Suddenly, my stomach made a loud and extremely embarrassing sound—a rumbling loud enough to be heard by everyone nearby, clear evidence of my intense hunger after all those events.
I clutched my stomach with both hands in a desperate and embarrassed attempt to silence it.
Night stared at me in surprise for a moment, then chuckled softly—a clear, amused laugh.
As for me, I exchanged looks with him in deep embarrassment, my face regaining its crimson color once again.
After a few moments, the maid entered after Night gave her permission.
She was pulling a food cart that looked incredibly delicious, filled with various dishes.
To my absolute amazement, they were the exact kinds of food I love—the ones I'm practically addicted to! my smile widened significantly; I couldn't believe his attention to detail.
Before I started eating, I gave him a look of gratitude. I patted the empty spot beside me on the bed, signaling for him to join me.
Night didn't hesitate for a second; his wide smile grew even broader, and he immediately stepped forward to share the delicious meal with me.
The whole scene radiated warmth and serenity.
We finally finished eating. I leaned back slightly against the pillows, surrendering to the warm feeling of fullness that washed over me.
I lay down on the bed, and drowsiness began to creep over me slowly after a long and grueling day.
I saw him stand up from my side and head toward the bathroom. I heard the sound of flowing water moments later, realizing he was showering.
The minutes passed slowly, and my eyes began to grow heavier and heavier; I was on the verge of falling asleep peacefully.
Suddenly, the sound of water stopped, the door opened, and Night walked out.
It was his fault, not mine! As soon as my eyes fell on him for a fleeting moment before I closed them with lightning speed to pretend I was in a deep sleep, all drowsiness evaporated from my eyes.
For a moment, I was about to drown in the world of dreams if it weren't for his appearance before me in that alluring look that stopped my heart from beating for a second.
He stepped out of the bathroom, a towel over his head.
He was wearing only shorts. He lifted his eyes toward me, but I quickly closed mine, feigning sleep. I was on the brink of sleep, but his presence made the drowsiness vanish.
He approached the bed and stretched out beside me.
I felt him move closer to pull me toward him.
My back pressed against his warm, bare chest, and I felt his arm wrap gently around my waist, settling in for sleep.
Three days passed since that moment—three days of cautious calm that preceded the storm.
I watched Night transform from a caring companion into a stern military leader.
Night was preparing his army with terrifying seriousness. His features were sharp and devoid of any humor.
He intensified the training to the point of cruelty, his gray eyes monitoring every movement of the soldiers.
He realized the magnitude of the threat we faced.
We informed the people of the kingdom that we were on the brink of war to prepare them. Contrary to my expectations, the people didn't cower in fear.
On the contrary! They were cheering for our victory. Their voices filled the squares, their gazes full of absolute trust in Night.
Night must have never lost in his military life, which earned him the legendary trust of his people.
This trust ignited a new flame of determination in my heart.
We didn't forget the treacherous maid. We captured her immediately.
After harsh interrogation, she confessed to everything, confirming that the vile man I saw in my vision was the one behind all this conspiracy.
The news confirmed my fears and made me more determined. As for me, I wasn't just an observer.
I was fulfilling my duties as "Luna" and Queen of the kingdom, trying to instill reassurance in people's hearts while preparing in secret.
I was training my body and my powers, preparing for the awaited day—the day we would face the danger face-to-face, this time with open eyes and in reality.
My feelings fluctuated between anxiety for the kingdom's fate and determination to protect my people.
I hurried toward Night's office—the office that had been carefully restored and redesigned, with a special desk for me right next to his.
I smiled as soon as I entered and saw him standing there.
Not Night, but Klaus! My God, I truly missed him.
I hadn't seen him in a long time, and my horrific visions of him dead—the sight of his head in that villain's hand—were still etched in my memory. Seeing him alive before me filled my heart with happiness and relief.
I stepped toward him with quick, childishly longing steps; I couldn't help myself.
I slapped his shoulder hard—a blow much stronger than I intended, to the point that he groaned in pain.
"Ouch!"
Upon hearing that groan, my smile widened even more. He turned to me with a mock pout, his features a mix of slight pain and affection.
"Take it easy, girl," he said with slight annoyance as he rubbed the spot of the slap with his other hand.
I said eagerly, clasping my hands behind my back in a desperate attempt not to hug him from the sheer longing overwhelming me—he was my first friend since I came here:
"You idiot! Why did you disappear so suddenly like that?"
Klaus smiled at me with clear calmness and confusion, his gaze shifting between me and Night.
I noticed his extreme nervousness, and the reason was clear: Night's burning, jealous glares directed at him.
"Oh... I was assigned a mission, so..."
