Chapter 1 Two queens, one crown

Thunder rolled across the night sky as a crimson moon hung over the Kingdom of Ravencrest. The moon had not shone this color in nineteen years.

Its eerie glow bathed the towering palace in blood-red light, sending chills through every werewolf who looked up. The castle stood proudly atop Blackfang Mountain, its silver banners dancing wildly in the cold wind while hundreds of wolves gathered below, their excited howls echoing through the valley. Tonight was a night of celebration. Their queen was in labor.

“The Moon Goddess has blessed the kingdom!” one elder shouted as drums echoed through the palace courtyard. “The future Alpha has finally arrived!”

Inside the royal palace, servants rushed through the marble corridors carrying bowls of hot water, fresh towels, and healing herbs. Guards stood outside the queen’s chambers with nervous expressions while nobles whispered hopeful prayers.

King Aldric Ravencrest paced restlessly outside the chamber doors. His fists remained clenched behind his back. For hours he had listened to his wife’s cries.

Every second felt longer than the last.

Suddenly, A baby’s cry pierced the air. The heavy doors swung open. “The queen has delivered!” the royal midwife announced, tears of joy filling her eyes. “Congratulations, Your Majesty… it’s a prince.” Relief flooded King Aldric’s face. He hurried inside.

Queen Selene lay exhausted on the enormous bed, her silver hair clinging to her damp forehead. Yet despite her exhaustion, she smiled as she cradled the tiny bundle wrapped in soft white blankets.

The infant’s bright golden eyes opened for the first time. The room erupted in cheers. “The future Alpha!”

“The heir to Ravencrest!” “Long live Prince Kael!”

King Aldric gently kissed his wife’s forehead before touching his son’s tiny hand. “Our son…” he whispered. “Our future king.”

Outside, bells rang throughout the kingdom, The celebration had begun.

No one noticed that, beyond the palace walls, the crimson moon burned even brighter.

Far away… Beyond Blackfang Mountain… Beyond the royal lands… Hidden within a forgotten village surrounded by dense forests…

Another child was entering the world.

Rain poured relentlessly over a tiny wooden cottage standing at the edge of the village. Unlike the palace filled with warmth and celebration, this home was silent except for the cries of a woman in labor. “Push!”

The elderly midwife wiped sweat from the young woman’s forehead. “One more time!” The woman screamed in agony before collapsing against the straw bed. A tiny cry filled the room. “It’s a girl.” Instead of and celebration, silence filled the room. The young mother stretched out trembling hands. “My… my daughter…” The midwife carefully placed the baby into her arms. The little girl was beautiful. She had thick black hair, rosy cheeks, and tiny fingers wrapped tightly around her mother’s thumb. The young woman burst into tears. “My precious girl…” The cottage door suddenly burst open.nA man stumbled inside, soaked from the rain.

His face was pale with terror. “They’ve announced it!” he gasped. The queen has given birth tonight!” The elderly midwife slowly lowered her head. The young mother’s smile disappeared “…Tonight?” The man nodded frantically. “The bells are ringing across the kingdom.” His voice shook. “They say… they say the prince has been born beneath the Blood Moon.”

The baby’s tiny cries echoed through the cottage. The elderly midwife closed her eyes. “Oh, Moon Goddess…” The young mother looked down at her newborn daughter before looking back at the midwife.

“What… what does that mean?” The old woman’s lips trembled. “You know the legend.” “No… No…” the mother whispered desperately. “Don’t say it.” The midwife remained silent.

Outside, wolves suddenly began howling in the distance. One… Two... Then dozens. The terrifying chorus filled the forest. The father slowly backed away from the bed. “No… It can’t be.” His eyes fell upon the baby. Fear replaced the joy that should have filled a new grandfather's heart.

The child had been born beneath the same Blood Moon. The same night. The same hour. The same blessing Or perhaps… curse.

Deep within the palace, an elderly woman dressed in silver robes suddenly dropped the crystal bowl she had been holding. It shattered across the marble floor. Every noble turned toward her. She was the Royal Seer.

