The moon hung low and luminous in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the dark woods. It wasn't a full moon—yet—but Elaina could feel the shift in her blood, the tingle of magic beneath her skin, restless and rising.
She stood in the center of the training grounds behind Lucien's estate, barefoot, eyes closed. The earth pulsed beneath her feet like a heartbeat. Her power was growing—but with it came questions. Doubts.
Behind her, Lucien's voice broke the silence. "You haven't slept."
Elaina opened her eyes but didn't turn. "I keep hearing whispers in my dreams. The magic calls me, and I don't know if I should run toward it… or away."
Lucien stepped closer. "You were never meant to run from anything. You face things head-on. Even me."
She finally turned to face him. "Especially you."
A flicker of something passed between them—heat, history, and something unspoken.
"I've seen this before," he murmured, eyes scanning her. "The way the moon reacts to you. The markings… they'll show soon."
"Markings?"
He nodded, voice low. "Magic leaves a trace on the skin. If you're connected to something ancient, something powerful—it doesn't stay hidden for long."
As if on cue, a faint shimmer ran across Elaina's collarbone, glowing briefly like a silver tattoo before fading.
Lucien's gaze darkened. "You've been marked."
---
Meanwhile, In the Shadows of the Capital
Valen stood in front of an ancient altar, arms outstretched. Runes carved into the stone flickered red.
"She's awakening. The curse is unraveling."
A figure stepped forward—an older witch, her eyes black as ink.
"Then it begins," she rasped. "The girl is the key. Her mark isn't just magic—it's prophecy. And if she bonds with the Alpha…"
Valen's voice cut through like a blade. "She won't. I'll make sure of it."
---
Back at the Estate
Later that night, Elaina sat in the library, flipping through old werewolf scrolls, most written in faded ink and ancient dialects.
Daisy walked in, dragging a blanket and looking half-asleep. "Okay, so you're going full Hermione now?"
Elaina sighed. "If Hermione had to deal with an emotionally constipated Alpha, a jealous psycho villain, and ancient magical tattoos that show up when she's stressed, then yes."
Daisy plopped beside her. "Also, side note—you've got major 'chosen one' energy right now. Like, I wouldn't be surprised if you started floating."
"I did once," Elaina muttered.
"What?!"
"Don't ask."
---
A Deeper Connection
Lucien entered, holding a worn leather journal. "I think this belonged to your mother."
Elaina stared at the book, then slowly took it. As she opened it, her hands trembled.
Inside were sketches of wolves, symbols… and letters addressed to a daughter she never got to raise.
Tears welled in Elaina's eyes as she whispered, "She knew. She knew all of it."
Lucien crouched beside her. "And now… so will you."
She looked at him, her voice cracking. "What if I'm not enough? What if I can't handle this?"
"You already are," Lucien said, brushing a tear from her cheek. "You just haven't realized it yet."
---
That Night
As Elaina lay in bed, the moonlight filtered through her curtains and hit her skin… and this time, the markings didn't fade.
They glowed softly—an ancient symbol across her shoulder and chest. A crown. A fang. And a rose.
Three parts of her soul.
And a whisper echoed in her mind: "The Queen has returned."