Chapter 5

SERENA POV

It has been one month since the announcement of the King’s Chosen Celebration.

One month of hell.

Every single day was a blur of exhaustion and suffocation. From brutal physical training to endless etiquette lessons, from posture correction to skin care rituals, all meant to mold me into something perfect. Something worthy. Something beautiful enough to be chosen.

Not for who I am, but for how I look.

My body, my appearance, my grace, everything was being scrutinized and polished to increase my chances of being selected.

I knew one thing for certain.

If I was not chosen, my life would become a living nightmare.

And yet, despite everything, my heart refused to move on.

I was not ready to mate with anyone.

I still loved Jayden.

My heart still beats for him alone. My soul still reached for his. He was my other half, the missing piece of me I had been torn away from. No matter how much time passed, no matter how deep I buried it, the pain remained.

And lately, especially in the past month, I could feel it.

The mate bond.

It wasn’t gone.

It was there, faint, restrained, but alive. Stirring. Pressing against my chest like it was struggling to resurface.

But I had no choice.

Even if I didn’t want it, even if it broke me, I would have to mate with the king if he chose me. I would give him my loyalty, my respect, my duty as a queen and as a mate.

But never my heart.

Never my soul.

Those belonged to Jayden.

It wasn’t even certain yet, and here I was already planning how to survive a bond I didn’t want.

The news of the King’s Chosen Celebration had spread across the entire world. Not only were werewolves attending, but even those outside our kind, humans, hybrids, nobles from distant territories, were coming to try their luck.

The competition was fierce.

Right now, my parents and I were on our way to the royal pack, the capital of the kingdom where the king’s palace stood. We were inside the car, the journey taking four long hours.

Tomorrow night was the celebration.

In the past month, I had forced myself to research the king.

Ironically, every Alpha in the kingdom was expected to know their king well, especially those who dealt directly with the royal pack.

But not me.

My parents handled everything concerning the royal pack. They always had. And because they were so determined to push me into mating with the king, I had deliberately avoided learning anything about him before now.

That was why I knew so little.

And what I did learn only made things worse.

“Serena,” my mother said sharply, pulling me from my thoughts, “we will reach the palace within thirty minutes. Do not disgrace us. Execute your etiquette perfectly and do not give anyone a reason to complain about you.”

“Yes, Mom,” I replied quietly.

“You know how important this is, to all of us,” she added, her tone heavy with expectation. “I trust you.”

I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.

Artemis stirred, muscles coiled, sensing the underlying tension behind Mom’s words. Every carefully chosen syllable carried an unspoken expectation, a silent demand.

“Why can't they allow us to enjoy a moment of peace?” Artemis said, flinching at the weight of it, claws scraping my mind, urging caution even as my lips formed a polite smile.

What I had learned about the king during my research was unsettling.

He came to power three years ago, after killing the previous king, his own half-brother. After that, he slaughtered his brother’s subordinates and ruled with an iron hand.

They said he was cruel.

Heartless.

Merciless.

He wore a mask, and no one had seen his face except his most loyal followers.

Fear followed his name wherever it was spoken.

“Serena,” my mother said again, her voice sharper now. “What are you thinking about? I’ve been calling you. This is not the time to be distracted.”

I blinked and straightened. “I’m sorry.”

“We’ve arrived,” she said.

The car came to a stop.

I stepped out, adjusting my clothes carefully, making my expression into calm indifference.

Then I looked up.

The air of the pack felt different the moment I stepped fully inside. Every hair on my arms and spine prickled. My nose twitched, catching faint scents of dominance and threat.

Artemis shifted, muscles rippling, and a low growl rolled inside me. The palace was alive, and every being within it radiated power and intent. Amelia smelled it, tasted it, and understood what my mind could only sense dimly.

It was heavier. Stronger. Charged with authority and power, yet strangely comforting. Like home. That realization unsettled me.

The houses around us were beautiful and well built, radiating strength and order. I could feel it, everyone here was powerful. Not just in rank, but in presence. Even the ground beneath my feet felt ancient.

I inhaled sharply, picking up subtle scents of tension, dominance, and carefully masked fear. The walls themselves seemed to pulse with authority, marking territory that had been defended for centuries. Even the smallest movement in the crowd, the faintest trace of a presence, brushed against my instincts like wind against fur.

We walked for a while before I finally stopped in front of the palace.

It was magnificent.

The structure towered above us, breathtaking in its beauty and dominance, carved with symbols of authority and legacy. The sight alone made my chest tighten. This wasn’t just a palace, it was the heart of the kingdom, the center of power, and possibly, my future.

After confirming our identities for security reasons, because the palace was bustling with activity due to the upcoming ceremony, we were allowed inside.

The deeper we moved into the palace, the stronger the sensation inside me became.

My steps slowed.

My chest tightened.

The mate bond stirred.

No, it didn’t just stir.

