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“I’ve made my decision. Maya will never be my mate.”

My vision blurs as tears threaten to spill. The beautiful red dress he chose suddenly feels like a cruel joke, a prop in a play where I foolishly believed I had the leading role. My mother’s words about love and vulnerability mock me now.

“This is about more than just your feelings,” Erik hisses. “The mate bond isn’t something you can simply decide to ignore because it’s inconvenient!”

“It’s precisely because of my position that I must make this decision,” Griffin replies, his voice devoid of emotion. “A human queen? The kingdom would never accept it. Tonight proves that.”

“So, you’ll fuck her when you feel like it, build her hopes up, but when it comes to actually claiming her—”

“Enough, Erik!”

I don’t wait to hear more. Moving silently along the terrace, I slip through a side door and hurry down a deserted corridor. My chest feels hollow, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. The palatial halls that once seemed grand now feel suffocating. I need to get out.

I find refuge in a small alcove in the gardens, hidden away from prying eyes.

No tears fall, a cold numbness piercing me. Of course he chose Aria. Why wouldn’t he? She’s perfect in every way. Griffin had his chance to announce me tonight, to dance with me as promised, but instead he chose Aria—someone who fits his world effortlessly.

But why lead me on?

Hours pass as I sit alone in the darkness. The sounds of the celebration gradually dim as guests depart. Eventually, I see movement at the palace entrance—Griffin, Cedric, and Erik emerge in tactical gear, surrounded by armed guards. The search party. Jerry is also with them. He never mentioned he was going. They’re leaving for the facility without saying goodbye.

I watch from the shadows as they shift into their wolf forms. Not once does Griffin look back at the palace, as if he has already put me behind him. The convoy disappears into the night, leaving me truly alone.

Dawn finds me still in the garden, numb and exhausted. I make my way back to my mother’s cottage, rehearsing how I’llexplain my tear-stained face and crumpled dress. But as I round the last bend in the path, my heart stops.

Flames engulf the cottage, orange and angry against the pale morning sky. Palace guards rush about with water buckets, but it’s clear they’re fighting a losing battle. The structure is already half collapsed.

“Mom!” I scream, running toward the inferno. Strong arms catch me mid-stride.

“You can’t go in there,” a guard says grimly. “It’s too late.”

“My mother—”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Sorin.”

The world is spinning around me. I sink to my knees on the dewy grass, watching helplessly as everything I had left burns to the ground. Teresa, our neighbor, weeps quietly nearby, explaining through broken sobs that she’d checked on my mother as promised but left after dinner when Mom seemed fine.

“We don’t know how it started,” someone says. “It spread so quickly...”

But a cold certainty settles in my stomach. This was no accident. The timing is too perfect—first the palace distracted by the ceremony, and then the search mission, Griffin and his strongest fighters away from the grounds. Someone wanted me vulnerable and alone.

“Where is Leanna?”

“Queen Raine departed earlier this evening. She was unwell.”

“I see,” I mumble.

Hours blur together as officials ask questions I barely register answering. By mid-afternoon, I stand before the charred remains of the cottage, still wearing the red dress from last night, now smudged with soot and tears. My mother’s body, or whatever remained of it, has been taken away.

“Has word been sent to the king?” I ask hollowly.

The official standing by my side nods. “He’s not returning.”

The grief absorbs this new shockwave. I guess I’m only good enough to fuck and leave. My lips curve humorlessly. “I see. I want to bury my mother’s remains. And then—”

“Would you like a change of clothing?”

I stare down at the soot-stained dress, the diamonds still clinging to my skin. I rip off the jewelry and put it in his hand. “Give this to Griff—His Majesty. Get me some clothes. You can burn the dress for all I care. And I need a phone.”