Sarah's POV

The sting of Celeste's words lingered far longer than Sarah wanted to admit, but she had learned years ago that allowing herself to dwell on them would only make the day harder to bear. By the time she returned from the well with freshly filled buckets, the Alpha Estate had transformed into a whirlwind of activity. Servants hurried across the courtyards carrying polished silverware, baskets of fresh flowers, bolts of expensive fabric, and crates of imported wine. Warriors moved with unusual urgency along the walls, inspecting every entrance while stable hands prepared the finest horses for distinguished guests. The peaceful rhythm that usually defined the estate had disappeared beneath an air of restless anticipation, and even those who rarely spoke to one another exchanged hurried whispers as they passed. Something important was about to happen, and everyone understood that a single mistake today would not be forgiven.

Sarah quietly delivered the water to the kitchens before reaching for a clean apron and joining the other servants without waiting to be told what needed doing. The enormous room was already overflowing with heat from the stone ovens, while cooks shouted instructions over the clatter of pots and chopping knives. Fresh loaves of bread cooled upon wooden racks, vegetables were sorted into neat baskets, and several young servants struggled to carry trays piled high with roasted meat toward the dining hall. Normally, Sarah found comfort in the familiar routine of work, but today every corner of the kitchen seemed to pulse with nervous energy. Even the head cook, whose patience had become something of a legend among the servants, barked orders so rapidly that no one dared pause long enough to catch their breath.

Head Omega Laura soon appeared in the doorway, her calm presence standing in sharp contrast to the chaos surrounding her. A ledger rested beneath one arm while several servants followed close behind, waiting for instructions. The moment her eyes found Sarah, a small smile softened her otherwise composed expression. "There you are," she said as she approached. "I've been looking for someone I know I can rely on." Before Sarah could respond, Laura handed her a carefully folded bundle of rich blue fabric embroidered with silver thread. "These are the ceremonial table runners for the Grand Hall. They arrived from the royal palace last night, and they must be placed before the guests arrive. Be careful with them. If they're damaged, we'll never receive another set."

Sarah accepted the bundle with both hands, surprised that such an important responsibility had been entrusted to her. "I won't let anything happen to them," she promised sincerely.

"I know you won't," Laura replied without hesitation. "That's exactly why I asked you."

Those simple words meant more than Laura probably realized. Trust was something Sarah rarely received. Most people saw only the omega who had never shifted, the servant whispered about behind closed doors, the girl some believed had been abandoned by the Moon Goddess herself. Laura, however, had always looked beyond the rumors, and for that alone Sarah would gladly shoulder twice the work if asked.

Leaving the kitchens, Sarah carefully made her way toward the Grand Hall. Every corridor she passed reflected the frantic preparations underway throughout the estate. Decorative banners bearing the crest of the Luminous Pack had been hung from polished stone pillars, while fresh flowers filled elegant vases that lined the entrance halls. Servants climbed ladders to dust chandeliers that sparkled beneath the morning sunlight, and warriors inspected every doorway with disciplined precision. The arrival of the Alpha King was far more than a ceremonial visit. It was an event that placed the entire pack under the scrutiny of the kingdom, and Alpha Bruce intended to ensure that nothing less than perfection greeted his royal guest.

As Sarah entered the Grand Hall, she paused for a moment to admire the transformation taking place before her. The chamber was magnificent even on ordinary days, but now it seemed almost unrecognizable. Long banquet tables stretched across the polished marble floor, their surfaces already gleaming with silver goblets and crystal dishes. Massive windows allowed sunlight to pour into the room, illuminating intricate carvings that told the history of the Luminous Pack. High above, blue banners fluttered gently beneath the vaulted ceiling, while servants moved silently between the tables making countless final adjustments. Sarah carefully unfolded the ceremonial runners and began arranging them with patient precision, smoothing every crease until the silver embroidery rested perfectly along the center of each table.

While she worked, quiet conversations drifted through the hall.

"I heard the King defeated an entire rogue pack without losing a single warrior," one servant whispered.

