the blanket as she asked in a soft, hesitant voice, “Darren… what’s wrong?”
But Darren had no time to comfort her. He pulled Landon aside, speaking through their mind–link. “When did she leave?”
“This morning,” Landon replied. “Right after she… rejected you.”
“That’s impossible,” Darren snapped. “How could she have left? Her arm was still injured!”
He glared at Landon, unease blooming in his chest.
Then he forced himself to calm down and closed his eyes. Even though their mate bond had been severed, he still held on to a glimmer of hope that he might sense Hannah’s presence—just a flicker of emotion, anything.
But… there was nothing.
The bond that had once held them together was gone, like it had never existed. The hollow emptiness that followed hit Darren like a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless and unsteady.
“Damn it. She really left me nothing. Not even a trace.”
“Darren, calm down,” Landon tried to soothe him. “She can’t be far away. She probably just wants you to chase after her.‘
“She’s gone too far this time. I’ve spoiled her too much,” Darren muttered coldly, shaking his head in disappointment. “If she keeps acting like this, I won’t forgive her anymore.”
“You’re really not going after her?” Landon asked, hesitating slightly. “After all, she’s still your—”
“She’s not,” Darren cut him off, voice like ice. “She made her choice when she broke the bond. Now she has to live with it.”
He glanced toward the forest that marked the edge of their territory. For a second, doubt flickered in his eyes–but it was quickly drowned by anger.
“She’s an orphan. Where could she possibly go? Once she’s suffered enough, she’ll realize that I was the only one who ever truly tolerated and cherished her.”
Landon didn’t respond, silently trailing behind him as they returned to Xandra.
Noticing their distracted expressions, Xandra swallowed her hatred toward Hannah and feigned concern. “D–Did something happen to Hannah? Did she… get mad at me?”
Darren patted her head, his tone gentle. “She left the territory. She’s too headstrong. If only she were as sweet as you.”
Landon nodded in agreement. “Let her cool off on her own.‘
Hearing that Hannah had truly left, Xandra’s heart leapt
with joy. Still, she lowered her gaze with a worried look and whispered, “I remember when I left the first time… I hid in the border forest for days. I nearly died.”
She looked up at Darren and Landon with innocent, doe–like eyes. “Do you think… maybe she’s trying to copy me? Trying to use this to get your attention?”
Then, as if realizing she’d said too much, she clamped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that… I’m just worried about her. She’s never had to survive hardship… not like I have.”
Darren stayed silent, his expression unreadable, fingers clenching around the edge of the couch. Landon said nothing either, his gaze distant, as if lost in a memory.
But Xandra… her eyes glittered with triumph. She hadn’t said much, but it was more than enough.
Darren gritted his teeth. “Three days. If she doesn’t come back by then… I’ll mark Xandra as my Luna.”
[Moonflame Kingdom]
“How dare they hurt you like this! They’re asking for death.” Aaron’s fingers trembled over the cast on my right arm, his silver–grey eyes–so much like mine–burning with fury. “I’ll
skin every damn wolf in Duskwood and lay their pelts on the floor of your bedchamber.”
I chuckled softly. “Relax, brother. The doctor already reset the bone. I’ll heal quickly. They’re not worth our wrath.”
Mrs. Greene gently combed through my messy hair, “Hannah, are you sure you want to proceed with the marking ceremony? The Lycan King of Nightshade said he’s willing to wait until you
recover.”
“Mom,” I said firmly, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, “from the moment I chose to return, I was ready.”
The orphan who was once bullied in Duskwood was gone. In her place stood a princess with sharp eyes and regal bearing.
“Besides…” My fingers unconsciously touched the faint crescent mark on my collarbone. “My bloodline is awakening, isn’t it?”
Silence fell over the room. Aaron’s pupils contracted. Mother’s hand paused in my hair.
“You’ve felt it?” her voice turned soft, like she feared disturbing something sacred.
I nodded, feeling the power stirring inside me. Whenever the moonlight touched my skin, silver–blue patterns shimmered beneath the surface like ancient runes.
I pressed a hand to my chest. The ache from the broken mate bond still lingered–but it was changing, reshaping into
something stronger.
“Faster than we expected,” Aaron murmured, sharing a look with our mother. “The pain of the rejection must have accelerated the awakening.”
“Then we’ll prepare the perfect debut for you.” Mother clapped her hands, and a line of maids entered the room, arms full of elegant gowns and glimmering jewels.
I stood before the full–length mirrors, watching the diamonds. on my silver–white dress twinkle as I moved. Even my cast had been transformed by a court artist, painted with winding silver vines that looked more like art than injury.
“This one will drive that Lycan King mad on the spot,” Aaron teased, lounging on a velvet chaise with a jeweled dagger in hand. “Want me to teach you how to use this little toy for self–defense, little princess?”
“Aaron!” I scolded, cheeks flushing as I playfully glared at him.
Just then, the doors flew open. A sharp gust of wind swept into the room, carrying a powerful, commanding aura.
I froze.
That scent… it was chillingly familiar. My instincts reacted before I could think, spine going rigid, my whole body tensing.
A tall figure stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the light behind him.
It was the Lycan King of Nightshade Kingdom.
Zane Rhodes.
