Josie
Kiel’s forgiveness felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. For the first ti in days, maybe weeks, I could actually breathe without that sharp ache of guilt stabbing with every inhale. He had looked in the eye, his voice quiet but firm, and told he forgave . And sohow, that had been enough to stitch my fractured heart back together.
So when he asked to join him for a candlelight dinner, I didn’t even hesitate. "Yes," I said. My voice had cracked a little, but I ant it with every fiber of my being. I wanted to say yes to him, to us, to everything that ant I still had a place in his heart.
But saying yes was the easy part. The hard part was standing in front of the mirror afterward, realizing that I had no idea what to wear, how to fix myself, how to even look like the woman who deserved a candlelight dinner with her mate. That was when I sent for Marcy.
She arrived a couple of minutes later, gliding into the room with that quiet grace she carried so naturally. But tonight—tonight, she looked radiant. Her dress shimred softly in the light, and her hair fell in neat curls over her shoulders. I blinked, stunned for a mont, because she truly did look beautiful.
"Marcy," I whispered, my lips tugging into a smile as I reached for her hands. "You’re glowing. What’s the occasion? Did I miss sothing?"
Her lips curved, but there was sothing almost... bittersweet in her smile. "It’s my birthday."
The words struck like a slap across the face.
Her birthday.
Oh goddess.
I felt my stomach drop to the floor, guilt wrapping its cold hands around my throat. How had I not rembered? How had I been so consud with my own exhaustion, my own storm of emotions, that I hadn’t even checked up on her?
I pressed my hand to my forehead, horrified. "Marcy, no—oh goddess, no. I’m so sorry. I—how could I forget?" My voice cracked, and sha rushed hot in my veins.
She shrugged lightly, but her silence spoke louder than any words could.
I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t bear the weight of knowing I had hurt her like that. Without another word, I rushed into the kitchen. My hands shook as I began pulling out ingredients—eggs, flour, sugar, butter. My mind raced as I diced, whisked, chopped, and stirred, determined to make sothing special for her, even if it was last minute. The kitchen filled with the comforting sll of warm bread, honey, and cinnamon.
By the ti I placed the small cake in front of her, my chest was tight with both sha and relief.
"Marcy," I said softly, placing a candle in the middle. "You were right to be angry with . I should’ve been there. I should’ve checked on you. I’ve been so tired, so caught up with everything else, but that’s not an excuse. I’m sorry. Truly, deeply sorry. Please forgive for reaching out so late."
For a long mont, she just looked at . The flickering candlelight reflected in her eyes, and for a second, I feared she would walk away, that I had already lost her. But then she exhaled, the faintest smile tugging at her lips, and my chest eased slightly.
Before I could say more, a guard rushed into the room, his boots striking the floor with urgency. His face was pale, his voice breathless.
"The Alphas request your presence. In front of the pack."
I straightened imdiately, my stomach knotting. "What is it? What’s happened?"
The guard shook his head quickly. "I don’t know, my lady. They only said you must be there."
I turned toward Marcy, searching her expression for answers, but she only shrugged, her quiet deanor unsettling more than anything. It wasn’t like her to be so silent, so withdrawn. Sothing inside twisted tighter.
Still, there was no choice but to follow.
We arrived at the gathering grounds, the air heavy with anticipation. Wolves had gathered in clusters, their whispers buzzing like insects. The Alphas stood on the stage, tall and commanding, their presence enough to still the crowd to silence.
One of the attendants gestured toward . "Up on the stage, my lady."
A chill ran down my spine. I shook my head quickly. "No. I—I don’t wish to—"
But before I could finish, Marcy’s voice cut gently through my panic. "Josie. You should. There must be a reason. Trust them."
Her calmness unsettled , but I found myself nodding, stepping forward despite the dread clawing at my chest.
As I walked onto the stage, the three Alphas turned their gazes toward , and for a fleeting mont, I forgot how to breathe. Their eyes followed , lingering with sothing fierce, almost reverent. For a heartbeat, it felt as though they were seeing for the very first ti—as though I were so rare, untouchable beauty.
The intensity of their stares made my skin prickle, heat rising to my cheeks. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, forcing a nervous smile. But just as my gaze t Thorne’s, he suddenly looked away.
The movent was sharp, deliberate. My heart stuttered.
Was there... soone else? Did his eyes belong to another woman, soone who had caught his attention the way I never could?
I bit the inside of my cheek, shoving the thought away. No. I wouldn’t spiral now. Not here. I straightened my shoulders and kept my smile fixed.
Kiel was the first to speak, his voice warm and rich. "Josie, you look beautiful tonight."
Varen smirked and added, "More than beautiful. Stunning."
I blinked at them, caught between gratitude and exasperation. Before I could respond, I caught the subtle way they nudged Thorne, silently urging him to add his own complint. But he only grunted, a terse nod his only acknowledgnt.
Typical.
Then, without warning, Thorne grabbed the microphone. His voice bood through the square, commanding every ear, every heart.
"The mont we’ve all been waiting for is finally here." His tone was sharp, deliberate.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
He continued, "Many of you already know that I have a mate. But not everyone has been fortunate enough to know what she really is."
The words sliced through like a blade.
Oh goddess. No. No, no, no.
My breath caught, panic flaring in my chest. I could see it now, the path he was leading them down, the danger of it all.
Before I could think twice, I lunged forward, snatching the microphone from his hands. The collective gasp from the crowd rang in my ears.
"Are you all crazy?" My voice rang out, sharp with desperation. Whispers erupted around , faces turning to one another in shock.
I forced a laugh, shaky and thin, but I masked it with a tight smile. "They only wanted to announce the date for our marriage. That’s all. Nothing else."
Kiel’s brows shot up, and Varen blinked at , stunned. Then, in the most infuriating way possible, Varen leaned toward Kiel and muttered—loud enough for to hear—"Did she just... propose to us first?"
I ignored them, grinding my teeth. Idiots. Absolute idiots. They were going to be the death of .
Turning back to the crowd, I lifted my chin, my voice steady despite the panic roaring in my veins. "Yes, that’s right. We’re announcing the date. And I am happy—more than happy—to be with such amazing Alphas. Truly."
The words tasted strange, but I kept my smile fixed, my tone firm.
From the corner of my ear, I caught Kiel’s low chuckle and Varen’s soft curse of disbelief. Thorne remained silent, his expression unreadable.
I exhaled slowly, trying to reel the mont back under control. "We’re sorry for wasting your ti tonight. Please, go ho. There’s nothing more to see here."
But then a voice rang out from the crowd. A woman’s voice, high and insistent.
"When is the marriage?"
All eyes turned back to . My palms grew slick with sweat. My heart thrashed wildly, every beat threatening to burst free from my chest.
I forced another smile, one that felt more like a grimace. And before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out—
"On the first."
The silence that followed was deafening.
I swallowed hard, the weight of my reckless declaration crashing over like a tidal wave.
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