osing in around her as if she were distancing herself from her own life. Her mother, her eyes red with tears, tried to maintain a facade of calm, but every smile she offered was a st

ssure her mother while packing one last piece of clothing into her suitc

mbling. "It's not a simple world, that of the Alpha. They're tough

r mother. She had heard these warnings often, but the reality of things weighed h

ok of resignation on his face, absently flipping through a document. Katherine knew he was worried about her, but also about

her voice soft, almost a prayer.

mixed with sadness. "You are a woman now, Katherine. Tak

him tightly, feeling her shoulders tremble slightly under t

e she found herself standing before a sparsely decorated altar, a backdrop of stripped-down majesty. Adrian, impeccably d

hispered to Adrian, as they approached each other. "There should be

n his eyes. "Believe me, Katherine, this marriage is purely arranged. I'm not here to

ve, as if their lives had no value beyond the expectations of others. She couldn't

let it get her down. She didn't yet know if she could trust

le, reciting promises she didn't know if she could keep. The council, satisfied, applauded with exaggerated vigor, and Katherine felt a

wondering how she could find herself in this situation. Her heart was pounding as she made her way to the room where a s

Rumors whispered around them, and she couldn't escape the echo o

ks she's going to be the next queen, but no

t her like an arrow, and she sank into her own world, shuddering at the thought of what it ent

king away from the gossip to Ad

fiancée. » His words rang like a bell of sadness, and Katherine felt a pang of envy

p but feel a certain form of sympathy for this woman sh

he replied, his eyes dark. "I'm not he

that. It was a symbol of the sacrifices they made, the wounds that might never heal. She want

es sparkling with mischief. She wore a bright blue dress that contrasted with the black of the others' outfits. The nex

She then turned to Katherine, her eyes narrowing into a friendly express

e. "Yes, nice to meet you, Niamh ," she replied, a shy smile on her lips. Ni

r eyes bright with interest. "I'm so happy for yo

n his lips. Katherine, for her part, felt encouraged

tense at the moment," Katherine admi

ll see, with time, you will find your place. And then, you ha

r spine at the thought of what Adrian was

place to start a new life. » Niamh grabbed

the secret places where young couples met to get to know each o

ld feel his gaze on her. For the first time, she felt a little less alone, as if a door was opening to a new future. But deep down, the voice

e's heart, a shadow persisted. Adrian's past, the pack's expectations, and