"Ethan," the dark-haired man said softly, his tone almost playful. "Why don''t you tell our friend here the good news?"


    Ethan moved closer to the chained captive with slow, deliberate steps. "Are you sure you''re ready to hear it?" he asked in a low voice, resting his fingertips on one of the open wounds. At even this gentle pressure, the prisoner writhed in agony, biting down on his lip to stifle a scream.


    "Stop..." the tortured man pleaded, fear finally cracking through his defiance.


    Ethan reached into his jacket and withdrew something small, dangling it for the captive to see. It was a short ponytail of dark hair, clearly cut from a child''s head. "We located your family," Ethan murmured. "I thought you might like some...tangible proof."


    A choked sob escaped the prisoner, followed by tears carving pale trails through the grime on his cheeks. Horror flickered in his eyes. "N-no... Please, don''t hurt them," he begged, desperation flooding his every syllable. "I''ll tell you whatever you want. Just promise me you''ll let them live."


    The seated demon-Alexander, the Great Lord of Guldoria-set down his wine and stood. His polished shoes clicked against the stone floor as he approached. Gripping the man''s chin, he forced the captive to meet his gaze. "You''re ready to talk now?" he asked smoothly.


    "Yes," croaked the prisoner. "But-you must swear to spare them."


    Alexander''s dark eyes narrowed, a slight grimace betraying his impatience. "You have my word...if you prove useful." He loosened his hold. "Speak."


    Chest heaving, the prisoner gathered the last of his courage. "There is a prophecy...a child... She holds the destiny of the demon lord in her hands," he began, voice hoarse. "It''s said she will cause your dead heart to beat again.


    Alexander snorted in amusement, though his eyes flashed dangerously. "Get to the point," he hissed.


    "All creatures shall rise against you when the two of you meet," the captive continued, trembling. "Will you both survive, or be destroyed? Your first encounter...will begin your downfall, Great Lord Alexander."


    Ethan arched a brow at these words, exchanging a wary glance with his master. Alexander''s expression hardened.


    The prisoner gave a hollow, bitter laugh, madness dancing on his tongue. "The child was born in the Ancries village-"


    "We destroyed that village," Alexander cut in, voice flat.


    "They... they sent her away...to the Crescent Moon territory." The prisoner coughed violently, blood staining his lips. "My family-please-"


    He never finished. Alexander''s hand shot forward, plunging into the man''s chest with a sickening crunch. The captive shrieked, agony erupting in his eyes.


    "That," Alexander snarled, "is not what I asked you. The child is in Crescent Moon, is she?" His fingers tightened, crushing the heart in his grip until the man''s screams became a gurgle and died away in a puff of ash. Drawing his hand back, he let the remains flake off his skin as he stepped away. "We haven''t really found your family," he remarked coldly, brushing off any lingering soot.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Ethan handed him a black silk handkerchief. "If the prophecy child is in Crescent Moon, that complicates things," he said, his voice edged with concern. "You know that pack is strong enough to hold off a demon incursion."


    Alexander dabbed at his palms with a clinical calm. "Not if we''re...guests," he said, a slow, deadly smile creeping across his face. "Prophecy child, wherever you are, I''ll make sure to extinguish any light in your heart. No one can change my fate-certainly not you." He gestured for Ethan to follow. "Prepare to depart, and ensure we have appropriate gifts for the Crescent Moon Alpha King. We''ll show them our... hospitality."


    With one final glance at the smoldering ashes on the dungeon floor, they left the chamber, the door slamming behind them.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Far from the dark lands of Guldoria, Calista traveled in a cramped carriage that rumbled along a moonlit road toward the Alpha King''s palace. Seated opposite her was Aurora—her dearest (and most mischievous) friend—who glanced anxiously at the passing fields.


    Both girls wore tailored suits in a bid to disguise themselves as young noblemen, complete with top hats and even fake mustaches. In another context, they might have laughed at the absurdity of their costumes, but tonight, Calista''s heart pounded too fiercely to find much humor in their situation.


    Aurora fiddled with the lapel of her jacket, breaking the tense silence first. "Are you nervous?"


    Calista managed a weary smile. "Why wouldn''t I be? If Father sees me at this ball, it''s the dungeon—or worse."


    With a small sigh, Aurora leaned forward, lowering her voice. "I''m worried, too. But we''ve come too far to turn back now, right? At least we won''t be recognized." She attempted an encouraging look, though a hint of uncertainty flashed in her eyes.


    Calista tugged at the stiff collar of her shirt, recalling how difficult it had been to hide her flaming red hair under a short, dark wig. She felt the unfamiliar weight of it resting against her neck. "I guess we''ll see how good our disguises really are," she murmured. "If anyone notices two strangers who''ve suddenly appeared in Crescent Moon, it''s over."


    Aurora''s lips quirked into a mischievous grin. "Stop overthinking it. You look handsome—well, as handsome as we can manage." She paused, casting a glance out the small carriage window. "Besides, maybe we''ll just slip in and out before midnight. No one''ll even realize we were there."


    Folding her arms, Calista stared at the flickering lanterns lining the distant palace gates. All she could think about was her father, Beta Mateo of Crescent Moon, and her sister Emily, who was doubtless preparing to dazzle the entire court. If either of them recognized Calista, there would be no mercy.


    "Let''s stick to the plan, Aurora," Calista said, voice tight with resolve. "We''re going to see what the big deal is about this banquet, and then we leave. No wandering off for a grand tour of the palace, no flirting with random lords. Agreed?"


    Aurora attempted to look serious, placing a hand over her chest. "Agreed. Cross my heart," she said solemnly. But the sparkle in her eyes betrayed a lingering excitement that worried Calista. Aurora had never been one to resist temptation or curiosity.


    The wheels of the carriage hit a patch of rough road, jostling them both. Calista fought a surge of nerves. Sneaking out of the house under her parents'' and siblings'' noses was a significant risk—yet part of her felt a strange thrill at the act of rebellion. Life in the Crescent Moon Pack had grown stifling, especially with Emily constantly overshadowing her. Maybe, she thought, glimpsing the world of the Alpha King would offer a taste of the freedom she craved.


    "We''re almost there," Aurora whispered, peering through the carriage window. In the distance, towering spires and golden lights beckoned them. The palace rose against the dark sky like a gleaming monolith, promising grandeur and danger in equal measure.


    Calista took a steadying breath. She had no idea how the night would unfold—only that she couldn''t turn back now. Unbeknownst to her, however, forces from a distant realm were already on the move, and the grand halls of the Alpha King''s palace were about to become far more perilous than she ever could have imagined.