He grew more tense whenever he looked at Night, who didn't take his sharp, annoyed eyes off him.
I chuckled with enjoyment, savoring this funny situation amidst all the tension.
"Hmm, I see."
I went and stood beside Night, who still hadn't removed his sharp gaze from Klaus; his looks were full of hilarious jealousy.
I turned my face slightly toward him and said to him through telepathy in a playful voice:
"What is the secret behind these hateful looks, Night?"
I saw him screw up his face in even more annoyance at my question, ignoring me for a moment before turning his gaze toward me with a complaining look.
As for me, I was pressing my lips together hard, barely stifling my laughter at the sight of the jealous Night.
I froze instantly, the joke dying on my lips. Suddenly, another vision struck me like a lightning bolt; I saw that bastard advancing toward a certain land with his soldiers.
I gasped loudly as soon as I recognized the place—it was my pack! The Red Moon Pack! My God, what on earth is he doing there?
My heart began to race with madness and terror. I returned to reality with force. I saw Night before me, holding my shoulders and shaking me gently.
Klaus was beside him, staring at me with deep concern, their features frozen in tension.
Night said in a fragmented voice:
"What is the matter, Sera?"
I pushed him away gently, holding my head which was aching from the vision. I laughed frantically—a laugh devoid of joy, but full of shock and anger.
"What on earth is he doing there?!" I shouted in rage.
Even my energy began to fluctuate around me uncontrollably.
Night approached me cautiously, inquiring with his concerned gaze. I stared at him in fear.
"What will he do to my family and Julia?"
I wondered to myself, horror squeezing my heart.
I said to him, my breathing heavy and rapid:
"N... Night, he's there! We have to do something, Night! He's at my pack! We have to go quickly!"
His eyes widened significantly; he finally understood the gravity of the situation.
He clenched his fist so hard that his knuckles turned white. He said to Klaus with a firm, sharp shout:
"Tell Arin to complete the tasks, and you, come with me immediately!"
Klaus's gaze was puzzled for a moment, but he nodded urgently and set off to carry out the orders.
I grabbed Night's hand and ran, pulling him behind me with my superhuman speed, heading toward the thick forest.
I was running with strength and rage; the terror for my family fueled my speed. I heard Klaus's complaining voice behind us shouting:
"Wait for me a little!"
We didn't wait long.
As soon as I reached the back of a huge oak tree, I quickly removed my clothes and tied them tightly to my leg so they wouldn't hinder my movement, then I shifted into my wolf form.
My wolf, "Siran," black with red streaks like a burning fire, was ready for battle.
I stepped forward and saw a majestic sight. Night's massive wolf, "Dark," was standing waiting for us.
Klaus's gray wolf with black streaks in his tail stood beside him.
They both stared at me in awe of Siran's different and unique appearance.
Siran looked at Dark, stepping toward him and sniffing his fur, passing her head along the warm fur of his neck.
This was a greeting and a confirmation of companionship.
Dark didn't mind; in fact, he did the same, placing his head on my neck for a few seconds.
I pulled away from him and took off at a frantic speed toward the Red Moon Pack, with Dark running beside me with immense power and speed, and Klaus's wolf right behind us—all of us determined to save my family and my people from the looming danger.
As soon as we entered the pack's borders, we stopped suddenly.
The border guards were there, their eyes turned amber-yellow, ready to defend their land.
Night's reaction was immediate and instinctive; he growled deeply, baring his fangs, and stepped forward to attack them without hesitation.
I stood before him with a sharp, warning growl, preventing him from pouncing.
I turned toward the guards who were in their wolf forms, now surrounding us with caution and tension.
I began telepathically communicating with their leader, Jan:
"It's me, Sera. I want to see my brother. It's an emergency!"
But he didn't answer me. He narrowed his eyes in clear suspicion and began approaching with extreme caution to sniff my scent and confirm my identity.
I was leaning on "Dark" with all my weight in a desperate attempt to prevent him from pouncing on Jan and tearing him to pieces, as Dark's gaze was burning with rage at Jan's audacity to approach me like that.
But Night's patience ran out. My pressure on him was no longer enough; he suddenly raised his royal aura as a King and an Alpha.
As soon as he did that, I saw Jan and all the guards bow their heads in complete submission, clearing the way silently.
I had truly forgotten about this in my extreme tension and panic for my pack and family; Night is a King Alpha, and this aura is something no other wolf can resist.
I gave Dark a quick look that meant "Let's go."
We moved to enter, and before the forest ended and we reached the pack's houses, I stopped and signaled to them (Night and Klaus) with a quick nod of my head to shift back to their human forms.
I went behind a nearby tree, dressed quickly, and returned to them. The two of them had also returned to their human forms. We approached the town with quick, determined steps.
