Chapter 6
1018words
Two days until Kane's birthday. Two days until the ceremony that would bind him to Gwen forever.
Unless the truth came out.
The palace buzzed with activity. Servants rushed through hallways carrying decorations. Cooks prepared samples for tomorrow's feast. Guards rehearsed ceremonial formations.
And I scrubbed floors, trying to be invisible.
"Gina!" The head cook's voice boomed across the kitchen. "Come here!"
I hurried over, wiping my hands on my apron. "Yes, sir?"
"Lady Gwen wants you to prepare the special birthday dinner tomorrow." He looked confused. "She specifically requested you."
My stomach dropped. Why would Gwen want me to cook? She'd spent days making sure I had the worst jobs.
"There must be a mistake—"
"No mistake." Kane's voice came from behind me.
I turned to find him leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. His eyes held mine for a moment too long.
"I told her about your cooking school training," he explained. "The Alpha wants the best meal possible."
The head cook nodded. "Show me what you can do. Prepare a sample dish."
My mind raced. This could be a trap or an opportunity. Either way, I couldn't refuse.
"I'll need fresh herbs from the garden," I said. "And access to the special spices."
"Whatever you need," Kane said, his voice softer than usual.
An hour later, I presented my creation: herb-crusted venison with forest mushroom sauce. The kitchen staff gathered around as the head cook took the first bite.
His eyes widened. "This is... extraordinary."
Kane stepped forward and tried a piece. Something flashed in his eyes—pride?
"Perfect," he said. "You'll prepare this for the main course tomorrow."
Word spread quickly. By afternoon, several elders had visited the kitchen to taste my cooking. Each left impressed, murmuring about "hidden talents" and "wasted as a maid."
I was measuring spices when I felt someone watching me. Gwen stood in the doorway, her beautiful face twisted with jealousy.
"Everyone's talking about the Omega's cooking," she said, voice dripping with disdain. "How... quaint."
I kept working, not looking up. "Just following orders, my lady."
She walked closer, her expensive perfume overwhelming my senses.
"Don't think this changes anything," she whispered. "Tomorrow night, Kane will be mine. Forever."
I said nothing, focusing on my measurements.
"He may be fascinated by you now," she continued, "but he knows his duty. The prophecy must be fulfilled."
My hand trembled slightly. The mark on my wrist tingled.
"Of course, my lady," I replied evenly.
She leaned closer. "I've seen how he looks at you. It won't matter after tomorrow."
Before I could respond, Kane appeared at the kitchen entrance. His eyes narrowed at our proximity.
"Gwen," he called. "Your father is looking for you."
She straightened, flashing a perfect smile. "Coming, darling."
As she passed him, she placed a possessive kiss on his cheek. Kane's face remained impassive, but I noticed his jaw tighten.
When she left, he approached me. "Everything okay?"
"Fine," I lied. "Just preparing for tomorrow."
He glanced around to ensure we were alone, then lowered his voice. "We need to talk. Tonight."
"About what?"
"I've been researching the prophecy. There's more to it than we thought."
A kitchen maid entered, and Kane stepped back. "Keep up the good work," he said loudly, then left.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparations. By evening, my arms ached from chopping and stirring, but everything was ready for tomorrow's feast.
As I cleaned up, Martha, the oldest servant in the palace, approached me.
"You've stirred quite the excitement," she said, her wrinkled face kind. "I haven't seen the elders this impressed in years."
I smiled tiredly. "Thank you."
She glanced around, then leaned closer. "Be careful, child. Change is coming."
My heart skipped. "What do you mean?"
"I've served three Alphas," she whispered. "I know the signs. The prophecy speaks of more than just a Beta's daughter."
I stopped wiping the counter. "Tell me."
Martha's eyes were knowing. "The true mate will bear the moon's mark and bring peace through fire and pain. When the false bond breaks, true power will rise."
"Fire and pain?" I repeated, uneasy.
She nodded. "Not all peace comes easily."
Before I could ask more, Martha straightened as Gwen entered the kitchen.
"Still working?" Gwen asked sweetly. "You must be exhausted."
I nodded cautiously. "Almost finished, my lady."
"I brought you something." She held out a glass of wine. "For your hard work."
I stared at the glass, suspicious.
"It's not poisoned," she laughed. "Drink it in front of me if you're scared."
Martha gave me a warning look, but Gwen noticed.
"Leave us," she ordered the old woman.
Martha hesitated, then bowed and left.
"Drink," Gwen insisted, pushing the glass toward me.
Refusing would only make things worse. I took the glass and sipped. The wine was sweet, masking any unusual taste.
"All of it," she commanded.
I drank the rest, watching her over the rim. Her smile grew as I finished.
"Good girl," she said. "Now finish cleaning. Big day tomorrow."
She left, and I returned to wiping counters. Minutes later, the room began to spin. My vision blurred. The cloth fell from my hand.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
I tried to call out, but my tongue felt heavy. My legs gave way, and I collapsed onto the hard floor.
As darkness closed in, one thought remained: Kane. I needed Kane.
Miles away, in the forest where he'd gone hunting, Kane doubled over in sudden pain. His companions rushed to his side as he clutched his wrist, where a red crescent burned like fire.
"Gina," he gasped, knowing somehow she was in danger.
Without explanation, he shifted into his wolf form and raced back toward the palace, leaving his confused hunting party behind.
In the kitchen, I lay unconscious as my body began to change. Beneath my skin, something awakened—something that had been dormant for too long.
The Moon Shadow Wolf was rising.
