a's

of physical ache that could be fixed with rest or medicine-it was the heavy kind

e sheer curtains of my room, painting g

t had been nothing more than a cruel, vivid nightmare. But as the seconds ticked by, the wei

demands. The shame of my unshifted wolf

t the shrill buzz of my phone on the nightstand pulled me back into the present. At first, I hesitated, staring at the de

eady for today. I'll be at the castle

o wear something comfortable? Was it a hike through the woods? A sparring session in the training grounds? Neither possibility eased my nerve

om wouldn't change anything. I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my skin. It did little to ease the tension twisting in my chest, but at least it

l's arrival. On my way to the dining hall, I passed a few maids. Their gazes darted toward me briefly before quickly turning away, as though they were afraid to meet my eyes for too long. I could

oden table. He looked as composed and unyielding as ever, sipping his coffee while read

said cautiously,

his attention still fixed on

nspoken tension, suffocating and inescapable. I poured myself a small cup of tea and nibbled on

re soon." His tone was calm, but there was an edge of author

en my entire future had already been decided for me? I was nothing more than a pawn in this game of power and allian

of the clock. The closer it got to noon, the harder it became to breathe. Finally, the sound of a

with my father, their tones formal and measured. Moments later, footsteps approached, stopp

ed out, trying to

nged in every space he entered. He was dressed casually-a black sweater that hugged his broad shoulders and dark jeans that made hi

said, a small, charming s

ed, though my voice was

holding up a long garment bag.

esses. Each one was more exquisite than the last-rich fabrics in deep crimso

ny," he explained, his tone casual, as though this was a perfectl

t they felt more like gilded chains than gifts. "Thank you," I managed to sa

his smile widening. "I want

sharp voice cut through

? Or special for

presence as sharp and cold as a blade. My heart

ra

else-until she disappeared from our lives without a word two years ago. And now,

rely hold itself together. The sight of her standing in m

e was here, why she looked so composed and confident when I felt like my entire world was falling apart

d on Kael, and there was something sharp and dangerous in her gaze. "You didn't tell her, did you?" she said, her voice dripping with venom, each word cutting through

ed, his jaw tightening as he stared at Mara. For the first time since I'd met him, he looked uncertain, caught off guard. "This isn't the time,

dator circling its prey. "You're engaged to her, Kael. Don't you think she deserves to know the truth?" Her words were sharp and challenging, meant

self from saying it. My gaze darted between the two of them, desperation clawing at my chest. "What truth?" My s

nd almost pitying. "The truth that he's been lying to you, Aria," she said, finally turning her gaze toward me. For a brief moment, her expression softened, but it on

rom under me, like I was falling and there was nothing to catch me. "What...?" I managed to choke out, my voice weak and trembling. M

toward me. His silver-gray eyes were wide with something that looked like des

on him with a fury that made her presence even more overwhelming. "Don't you dare try to twist this, Kael. You told me you loved me. You told me we had a future together.

s words pressed down on me, suffocating me, but I needed to hear it from him. I needed to know the truth,

lenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides as if he were bracing himself. Fina

"It's not complicated, Kael. You're a liar. You used me, and now you're using h

her fully. There was frustration in his tone, but I couldn't tell if it was d

y found the strength to speak. My hands were shaking, but I didn't care. The betray

xpression desperate. "Aria

s welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I've had enou

attered with every step, the pain threatening to consume me entirely. As

And once she knows the whole t

ew minutes, a tangled web of betrayal and secrets I hadn't asked for. And de