We headed straight toward the pack house, where my brother Jack's office—the pack leader—is located.
Upon arrival, I pushed the massive wooden door open forcefully, ignoring all protocols.
Everyone in the office looked at me in shock; Jack was in the middle of a meeting with some leaders.
Their features were extremely surprised and tense at our sudden entry, especially at the presence of Night and Klaus.
I said to my brother through telepathy in a tone that brooked no argument:
"We need to talk, Jack. It's an extreme emergency."
Jack understood the seriousness in my tone and ordered everyone to leave immediately. He stared at us in bewilderment and tension, then signaled for us to sit as he said with clear confusion:
"What is the matter?"
Night said to him with his usual coldness that sometimes irritates me:
"My enemy is coming here, so be prepared."
Jack furrowed his brow, truly not understanding. Indeed, Night isn't good at explaining things; he just throws words out and doesn't care if they are understood or not. I intervened quickly as I saw Jack's puzzled looks:
"Look, Jack, it's his twin brother. His only goal in this life is revenge and bringing destruction, and he is coming here now."
I saw astonishment dawn on Jack's features, which quickly sharpened and turned into a combative seriousness.
He was lost in thought for a moment; I think he was communicating with the guards via telepathy to tighten security.
I sighed with a bit of relief; at least my brother understands things quickly.
Night spoke suddenly and sharply, in a hurry:
"Where is Julia?"
Jack looked at him with the same sharpness. I knew he was now annoyed by Night's questioning of his protection of his mate.
"She is safe with my mother, don't worry. The guards are everywhere,"
he said, gritting his teeth in suppressed anger.
I grabbed Night's hand as soon as I felt his anger rising, squeezing it hard in an attempt to calm him. Night nodded to him with a stiff look, as if saying:
"It's better that no harm comes to her, or else don't blame me for what I will do to you."
Suddenly, the Beta, Jonasan, entered panting, his face pale from running and panic:
"Alpha, the King of the Shadow Kingdom has broken in..."
He didn't finish his sentence upon seeing Night before him. His eyes widened in complete shock as he stammered:
"If you are here, then who...?"
Jonasan fell silent at the sound of Night and Jack's curses together, who both rushed out of the office in a raging anger.
I followed them quickly, saying to Beta Jonasan, who was distracted and unable to process that he had seen two of Night:
"Who is with him? How many are they?"
"Guards, they weren't many, but they are armed," he said quickly.
I nodded to him. This was the second vision that had completely come true.
"My God, help us with this calamity!"
I murmured, following them while feeling fear and determination blending in my heart.
I ran out of the building at my top speed, following Night's strong scent.
I saw them from afar: Night and Jack standing before Max, surrounded by his guards. Expressions of anger and caution were on all their faces.
I said to Minerva through telepathy as I ran:
"Put a hidden shield over everyone now!"
She answered in a lazy voice: "Fine..."
I heard Max say with a mocking laugh as he slowly approached Night:
"Dear brother, I didn't expect to find you here."
He finished his laugh and continued speaking with arrogance:
"With you here, I'll have much better fun."
I couldn't stand his insolent mockery.
I couldn't restrain my anger. I rushed toward him quickly, igniting my hand with my energy, and punched him in the face with a sudden force.
He froze for a moment, shock visible on his features, trying to process what had just happened.
I said with mockery and anger, glaring at him with burning looks:
"I have never in my life seen a person mixed with such stupidity and vileness as you."
Night quickly pulled me by my hand behind his back, his gaze burning with suppressed rage.
While I was behind him, Max slowly turned his face back, wiping the blood that trickled from his lips with his fingers, and drew that wicked smile of his again.
"A fierce cat," he muttered with clear amusement.
As soon as he uttered that, Night growled in his face with a wild rage, to the point that his eyes turned red—evidence of "Dark's" presence, ready to pounce at any moment.
Jack stepped forward a bit to say with complete sharpness and firmness, his facial features tight with tension and anger:
"What is this nonsense that required you to break into my pack?"
Max's mischievous smile suddenly faded. He glared at Jack out of the corner of his eye with disdain, answering with manipulation as he strolled through the area, which was very close to the former Beta's house, increasing my anxiety:
"Nothing, just to have a little fun. You know, boredom these days..."
I snorted in mockery and couldn't help myself:
"As if we weren't short of lunatics!"
The atmosphere was extremely charged, and Night and Jack's glares were enough to kill Max a thousand times if glares could do that.
And with a treacherous move, and without prior warning, Max released his smoke as black chains heading toward me with lightning speed, in an attempt to catch and bind me. Night was still holding my hand firmly, so I couldn't run far.
