Celeste read the four words over and over again until the paper shook in her hands. "You weren't the target." She could hardly breathe because her heart was beating so fast. What did it mean? Someone had to be after her if she wasn't. Who sent this note?
She quickly put the paper in her boot when she heard a noise down the hall. The keys shook against the iron. A set of heavy footsteps got closer. Celeste pressed herself against the cold stone wall, trying to disappear into the darkness.
There were two guards. One held a wooden tray with a bowl of gray mush and a cup of water. "Dinner for the murderer," the first guard sneered, sliding the tray under the bars. The second guard laughed. "Eat up. It's your last meal before tomorrow's hearing."
They walked away, their cruel laughs echoing off the walls. Celeste ignored the food. Her stomach was too tight with fear to eat. She pulled out the note again. If she wasn't the goal, did that mean... Seraphina was? But why would anyone want to kill her sister? And why make it look like Celeste did it?
A soft tap made her jump. She shoved the note back into her boot. "Who's there?" she whispered. Silence. Then another tap, this time from the small window high in her cell wall. It was barely big enough for a bird to fly through. Celeste strained to see, but the window was too high. The tapping continued, more serious now.
"I can't reach," she called softly. As if in answer, something small and silver dropped through the window, landing with a soft clink on the stone floor. Celeste scrambled to pick it up. It was a key. Her hands shook as she crawled to the cell door. The key slid perfectly into the lock. With a deep breath, she turned it. Click. The door swung open.
Celeste stood frozen, unable to believe it had worked. Freedom was just steps away, but who had helped her? And why? No time to wonder. She had to move. The dungeon hallway was empty. Celeste crept forward, staying close to the wall. Each shadow made her heart skip. Each creak of the old building made her freeze.
At the end of the corridor, dim light spilled down a narrow stairs. Voices floated from above—guards talking and laughing. Celeste paused. There was no way past them without being seen. Suddenly, a loud crash came from outside, followed by yelling. The guards' footsteps pounded away, leaving the stairs clear.
"Now," whispered a voice behind her. Celeste whirled around, a scream growing in her throat. A small woman stood there, her face hidden beneath a dark hood. She pressed a finger to her mouth. "Quickly," the woman pushed. "Before they return."
"Who are you?" Celeste asked.
"A friend of your mother's. There's no time for questions." The woman pushed past her and darted up the stairs. With no better choice, Celeste followed.
They exited in a quiet hallway far from the main rooms. The woman moved with sure steps, as if she knew the house well. "This way," she whispered, ducking into a servants' tunnel. They moved through the dark, narrow space, hearing the sounds of the house above them—people running, voices calling out in fear.
"They've discovered you're gone," the woman said.
"Where are we going?" Celeste asked.
"Somewhere safe. But we must hurry. Orion will track your smell." At the mention of his name, Celeste's chest tightened severely. The mate bond still pulled at her, even after his deception.
They reached a small door that opened to the grounds. The night air hit Celeste's face, sweet and cold after the dungeon's damp heat. "Run for the trees," the woman ordered. "Don't stop, no matter what you hear."
As they dashed across the open grass, a howl split the night—the hunting cry of a wolf. Orion had shifted. "He's coming," the woman hissed. "Run faster!" Celeste's legs burned as she raced toward the dark wall of trees ahead. Behind them, more screams joined the first. The whole pack was giving chase.
Just as they reached the edge of the forest, something inside Celeste snapped. A strange heat rushed through her body, making her skin tingle and her vision sharpen. The night suddenly seemed brighter, clearer.
"What's happening to me?" she gasped, looking down at her hands. In the moonlight, her skin seemed to glow from within, pulsing with silver light.
"Your power is awakening," the woman said, her voice filled with wonder. "But we can't stop. Come!"
They dashed into the forest, weaving between trees and leaping over fallen logs. The howls grew more distant as they ran deeper into the woods. After what felt like hours, they stumbled into a small clearing. A tiny house stood there, almost hidden by vines and wild bushes.
"Inside," the woman panted, pushing open the heavy wooden door. The house was simple but clean—one room with a bed, a table, and a small fireplace. The woman quickly lit a lantern, then turned to face Celeste.
"You're safe here. For now." Celeste fell onto a chair, her legs too weak to hold her anymore. "Why did you help me? Who are you?"
The woman lowered her hood, showing a face lined with age and eyes that seemed familiar somehow. "My name is Elena. I was your mother's best friend."
"My mother?" Celeste whispered. "But she died when I was born."
Elena's face softened with sadness. "Is that what they told you? Your mother didn't die in childbirth, Celeste. She was killed."
The world seemed to tilt around Celeste. "Murdered? By who?"
"The same people who killed your sister. The same people who framed you." Elena sat across from her. "What do you know about the Shadow Council?"
"Nothing," Celeste admitted. "I've never heard of them."
"They rule the werewolf world from the dark. Your mother found their secrets, and they silenced her for it. Now, they fear you because of what you are."
"And what am I?" Celeste asked, her voice barely audible.
Elena opened her mouth to answer when a crash came from outside. Both women jumped to their feet. "He's found us," Elena whispered. "How is that possible? We covered our tracks."
Through the window, Celeste saw a massive black wolf standing at the edge of the clearing, its gray eyes locked on the house. Orion. But he wasn't alone. Behind him, another figure emerged from the trees—a guy with auburn hair and amber eyes that glowed in the darkness.
"Lucien," Elena gasped. "We're trapped."
Celeste felt that strange heat rising inside her again, stronger this time. The air around her began to shimmer. "What's happening?" she whispered, as the silver light beneath her skin grew brighter.
Elena backed away, her eyes wide with fear and awe. "Your true nature. It's breaking free."
Pain shot through Celeste's body. She fell to her knees as power surged through her veins like liquid fire. Outside, the dogs began to howl. "They can sense it too," Elena said. "Your awakening."
The door of the cabin burst open. Orion stood there, human again, his eyes wild with rage and something else—fear. "What are you?" he asked.
Before Celeste could answer, her vision went white. Images flashed before her eyes—her mother's face, a secret room, a book with strange symbols, and blood. So much blood. Then darkness claimed her, but not before one final vision: Seraphina's voice, whispered in her ear. "The game has just started, sister. And you have no idea what pieces are on the board."
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