5

Darkness closed in on Lena, not just the absence of light, but something more substantial, suffocating, almost alive. It started with the shadows snaking around her ankles, then her waist, creeping up her back like icy fingers, dragging her into a void. The air was thick with the scent of old earth and something else, something ancient and magical.

Her heart hammered in her chest like a war drum. Not because she was scared, but because she was burning with fury.

She yanked her arm, trying to break free from the Wendrak's hold, but its shadowy arms tightened, blending with the darkness around them both.

Let me go, she growled, her voice echoing strangely in the emptiness.

The Wendrak's eyes, hollow silver spirals, glowed intensely. If you keep fighting... the King will break.

Lena froze.

Her breath hitched in her throat. She didn't need to ask which King it was talking about.

Damon.

Her stomach clenched, not with some gentle affection, but with something deeper, more primal. An instinctive connection she couldn't cut, even if she wanted to.

What have you done to him? Lena demanded, her voice hard as stone.

The Wendrak didn't answer.

Instead, the shadows grew thicker, until the world beneath her feet seemed to dissolve.

One moment she was consumed by shadows, then she materialized in a cavern.

The Underground Temple.

Silver flames danced in torches made of black stone. The walls curved in spirals, covered with symbols that felt familiar to Lena's mind:

Lunar sigils.

Alpha markings.

The emblems of ancient wolf royalty.

She gasped.

She'd seen these symbols before.

But not here.

Not so clearly.

In dreams.

In nightmares.

Before something changed her.

The Wendrak released her, slithering backward, unfurling until it filled half the chamber, consumed by the shadows.

Where's Damon? Lena demanded.

The Wendrak ignored the demand.

Instead, it bowed.

Bowed to her.

Queen of Silver… it whispered. Your throne… awaits.

Lena stiffened.

What throne? she hissed.

The Wendrak extended a long arm toward the far side of the cavern.

Lena followed its gesture—

—and her breath caught.

A throne of obsidian and bone sat atop a platform. The back was shaped like a crescent moon, the arms carved with wolves howling at the sky. Silver light pulsed from inside the stone, as if it were alive.

The air around it crackled with raw power.

Power she recognized.

Power that answered something deep within her blood.

No… Lena whispered. No, this isn't mine.

The Wendrak's head tilted, a sickening sound.

It was yours, long before your death.

Lena's heart pounded.

My death?

The creature smiled, too wide, too sharp.

You don't remember?

Her hands curled into fists. Something twisted in her chest. Something old. Something forbidden.

A memory she didn't have, or thought she didn't.

An image flashed behind her eyes—

A woman with silver hair braided with moonlight.

A crown of stars.

A battlefield covered in blood.

A blade driven into her chest.

Lena stumbled.

No, she breathed. That wasn't... that wasn't me.

It was.

The Wendrak's voice echoed through the chamber.

You died.

You were reborn.

Your power returned.

Lena shook her head, her jaw tight.

Who killed me?

The Wendrak's lips twisted upward.

The same man you once called… husband.

Lena froze.

Every muscle, every bone, every breath.

Damon.

Her Damon.

The Damon who betrayed her.

The Damon who lied.

The Damon who—

Killed her?

Lena's heart roared in her ears.

That's not possible, she whispered. He didn't even know who I was when we met.

The creature leaned forward, its face inches from hers, its breath cold.

He did not know your name, but his blood remembered you.

Lena's skin crawled.

Damon's family.

The Voss blood.

An old family of Alphas.

Her mind raced.

Damon always seemed more afraid of the moon than respectful. He hated the lunar rituals. He fought the bond. He seemed to suppress his gifts, rejecting anything that pulled him toward his destiny.

What if it wasn't rejection?

What if it was fear?

What if some part of his blood knew she was dangerous?

What if they killed her before?

What did Damon's family do? Lena whispered.

The Wendrak answered slowly, They slayed the Silver Queen, to break the Moon Kingdom. To take power that was not theirs.

Lena staggered.

Her breathing was fast, shallow.

She felt sick.

Violent.

Powerful.

I don't believe you, she spat. Damon isn't a murderer.

The Wendrak’s smile widened.

He didn’t kill you, but the blood he carries was responsible.”

Heat.

Rage.

Moonfire.

It boiled in her chest.

You're lying, Lena hissed.

Am I? the creature purred. Why does your bond tug toward him even now? Why does your power shake when he bleeds?

