MILLIE BROWN

Power is felt
It's a tie that brings us together

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After Shane left me alone, I walked to my room with the dress in hand and found a fuming Martha waiting for me.

Her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when she saw me with the dress, but she calmed down once I explained that Shane insisted I wear it.

She grumbled about how ridiculous it was for him to let a "filthy commoner" like me—her words—wear such a dress. She explained that the dress had been worn by the first Luna of Halcyon and that it was absolutely priceless. She warned me not to mess it up because I would not like the consequences.

I nodded and asked if I could take a bath before they got to work dressing me up, which Martha explained I could not do myself.

After my bath, I watched as Martha meticulously took care of my makeup and styled my hair. The maids helped me shimmy into the dress, and after they were satisfied with the outcome, they told me I could look at myself in the mirror.

My breath hitched when I saw myself. I was a completely different person now. The makeup blended seamlessly with my skin, brightening my complexion, while the eye makeup gave me an edge. I insisted they tie my hair up using the scrunchie Caelum gave me, so my hair was nearly slicked back.

"Thank you," I told Martha, who looked like she had just seen a ghost.

"You're welcome," she said, kneeling before me.

I found it strange but chose to push the thought away. I guessed she was just really dedicated to her job.

"My daughter Faith will lead you to the banquet. The Luna will meet you there," she told me, and I nodded. She bowed once more before leaving with all the maids.

Faith came bumbling back in after a few minutes and gasped very loudly.

"You look exactly like Riskeveria Valkera," she said.

I turned around to face her, raising my brows.

"Who?"

"The first Luna of Halcyon," she said, clearly shocked at my ignorance.

"You mean the owner of this dress?" I asked, and she nodded.

"You know what? Come with me and see for yourself," she said, grabbing my hand.

We scurried down the halls, which were filled with loud music, and I could hear the chatter of people around us.

"Come on," she said, pulling me harder as we hurried all the way down the hallway. At the very end, I saw a door that clearly hadn't been used in a while. Cobwebs hung everywhere, and dust filled the air.

"Where are you taking me? And is Ron okay?" I asked, still shaken from our earlier encounter.

"She's a little rattled," Faith said. "She said she's never felt anything like that and then told me to stay away from you," she added, giggling.

"Then why are you...?" I asked, lifting my dress to walk more easily.

"Wolves aren't very good listeners," she said, pulling open the creaky door. The sound that emerged was terrifying, like the door was about to fall off its hinges.

I smiled at her response because she was right. I remembered when Shane had said something similar when I asked him to leave me alone over and over again. My heart ached at the thought of him, our last shared moment, and the look in his eyes. It left me feeling like there was a hole in my chest.

"Come on," she said, tugging me into the room before closing the door behind us. The moment the door shut, we were plunged into darkness, and I couldn't see a thing.

Faith moves forward, her hands brushing along the walls as she mutters under her breath, "Where are those torches?"

The darkness feels oppressive, and I grow restless. Without thinking, foreign words spill from my mouth, carrying a strange, melodic cadence.

"Luminara caelestis, ostende nobis viam tuam."

As the final syllable leaves my lips, a shimmering ball of light materializes in the air, casting an ethereal glow that banishes the darkness around us. The light hovers, illuminating the stone walls and revealing an old, spiraling staircase.

Faith turns to me, her eyes wide with shock. "How did you do that?"

"I... I don't know," I reply, my voice shaky. I stare at the glowing orb as it begins to descend the staircase on its own, almost as if beckoning us to follow.

Faith grabs my hand, tugging me along as we follow the floating light.

The air grows colder as we descend, carrying a musty smell of decay and abandonment. Rats and insects scurry in the shadows, and I fight the urge to scream, reminding myself they mean no harm.

"This castle is the oldest in Halcyon's history," Faith begins, her voice cutting through the silence. "It was the first one ever built as a safe haven for the Valkeras."

I glance at her, sensing a history lesson on the way, but I don't mind.

"The first Valkera, though powerful, was a man plagued by fear," she continues. "He was so paranoid that he built secret tunnels and chambers beneath the castle to hide the things he valued most. But after his death, his son—the new Alpha—became obsessed with finding those hidden treasures. His father's final words claimed that only someone 'worthy' would uncover them."

"And... did he find anything?" I ask, genuinely intrigued now.