I quickly jumped onto his back to avoid the chains, looking like a climbing monkey—an extremely stupid and embarrassing move.
But Night countered him immediately, manifesting a sword from his own smoke and cutting the chains before they reached me. Max smiled cunningly, his eyes gleaming with a small victory at seeing Night react.
"Ah Night, Night, as usual, you never change."
I got off Night's back in deep embarrassment from my stupid move in front of everyone, while Minerva began laughing loudly in my head.
"Damn you! Be quiet!" I growled in my mind.
I looked around and saw a small fountain behind Max. I smiled wickedly; I had found my weapon.
I placed my hand behind Night's back, pointed my finger toward the water, and began forming small knives like sharp blades of water, freezing them with speed and force, then lifting them up behind his back.
I saw Night and Jack wondering what was happening before them, unaware that I was the cause.
I felt Max's confusion from their sudden looks toward the back. Before he could turn around, I launched the blades at him.
I almost hit him, but at the last second, Max disappeared from his spot, turning into thick smoke. The ice blades plunged into the ground violently, piercing it with force.
He reappeared in the same previous spot, staring in amazement at what had just happened, disbelieving. Then he laughed loudly, saying:
"I never expected even once that you were capable of controlling water, let alone freezing it! This is impressive, Sera!"
I closed my eyes in intense anger at my failure to hit him.
Night and Jack stared at me in surprise at my new abilities, and Night's features quickly turned to intense anger and annoyance for not telling him beforehand. His looks were a mixture of suppressed pride and clear anger.
Due to the noise and shouting outside, Mark—the former Beta—came out of his house in clear surprise, and behind him was Zoe, his daughter and my dear friend.
As soon as she saw me, she screamed in disbelief, her eyes wide and her mouth open in astonishment:
"Seraaa!"
She stared at the people in the square with even greater surprise.
Max was giving her his back.
She said again with questioning and concern, and the question was directed at me, but her eyes were fixed on Max's back:
"What is going on here?"
She looked extremely confused from her facial features, to the point that I began to hear her turbulent heartbeat clearly.
I saw Max's features contort into anger; he tightened his jaw hard upon hearing her voice.
"What the hell is going on?" Mark, the former Beta, said, but I didn't care about him.
I said to Zoe quickly:
"Don't come closer, Zoe!"
But she ignored my words completely, driven by a strong instinct toward that bastard, approaching him a little.
Then, Max turned to her very slowly, staring at her form. As soon as their eyes met, shock took over their features. Max froze in his place like a marble statue, even stopping his breath for a moment.
His features were a mix of absolute disbelief and amazement, as if an internal struggle was going on inside him.
"No, no, this can't be happening!"
I thought in shock. He already has a mate, and she died long ago, so what am I seeing before me now?
The shock was mutual; they recognized each other as mates at that very moment.
Zoe's gaze was full of absolute confusion and a magic mixed with fear, while Max stared at her with wide eyes, unable to grasp this impossible irony that changed the course of events in a single instant.
"No... this is impossible!"
Max said in a hoarse and fragmented voice, disbelief filling his tone. Even his hand began to tremble slightly as he stared at Zoe.
Zoe stared at him in shock, her eyes shifting between him and Night, finally realizing he was his twin. She furrowed her brows at his words.
"What is impossible about it?"
she said to him in a low voice, her gaze still fixed on him with a strange magic.
I looked at Night to say to him calmly:
"They are mates."
He was also surprised; he too had noticed the mate bond immediately. I continued, as tension began to rise within me from this irony:
"But he already has a mate! So how can this happen?"
Night stared at me with a look carrying many questions and doubt. "I don't know," he said in a serious and puzzled tone.
I said to Minerva through telepathy, hurrying her:
"How can this happen? Do you have an explanation?"
She answered with her usual boredom:
"This is natural because they are truly mates. I see the mate bond is good and strong."
I quickly said to her, denying it and trying to find logic:
"No! But he already had a mate, but she died, or let's say Night killed her because she was a spy!"
Minerva added with even more boredom:
"Simply, she wasn't his mate. She was deceiving him the whole time."
"But how?" I asked in amazement.
She sighed lazily as she said:
"I think she used forbidden magic to create a fake bond between her and Max. This is common in the world of black magic."
I froze in my spot from the shock. If her words were true, the hostility between the brothers would stop.
It had primarily arisen because of Night killing his alleged mate, and now it turns out she wasn't his mate. Thus, the hostility would dissolve and the war would stop. I felt a great ray of hope.
But Minerva brought me back to reality:
"It's not that easy, for the greatest enemy is not Max, but he is a chess piece moved by a larger and more powerful head."
She truly discouraged me with her realistic words, but we must resolve this misunderstanding now, for this is the first key to peace.