Chapter 2 Ribbon Beneath His Boots

Serena

Lizarath Ashwood.

Lizzy.

She'd spent her whole life preparing to become the Royal son's mate.

Her mother wanted to become Alpha Marcus's chosen Luna.

So did mine..

Behind her walked three other Luna candidates.

Maribel Rowan stood at Lizzy's shoulder, lazily fanning herself despite the cool morning air from the Emberfang house. Smiling wickedly.

Beside her stood Ophelia Thorn of House Hollowmist, daughter of one of the High Beta families. Quiet. Sharp-eyed. She rarely spoke first, but when she did, her words usually found the deepest wound.

Selene Vale folded her arms across her perfectly pressed uniform. Unlike the others, she came from Moonstone itself, house Silverstone. She looked at everything as though she were already judging whether it belonged in the palace.

Together... they followed Lizzy like three moons around the same star.

She looked me up and down.

Slowly.

"How is your mother?"

I didn't answer.

Maribel snapped open her fan.

"Still dreaming about becoming Alpha Marcus's Luna?"

Quiet laughter spread through the courtyard.

Lizzy sighed dramatically.

"Mother says ambition is admirable."

She tilted her head.

"Delusion isn't."

Selene smirked.

"Lady Isolde has spent years preparing to stand beside Alpha Marcus."

Ophelia brushed an invisible speck from her sleeve.

"Some women earn their place."

Maribel laughed.

"Others just hope a rich Alpha mistakes pity for love."

Lizzy's eyes settled on me.

"Tell the gold digger not to get too attached to Moonstone."

She smiled, all perfect manners.

"When my mother becomes Luna of Moonstone, remember today."

Her smile never slipped.

"You'll learn that the Moon doesn't choose border wolves."

They'd called us gold diggers and charity cases so many times the words should have stopped hurting... but it never did.

My hand tightened around my bag.

Lyra growled.

Not today, Lyra.

Today belongs to Father.

I wouldn't stain it with anger.

Elias stepped forward before I could speak.

"That's enough, Lizzy."

Her smile faded.

"Elias." Her smile sharpened.

"Still rescuing strays?"

He looked directly at her.

"Go to class."

For a heartbeat...

No one moved.

Lizzy's smile turned brittle.

"You're defending her again?"

Elias didn't even look away from me.

"I'm doing what's right."

The great silver bell of Luna Academy rang across the gardens.

Lizzy's smile promised this wasn't over.

I tightened my grip on my bag.

The academy bell rang again.

Its deep silver note rolled across the gardens, scattering conversations like startled birds.

Students hurried toward the main hall. White uniforms disappeared through tall oak doors while instructors called late arrivals by name.

"Come on," I murmured.

Lyra stretched lazily inside my mind.

We're going to be late.

"We're already late."

That's different.

I smiled despite myself.

The lecture hall smelled of parchment, dried lavender, and fresh ink. Sunlight poured through stained-glass windows, painting the stone floor in pale blues and silver.

Master Aurelia stood at the front with a bundle of herbs resting on the demonstration table.

She didn't look up when I slipped inside.

"Miss Blackwood."

My feet stopped.

"You are seventeen seconds late."

A few students snickered.

"I'm sorry, Master Aurelia."

"So am I."

More laughter.

"Take your seat."

I hurried to the back row.

Master Aurelia lifted a sprig of moon sage.

"Who can tell me why this herb must never be harvested after sunrise?"

Several hands shot up.

Lizzy's was the highest.

Without waiting to be called, she answered.

"Because tradition demands it."

Master Aurelia didn't react.

"Miss Blackwood?"

Every head turned.

I swallowed.

"The oils begin to evaporate once the sun warms the leaves," I said. "Harvesting before sunrise preserves its healing properties. The old tradition came later."

Silence.

Master Aurelia nodded once.

"Correct."

She placed the herb back onto the table.

"Remember this. A healer follows knowledge before custom."

By the time lessons ended, my shoulders ached from hours of grinding herbs and taking notes.

The afternoon sun had climbed high.

My stomach growled.

Lyra noticed immediately.

Food.

"Work first."

Food.

"Work."

Lyra sighed dramatically.

You're impossible.