"No," Faith replies, shaking her head. "The Alpha spent years searching, but it drove him mad. Legend says he died down here, though his body was never found." She pauses, her tone lowering. "People say his screams still echo in these tunnels. That's why most avoid this place."

"What?" I squeak, moving closer to her.

Faith giggles but quickly sobers when she sees my nervous expression. "Relax. It's just a story. Or so they say..." She smirks before adding, "Anyway, the tunnels were sealed off after his death, and over time, they became forgotten—just myths."

We turn a sharp corner, and Faith stops in front of a wall covered in dust and cobwebs. Faintly visible beneath the grime is what looks like a faded painting.

"Oh, hold on. Let me grab a rag," she says, stepping away to rummage through her bag.

But I can't shake the strange pull I feel toward the wall. My hand instinctively reaches out, and as my fingers graze the surface, a warm glow spreads across the painting. The cobwebs and dust disintegrate, and the artwork repairs itself, revealing vivid colors and intricate details.

"Oh, that's so cool!" Faith exclaims, abandoning her search and rushing back.

My breath catches as the painting comes into focus. It's a portrait... of me. Or at least, someone who looks exactly like me. The resemblance is uncanny, down to the scrunchie tying my hair back and the dress I'm wearing.

"See? Identical, right?" Faith says with a grin.

"This... this isn't possible," I stammer, stepping back. "That's me. This isn't just a resemblance—it's me."

Faith's playful demeanor vanishes as she notices my serious expression. She steps closer, her brow furrowing. "Wait... are you saying—"

I turn, showing her the scrunchie in my hair, then point to the painting. Faith's eyes widen, and she stumbles back.

"Okay, this just got creepy," she mutters. "Why would the first Alpha paint you and label it with his Luna's name?"

I glance at the inscription below the portrait: Riskeveria Valkera. The name feels familiar yet foreign. My fingers tremble as I touch the name.

A loud click echoes through the tunnel, and the wall beside us shifts, revealing a hidden passage.

"Okay, now this is getting too weird. How did you know to do that?"

"I didn't. It just... happened," I admit, just as bewildered as she is.

Faith stares at the dark passage beyond. "It's like the legend says: 'Only the worthy will find it.'" She looks at me, her voice barely a whisper. "Millie, you're the one it's been waiting for."

The glowing orb floats into the new passage, lighting the way. I hesitate, then glance back at Faith.

"Aren't you coming?"

She shakes her head, her expression solemn. "Whatever's in there... it's meant for you. I can't go."

I want to argue but stop myself, realizing she's right. Taking a deep breath, I step into the passage alone.

The room beyond is a small study, its walls lined with ancient scribbles. Papers are scattered across a desk, and an old bed sits in one corner, the mattress long decayed. Despite its eerie appearance, my attention is drawn to a single object: a leather-bound journal sitting on the desk.

I pick it up, and the knotted string holding it closed unties itself. As I open it, two words jump out at me: White Lotus.

Before I can read further, Faith's panicked voice calls out from behind me. "Millie! Millie!"

I rush back to find her pale-faced and wide-eyed. "What's wrong?"

"The door—it opened! Someone's here. We have to go!"

Faith grabs my hand, leading me down a different path.

"Shouldn't we go back the way we came?" I ask, struggling to keep up with my dress.

"There's a shortcut," she says, sprinting ahead.

As we run, I notice the walls lined with portraits of past Alphas. Something about one of them catches my eye, and I skid to a halt.

It's a man I recognize—a face I've seen recently in a vision. My heart pounds as I approach the painting.

"Who's this?" I call out to Faith.

She hurries back, panting. "Tristan Valkera. He abdicated his throne and disappeared years ago. Why?"

I bite my lip, my mind racing. "No reason," I say, brushing it off.

Faith pulls me along, and soon we emerge into a grand hallway. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, bathing the space in warm light. A red carpet stretches out before us, lined with golden vases filled with wildflowers.

It's stunning—yet I can't shake the questions swirling in my mind. Who was Tristan Valkera? And why does it feel like my past is entangled with his?

"Where are we?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"The fifth wing," she replies casually, her tone light. "The ballroom where the banquet is being held is just down there." She gestures toward a grand set of double doors at the end of the corridor.

I nod, my thoughts a jumble. "Thank you for taking me."

