The air between Ashley and Coleen crackled with tension. His silver eyes bore into hers, filled with a storm of unspoken thoughts.

  Ashley could barely breathe. Her heart pounded in her chest, her fingers still clenched around the crescent pendant.

  "He knows."

  She had tried to avoid him, tried to remain invisible, but fate had pushed her straight into his path. And now, the soon-to-be king of Astravel was standing before her, demanding answers she didn’t have.

  Coleen took a slow step forward, and Ashley instinctively stepped back, pressing against the ancient table.

  "You have no idea what you’re playing with," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "This isn’t some childish mystery—it’s treason."

  Ashley’s nails dug into her palm. "How is it treason to find out who I really am?"

  Coleen’s jaw clenched. "Because the kingdom has been at peace for years. If word gets out that the last heir of Crescent Moon is alive, it could spark war. Do you understand what that means?"

  Ashley swallowed hard. "So what? I should just pretend I’m no one? Forget that my people were massacred?"

  His silver eyes flickered with something unreadable. "It’s not that simple."

  Ashley let out a bitter laugh. "It never is, is it?"

  Coleen exhaled sharply and turned away from her, running a hand through his dark hair. The tension in the room was suffocating.

  "You shouldn't have come here," he said finally, his voice softer.

  "Why?" Ashley challenged. "Because I might learn the truth?"

  "Because others are watching."

  A chill ran down her spine. "What do you mean?"

  Coleen didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he strode to the library door and locked it with a heavy click.

  Ashley’s pulse spiked.

  "Why is he locking the door?"

  Coleen turned back to her. "Tell me everything you know," he commanded.

  Ashley hesitated. Something about his sudden change in demeanor unnerved her.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "You think I’m stupid enough to trust you?" she shot back. "You’re the prince. If I tell you the truth, what’s stopping you from turning me in?"

  Coleen’s lips curled into a humorless smirk. "If I wanted you dead, Ashley, you wouldn’t be standing here right now."

  Her breath hitched.

  His words weren’t a threat—they were a fact.

  Ashley hated that he was right.

  She didn’t trust him, but she needed someone who knew more than she did. And right now, Coleen was her only option.

  Taking a deep breath, she finally whispered, "I’ve been having dreams. Of Crescent Moon. Of the night it was destroyed."

  Coleen’s expression darkened.

  "I see fire," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I see my parents. I see the hunters."

  Coleen didn’t move, but Ashley saw the way his hands subtly tensed at the mention of hunters.

  "And now I find out my pendant—the only thing I’ve ever owned—has my family’s royal symbol on it. If that’s not proof, then what is?"

  For the first time, Coleen looked conflicted.

  "You think you’re the last heir," he murmured.

  "I don’t think." Ashley’s grip on the pendant tightened. "I know

  Silence stretched between them. Coleen’s face remained unreadable, but Ashley wasn’t fooled—she saw the slight twitch in his jaw, the tension in his stance.

  Finally, he spoke.

  "If what you’re saying is true… then you are in more danger than you realize."

  Ashley’s stomach twisted. "Because of the hunters?"

  Coleen’s gaze was sharp. "Because someone inside this palace is helping them."

  Ashley’s breath caught.

  "A traitor? Inside Astravel?"

  Coleen turned away, exhaling as if debating whether to say more. "The hunters are too well-informed. They always seem to know where to strike. Someone is feeding them information."

  Ashley’s mind raced. Could this explain why the kingdom had been growing weaker? The rumors of wolves losing their strength?

  "Why are you telling me this?" she asked suspiciously.

  Coleen studied her for a long moment before finally saying, "Because if you’re truly the lost heir… they will come for you next."

  A chill ran down her spine.

  Before she could respond, a sudden knock echoed through the library door.

  Coleen stiffened.

  Ashley’s heart jumped.

  "Prince Coleen?" A female voice called from outside.

  Ashley recognized it immediately. Marion.

  Her stomach twisted.

  "Why is she here?"

  Coleen shot Ashley a warning look before stepping toward the door. He unlocked it carefully, and the moment it swung open, Marion stepped inside.

  Her gaze immediately landed on Ashley, and her blue eyes flashed with hostility.

  "What is she doing here?" Marion’s voice was sharp.

  Ashley straightened her shoulders. "None of your business."

  Marion narrowed her eyes. "Oh, but it is." She turned to Coleen. "You shouldn’t trust her."

  Ashley’s blood boiled. "And I suppose I should trust you?"

  Marion smirked. "At least I belong here."

  Ashley clenched her fists. She didn’t have time for Marion’s petty jealousy. But she also knew one thing—Marion had always hated her.

  And now, she had another reason to make Ashley’s life miserable.

  Coleen sighed, rubbing his temple. "Enough. Marion, why are you here?"

  Marion hesitated, then glanced at Ashley before saying, "I came to warn you. There are rumors… about a rogue wolf hiding in Astravel. Some believe it's the last survivor of Crescent Moon."

  Ashley’s breath caught.

  Marion’s eyes flickered toward her. "I wonder who it could be?"

  Ashley felt the walls closing in.

  The hunters were closing in. The palace had a traitor. And now, Marion was watching her every move.

  Ashley wasn’t just in danger.

  She was running out of time