Nymeria’s POV

“Stand still. Your dress is not straight.

”

“It is straight.

”

“It is not. You want to embarrass House Virell today?”

“I said it is fine, Selene.

”

“You always talk too much for someone who should be quiet today.

”

I looked at Selene Voss in the mirror room. She was already perfect. Blonde hair pinned neatly.

Blue dress shining like ice. Smiling like she owned the world.

“I am not trying to embarrass anyone,

” I said.

Selene stepped closer.

“Good. Then do not act like you matter too much today.

”

I looked away.

Today was the bond ceremony.

The day every wolf girl dreams about.

The day you meet your fated mate.

My chest felt tight.

Nyx stood near the window.

“You are shaking,

” Nyx said.

“I am not.

”

“You are.

”

I held my hands together.

Nyx walked closer.

Selene laughed softly.

I did not answer.

“It is just… today is important.

”

“Important does not mean safe.

”

“She is meeting Alpha Alaric Draven. It is safe enough.

”

Alaric Draven.

The Alpha of Draven Pack.

Strong. Cold. Respected.

Everyone said he was perfect.

Everyone said he never makes mistakes.

So I should feel lucky.

But I did not feel lucky.

I felt something I could not explain.

Nyx tilted her head.

“Do you feel it too?”

I frowned.

“Feel what?”

Nyx lowered her voice.

“That pull.

”

My heart stopped a little.

“I do not know what you mean.

”

Nyx looked away fast.

“Forget it.

”

Selene crossed her arms.

“Stop filling her head with nonsense. She is nervous enough.

”

I stepped toward the door.

“I need air.

”

Selene grabbed my wrist.

“You do not leave until it is time.

”

I looked at her hand.

Slowly, she let go.

“Do not do anything stupid,

” she said.

I walked out.

The hallway was loud.

People everywhere.

Voices.

Laughter.

Whispers.

“Virell girl is the one today.

”

“Alaric will choose well.

”

“She is not strong enough for him.

”

I kept walking.

I did not look at them.

Nyx followed me.

“You should not listen to them,

” she said.

“I am not listening.

”

“You are.

”

I stopped near the large doors of the ceremony hall.

The sound inside was louder.

Drums.

Footsteps.

The pack gathering.

Nyx looked at me.

I nodded.

“Yes.

”

“Even if it hurts?”

“Yes.

”

“Do you still want to go in?”

The doors opened.

Light hit my face.

The hall was huge.

Every seat was full.

Every eye turned to me.

I walked forward.

My steps felt heavy.

I reached the center.

Alaric was already there.

Standing.

Waiting.

When I saw him, my chest tightened again.

He looked at me like everyone else did.

Like I was nothing special.

But then something changed.

For a second.

Just a second.

His eyes met mine.

And I felt it.

A pull.

A bond.

My breath stopped.

“It is real,

” I whispered.

Nyx behind me said softly,

“Yes.

”

Selene’s voice came from somewhere behind.

“Finally.

”

Alaric raised his hand.

Silence fell.

My heart beat faster.

This is it.

This is the moment.

He stepped forward.

One step.

Then another.

The bond pulled harder.

My hands shook.

Alaric stopped in front of me.

He looked down at me.

The hall was silent.

Even breathing stopped.

I smiled a little.

I did not know why.

Maybe because it was finally happening.

He spoke.

“My people are watching.

”

I nodded quickly.

“Yes.

”

His eyes stayed on me.

Long.

Too long.

Then he said,

“Nymeria Virell.

”

“Yes,

” I whispered.

My voice was small.

His jaw tightened.

I felt something shift.

Something wrong.

“Today is the bond ceremony,

” I said quickly.

A small sound went through the crowd.

Someone laughed.

I ignored it.

“We are mates. I know. I feel it too.

”

Alaric did not move.

He looked like he was deciding something.

My heart started to race.

“Alaric?” I said softly.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

Then opened them.

Cold again.

Different.

“No,

” he said.

My body froze.

I blinked.

“What?”

He did not look away.

“I reject you.

”

The words did not make sense at first.

My ears heard them.

But my mind did not accept them.

“You what?” I whispered.

“I reject you,

” he said again.

The bond inside me snapped.

Pain hit my chest like fire.

I staggered back.

“As my mate.

”

“No,

” I said quickly.

He raised his hand.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Even the air felt dead.

“That is not possible. We are—

”

Alaric spoke again.

“I, Alaric Draven, Alpha of Draven Pack, reject Nymeria Virell.

”

My knees weakened.

People started whispering.

I heard them.

“She is rejected.

”

“Impossible.

”

“She is nothing.

”

Selene’s voice came softly.

“Finally.

”

I turned my head slightly.

Selene was smiling.

I stared at her.

My throat burned.

“You knew,

” I said.

She tilted her head.

“I know many things.

”

My hands shook.

I looked back at Alaric.

“Why?” I asked.

His eyes did not change.

“This is not your place.

”

My voice broke.

“I am your mate.

”

He answered quickly.

“You are not.

”

The bond inside me cracked again.

I pressed my hand to my chest.

It hurt so much I could not breathe properly.

“Stop,

” I whispered.

Alaric did not move.

The crowd was still watching.

Watching me fall apart.

Nyx’s voice came from behind.

I did not turn.

“Say something,

” I said to Alaric.

He said nothing.

Just silence.

“Nymeria…

”

That was worse.

I took a step back.

Then another.

My vision blurred.

“You cannot just reject me like that,

” I said.

“I already did,

” he answered.

Something inside me broke completely.

I turned away fast.

My feet moved without thinking.

The hall was still watching.

I could hear them.

Every whisper.

Every laugh.

Every word.

Then a loud voice came from outside the hall.

A guard shouting.

“Alpha report. Border breach.

”

The doors slammed open.

A soldier ran inside.

Blood on his armor.

“Alpha Alaric,

” he shouted.

The hall went silent again.

Even Alaric turned slightly.

Just slightly.

My tears stopped.

I did not know why.

But something inside me reacted.

“Zevran Veyr has entered Valmora territory.

”

A pull.

Different.

Stronger.

Somewhere far away.

I felt it.

Like something had been waiting.

For me.

And then I heard it.

A low sound.

Like a distant call.

And everything inside me went quiet.