I had no clue who or what I was looking at. A small, delicate person? Or something more like a fairy? The figure was small, no taller than a child, but it radiated an otherworldly power that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Delicate, translucent wings fluttered behind her, her skin as white as ivory. She wore a white, shimmering gown that flowed around. her. Her face was impossibly beautiful, with high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire. But it was her expression that truly captivated me. A fierce determination and cold detachment that sent a shiver down my


    spine


    The way she was staring at me almost looked aggressive, which made me defensive.


    "Who are you? What do you want with me? I demanded, injecting as much authority into my voice as I could muster.


    "I haven''t alevided yet. Her voice was cold as her eyes fixated on


    mine


    "You haven''t decided who you are, or you haven''t decided what you want with me? I asked you two questions. "I saw her eyes twitch, and she looked irritated. I guess I shouldn''t provoke H since I didn''t know what she was capable of. But I found her incredibly rude.


    "I am Fury, a celestial fairy. I havee to deliver your


    I had no clue who or what I was looking at. A small, delicate person? Or something more like a fairy? The figure was small, no taller than a child, but it radiated an otherworldly power that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Delicate, translucent wings fluttered behind her, her skin as white as ivory. She wore a white, shimmering gown that flowed around her. Her face was impossibly beautiful, with high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire. But it was her expression that truly captivated me. A fierce determination and cold detachment that sent a shiver down my spine.


    The way she was staring at me almost looked aggressive, which made me defensive.


    "Who are you? What do you want with me?" I demanded, injecting as much authority into my voice as I could muster.


    "I haven''t decided yet." Her voice was cold as her eyes fixated on


    mine.


    "You haven''t decided who you are, or you haven''t decided what you want with me? I asked you two questions." I saw her eyes twitch, and she looked irritated. I guess I shouldn''t provoke her since I didn''t know what she was capable of. But I found her incredibly rude.


    "I am Fury, a celestial fairy. I havee to deliver your


    пертего


    birthright, but I haven''t decided which gift it is. Instead, I will give you the empty blessing and it will develop on its own, since you are a blessed lycan queen."


    "Time out. A celestial fairy is giving a lycan a blessing? Isn''t this supposed toe from the moon goddess?"


    “This is from the moon goddess. Like Gujin, I am a messenger of the gods. I am to help you with your trials ahead by giving you an appropriate gift."


    Trials ahead? I did not like the sounds of that. "What kind of


    trials?"


    "Challenging ones. The kind that can break you, if you allow them. Things are about to get very rough for you and how you handle it will define your future. Being blessed doesn''t mean your are shielded from the pain or from the challenge. It just means you have everything you need inside of you to make it through."


    "Listen here, Tinkerbell," I snarled, taking a step closer. "I am not interested in ying a game of trials for the gods."


    "The moon goddess doesn''t ''y'' at anything. She sees in you a strength that even you have yet to fullyprehend."


    I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Right, and I''m supposed to just take your word for it?"


    "No," Fury replied, her voice taking on a gravity that belied her diminutive size. "You''re meant to prove it."


    Trials that could break me... my mind immediately went to Darren. "These trials, will they involve Darren? Because I swear, if anything happens to him-"


    "You''ll what? Fight the gods?"


    "If need be, I wouldn''t hesitate."


    Fury''s expression remained impassive, but I swore I saw a flicker of amusement


    in her eyes. "Such fire," she murmured. "Perhaps you are worthy after all."


    Her words only fueled my irritation. Worthy? Of what? I opened my mouth to demand answers, but Fury continued, her tone maddeningly neutral.


    "Your concern for your mate is admirable."


    "You didn''t answer my question. Will Darren be in danger?" I was angry and my tone reflected my irritation.


    The fairy''s expression turned serious. "The trials are unavoidable, Allissa. They are woven into the fabric of your destiny. Both you and Darren will be tested, but in different ways. I can see that you are trying to formte a n... but I assure you, no matter what you do, it''s toote. You can''t avoid what''s going to happen. Even if you summoned Darren or if you went to his side ... what will happen cannot be changed."


    My heart clenched. "I won''t let anything happen to him. I can''t." The words came out as a fierce whisper.


    "Your strength will be put to the test, Allissa," Fury continued as if it was a rehearsed speech. "Physical and mental tests that have toe, for your future."


    I lifted my chin, meeting Fury''s ethereal gaze with unwavering determination. Fine, I might have been chosen, but I wasn''t some pawn for the gods to move around as they pleased. My destiny was my own to shape.


    "I''ve faced betrayal, loss, and more challenges than I can count. Each time I''vee out stronger. Whatever trials lie ahead, I''ll face them on my terms."


    A flicker of something-approval? Amusement?-crossed Fury''s delicate features. "Your spirit is admirable, Allissa. It''s precisely why you were chosen."


    I scoffed, pacing across the stone floor of the castle chamber. "Chosen or not, I''m no one''s puppet."


    Fury''s lips curved into a smile. "Your defiance, your determination... these are the qualities of a great ruler. And it''s not just you they''re interested in." Fury''s gaze dropped to my abdomen, where my unborn pup grew. "The child you carry... it has a significant role to y in the future of your kind."


    My hand instinctively moved to my stomach, a protective gesture. "My baby? What does my child have to do with any of this?"


    Fury''s eyes gleamed and I wanted to deck her. "More than you can imagine, Allissa. Your pup''s destiny is the one the gods are


    really interested in. It''s exciting, and your choices willy out the child''s foundation."


    Maybe the whole idea of trials was a set up. Maybe it was to try to initiate a response out of me. I needed to stay level-headed about this. I felt my protective instincts surge when she mentioned my unborn pup. Why were they so focused on my child?


    "The moon goddess epts you, Allissa," Fury dered, her voice ringing with celestial authority. And we were back to the speech again. "You are the rightful queen of the Lycan Kingdom. Your journey begins now, Queen Allissa. May your howl be fierce and your heart remain true."


    As she spoke, I felt a weight settle on my brow. I reached up, my fingers brushing against something cool and smooth. I lifted it off my head to look at it. It was a crown of glowing moon rock that seemed to pulse with a gentle energy. It sparkled in the moonlight, but I couldn''t appreciate it. Not after Fury''s speech. I ced the crown back on my head and looked at Fury.


    "We will meet again."


    "Wait!" I called out, a dozen questions forming on my lips. But Fury was already fading, her form bing translucent, then gossamer-thin.


    She was gone, leaving me next to the altar again. I turned to see Lyle and Milo standing there with wide eyes, staring ate


    to me crown on top of my head. They both bowed their heads


    "Don''t you dare bow to me."


    Lyle lifted his head up with a big smile. "LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!”


    Darren, we''re going to be tested. I don''t know what this means, but we have to believe in each other. Whatever trials are in store for us, let''s crush them. No matter what it is, I promise I will persevere. I won''t give up, so don''t you give up. You better make it back to me and our pup!


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