Lily's head throbbed as she regained consciousness. Her eyelids felt heavy, her vision slow to return. Where was she?

Her memories rushed back to her like a tidal wave. She was in the abandoned wing of the castle. Zayn drank the vial, but something went wrong. He was in pain. Victoria pushed her away to get to him.

Looking around, it was clear she was alone. Lily's heart raced as panic set in. How long had she been unconscious? Where was Zayn? Was he okay?

She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the dizziness that threatened to trip her. Lily rushed towards the door. She had to find Zayn. She had to know if he was alright.

The voice in her head, his voice, had sounded so desperate and in pain.

As she made her way back to Elder Princess Tilda's quarters, Lily was so lost in her own thoughts that she did not see the two royal guards coming towards her.

"Halt!" The taller one commanded, hand moving to the hilt of his sword. "Identify yourself!"

Lily stopped, startled by their presence. She tried to sign but the guards did not understand what she was saying.

"What are you doing? Keep your hands where we can see them!" The second guard barked.

If only she had her voice, she could tell them who she was. Frustration built inside her. She reached towards her neck, hoping to indicate she couldn't speak.

"I said, don't move!" The first guard grabbed her arm roughly. "This is a restricted area. How did you get in here?"

Lily shook her head desperately, trying to convey her innocence.

"Probably a servant who thought she could steal something valuable," the second guard muttered. "Take her to the dungeon until we can determine who she belongs to."

The first guard nodded, tightening his grip on Lily's arm. Lily tried to pull away, pointing frantically in the direction of Elder Princess Tilda's quarters. If she could just get there, someone would recognize her.

"Stop resisting!" The guard's voice grew harsh as he twisted her arm behind her back.

Pain shot through her shoulder. Tears welled in Lily's eyes, not just from physical pain but from frustration. She was a Luna, Zayn's Luna, yet here she was, being treated like a common thief.

As they dragged her down the corridor, Lily spotted a familiar face. It was Elaine, the maid assigned to her after Martha's injury. Lily tried desperately to get her attention.

For a brief moment, their eyes locked. Recognition flashed across Elaine's face.

"You! Do you know who this maid belongs to?" The guard asked Elaine.

Elaine was startled by their sudden questioning. However, she replied with practiced calm.

"No, sir, I don't know who she is."

Just as a flicker of hope ignited in Lily's heart, it was blown out. Elaine turned her head away and continued walking.

Betrayal stung like a slap. Lily's shoulders slumped as hope drained from her body. Why would the maid help her anyway? She was clearly one of Victoria's people. Thinking back to the incident that caused Martha's injury, Lily grew more certain it was all planned.

It wasn't accidental. It was deliberate.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Lily looked up, recognizing the voice in an instant.

Elder Princess Tilda stood before them, regal in a deep purple gown, her silver hair arranged in an elegant updo. Her eyes narrowed.

"Your Highness." Both guards bowed, still maintaining their hold on Lily. "We found this trespasser in the abandoned royal wing. She refuses to identify herself."

Tilda's gaze shifted to Lily, recognition immediately lighting her eyes. "Release her at once! This is Luna Lily of the Obsidian Moon pack, Alpha Zayn's mate."

The guards exchanged shocked glances before hastily letting go of Lily's arm. "Our deepest apologies, Luna," the first guard stammered. "We didn't recognize—"

"Of course you didn't," Tilda cut him off sharply. "Because you didn't bother to consider that not everyone can speak. Now leave us."

The guards bowed deeply, faces flushed with embarrassment, before retreating down the corridor.

Tilda turned to Lily, concern etched on her face. "Are you alright, my dear? Where have you been? We've been worried."

Lily's hands trembled slightly as she signed, 'Thank you for helping me. I need to find Zayn urgently.'

"Zayn?" Tilda frowned. "He's in my quarters. But Lily, where have you been? You've been missing for two days. Everyone said you were ill, but no one would let me see you ."

Two days? Lily's stomach dropped. She'd been unconscious for two days? Left alone in that abandoned wing while everyone carried on without her?

'I'll explain later,' Lily signed hastily. 'Please, I must see Zayn now.'

Tilda nodded, though still concerned. "Come with me."

As they walked, Lily's mind raced. Two days. The concoction Zayn took must have done something terrible. And Victoria had been there the whole time, with Zayn at his most vulnerable.

