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His brows furrowed.

“How so?”

“These people, the higher wolves and the nobles, grew into this system. It’s all they know, and it’s where they draw their power from. If you erase it, they’ll be left with nothing other than their ability to prove to be worth their title, and they won’t like that.”

“So, what would you do if you were given the position to turn things around?”

Again, it was another question I didn’t see coming. I’ve often toyed with the idea of running away or of having a mate of a better rank to escape my reality. But not once have I considered changing things. Not even I could dream that wide. I didn’t think it was possible. But I gave it a thought, and I came up with an idea I think would help.

“Since the elderly nobles already grew into this structure, and it might be difficult to start reorienting them, you can start with the young ones. You can dissolve the caste system in the schools. Get rid of students taking other students as slaves, incorporate compulsory charity and vocational services amongst them to even the grounds, and provide them with healthy alternatives to channel their influence. You could consider getting rid of the elite class for noble-born children and remodeling it as a class for the brightest kids. That way, everyone would have a chance, and it would foster healthy cooperation amongst them and equal opportunity.”

Griffin looked to be deep in thought after my speech before he grabbed a journal next to him and started to scribble away.

When he was done, he capped his pen and returned his gaze to me with a warm smile. “I knew I made the right choice bringing you here. Thank you.”

His words seeped right into my heart, soothing the cracks from our previous interaction. I smiled in return, directly meeting his gaze for the first time since I stepped into the library. They appeared to be afew shades darker and sucked me in like a deer caught in headlamps. Everything else disappeared into a blur of muted colors.

The air around us suddenly felt charged, and I could feel my heart thudding in my ears. There was a pull that felt like an invisible magnet tugging me closer to him, urging me to close the distance between us. But before I got the chance to make a decision, the library door flew open, and only when Griffin’s back slammed into his chair did I realize he had been leaning forward.

“Hey, baby.” Lilith’s voice filtered into the room, the click of her heels announcing her presence.

“Hello, love.” Griffin greeted, plastering a tight smile on his face. We looked like kids caught stealing from the cookie jar.

She walked over to him, placing a wet kiss on his lips, and I felt my heart sink at the sight.

“Hi Mira, I didn’t see you there.” She let out a girly giggle when she turned. “I can’t seem to notice anything else when he’s close.”

I caught myself just before a murmur of agreement slid past my lips.

“I was already done cleaning the shelves. I should get going. Enjoy the rest of your day.” I said, picking up the duster I had long forgotten on the floor and fleeing the room.

I didn’t do anything wrong, at least not yet, but my heart was thudding like I was almost caught committing a heinous crime.

I didn’t catch a wink of sleep that night. The bond between Griffin and I was still very much intact, and I was forced to endure the mind-numbing ache of their bodies joined together in passion. Every time he gave himself to her, an unimaginable level of pain cut through me like rough shards of glass.

I’ve been through my fair share of unfortunate events, but not once have I found myself desperately crying to the goddess to put an end to my pain. It was a level of pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

CHAPTER THREE

Mira

I didn’t die, thankfully, but that also meant I survived to be a part of the team responsible for the ballroom decoration for Griffin and Lilith’s wedding.

The days leading up to the ceremony have been the slowest and most torturous days. I prided myself on being strong-willed and capable of withstanding any level of pain, but nothing prepared me for the ache that came from sharing a bond with another.

Mary has been the absolute best, and despite my constantly telling her I was okay, she never backed down with her efforts. She made it a point to spend every chance she got with me, and on one occasion, she snuck me into the palace movie theater for a marathon of my favorite series.

I came to the palace with hopes of getting married to my mate and starting my own family. In the end, I might have lost the mate, but I definitely found a sister in Mary.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get out of here? You don’t have to decorate a wedding you’re not a fan of.” Mary whispered as we tied the garlands to the entrance.

“I’m fine, Mary, really. I’m happy for the prince. He found the perfect woman to share his dreams with. It’s quite unfortunate that I have to be the collateral damage, but it’s what it is, and the sooner I get used to it, the better.”

She gave me a look that said she didn’t believe a word of what I said but knew better than to argue with me. “If you say so, I just think you’re a little too flushed for someone who’s supposed to be unaffected.”

I caught a glimpse of myself on one of the floor-to-ceiling windows at the entrance. My face did look flushed, and my lips were as plum as an overripe peach. I dismissed it as the onset of a flu that would definitely go away soon. We Omega’s healed at a slower pace in comparison to higher wolves, otherwise, I wouldn’t have noticed the symptoms.

When the symptoms persisted and I started to grow hot and restless, I retired to my room, not wanting to spread the illness. I was out like a light the moment my head hit the pillow.