She smiles, but I can tell she's preoccupied. "Okay, you go on ahead. I'll go find my mum," she says, and before I can respond, she's already disappearing down the hallway.

Left alone, I stand outside the ballroom doors, hesitant. I clutch the journal in my hands, its weight feeling far heavier than it should. I hadn't planned to bring it with me, but something about it felt impossible to let go.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my thoughts won't stop spinning. Tristan? Was that my father's name?

A strange sense of déjà vu washes over me, and suddenly, like an uninvited guest, a memory surges to the forefront of my mind:

"I will always love you, my little flower."

The words are soft, tender—almost too vivid to be a mere figment of my imagination. A sharp pain shoots through my head, and I clutch it instinctively. Did he say that to me? Did Tristan say those words to me?

Mum had always told me that he left when he found out she was pregnant. But these memories...they didn't fit.  I wish I could go back to my room to drink from the bottle Leah had given me, even though they didn't seem to be working.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, sliding down before I can stop them. It feels like my world is unraveling—every thread of control slipping through my fingers.

Fragments of memories I cannot claim,
A father's love, or perhaps just a name.
The walls around me start to blur,
Truths and lies in a haunting stir.
Will I ever find where I belong?

In my spiral of despair, only one name echoes in my mind: Shane. I wanted him here, needed his grounding presence.

"Millie, what's wrong?" His voice resonates through our connection, startling me.

I freeze. How does he always know?

Panicking, I sever the connection, unable to let him feel my breakdown. Instead, I reach out to someone else—someone I didn't think I'd ever call on again.

"Caelum," I whisper, establishing the bond.

His voice comes through almost immediately, warm and calm. "Millie. I thought you'd never reach out to me again."

"I'm sorry," I say, the words spilling out in a rush. "I shouldn't have lashed out at you. I know you'd never do anything to hurt me."

There's silence on his end, but it's not cold. It feels like he's processing.

"Can you come here? I... I really need you," I admit. Before I can gauge his response, the connection breaks.

Wiping my tears carefully to avoid ruining my makeup, I hear the sound of trumpets announcing something grand. Classical music swells, filling the air. The ballroom doors swing open, and I step inside.

The moment my foot crosses the threshold, a hush falls over the room. Heads bow, and fully turned wolves let out howls that echo in the vast space.

At the far end of the room, Shane stands, his eyes wide with disbelief as they lock onto mine. There's a palpable energy in the air—a current that seems to pull us toward each other. Goosebumps rise on my skin as he strides across the room, reaching me in seconds.

Taking my hand gently, he lifts it to his lips and places a soft kiss on my knuckles. The intensity in his gaze promises me everything, and I find myself lost in it, unable to speak.

But then his eyes flicker past mine, and I follow his line of sight. Leah stands at the other end of the room, dressed in a stunning red gown, a crown perched elegantly on her head. The murmurs begin to ripple through the crowd as they rise from their bows, their eyes darting between Leah and me.

Was this entrance meant for Leah? Did they think I was her?

Panic sets in, and I pull my hand away from Shane's, stepping back. Leah begins to walk toward me, her expression dark with fury. When we meet in the middle of the room, she leans in close, her voice a venomous hiss.

"You'll regret this," she spits, her eyes alight with rage.

In that moment, the illusion I'd held of her shatters. The polished façade is gone, replaced by something cold and calculating. How had I been so blind?

As Leah continues toward Shane, interlacing her hand with his, my heart clenches. They make their way to the raised platform at the end of the room where majestic chairs sit, the scene unnervingly familiar.

It's the vision the wolf showed me—but the roles are reversed. Leah sits where I was supposed to be.

I can't bear to watch any longer. Turning on my heel, I leave the ballroom, walking until I find a door that leads to a quiet courtyard. The cool night air wraps around me as I sit on a stone bench surrounded by flowers.

What was I thinking?

I glance down at the journal in my hands. Should I read it now?

"Millie?"

Caelum's voice breaks through the silence, and I look up to see him approaching. Relief floods me as I place the journal on the bench and run to him. He catches me in a firm embrace, his warmth soothing my frayed nerves.

"I'm so glad you're here," I murmur into his shoulder.

"Of course. I'll always come when you call," he says softly. His words make my heart flutter, but they also bring clarity.

