CHAPTER TWENTY

Ziaani's POV

The morning after the attack, I woke up feeling surprisingly... different. Stronger, maybe. Or just more confident. Last night, I had come up with a plan that helped turn the tide in battle, and for the first time, I didn't feel like an outsider in this world of vampires and war.

I stretched, feeling the warmth of the sun peeking through the curtains, and turned to see the Queen—Nikita—already awake, sitting in a chair near the window, watching me.

"You didn't sleep?" I asked, my voice still laced with sleep.

She smiled softly. "Not much. I was... thinking."

I sat up, raising an eyebrow. "About?"

She hesitated before standing and making her way over to the bed, sitting on the edge beside me. "About you. About how you stood up last night, took control, and made a difference. You acted like a true Luna."

A strange warmth spread through my chest. Pride. It felt good hearing that from her.

"Well, someone had to step up," I said, shrugging. "And I wasn't about to sit back and watch people die when there was a way to help."

She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "That's what makes you special, Ziaani. You care. You always have."

I swallowed hard, my heart beating faster than it should. There was something in her gaze—something soft, something real. I felt it in the way she touched me, in the way she spoke my name. But I wasn't ready to admit what that meant.

I cleared my throat, breaking the moment. "So… what happens now?"

She sighed, standing. "The Council is gathering tonight. They want to discuss the attack. And you should be there."

I frowned. "Me? Why?"

"Because you are my Luna, and the Council needs to see that."

I chewed on my lip, feeling a strange mix of nerves and excitement. But I nodded. "Alright."

Later That Evening

The dinner hall was grand, lit by chandeliers and torches that cast a golden glow over the long table. Vampires filled the seats, whispering in hushed voices, their eyes flickering toward me as I walked in beside Nikita. But this time, instead of shrinking under their gazes, I stood tall. I was Luna. And I was beginning to feel like it.

Nikita led me to my seat beside her, and I met the eyes of the Council members seated across from us. Their expressions were unreadable, but something in the air felt heavy.

The conversation was light at first—discussing the rebuilding of the village, the success of our counterattack, the importance of preparing for another possible strike. But then, the conversation shifted.

"There is something else we must discuss," an older vampire named Lord Darius said, his sharp eyes settling on me. "Something that can no longer be hidden."

I stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Nikita's hand found mine under the table, but I barely registered it as the Council members exchanged glances.

"You are not just Luna," Darius continued. "You are the Chosen One."

Silence fell. My heart pounded in my chest. "The what?"

"There is an ancient prophecy," another Council member spoke. "The Chosen One is said to be born with the power to either unite or destroy an entire species. Your existence was foretold centuries ago."

I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head. "That's ridiculous. I'm just—"

"You are not just anything, Ziaani," Nikita interrupted, her voice gentle but firm. "This is why the werewolves fear you. This is why you were hunted."

I yanked my hand away from hers, standing so fast my chair scraped against the stone floor. "So what? That's why I'm here? That's why you wanted to get to know me?" My voice cracked. "Because you needed me to trust you so you could use me for your little war?"

"No, Ziaani—"

"Don't lie to me!" I snapped, my chest tightening. "This whole time, I thought we were actually... I thought you actually—" I stopped myself, feeling tears burn behind my eyes. I shook my head. "I need air."

I didn't wait for a response. I turned and walked out of the hall, my steps quick, my mind spinning.

In the Woods

The night air was cold, but it did little to cool the fire raging inside me. My thoughts were tangled, a storm of emotions that refused to settle.

Did any of it mean anything? The way she looked at me, touched me, spoke to me? Was it all just manipulation?

I clenched my fists, leaning against a tree. But then her words echoed in my mind.

I was thinking about you.

That's what makes you special, Ziaani. You care.

She hadn't had to say those things. She hadn't had to look at me the way she did.

And deep down, I knew the truth.

She loved me.

Really, truly loved me.

The realization settled over me like a heavy weight, but before I could process it, something sharp jabbed into my neck.

Pain flared, and my body went limp before I could react. The world blurred as I collapsed to the ground, shadows moving above me.

Then everything went black.