r only companion. It was her escape-her constant, her refuge from the harsh reality of her life. She had been scribbling

ant only one thing: the Mate Ceremony. A day that was meant to bring joy and unity, where the pack members discovered t

nt, humiliated at every turn, and denied the one thing that everyone else took for granted: a future. And on the day o

es, a bond so powerful and undeniable that it had nearly brought her to her knees. But Kael? He had no interes

birthday, she had felt the bond stir-just as he had. It was cruel, knowin

eremony. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but for Lyra, it was nothing but a reminder of every

upted when a loud voice

with who!" It was Kael's voice, and Lyra could hear the smirk

thing to look forward to, no hope for the future, but she would go. She had to endure thi

t pounding in her chest. She could hear Kael speaking to the crowd, his words casual, as if this was just another event to him. It

oment the bond connected, she felt the crushing weight of it. The power of their connection n

el's gaze. No recognition. No

clear. "Lyra." His tone was laced with mockery.

ing glances, while others looked away, clearly u

continued, his words deliberate and cu

unbearable, but she would not let them see her weakness. Not today. Not ever.

all eyes on her, wai

ith a glance. "Let's move on," he said cold

ad already known it would happen. She had prepared herself for it. But knowing it was coming and experien

thing unexpec

could hear their whispers, but she refused to let it break her. She had no choice but to accept it. She had no wol

rned away, his attention shifting to Marissa, wh

o the back of the house. She didn't care anymore. She didn't care about the c

ould still feel the sting of Kael's rejection, the weight of it press

es and drown out the pain, the doors to t

ook, their voices si

, the temperature dropping as his presence filled the room. His eyes-golden, pie