"My cousin serves at the Dark Moon Palace," another replied. "She says His Majesty remembers the names of every soldier who serves under him."

"I've heard he's impossible to fool."

"They say he can look at someone once and know when they're lying."

Sarah listened without joining the conversation. Stories about King Liam had spread across every pack in the kingdom for years, growing more impressive with each retelling. Some described him as an unmatched warrior blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, while others praised his wisdom and fairness as a ruler. To Sarah, however, those stories belonged to another world entirely. Kings ruled kingdoms. Servants polished floors. Their lives were never meant to cross.

As she reached the final table near the front of the hall, a strange warmth suddenly spread beneath her dress. Sarah froze, her hand instinctively moving toward the wooden pendant hidden against her chest. The sensation was unmistakable this time. Unlike the brief pulse she had felt earlier that morning, the warmth lingered, flowing gently through the carved crescent as though something deep within the pendant had awakened. Her breathing slowed as she glanced around to see whether anyone else had noticed, but the servants continued working without the slightest sign that anything unusual had happened.

Her eyes drifted toward the enormous mural decorating the far wall behind the Alpha's seat.

She had passed it countless times over the years without paying much attention, yet today something about it immediately caught her eye. At the center of the ancient artwork stood a silver crescent unlike any ordinary moon. Strange symbols surrounded it in a circular pattern, each carved with remarkable detail despite the mural's age. Sarah's heart skipped a beat.

Those symbols...

They looked almost identical to the ones carved into her pendant.

She took an unconscious step toward the mural, unable to pull her eyes away. Questions raced through her mind. Had the pendant been made here? Why had she never noticed the resemblance before? And why did it feel as though the symbols were... watching her?

"Sarah!"

The sharp call shattered her concentration.

She turned to find Laura standing near the entrance.

"The royal scouts have arrived," Laura said, her voice carrying a mixture of urgency and excitement. "His Majesty's procession is less than an hour away. Everyone is to report to their assigned stations immediately."

The warmth inside the pendant vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.

Sarah looked back toward the mural one last time.

The strange symbols appeared perfectly ordinary once again.

For a moment, she wondered if she had imagined everything.

Then, from somewhere beyond the estate walls, the deep sound of a ceremonial horn rolled across the valley.

The Alpha King had entered the territory of the Luminous Pack.

Sarah's POV

The first royal horn had barely faded before a second echoed across the Alpha Estate, its deep, commanding sound rolling through the valley like distant thunder. Every servant inside the Grand Hall froze where they stood. Conversations ended mid-sentence, silverware was lowered onto polished tables, and even the musicians rehearsing outside allowed the final note of their instruments to disappear into the morning air. For one suspended moment, the entire estate seemed to hold its breath.

Then everything erupted into motion.

"His Majesty has crossed the eastern gate!"

"The royal procession is entering the courtyard!"

"Quickly! Everyone to your positions!"

The calm order that had defined the preparations vanished beneath a wave of controlled urgency. Noble attendants hurried toward the entrance to welcome the royal guests, while servants scattered in every direction to complete the last details before the King stepped inside. Warriors straightened their armor, officials adjusted ceremonial robes, and the enormous doors leading to the front courtyard were pulled open, allowing sunlight to pour into the hall.

Sarah instinctively stepped away from the center of the room. Servants were expected to remain unseen unless called upon, and she had no desire to draw attention to herself on a day that would be remembered by the entire pack. She quietly smoothed the final table runner one last time before taking a slow step backward, making certain every fold lay perfectly flat. Only when she was satisfied did she allow herself a small breath of relief.

It lasted less than a heartbeat.

"Don't just stand there."

The banquet steward's sharp voice cut through the growing commotion.

He strode toward her carrying a polished silver tray lined with crystal goblets that caught the sunlight like frozen stars.

"The reception chamber is short three place settings," he said briskly. "Everyone assigned to the west corridor has been called outside to receive the royal guests. Take these to the reception room immediately."

Without waiting for a reply, he placed the tray into Sarah's hands.

"They're the last of the royal crystal. Don't break them."

