pte

ENA

e the announcement of the

nth of

to endless etiquette lessons, from posture correction to skin care rituals, all meant to

I am, but fo

hing was being scrutinized and polished

e thing f

my life would becom

erything, my heart

ady to mate

loved

my other half, the missing piece of me I had been torn away from. No matte

lly in the past mon

mate

sn't

live. Stirring. Pressing against my ch

had no

ve to mate with the king if he chose me. I would give him

ver my

r my

longed t

here I was already planning how

d. Not only were werewolves attending, but even those outside our kind, hum

tition wa

k, the capital of the kingdom where the king's palace stood.

ght was the

had forced myself t

xpected to know their king well, especially

no

d. And because they were so determined to push me into mating with the

hy I knew

learn only ma

each the palace within thirty minutes. Do not disgrace us. Execute your e

" I replie

all of us," she added, her tone he

though my che

tension behind Mom's words. Every carefully chosen syl

mis said, flinching at the weight of it, claws scraping my

ut the king during my

ous king, his own half-brother. After that, he slaughtere

id he w

rtl

cil

e had seen his face excep

is name whereve

now. "What are you thinking about? I've been cal

straightened

rrived,"

came t

othes carefully, making my exp

I loo

ly inside. Every hair on my arms and spine prickled. My nos

lace was alive, and every being within it radiated power and intent. Amelia

hority and power, yet strangely comforting

h and order. I could feel it, everyone here was powerful. Not just in

elves seemed to pulse with authority, marking territory that had been defended for centuries. Even the smalle

efore I finally stopped

magni

ymbols of authority and legacy. The sight alone made my chest tighten. This wasn't just

s, because the palace was bustling with activity du

e palace, the stronger the

eps s

st tig

e bond

idn't ju

pul

hrob

t aliv

e, muscles coiled, sensing something, someone, far stronger than I had anticipated. The bond wasn'

ath hi

h

nt but never gone. Yet now, with every step deeper into

tively pressed

feeling

re. Not now. I forced myself to ignore it, telling myself I would think

finally cau

as not easy, physic

e. The moment I stepped inside, I barely had the strength

ody faltered. She slowed the ache, sharpened my senses, and reminded me that I was more than fragil

the restroom. A shower would help, at least enough t

over me, one thought refuse

oom to rest. Everything else could wait until tomorrow. Right now, my body

t fate had in sto

ty scared me more

****************

he day of t

nd gone in fragments, restless and shallow. My chest felt tight,

tle, professional, and careful, as if I were already royalty. For a brief moment, I allowed

the prep

tist kept my look simple and elegant, enhancing rather than hiding who I wa

perf

, barely recognizing the woman looking back

de, I fe

it was

stepped onto the red carpet, flashes of light surrounded us. Came

photographs before ent

glowing with power and wealth. Alphas, Lunas, nobles, and guests from dif

roduced me to their allies, partners, and influential friends. I

my role p

going smoothly.

from the crowd. I clenched my fists, forced my jaw to relax, and reminded myself that a human mask was

th

ng has

ent echoed th

ir sh

every instinct inside me screamed tha