Aurelia woke to warmth she didn't recognize.
Soft fabric brushed her skin, richer than anything her village could ever afford. The air tasted faintly herbal, like crushed nightflowers and smoke. When she opened her eyes, she wasn't in the forest anymore.
Blackthorn Castle.
Stone walls veined with silver moonlight surrounded her. Heavy drapes swayed gently, as though breathing. Somewhere deep beneath the room, she heard distant howls echo through old corridors.
Her chest tightened.
She sat up slowly, wincing as she remembered the run through the forest, remembered four wolves circling her like a storm.
Before she could gather her thoughts, the door opened.
Lucian entered first.
He didn't stride like Kael or stalk like Draven. He moved like a shadow slipping into shape. His eyes, that impossible violet, glowed faintly as he studied her.
"You're awake," he said, voice quiet enough to feel like a thought brushing her skin.
Aurelia swallowed. "Where are the others?"
"Waiting," Lucian replied. "And arguing."
He said it like it was normal.
Like four princes arguing over a human girl was an everyday thing.
Lucian walked closer, curiosity sharpening the air. "I need to check something," he murmured.
Aurelia tensed. "Check what?"
He didn't touch her. Not yet. He simply leaned in, close enough that she could feel the faint warmth of his breath against her wrist.
Her pulse leapt.
Lucian's eyes widened. "Moonfire."
Aurelia jerked her hand back. "Stop calling it that. What does it mean?"
Before he could answer, Draven pushed the door open hard enough that the hinges groaned in protest. His amber eyes landed on Aurelia with a hunger that made her inhale sharply.
"She's awake." His lips curved slowly, dangerously. "Good."
Rowan slipped in behind him, softer, gentler, but his eyes were troubled.
Kael entered last.
Every prince fell silent the moment he stepped in.
Aurelia's breath caught as he walked closer, towering, controlled, colder than stone. But his gaze, when it locked onto her, flickered with something sharp and unreadable.
"You ran," he said.
Aurelia lifted her chin. "You gave me reasons to."
His jaw tightened, but he didn't deny it.
Lucian stepped to Kael's side. "Her scent has changed again."
Draven inhaled the air, eyes narrowing. "Stronger."
Rowan's gaze softened. "She looks frightened."
Aurelia's heart pounded. "Because I'm surrounded by wolves who keep sniffing me."
Draven smirked. "You should be glad it's just sniffing."
Kael shot him a warning look that froze the air between them.
Aurelia pushed off the bed, standing even though her legs trembled beneath her weight.
"Enough," she snapped. "Tell me what Moonfire is. Tell me why I'm here. Tell me why the forest reacted to me."
Lucian sighed. "Because, Aurelia Vale… you are not meant for the human world."
Draven added, "Your blood does not belong to them anymore."
Rowan whispered, "It never did."
Aurelia shook her head. "You're talking in riddles."
Kael stepped closer. So close she felt the heat radiating off him even in his human form.
"You carry a scent that only appears once every seven generations." His voice dropped slightly. "A scent that binds the strongest wolves. A scent that can break our kingdom or save it."
Aurelia's voice trembled. "And you think that's me?"
Kael didn't blink. "It is you."
Lucian lifted a small silver vial from his pocket. When he uncorked it, a faint shimmer of magic leaked into the air.
"This will confirm everything," he said softly. "Just let me hold your wrist for a moment."
Aurelia hesitated.
Draven watched her like she was prey about to bolt.
Rowan looked as though he wanted to protect her from all of this.
Kael stood still, waiting, unreadable.
Finally, Aurelia extended her wrist. Lucian's fingers brushed her skin, gentle but firm, sending a strange shiver up her arm. He let a single drop from the vial touch her pulse.
The reaction was instant.
The liquid burst into a small flare of silver light.
Everyone froze.
Lucian exhaled slowly. "Moonfire confirmed."
Draven's smile was dark and victorious. "So she is the one."
Rowan looked at Aurelia with awe. "The prophecy girl…"
Kael didn't smile. He only watched her with eyes like winter steel.
"You are bound to us now," he said.
Aurelia stepped back, breath trembling. "Bound? To all of you?"
Lucian's voice softened. "Fate does not choose softly."
Draven murmured, "And fate chose you for the four of us."
Aurelia's chest tightened painfully. "I don't want this."
Kael's eyes glinted with something dangerous.
"Want has nothing to do with it," he said. "The Moonfire bond has already begun."
And Aurelia felt it.
Somewhere deep in her chest.
A soft, warm pull she couldn't stop, like strings tying her heart to each of their voices.
She grabbed her chest with a small gasp.
Lucian whispered, "There it is. The first spark."
Aurelia wanted to deny it. Run. Fight. Scream.
But the heat spreading through her pulse was unmistakable.
Kael watched her, jaw clenched, eyes darkening.
"This is only the beginning."