Sarah nodded respectfully.

"Yes, sir."

Balancing the tray carefully, she slipped through one of the quieter interior corridors reserved for servants. Unlike the grand entrance where nobles gathered to greet the King, these passageways remained almost empty, their polished stone walls muffling the excitement echoing throughout the estate. It was the quickest route to the reception chamber, allowing staff to move unseen while important guests occupied the public halls.

Outside, another blast of the royal horn echoed through the manor.

The King was inside the estate now.

Sarah lowered her eyes and continued walking. She had heard stories about King Liam since childhood, stories that painted him as a fearless warrior, a wise ruler, and the strongest Alpha the kingdom had seen in generations. To her, however, he remained little more than a name carried on whispers and legends. Someone like him existed in a world so distant from her own that she had never imagined seeing him with her own eyes.

She rounded the next corner.

Footsteps thundered toward her.

Before she could react, a young servant burst through a side doorway carrying a stack of silver serving platters taller than his head.

"I can't see-!"

The collision was unavoidable.

The servant slammed into Sarah's shoulder.

The tray tilted violently.

Crystal goblets slid across the polished silver surface.

Sarah twisted her body, desperately trying to steady them before they crashed to the floor. Two wobbled dangerously over the edge, but she caught them against her arm at the last second. Relief flooded her chest.

Then she heard it.

Crack.

One goblet struck the marble floor.

The sound shattered the silence of the corridor.

Crystal splintered into dozens of glittering fragments.

The young servant's face drained of all color.

"Oh, Moon Goddess..." he whispered. "We're finished."

Panic flashed through his eyes as he stared at the broken crystal. "The steward will dismiss me. My family depends on this work."

Sarah looked at the frightened boy.

He couldn't have been older than sixteen.

Without hesitation, she crouched beside the shattered glass.

"It wasn't your fault," she said quietly. "Help me gather the pieces before someone gets hurt."

The servant stared at her in disbelief.

"You'd... you'd help me?"

Sarah offered him a gentle smile.

"We're wasting time."

The boy quickly knelt beside her, his trembling hands gathering the larger fragments while Sarah reached for the smaller pieces scattered across the marble floor. She had almost cleared the last shard when a shadow stretched across the corridor.

The footsteps approaching this time were different.

Measured.

Unhurried.

Powerful.

They carried the quiet confidence of people who never needed to announce their authority.

The young servant froze.

Sarah slowly lifted her head.

Royal guards entered first, their midnight-blue cloaks sweeping behind them as they walked in perfect formation. Every movement was disciplined, every expression unreadable. Behind them came Alpha Bruce and Luna Angel, both wearing welcoming smiles as they guided their distinguished guests through the estate.

At the center of them all walked one man.

He was taller than everyone surrounding him, dressed in black ceremonial robes embroidered with silver threads that shimmered beneath the afternoon light. His dark hair stirred gently as he walked, while calm amber eyes surveyed the estate with effortless confidence. There was no arrogance in his expression, only quiet authority-the kind that never needed to be proven because everyone around him already recognized it.

Sarah knew instantly.

King Liam.

Her heart stumbled inside her chest.

She lowered her gaze at once, silently cursing herself for still kneeling in the middle of the corridor with broken crystal scattered around her. Of all the places...

Of all the moments...

The warmth beneath her dress exploded.

Not gradually.

Instantly.

The wooden pendant burned against her skin with such sudden intensity that Sarah's fingers instinctively flew to her chest.

A sharp sting pierced her palm.

She looked down.

One unnoticed shard of crystal had sliced across her finger.

A single drop of blood slipped free.

Instead of falling onto the marble...

It landed on the edge of the pendant hidden beneath her dress.

For the briefest instant...

The ancient carvings beneath the fabric flashed with silver light.

So faint...

Only one pair of eyes noticed.

King Liam stopped walking.

Silence settled over the corridor.

His gaze rested on Sarah-not with recognition...

But with curiosity.

Something about the quiet servant kneeling before him felt strangely familiar.

He couldn't explain why.

Neither could she.