re

before the clock strikes midnight," a sharp

as adjusting her diamond earrings, her eyes trackin

of the simple white gown I had boug

eph's dad was furious when he saw the official itinerary. There is no way the Alpha

dress, my nails nearly tearing the

ebound.

get my dignity back. I wanted to look every single person in this academy

ia whispered, step

flection looked grim. There was clearly no joy i

softly. "But...are you really sure about this?

voice tight as I adjusted a stray strand of my dark hair.

ted breath, her grip ti

was spotted at the pack border. The moment Lyra's name was mentioned, Zeph's aura flared so hard it

anced through my chest

ge of the counter. In my mind, my weak wolf gave a fractured, tremb

d sweat broke out across my skin. My wolf was buckling under the

to support my weight. "You're shaking.

the dull ache in my heart. "My wolf is just anxious. It's the Lunar

*

rtyard, Zephyron was waiting

y crest pinned precisely over his heart. But his broad shoulders were rigidly tense, and his fingers we

y eyes swept down my white dress, a flicke

ration? I c

elia," he murmured, his

ge, warm hand settling fir

e said, pulling a small

ing white moonstone. It wasn't the official Duskmere Luna rin

ushing against my wrist as he clipped the bracelet on. "No

beautiful face, desperately searching for a sign of

se I do,

shoulder. He was scanning the crowd of students entering the grand hall.

specific shade of blonde hair, and th

oking f

h? Holding onto me just becaus

ing myself to be grateful for whatever scraps of attention he threw my

stepping closer to his side, t

Blackridge Academy w

and powerful Alphas in attendance. Zephyron's hand remained steady on my back as we moved thro

e heavy, suffocating silence rig

time the crowd murmured, Zephy

t here w

or the presentation," Ronan's

s were fixed on me with that familiar, torturous pity. He looked like h

ghtening. He looked down at me, forcing a smile tha

mmering a frantic, terrify

ss Selene boomed through the massive speakers

ack. Please welcome our future Alpha heir,

pted, deafen

the elevated stage. The spotlights hit us, blinding and white, i

utiful second, th

d bet against me were quiet. The bullies were staring in shock. I w

ed my head to look at Zephyron, wanting to share the

rds died i

one completely

yes were wide, blown out with a sudden, violent shock as he stared

of sight, my blood f

ballroom, dressed in a crimson gown