When they reached Tilda's quarters, Lily's heart pounded so loudly she was certain the princess could hear it. Ezra stood outside the bedroom door, his eyes widening in shock when he saw her.

"Luna Lily!" Relief washed over his features, quickly followed by something else—anxiety? Guilt? "You're… you're back."

'Where is Zayn?' Lily signed urgently. 'Is he alright?'

Ezra glanced nervously at Tilda, then back to Lily. "He's… recovering. But perhaps now isn't the best time to—"

Lily shook her head firmly and stepped toward the door. She wouldn't be deterred, not when she'd been separated from her mate for two days while he suffered.

"Ezra, let her through," Tilda commanded, "She has every right to see her mate."

Ezra winced. An Alpha's orders were something he could never disobey. The same went for a royal's orders. He glanced over at Lily with an expression that seemingly warned her to be prepared for what she was about to see.

Lily pushed open the door. Nothing could prepare her for what she saw.

Lily froze.

Zayn sat on the edge of the bed, Victoria perched beside him, their faces inches apart. Victoria's hand rested on Zayn's cheek, guiding his face toward hers for a kiss.

The silence that followed was deafening. Zayn heard the door open. He snapped up, locking eyes with Lily. There was no warmth in his gaze. No recognition, only annoyance at the interruption.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" he demanded, standing abruptly.

Victoria's lips curved into a smug smile as she remained seated on the bed, looking perfectly comfortable in a space that should have been Lily's.

Lily stepped forward, hands moving rapidly as she signed to Zayn. 'What's happening? Are you alright?'

Zayn stared at her hands with open confusion. "What is she doing here? Is she having some kind of fit?"

The words struck Lily. Her heart ached. Did he not understand her signing? Why did he act as if he didn't know her?

'Zayn, it's me, Lily. Your mate,' she signed desperately, even as tears gathered in her eyes.

Victoria stood, placing a possessive hand on Zayn's arm. "Zayn, don't trouble yourself with her. She's clearly confused."

"I know who you are, Lily Brightpaw," Zayn dressed Lily coldly, "But have you lost your mind? I would never take you as my mate. You also do not have the right to barge into my room unannounced."

'I'm your mate,' Lily signed again, her movements becoming frantic. 'Your Luna!'

"My mate?" Zayn scoffed, looking to Victoria with disbelief. "I would never take such a weak, pathetic creature as my mate."

Lily stumbled backward. The cruelty in his voice, the complete absence of any affection—it was worse than when he had first rejected her.

Tilda gasped beside her. "Alpha Zayn! What has gotten into you?"

"Elder Princess Tilda, my apologies for involving you in my private matters. Whatever this is, I will handle it," Zayn said without giving her a chance to continue.

"Ezra," Zayn commanded, his eyes glowing a dangerous red, "remove Lily from my quarters and have her things thrown out. Her scent sickens me."

Ezra stepped forward, his face a mask of professional detachment, though his eyes held apology as they met Lily's. "Yes, Alpha."

"This is outrageous," Tilda protested. "Zayn, your eyes—they're—"

"Please, Your Highness," Victoria interjected smoothly, stepping between them and Zayn. "Alpha Zayn needs rest. He's still recovering. Perhaps it would be best if everyone left for now."

Ezra gently took Lily's arm, guiding her toward the door. Tilda followed without saying another word.

Once in the hallway with the door closed behind them, Tilda demanded to know the truth.

"What in the name of the Moon Goddess is happening here? That man is not the Zayn I know, and those eyes—I've never seen anything like it."

Ezra looked desperately at Lily, a silent plea in his gaze. He couldn't tell Tilda the truth without revealing everything about Alva's concoction and why Zayn had taken it.

Understanding his meaning, Lily touched Tilda's arm to get her attention.

Despite her broken heart, she managed to sign steadily, 'I appreciate your concern, Princess Tilda, but this is a sensitive pack matter we must discuss in private.'

"Again with this?" Tilda spat in annoyance, "Fine, suit yourself. Don't come crying to me when you need my help."

Tilda turned and left in a huff, washing her hands of the matter. Lily bit her lip. Elder Princess Tilda had been nothing but supportive and helpful since their arrival. It pained her to send her away like this.

But what choice did she have?