Her jaw tightened.

Because she could feel him.

Damon.

In pain.

Below her.

His heart fading.

Without pause, Lena turned to run.

But the Wendrak moved swiftly.

Shadow tendrils crashed into the floor, blocking her.

Move, Lena ordered.

You cannot leave until you accept your place.

I won't sit on that throne.

You already have.

Lena's blood turned to ice.

What does that mean?

The Wendrak pointed a claw at the throne.

Silver streaks rose from the stone, memories, illusions, pieces of her former self.

A woman identical to Lena, only older, regal, sat on the throne. Warriors knelt before her. Moonlight surrounded her, wrapping her in power.

Lena stared, her throat constricting.

Her past self.

Her life before.

Her first throne.

Why show me this? Lena whispered.

So you understand why the King fights you. Why he fears you. Why he hurts you. Why he must kneel.

Her heart ached.

Damon.

Kneeling.

Not out of love.

Not out of devotion.

Because of something old.

No, she breathed. Damon Voss will never kneel to anyone.

The Wendrak’s grin sharpened.

He will or he will die.

Lena's breath stopped.

She took a step toward the Wendrak, her eyes blazing in fury.

Where. Is. Damon.

The Wendrak raised its claw—

And the cavern floor split open.

Damon's Fall

Damon hit the ground hard, crashing through wood before landing in a lower storage level. Pain shot through his spine. Each breath was a struggle. His ankle was broken, his ribs were cracked, his vision blurred.

He forced himself to sit up.

Lena…

Her name tore from him.

He couldn't feel her. The bond was muted.

He grabbed a broken pipe and dragged himself to his feet. His body screamed, but the fear in his chest was louder.

Lena… don't let them take you.

He knew what the creature intended when it grabbed her, he saw the way its eyes glowed.

It didn't want to kill her.

It wants to control her.

And Damon would burn the world before he allowed that.

He took a step forward.

Something massive dropped behind him.

Damon froze.

Another Wendrak.

Its eyes glowed red.

Not hers.

This one was corruption.

It stared at him hungrily.

Damon snarled. His claws grew, his teeth lengthened.

You want me? he growled. Come get me.

The creature lunged.

Damon readied himself–

Then a burst of silver energy ripped through the cavern, sending the Wendrak flying.

A voice came from behind him. Cold, quiet, deadly.

Weaker than I thought.

Damon turned.

A woman stood in the shadows.

Dark eyes. Hair braided.

She looked at him with a familiarity.

...and smiled.

Who are you? Damon growled.

The woman's smile sharpened.

I helped the Silver Queen in her first life.

Damon's stomach dropped.

What do you want with Lena?

The priestess titled her head.

You mean the Queen.

His blood ran cold.

She belongs on her throne, the priestess said. You will not stop her.

Damon stepped back.

I won't let you have her.

The priestess laughed.

You already did.

Damon froze.

What?

She stepped closer, her voice silk and poison.

Your blood killed her. You will not do it again.

Her hand glowed silver.

You will kneel.

Damon roared and lunged.

Her magic slammed him into the wall.

Back In The Temple

Lena felt Damon's pain. His racing heart. Magic drowning him.

Her breath stopped.

Her pulse raced.

Her power shook the stones.

The Wendrak hissed.

Lena’s aura exploded.

Let. Him. Go.

The throne vibrated.

Responding to her rage.

Recognizing its Queen.

Awakening.

Lena didn't turn.

Her fury focused on one person:

Anyone who touched Damon.

She whispered, If anyone kills him before I decide his fate… I will burn this kingdom.

The Wendrak bowed.

Then take the throne.

Lena’s eyes blazed.

No.

The creature growled.

Then he dies.

Lena’s past.

Her power.

Her throne.

And Damon, in chains, shackled by magic, about to die.

She said, Take me to him.

The Wendrak stepped back.

You accept your crown?

Lena’s jaw locked.

I accept nothing.

Her aura grew.

I will kill anyone who hurts him.

The Wendrak hesitated, then cleared a path through the shadows.

Lena stepped forward.

In her hands, moonfire.

When I find Damon Voss, he will answer…

She paused. “To me.

She stepped forward, ready to tear everything down.

Then she heard a whisper. Not a memory, but Damon’s voice breaking:

Lena…

Her eyes widened.

Her power exploded.