Prologue
The Night the Crown Was Stolen.
The moon bled red.
Its crimson light spilled across the towers of Mooncrest Palace, turning the white stone walls into rivers of scarlet. The wind howled through the royal banners as though the Moon Goddess herself mourned what was about to happen.
Inside the palace, no one celebrated the birth of the Alpha King’s only child.
They feared it.
The throne room, usually filled with laughter after the birth of an heir, stood silent. Nobles, warriors, and servants alike waited outside the massive doors, whispering anxious prayers.
Only four people remained inside.
Alpha King Alaric.
Queen Selene.
The Royal Oracle.
And the old Gamma Commander.
The newborn princess slept peacefully in her mother’s trembling arms, unaware that the kingdom had already become too dangerous for her first breath.
The Oracle stared into the sacred Moon Basin. Silver water rippled violently although no one touched it.
Her eyes rolled completely white.
When she spoke, her voice belonged to something far older than herself.
“The child born beneath the Blood Moon shall unite every wolf beneath one crown.”
The King’s shoulders relaxed.
His daughter was blessed.
Then the Oracle continued.
“But before she claims her throne...”
The water turned black.
“...those closest to the crown shall betray her.”
Queen Selene tightened her hold on the tiny infant.
“The kingdom will mistake another for the true heir.”
The chamber grew colder.
“The rightful princess will wear rags while another wears her crown.”
The King rose from his throne.
“Enough.”
The Oracle ignored him.
“If the kingdom learns her identity before the Moon chooses her...”
She gasped.
“...the child will die.”
Silence swallowed the room.
Even the palace torches flickered as if the prophecy itself carried power.
“No.”
Queen Selene’s voice broke.
“There must be another way.”
“There isn’t.”
The Oracle finally lowered her gaze.
“The Moon Goddess has spoken.”
The King’s fists clenched so tightly his claws pierced his palms.
He had spent years fighting rival Alphas.
He had defeated rogues.
He had expanded the kingdom farther than any ruler before him.
Yet he couldn’t defeat fate.
The tiny princess suddenly opened her eyes.
Bright silver.
Exactly like her mother’s.
She reached for the King’s finger.
His heart shattered.
“I will not let anyone touch her.”
“You cannot stop destiny,” the Oracle whispered.
“But you may delay it.”
The old Gamma stepped forward.
“There is one way.”
Every eye turned toward him.
“If another child is believed to be the princess...”
Understanding slowly spread across the room.
The Queen immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“It is the only chance.”
“No!”
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I will not give another child my daughter’s life.”
“You won’t.”
The Gamma’s expression hardened.
“You’ll give your daughter another child’s name.”
Hours later...
Rain battered the palace rooftops.
Deep within the servants’ quarters, another baby cried.
She had been born only moments after the princess.
Her father, Garrick, served as the King’s most trusted steward.
For twenty years he had protected the royal family without question.
If there was anyone worthy of such a terrible secret...
It was him.
The King personally entered the modest room.
Garrick immediately knelt.
“My King.”
“You have served this kingdom faithfully.”
“It has been my greatest honor.”
The King looked at the sleeping infant beside Garrick’s exhausted wife.
A little girl.
Healthy.
Peaceful.
Innocent.
“What I ask tonight...”
The King’s voice cracked.
“...will change both our daughters forever.”
When the truth was revealed, Garrick stared at the royal couple in disbelief.
“You wish the kingdom to believe...”
“My daughter is the princess.”
“Only until the danger passes,” Queen Selene whispered.
“I swear it.”
The King removed a velvet box from beneath his cloak.
Inside rested the Moonheart Pendant.
Forged from moonstone and ancient silver.
Every ruler of Mooncrest had passed it to their heir for centuries.
It wasn’t merely jewelry.
It was the symbol of the Alpha King’s bloodline.
The Queen held the pendant for a long moment.
Her tears fell onto its polished surface.
“I’m sorry.”
She gently fastened it around the servant baby’s tiny neck.
The pendant glowed faintly...
...then became still.
The Queen broke down.
“My Jasmine...”
She kissed her own daughter one last time before wrapping the infant in an ordinary servant’s blanket.
“No crown.”
“No jewels.”
“No title.”
Only a simple linen cloth.
The King took his daughter into his arms.
From this night onward...
Princess Jasmine would cease to exist.
Outside, the palace bells rang.
The royal announcement echoed across the kingdom.
“The Alpha King’s daughter has been born!”
Thousands celebrated.
Fireworks filled the sky.
Wine flowed through the streets.
Every noble toasted the future queen.
None of them realized they were celebrating the wrong child.
Hidden within the shadows of a servant’s corridor, Jasmine began crying.
A young maid hurried over and lifted her into gentle arms.
“There, little one.”
She smiled softly.
“You’ll make a wonderful servant someday.”
The Queen heard every word.
Each one pierced her heart.
Days became months.
Months became years.
The false princess grew inside the palace surrounded by luxury.
Silk dresses.
Private tutors.
Royal banquets.
Every noble bowed whenever she entered a room.
Everyone called her...
“Your Highness.”
Meanwhile...
Jasmine learned to scrub marble floors before she learned to read.
She carried water through palace halls where portraits of her ancestors hung above her.
She polished the throne that was rightfully hers.
She served meals to the girl living under her stolen name.
Whenever Jasmine accidentally crossed paths with the young princess, the girl lifted her chin proudly.
“Watch where you’re going, servant.”
Jasmine simply bowed.
“Yes, Princess.”
High above the palace, the Alpha King watched everything from his balcony.
Every insult.
Every humiliation.
Every lie.
His hands trembled countless times.
More than once, he nearly told the truth.
But each time he remembered the prophecy.
If the kingdom learns her identity before the Moon chooses her...
...the child will die.
So he remained silent.
Years later, on the eve of Jasmine’s eighteenth birthday, the Blood Moon rose once more.
Far beyond the kingdom’s borders, an ancient wolf lifted its head toward the crimson sky.
Golden eyes snapped open.
“The true heir...”
A deep voice echoed through the darkness.
“...is no longer hidden.”
At that very moment, the Moonheart Pendant resting against the false princess’s chest gave off a single, faint pulse.
Not because it recognized its wearer.
But because somewhere within the palace walls...
Its true mistress had finally come of age.
