a

y eyes as they fluttered open. The smell of rose filled the air, and for a moment, I was confused by my surroundings-everything

voice broke the silence, her voice

me. Her long, golden hair glowed in the light, and her face was et

e so worried, my sweet girl. You've been unconscious for weeks. We

rite? The words felt heavy. Nothin

hands, her eyes scanning mine. "Are you alright?

with authority walked into the room. His expression which was stern softe

ice was deep, filled with both concern a

y, like the woods after rain, but I didn't know him. I didn't kno

"You're safe now. We've been so worried, not knowing if

dded gravely. "You must be prepared. The full moon is approaching

t memory was... Finn. The pain, the betrayal, the wolfsbane coursing through my veins. Bu

onscious for so long... We don't know what happened. One day, you were

m connecting. I tried to sit up fully but my body protested with every movement, but I had

fine, the next... you were unconscious. We feared it was an attack, but there were no signs of foul play. W

and I felt a chill creep down my spine. "Mating

red in our family. It is how you find your fated mate. You cannot miss it, Ria. If you

kened as her words s

r generations. Any female in the family who fails to complete the mating rite dies a slow, p

ife or death. And the worst part? I wasn't Ria. I was Octavia. Trapped in this body,

t of their expectations pressing

line of his face. "You've been through a lot. Perhaps t

k hair framed a sharp, serious expression, and his eyes locked onto mine with a mix of relief and warine

ow could I? This was all so overwhelming, and I

Thorin. "We need to start preparing immedia

ers across my cheek again. "Don't worry, my darling.

. How could I tell them the truth? That I wasn't their daughter, th

. "Come, let's get you dressed. You need t

ady, guiding me toward a large dressing screen at the far end of the room. Beh

h wide eyes. "It's so good to see you awake, Princess Ria," s

spect anything. Not yet. I had to play along, had to pretend to

tantly felt overwhelmed. The upcoming rite, the curse, t

nally realized her name-smiled warmly at me. "You look beautiful, my d

memory of such a thing. But I fo

val. Jason's expression softened for the first time, a small smile form

all. But I nodded, pretending to

r. "The elders want to see you. They've been praying for your

e room. My mind raced with questions. How was I going to ge

again, her tone soft but probing. "Ria... do you remember anyth

a what she was talking about. I searched my mind, try

Thesa's expectant eyes, but nothing came to me. I

ading. "Ria? What were you doing at the lak

I realized I had no