The woman whose visions had guided Ravencrest for generations. Her cloudy eyes stared toward the crimson moon outside the palace windows. She could hear it. A newborn’s cry… Not from the palace but From somewhere beyond the kingdom. Her breathing became uneven. “No…” “The Blood Moon has blessed the earth with another child, another queen has been choose while you're alive” A cold silence swept through the royal chamber.

“She…has been born.” The shattered crystal bowl rolled across the marble floor before coming to a stop beneath the throne.

Every conversation in the royal chamber faded. Seer Maelis slowly lifted her head toward the crimson moon beyond the palace windows. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “The Moon Goddess has chosen again.” Queen Selene’s smile disappeared. She held Prince Kael closer. “…Another Queen?” Maelis bowed her head. “Yes, Your Majesty. The Moon’s Chosen has opened her eyes beneath the same Blood Moon that welcomed your son.” A murmur swept through the chamber. One of the elders lowered his gaze. “So… the Choosing begins again.” Maelis nodded. “As it has for every Moon Queen before you.” She turned to the king. “Your Majesty… The Moon Goddess has placed the choice in your hands.” King Aldric’s brows drew together. Maelis continued. “If the Moon’s Chosen is allowed to live, Queen Selene’s days will one day come to an end, and the child will succeed her as the next Moon Queen and mate to your son” Her voice grew heavier. “But if the child dies before destiny claims her…Queen Selene will remain upon the throne until the Moon Goddess chooses again.” The king looked at the tiny prince sleeping peacefully in his mother’s arms. He had waited years for this child. Years of prayers. Years of disappointment. Years of hoping for an heir.

Now, at last, his son was here. He imagined the boy growing into a mighty Alpha. He imagined teaching him to rule. He imagined him becoming king… With his mother standing proudly beside him.

Slowly, King Aldric reached for Selene’s hand. She looked into his eyes. Neither of them spoke. They didn’t have to.

At last, the king turned back to the seer. “I have made my choice.”nThe chamber held its breath. "My son will not grow up without his mother.” He drew himself to his full height. “Queen Selene shall live.” A painful silence settled over the hall.

The king’s face hardened—not with hatred, but with resolve. He turned to the captain of the royal guard.

“Ride to every village within Ravencrest. Find the Moon’s Chosen. If any household knowingly hides her from the Crown…” His voice echoed through the chamber. “…they shall be judged as traitors.” The captain lowered to one knee. “And the sentence, Your Majesty?” King Aldric closed his eyes for the briefest moment. Then he answered. “Execution. Let the law of the Moon be carried out.”

The announcement reached the small village before midnight. Every family hurried indoors. Doors were bolted. Candles were extinguished.

Inside the tiny cottage, the young mother held her newborn close, rocking her gently despite the tears running down her face. The elderly midwife stood near the window. “They’re searching every house.” The baby’s grandfather paced the room, his breathing uneven. “They’ll execute everyone,” he muttered.

“No…” his daughter whispered. “They won’t.” “They will.” He turned sharply. “You heard the decree. They’ll kill every member of this family if they find the Moon’s Chosen under this roof.” She shook her head. “She’s only a baby.” “She is the child the Moon Goddess has chosen.” “She’s my daughter father! She's the reincarnation of mom” she begged admist tears “And she’s brought the Crown to our doorstep!” The old man raked a trembling hand through his hair. “I warned you. You never told us who the father was. Now look at us, how do you feel mentioning your mother, she will see me as a failure" The young woman hugged her daughter tighter. “I don’t care what anyone says. I won’t let anyone take her.” A heavy knock struck the front door. “Open in the name of the Crown!” Another knock followed. The walls seemed to tremble with it. The grandfather looked toward the back door. Then at the child. Then at his terrified daughter. “I won’t let this family be destroyed.” He strode forward. She stepped back. “No…” He reached for the baby. “Father, please!” She turned away, shielding the tiny girl with her body. The knocking grew louder. “Open this door!” The old man gently but firmly lifted the baby from her arms. Her scream broke through the cottage. “No! Give her back!” Without another word, he hurried toward the back entrance.

The cold wind rushed inside as the door flew open. Rain poured into the room. “Father!” He disappeared into the darkness with the infant wrapped tightly against his chest.

The young mother stumbled after him, sobbing. “Give me back my child!” Her cries echoed into the storm as the pounding on the front door continued.