*Zander*
Freya had uncovered a hidden gateway between the realms through her relentless research and decoding of ancient inscriptions. It was a secret passage, invisible to everyone’s eyes, existing for ages yet untouched by any soul. But I was desperate-desperate to meet the woman who haunted my dreams and held the answers I sought. I was ready to go to any lengths, to pay any price, no matter how steep.
However, things didn’t go as planned. Just as I made it halfway through the passage, I was intercepted by the guards of the Lunar Realm. Freya had warned me about the possible consequences, but I hadn’t cared. My determination overshadowed any fear of what might happen to me. I was willing to take the risk, to gamble everything on this one reckless bet.
As expected, they brought me to the Lunar Realm for a trial, and I could hardly contain the excitement bubbling within me. My mission to reach the Lunar Realm had succeeded, and no wolf had ever set foot here before. But as thrilled as I was, I knew the real challenge lay ahead: finding that woman.
The guards had me restrained with some sort of magical restraints, marching me through the ethereal beauty of the realm. I looked around, and the realm was incredibly beautiful. It was like nothing I had ever seen-every inch of it radiated an otherworldly glow, a harmony of nature and magic that made it breathtaking. It was no wonder that the woman I sought had an ethereal beauty that seemed otherworldly and it was fitting for someone like her to come from a place so stunning.
As we moved, I noticed people gathering, their eyes filled with curiosity and their whispers buzzing like a hive around me. Their stares made me feel strangely out of place, their fascination unnerving. Clearly, I was as foreign to them as they were to me.
Lyon, my wolf, suddenly became restless, pacing in the back of my mind. His heightened awareness made me pause.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked through our mind link.
‘I don’t know,’ he murmured, his tone brimming with excitement. ‘It feels like… like my heart is about to burst. Like we’re about to meet… her.’
I frowned, puzzled. ‘Her? Who are you talking about?’
Before Lyon could respond, we reached the royal court, and my thoughts were interrupted as the queen arrived. The moment she stepped into the room, the air seemed to shift. My breath caught, and time slowed. She moved with a grace that was almost hypnotic, her aura commanding and radiant.
Lyon’s voice echoed through my mind in a deafening growl.
‘Mate!’
The word reverberated through me, leaving me as stunned as everyone around me.
___
*Selena*
I had been informed that a trespasser was caught by the guards and was being brought to the court for trial. But when I stepped into the court, I froze in disbelief. Standing there, bound but unbroken, was Zander Blake. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and with a voice that carried both certainty and confusion, he uttered the word:
“Mate!”
The air seemed to still around me as those words reached my ears. My heart raced, a mixture of joy and shock flooding through me. He recognized me. He remembered me.
“Zander!” I whispered, my voice trembling as I instinctively took a step toward him. But before I could get any closer, Mother’s hand came up, halting me in place.
“Alpha Zander Blake, what are you talking about?” she challenged him, her tone sharp and commanding.
“She is my mate,” Zander stated, his voice firm yet tinged with confusion. His expression mirrored his words-shocked, almost disbelieving-but his gaze never wavered from my face. “Who are you, mate?” he asked, his voice softening slightly.
My heart, which had soared moments before, now sank with crushing disappointment. He doesn’t remember me. He only senses the mate bond.
“It doesn’t matter, Alpha King,” I said, keeping my expression cold and indifferent. “I am the Queen, and you are the trespasser brought here for trial.” My voice was icy as I added, “So don’t cross formal boundaries, and behave yourself.”
Inside, I was hurting. How could he forget me so easily? How could he move on and agree to marry my sister? Now he sensed I was his mate, yet he still didn’t recognize me as Selena-his Selena. To hell with him. Now he was in my realm, at my mercy, and I would make sure he bore the consequences of breaking my heart. Err… I meant breaking the rules of the Interrealm Council.
“You were caught entering the Lunar Realm in an unauthorized manner and without permission,” I declared, my tone firm and unyielding. “For that, I sentence you to imprisonment, where you will serve your punishment until we uncover your motive for entering this realm.”
I couldn’t hide the satisfaction I felt as I saw the way his eyes narrowed at me, familiar rage brewing within their stormy depths.
Welcome to hell, Alpha King.