It pulsed.

It throbbed.

It felt alive again.

A new current of energy pressed against my chest, foreign but magnetic. Artemis stiffened beside me, muscles coiled, sensing something, someone, far stronger than I had anticipated. The bond wasn’t just awake; it was reaching, calling, insisting, pulling at instincts I had long tried to ignore.

My breath hitched.

Why?

For three years, the bond had been buried. Silent. Dormant but never gone. Yet now, with every step deeper into the palace, it grew stronger, warmer, almost calling out.

My hand instinctively pressed against my chest.

Why am I feeling this way?

Confusion and unease flooded me. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not here. Not now. I forced myself to ignore it, telling myself I would think about it after the ceremony. Right now, I can't afford to lose control.

Exhaustion finally caught up to me.

A four-hour drive was not easy, physically or emotionally.

I made my way to the room assigned to me within the palace. The moment I stepped inside, I barely had the strength to take in my surroundings before collapsing onto the bed.

My body ached. My mind refused to rest. Artemis hummed inside me, lending strength where my human body faltered. She slowed the ache, sharpened my senses, and reminded me that I was more than fragile flesh and bone. Even exhaustion carried a rhythm I could endure, a pulse I could match with my own.

After some time, I forced myself up and headed toward the restroom. A shower would help, at least enough to calm my thoughts and prepare myself for dinner later.

But even as the water washed over me, one thought refused to fade. The bond was awake.

I forced myself to shower quickly and went to eat before returning to my room to rest. Everything else could wait until tomorrow. Right now, my body was exhausted, and my mind felt heavy with thoughts I didn’t want to face.

I didn’t know what fate had in store for me tomorrow.

And that uncertainty scared me more than anything else.

************************************************

Today was the day of the ceremony.

I woke up early, long before the sun fully rose. Sleep had come and gone in fragments, restless and shallow. My chest felt tight, like something unseen was waiting for me just beyond the horizon.

My mother took me to the spa inside the palace for a full treatment. The attendants were gentle, professional, and careful, as if I were already royalty. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax. The warm water, the scented oils, the silence, it felt like borrowed peace.

Then came the preparations.

The beauticians worked on my hair, styling it with precision. The makeup artist kept my look simple and elegant, enhancing rather than hiding who I was. When they dressed me, everything was perfect, tailored, flawless, royal.

Too perfect.

I stared at my reflection for a long moment, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. She looked composed. Strong. Ready.

But inside, I felt hollow.

Soon, it was time.

I walked beside my parents toward the ceremony hall. The moment we stepped onto the red carpet, flashes of light surrounded us. Cameras. Eyes. Whispers. Every step felt heavy, measured, and watched.

We paused briefly for photographs before entering the palace hall.

Inside, the atmosphere was vibrant and overwhelming. The hall was grand, glowing with power and wealth. Alphas, Lunas, nobles, and guests from different kingdoms filled the space, their auras pressing against one another.

My parents moved easily among them, confident and proud. They introduced me to their allies, partners, and influential friends. I smiled when required. Greeted when necessary. Spoke when spoken to.

I played my role perfectly.

Everything was going smoothly. Too smoothly.

Artemis growled low, claws itching at the edges of my mind, warning me of invisible threats pressing from the crowd. I clenched my fists, forced my jaw to relax, and reminded myself that a human mask was required. Still, every fiber of my being screamed to bare teeth, to strike, to protect what was mine.

And then.

“The king has arrived.”

The announcement echoed through the hall.

The air shifted.

Silence fell like a heavy curtain, and every instinct inside me screamed that nothing would ever be the same again.

Chapter 6

SERENA POV

Then a figure entered the hall. His presence made my breath caught before I even fully registered him

He moved with a commanding presence, every step precise, deliberate, as if the entire world bent to his will. He looked familiar. His figure, it was identical to Jayden. The same posture, the same strength in the way he carried himself.

I almost called out his name, but I held my tongue.

Artemis stirred sharply inside me. “He looks familiar. His aura. I want to be near him, like he is ours. How is that possible?”

A chill ran down my spine. Something was definitely wrong.

And yet, the king was mesmerizing. The mask fit him perfectly, sleek and flawless, matching his royal attire as if it were crafted for him alone. I couldn’t see his face fully, but I knew he must be handsome. His physique was strong, commanding, and magnetic.

He exuded boldness, confidence, dominance, and control. Unreadable. Unyielding. Every wolf and Lycan in the hall seemed drawn to him, compelled to submit, a mixture of awe and fear in their stance. He screamed strength.

I felt drawn to him, like a tether I couldn’t resist. My chest ached. I wanted to run into his arms, to melt into him. Why?

Artemis growled softly. “Even I don’t understand it. I just feel drawn to him. I want him. His scent, intoxicating. It’s familiar.”

