The next morning, snow fell over the capital for the first time that season.
White flakes drifted silently across the dark rooftops of House Valemont, covering the estate in an eerie stillness that made the servants whisper nervously among themselves.
Snow this early was unusual.
In the empire, people believed the northern wolves carried winter with them wherever they went.
Selene stood before the tall windows of her chamber, watching the snowfall quietly while maids adjusted the sleeves of her gown. Unlike the extravagant dresses prepared for the Moon Ascension Banquet, today's attire was far more restrained.
Dark silver silk, minimal jewelry, and a fitted black coat lined with fur. Elegant, controlled, and intimidating. The exact image she wanted.
Lila stood nearby, visibly tense. "The envoy arrived an hour ago, my lady."
"So early?"
"They came before sunrise."
Selene smiled faintly.
They were efficient and direct, maybe even eager. Already better than most nobles in the capital.
"And?"
Lila hesitated. "They refused food."
"Why?"
"They said northern wolves do not eat until negotiations begin."
Selene glanced at her reflection in the mirror.
Everything about this meeting was already structured around power.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
The duke stepped inside, fully dressed in formal ducal attire. His expression looked grimmer than usual. "The envoy is waiting in the eastern hall."
Selene nodded once. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The walk through the estate felt different today. The servants lowered their heads more deeply than before, but now there was something else in their eyes when they looked at her.
Uncertainty.
Not because she was weak. But because they no longer understood her. And Selene preferred it that way.
As she approached the eastern wing, she immediately noticed the silence. No servants lingered near the hall entrance, no guards spoke. Even the atmosphere felt heavier somehow, as though instinct itself warned people to stay away.
The massive doors opened slowly, and Selene stepped inside.
The eastern hall was enormous, built for diplomatic gatherings and military audiences. Tall pillars lined the marble floors while silver chandeliers reflected pale winter light across the room. But none of that held her attention.
The northern envoy stood at the center of the hall. There were four of them, three men and one woman. All dressed in black and silver northern attire marked with ancient wolf sigils unfamiliar to imperial fashion. Their presence alone felt oppressive, not through arrogance, but through discipline sharpened by survival.
These people are apex predators, real ones, and not bound by the novel. Especially, not pampered noble heirs pretending to be dangerous.
The woman standing at the front lifted her gaze the moment Selene entered.
And the room changed.
Her eyes were ice-blue.
Not metaphorically, but literally.
Cold blue irises glowing faintly beneath pale silver hair braided down one shoulder. A scar crossed her throat, disappearing beneath the collar of her coat.
The envoy stared at Selene without blinking. Then slowly, she lowered herself to one knee. The three men followed instantly.
The duke stiffened.
Lila nearly stopped breathing.
Selene's eyes narrowed slightly.
The woman spoke in a calm, clear voice. "The northern territories greet the awakened daughter of Valemont."
Silence crashed over the room.
The duke's jaw tightened.
Selene remained perfectly still.
The woman finally rose and placed one fist over her chest. "My name is Freya Varg. Commander of the northern border clans."
Selene inclined her head slightly. "Lady Seraphina Valemont."
Freya's icy gaze lingered on her face carefully. "You changed."
The words were simple. But the meaning beneath them was dangerous.
Selene met her gaze calmly. "People tend to change after nearly dying."
Freya studied her for another long moment. A faint smile touched her lips.
"Yes," she said softly. "Sometimes they do."
The duke stepped forward immediately, interrupting the tension before it deepened further.
"Commander Freya," he said carefully, "your arrival was unexpected."
"No," Freya replied. "Our arrival was late."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Selene caught it at once.
Regret.
Not political politeness, but something genuine.
Freya's gaze returned to Selene. "We should have come sooner."
The duke's expression darkened. "The empire had the situation under control."
"No," Freya said coldly. "The empire nearly buried her."
Silence followed.
No noble in the capital would dare speak to the Duke of Valemont so bluntly. But Freya clearly did not care. Selene stepped forward before the conversation could become hostile.
"You mentioned awakening," she said calmly. "Explain it to us."
The northern wolves exchanged brief glances.
Then Freya answered. "The blood of Valemont is tied to the oldest wolf covenant in the north. Every few generations, one heir inherits the dormant bond."
Selene crossed her arms lightly. "And what exactly does this bond do?"
Freya's expression became unreadable. "It calls the wolves."
That answer was vague enough to be irritating.
Selene noticed it immediately. "You're withholding information."
Freya did not deny it. "Because some truths are dangerous before the awakening completes."
"And when does that happen?"
The commander's icy gaze sharpened. "When your wolf appears."
The room was filled with dead air.
Selene's eyes narrowed faintly.
Her wolf?
In all the memories she inherited from Seraphina, there had never been any mention of transformation.
Which meant one thing.
The original Seraphina never awakened her wolf at all.
Freya continued quietly, "A bloodline like yours should have awakened years ago. The fact that it remained dormant this long is… unusual."
Selene understood the implication instantly.
The original Seraphina's emotional instability may have suppressed it somehow. Or perhaps, the transmigration itself triggered the awakening.
The duke's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Is the awakening dangerous?"
Freya looked at him directly. "Yes."
Lila visibly paled.
Selene merely listened.
"Once awakened," Freya continued, "the northern bond cannot be hidden anymore. Strong wolves will sense it instinctively."
A pause.
"Especially dominant Alphas."
Ah. That explained Kael...
And perhaps even Lucien's appearance.
Freya stepped closer. "When the bond fully opens, powerful wolves will either submit to it… or attempt to claim it."
The duke's expression turned severe immediately.
Lila looked horrified.
Selene, meanwhile, remained calm because she understood exactly what Freya truly meant.
The northern commander reached into her coat and removed a silver pendant shaped like a crescent wolf fang. "This belonged to your mother."
The duke stiffened sharply.
Selene noticed instantly.
Freya placed the pendant carefully into Selene's hand.
"The moment your awakening began," she said quietly, "the northern wolves felt it."
The silver pendant felt strangely warm against Selene's skin. Then suddenly, pain exploded through her chest. Her breath caught violently. The room blurred. A powerful pulse surged beneath her ribs like something alive clawing awake inside her body.
Lila screamed.
The chandeliers rattled violently overhead.
And for one terrifying second, Selene heard a wolf howl inside her mind.
Her knees nearly buckled. Freya grabbed her arm instantly, steadying her before she could fall. The northern wolves around the room immediately lowered their heads. Not in fear, but in instinctive submission.
Freya's icy eyes widened slightly. "…Impossible."
Selene forced herself to breathe through the burning pain tearing through her veins.
"What," she said coldly, "is happening to me?"
Freya stared at her with something dangerously close to shock.
Then the commander whispered the words that changed everything. "The Moon Wolf has recognized you."
Silence filled the hall.
Even the duke looked stunned.
But before anyone could explain further, a terrifying pressure suddenly crashed against the estate from outside. It was dark, violent, and overwhelming.
Every northern wolf in the room instantly looked toward the windows. Freya's expression hardened. Selene already knew that pressure.
Kael Draven had come.
And somehow, he was furious.