"I've been told."

I brushed the dirt from my hands and untied my apron.

The afternoon sun had begun its slow descent. If I hurried, I'd still have enough time.

First, the market.

Then the Weeping Willow Court.

Then tonight...

Father.

I tightened my grip on the small pouch of coins hidden inside my bag.

Six months.

Six months of working after classes.

Six months of saying no to little comforts.

No sweet pastries.

No new shoes.

No bus fare.

Every coin had gone toward tonight.

Silverroot's market was quieter than it had been that morning. Merchants called to passing customers while the scent of fresh bread drifted through the narrow streets.

I stopped at Old Mira's flower stall.

Moon lilies.

"They're fresh," Old Mira said, wrapping the stems carefully. "Picked before sunrise."

"They're beautiful."

"For the memorial?"

I nodded.

Her smile softened.

"You're a good daughter."

She slipped an extra white bloom into the bundle.

"No charge."

My throat tightened.

"Thank you."

I carried the flowers carefully to the next stall.

The old incense maker recognized me without a word. He wrapped the moon incense carefully before placing it in my hands.

"For a peaceful journey," he said quietly.

I bowed my head.

"For a peaceful journey."

The candle shop came next.

I bought two white candles, one silver candle, and finally stopped before a display of carved wooden wolves.

Rows of carved wolves filled the shelf. My hand went straight to the smallest one, its head lifted toward the moon.

"Perfect."

I had it all.

Everything Father deserved.

Lyra's voice softened.

You did it.

"I promised him I would."

Together, we left the market and followed the quiet stone path leading toward the Weeping Willow Court.

The noise of Silverroot faded behind us.

Ancient willow branches stretched across the sky like gentle arms, their silver-green leaves whispering in the afternoon breeze.

Hundreds of ribbons danced among them.

Silver.

White.

Grey.

Every ribbon carried a name.

Every ribbon carried a goodbye.

I found Father's almost immediately.

The faded silver ribbon fluttered gently beneath a low branch.

My fingers brushed the worn fabric.

Seven years.

Seven memorials.

Seven promises.

"Just a little longer, Dad."

The breeze stirred the branches as if answering.

"Tonight, you'll finally be free."

I rested my forehead against the rough bark.

"I hope I've made you proud."

Lyra stood quietly beside me.

For once...

she had nothing to say.

A deep horn echoed across the valley.

Then another.

The peaceful whispers beneath the willow vanished.

Heads turned.

Conversations stopped.

Far beyond the Court, a line of sleek black SUVs rolled through Silverroot's gates.

Royal flags fluttered above each vehicle.

"The Royal Alpha heirs!"

"They're here!"

"It's the princes!"

People rushed toward the main road.

Luna candidates gathered their skirts and ran.

Excited whispers filled the air.

I barely looked.

And hugged Father's memorial close to my chest.

Most importantly...

the silver ribbon.

I couldn't let anything happen to it.

"Let's go another way," I murmured.

Good idea.

Lyra agreed.

The crowd surged toward the main road.

Luna candidates rushed past me, laughing, pushing, desperate for a glimpse of the Royal Alpha heirs.

I stepped aside, hugging Father's memorial close to my chest.

"Easy," I whispered. "Just get through the crowd."

Lyra lifted her head.

Someone's coming.

I looked down, making sure the ribbon was safely tucked between the flowers.

One more step.

Then...

I walked straight into a solid chest.

Flowers scattered across the stone.

The carved wolf hit the ground with a dull crack.

Father's silver ribbon drifted through the air like falling moonlight.

Silence settled over the courtyard.

I looked up...

...into a forest-green jacket.

Broad shoulders.

Deep green eyes.

He hadn't moved.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

Around us, someone gasped.

"Prince Rhys..."

Another voice breathed,

"She just ran into the future Alpha."

My heart stopped.

Not because I'd run into a prince..

"No..."

I dropped to my knees.

"The ribbons..."

Shaking hands reached for the silver cloth.

I reached for Father's ribbon.

The polished black boot didn't move.

My fingers stopped inches away.

Father's silver ribbon lay trapped beneath the polished black boot.

Seven years of memories...

beneath the heel of the future Alpha.