Cassiel admitted the seal was real. At seventeen, newly crowned and surrounded by traitors, he had been told Selene murdered the royal heirs. He ordered her confined until trial. Aria's father intercepted every appeal, declared Selene dead, and used her blood to suppress Aria's wolf.
Aria did not forgive Cassiel. She made him unlock the royal archives and stand beside her while Selene testified before both packs. For the first time, the feared Lycan King obeyed without argument.
Lucian challenged the testimony and demanded Aria complete their rejection before she could claim another bond. Aria walked back onto the altar where he had humiliated her. This time the crown rested on her head and every wolf waited for her judgment.
“I accept that you rejected the powerless girl you believed I was,” she told Lucian. “She survived you. I do not owe you her pain.”
Their false bond dissolved. Lucian collapsed. Celeste fled with Aria's father toward the northern gate, carrying a vial of blood stolen from Selene's cell.
Cassiel offered pursuit, soldiers, and his throne. Aria chose all three—but not his mating claim.
“Earn my trust,” she said. “Then ask again.”
He bowed his head. “Command me, my queen.”
Before Aria could answer, the moon vanished. Across the courtyard, every royal wolf shifted against its will and turned toward Selene. Her mother exposed a bite mark on her throat that had not been there moments before.
“Run,” Selene whispered. “Your father just awakened the wolf who commands kings.”