I looked around the hall. Some were openly admiring him, heads tilted, lips parted in awe. Others whispered, casting side glances, murmuring that he must be scarred ugly, that’s why he wore a mask.

Anger flared inside me. How dare they judge him? And why were the ladies looking at him as if they wanted to eat him up? My wolf snarled silently. What right did I have to feel protective? He is not my mate. Why am I like this?

The king approached the throne at the center of the hall. Every eye followed him, but my gaze was fixed at him. When he settled into his seat, our eyes met, and I felt it, a spark of recognition, like a current passing between us, faint but undeniable, tugging at the deepest parts of me.

His gaze was cold, hard, edged with something, hatred, or perhaps judgment. A flicker of awareness, like he knew me. I noticed the subtle flex of his jaw, controlled, deliberate.

Artemis hissed, claws scraping at my mind. “Mate, it must be Jayden.”

Impossible. My heart thudded painfully. It couldn’t be. He couldn’t possibly be here, now, disguised as the king. Yet my heart, my instincts, screamed at me that it could be. Perhaps it was the memory of Jayden, our bond, that made me feel this confusion.

Whispers spread around the hall.

“Why is he choosing a mate now? I hope he is gentle with her, he is cruel.”

“He destroyed anyone who displeased him. He might kill his queen in a fit of rage.”

The murmurs barely reached my conscious mind. My heightened senses picked them up clearly, each word slicing through the charged air.

Even without focusing, I could sense the crowd’s unease, their fear mixing with awe. Every Alpha, Luna, noble, all were watching, calculating, waiting.

“Silence!” His voice boomed across the hall, full of authority and power. The air seemed to shiver at the command, every instinct in me tensing. Artemis growled low, claws itching against the edges of my mind.

I clenched my fists, forcing my jaw to relax. My mask, polite, calm, composed, was required. But every fiber of my being, every instinct, screamed to bare teeth, to strike, to protect what I could not yet name but felt, rightfully mine.

The bond pulsed stronger. Hot, urgent, alive. It pressed against my chest, tugging at my mind, whispering his name in a language no words could capture. Artemis growled again, frustrated, eager. The scent, the aura, the pull, it was undeniable.

And in that moment, as the king’s gaze swept the hall with imperious dominance, I knew one thing: nothing, nothing, would ever be the same again.

“As you all know, it is tradition for the king to choose a mate if he has not found her by the age of thirty. I am twenty-eight. There is no need to rush, yet I see no reason to wait. That is why I have announced this ceremony,” he said, his voice calm but commanding.

“But before I proceed,” he continued, scanning the hall with piercing eyes, “I have heard many rumors about my face, some say it is ugly, scarred. I know you are all curious. You wish to see the face of your king, the one who rules you.”

A murmur passed through the crowd. My pulse quickened. I placed a hand on my chest, heart thudding. Artemis stirred sharply inside me, claws scraping at my thoughts, instincts screaming.

Why is my body reacting this way? This is not Jayden.

“I have decided to fulfill your wish,” he said, his hand moving to the edge of his mask. “You will see my face today.”

The hall fell silent. Every whisper, every movement froze. The air was thick with power, expectation, and tension. Artemis growled low, warning me of the storm building inside the room, sensing the pull that pressed against my chest.

It’s familiar, strangely familiar. Why?

He lifted the mask slowly. The moonlight from the windows glinted across his face, tracing the sharp planes of his mask, the strength in his jaw, the confidence radiating from every movement. My breath caught.

Everything inside me froze.

Artemis stiffened beside me, muscles taut, fur rising along her spine. A pull, subtle yet undeniable, pressed against my chest, the mate bond, long buried, silent for three years, was stirring again. My hand instinctively went to my heart. No. This isn’t possible. He cannot be.

I felt heat surge through me, confusion twisting with longing. My senses sharpened, claws itching, the urge to leap, to claim, to protect, coursing through me. Artemis snarled faintly, warning, Do not act. Observe. Wait.

Around us, the crowd shifted. Some gasped softly, others whispered. The scent of fear, awe, and submission floated through the hall. Yet all I could focus on was him, the pull, the familiarity, the sense that something I had thought lost was suddenly alive.

His eyes swept the hall and then locked onto mine. Cold, unreadable, and yet, there was recognition. A spark I couldn’t place. My chest tightened, every nerve screaming.

Artemis growled again, claws pressing at the edges of my thoughts, He feels like him, but he isn’t him. Something is wrong.

I swallowed hard, forcing my face into calm indifference, even as my pulse raced. This is the king. Not Jayden. It must be him.

Then, finally, he removed the mask.

Moonlight spilled across his face. Every feature sharp, commanding, impossibly captivating. My breath caught in my throat. Every instinct inside me froze. My heart thudded painfully.

Artemis tensed violently beside me, urging caution, yet unable to deny the pull that pressed against my chest.

I could not speak. I could not move. I could not look away.

I was stunned.