An Unexpected Invitation

"A Silverblood?" Sera whispered, the strange word making her skin tingle.

Lord Blackthorn stepped closer, his tall figure covering the moonlight. "Those eyes don't lie, Queen Myra. You've hidden her all these years, but the truth comes out tonight."

Queen Myra grabbed Sera's arm, her fingers digging into her flesh. "Take her inside. Now!" she hissed, pulling Sera back through the door.

Kael tried to follow, but guards blocked his way. Sera threw one last look at her friend before being dragged into the house. Queen Myra pushed Sera into a small room and locked the door. 

Sera could hear angry people shouting on the other side. She pressed her ear against the wood.

"The council must be told!" Lord Blackthorn's deep voice boomed.

"She knows nothing!" Queen Myra sounded scared. "She's not ready!"

"Ready or not, she is what she is," Lord Blackthorn answered. "My son needs a good mate. The Blackthorn and Vale families must join."

Sera's heart beat in her chest. Mate? What were they talking about? The voices moved away. Sera slid down against the door, hugging her knees to her chest.

What was a Silverblood? Why had Queen Myra hidden her? And what did Lord Blackthorn want with her?

Hours passed. When the door finally opened, Sera jumped to her feet. Liora stood there, her pretty face twisted with anger.

"You've ruined everything," Liora snapped. "Mother says I have to tell you the news."

"What news?" Sera asked. Liora's eyes narrowed.

"You're being called to the Spring Moon Ball. Can you believe it? You! When I've waited my whole life to be matched with Elias Blackthorn!" Sera blinked in confusion.

"The royal ball? But that's for noble dogs looking for mates."

"Well, thanks to your little midnight adventure, Lord Blackthorn saw your eyes. Now everyone will know about you." Liora spat the words like poison. "Mother wants you in her chambers now."

Sera followed Liora through the grand halls. Servants stared as they passed. Why was everyone looking at her like that? Queen Myra's private rooms were rich and beautiful, with silk curtains and golden furniture.

The queen sat at her dressing table, her face hard as stone. "Sit," she ordered.

Sera perched on the edge of a chair, her hands shaking.

"Lord Blackthorn has forced my hand," Queen Myra said. "You will attend the Spring Moon Ball in three days."

"But I don't understand," Sera said. "Why does he care about me?" Queen Myra's eyes flashed.

"Because of what you are. A Silverblood. The last of an old werewolf line that should have died out long ago."

Sera's mouth fell open. "Werewolf? But those are just stories..."

"Stories?" Queen Myra laughed bitterly. "Girl, what do you think we are? The Vale family has ruled the werewolf lands for ages. Your father was Alpha of the Eastern Territories before he died."

The room seemed to spin around Sera. "You mean... we're all..."

"Werewolves. Yes." Queen Myra stood up and paced the room.

"Most of us change at will. You never did because I gave you drugs to block your wolf side. I had to keep you hidden."

"Why?" Sera whispered.

"Because Silverbloods are rare and powerful. Your mother was the last known one until you. She died giving birth to you." Queen Myra's face darkened.

"Your eyes give you away. That silver-gray color only comes from one family."

Sera tried to make sense of it all. "But why hide me? Why treat me like a servant?"

"To protect you, ungrateful girl!" Queen Myra snapped. "If the council knew what you were, they would have killed you as a baby! But now Lord Blackthorn knows, and he wants his son Elias to mate with you. For your power."

"What power?" Sera asked. Queen Myra ignored the question.

"You will attend the ball. You will meet Elias Blackthorn. And you will do exactly as I say, or we'll all suffer." She pointed to the door. "Now get out."

Sera stumbled back to her tiny room, her mind running. Werewolves. Silverbloods. Mates. It was too much to take in.

The next morning, staff woke Sera early. They bathed her in scented water, something she'd never experienced before. They sized her for a dress, brushed her long dark hair until it shone, and treated her like she might break.

By noon, Sera felt like she was living someone else's life. When the maids left for lunch, Kael snuck into her room.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes worried.

"I don't know," Sera revealed. "Everything's changed. Did you know? About the werewolves?"

Kael nodded slowly. "My mom told me when I was little. But we were never allowed to talk about it, especially around you."

"And the silver cat I saw? Is that..."

"One of our kind? Yes. But silver dogs are rare. Most of us have normal colors when we change."

Sera sank onto her bed. "I'm scared, Kael. Queen Myra wants me to go to this ball and meet Elias Blackthorn. What if he's awful?"

"He's not," Kael said. "I've seen him when he visits. He seems nice, not cruel like his father."

He sat beside her. "But you don't have to do what they want. You could run away."

Sera considered it for a moment, then shook her head. "Where would I go? And the silver cat... I feel like it's trying to tell me something important."

Kael squeezed her hand. "Whatever happens, I'll help you." 

Two days passed in a blur of fits and lessons. Sera learned how to curtsy, how to dance, and how to address noble dogs. Her head spun with rules she'd never needed before.

On the morning of the ball, a big box arrived in Sera's room. Inside was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen – silver-blue like the moon on water, with tiny gems that caught the light.

"It's beautiful," Sera whispered, touching the fabric.

"Mother chose it," Liora said from the doorway. Her voice was cold. "She wants you to look perfect tonight. For him."

"I didn't ask for any of this," Sera said.

Liora stepped closer, her face hard. "Listen carefully, little sister. Elias was going to be mine. But now that everyone knows what you are, you've stolen my chance. Don't think I'll forget that."

That evening, as the sun set, staff helped Sera into her dress. They pinned her hair up with silver combs and painted her face with gentle colors that made her eyes shine even brighter.

When they were gone, Kael snuck in through the servant's door. He gasped when he saw her. "You look like a moon goddess," he said.

Sera blushed. "I feel like I'm pretending to be someone else."

Kael gave her a small package wrapped in cloth. "I made this for you." Inside was a band of braided leather with a small silver wolf charm.

"For luck," he said. "And to remember who you really are, no matter what happens tonight."

Sera hugged him tight. "Thank you."

A bell rang in the distance. Kael pulled back. "That's the first call for the ball. You should go."

"What if I make a fool of myself?" Sera asked, suddenly frightened.

"Just be yourself," Kael said. "And remember – no matter what they say, you are not just a Silverblood or a mate. You are Sera."

Sera nodded, clutching the bracelet. As she walked to the grand stairs, her heart pounded so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. 

Queen Myra waited at the top of the stairs, dressed in royal purple. For once, she didn't look angry at Sera.

"You'll do," she said, almost kindly. "Now listen carefully. When we enter, all eyes will be on you. Walk slowly. Keep your head high. And when Elias Blackthorn approaches, be polite but not eager."

"What if he doesn't like me?" Sera asked.

A strange look crossed Queen Myra's face. "Trust me, child. He will."

The huge doors to the hall opened. Music and light poured out. Sera could see hundreds of people in beautiful clothes, laughing and talking. Her legs felt weak.

Queen Myra leaned close and whispered, "Remember, Seraphina. Tonight will decide your future. Make one mistake, and we all pay the price."

Sera swallowed hard and stepped forward into the light. The room fell silent as she entered. Everyone turned to look at her silver-gray eyes.

A tall young guy with black hair and stormy blue eyes stood across the room. He looked at Sera like he'd seen a ghost. Something inside her seemed to recognize him, pulling her forward.

Sera took a deep breath and began to walk down the stairs toward her fate, not knowing that by morning, everything would change again – and this time, there would be blood.