Caelum had been my anchor when my life fell apart, the one constant who showed me kindness and protection. I loved him deeply—but not in the way I loved Shane. With Caelum, it was different. He felt like home, like a brother, a guardian.

"Thank you," I whisper, holding him tighter.

"You said you needed me?" he asks, pulling back slightly.

"Yeah," I say, turning to retrieve the journal, but before I can, a song begins to play through the speakers. I glance back at him, confused.

He smirks, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "Do you want to dance?"

"What?"

"The song signals the first dance," he says, his tone teasing. "It's customary to drop everything and dance with the nearest partner."

"That is not a custom," I reply, laughing despite myself.

"Well, it should be," he says, bowing dramatically.

I can't help but smile. We've come so far from the days of his one-word replies. Now, he even made jokes.

"I'm terrible at dancing, especially formal dances."

"Me too," he admits, grinning.

I laugh, taking his hand. "Fine, let's make fools of ourselves together."

The music filled the night air, wrapping around me as I danced with Caelum under the moonlight. The flowers surrounding us shimmered softly, their colors glowing under the pale silver light. The breeze carried their sweet scent, and for a moment, it felt like the world had slowed down, leaving just the two of us in this serene, magical moment.

Caelum's hands were steady on mine, guiding me effortlessly. I wasn't sure who was leading anymore, but it didn't matter. I couldn't help but smile as my dress swirled around me, brushing against the grass with every step. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to feel light, unburdened, and free.

The song slowed, and we stilled, facing each other. Caelum bowed deeply, his movements so graceful they brought a small laugh to my lips. I curtsied in return, the playfulness of the gesture easing the tension in my chest.

Just as i opened my mouth to speak, his expression changed. The softness in his eyes gave way to something more serious, almost heavy.

"Before you say anything, listen to me first," he said, his voice low and steady, though I could hear the emotion laced in every word.

I froze, my heart tightening as he stepped closer.

"You're right-there are things l've been hiding from you. Things about your past." His hands trembled slightly as he spoke, and I could see the regret etched across his face. "I've done things I'm not proud of, Millie. Things l'll regret for the rest of my life."

"Caelum..." I whispered, but he shook his head, stopping me.

"Please," he said. "Let me finish."

I nodded, holding my breath as he continued.

"I've decided to tell you everything. You deserve the truth. And...I can only hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. I'll spend my eternity making this right, Millie. I swear it."

His words struck me like a blow, leaving me speechless. I wanted to say something-anything-but then it hit.

A surge of magic, sharp and violent, pulsed through the air. It was so intense, it made the hairs on my arms stand on end. I looked up instinctively, and in that instant, the magic was released.

The blast struck Caelum directly. His body jolted violently, his eyes widening in shock.

"Caelum!" I screamed, reaching for him as he staggered back.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, dark and vivid against his pale skin. He coughed, and the blood splattered onto me, warm and sticky as it stained my face and dress.

"No, no, no!" I cried, grabbing his shoulders to steady him. "Stay with me, Caelum. Don't do this. Please!"

His breathing was ragged, and his eyes locked onto mine, filled with pain. But before I could say more, another blast of magic ripped through the air, slamming into him.

"Caelum!" I screamed again, my voice breaking.

He collapsed to his knees, his body trembling. Tears of blood began streaming down his face, and I could barely comprehend what I was seeing.

"Run..." he whispered, his voice strained and broken. "Millie, run... get Shane."

But I couldn't move. I couldn't leave him. My hands shook as I held onto him, my heart shattering with every passing second.

"No! I'm not leaving you!" I sobbed, my voice trembling with desperation.

Before I could react, pain exploded at the back of my head. My vision blurred, and I felt myself falling. The ground rushed up to meet me, but I barely noticed.

Through the haze, I saw Caelum crumpled on the ground, his lifeless body lying in a pool of blood that glinted in the moonlight.

"Caelum..." I choked out, tears streaming down my face. My voice was barely a whisper.

Somewhere in the distance, I heard a voice
—cold and unfamiliar. The words didn't register, but the tone chilled me to my core.

"I'm sorry, Caelum," I whispered, my heart breaking as darkness claimed me.

The last thing I saw was his still form, etched into my mind like a cruel, unending nightmare.

Authors note:
Yes beautiful readers, I know you hate me right now but all I can say is I'm sorry. I still love all of you. Thank you for reading, Don't forget to vote and comment.