Chapter 3 The Stranger Who Was Mine

Mira’s POV

I froze, not able to move.

Every sound in the throne room seemed to disappear, the voices, the clinking of goblets, soft music. All I could hear was the sound of my own drumming heartbeat.

The stranger was staring at me with the same stunned, unblinking look I must have had on my face. He was handsome in a way that didn’t feel real, exotic beauty not typical for a dragon. But none of that mattered. What mattered was the word that had just burned through my mind.

Mate.

My mate. The one I’d nearly stopped believing existed.

Asfar’s voice broke through my shock, bright with joy. “Finally! Finally, we found him!” My dragon was almost giddy, but there was confusion tangled in her excitement. “But… I don’t sense his dragon.”

The thought slammed into me like a flash of lightning.

He’s not a dragon. Then… what is he?

I barely had time to think before my father’s voice filled the throne room.

“Prince Alexander,” My dad, King Cassius said, his tone carrying both warmth and a hint of curiosity. “We are honored that the son of my old friend has been chosen by the Goddess as my daughter’s mate. Though I admit, we are surprised—it’s rare for a dragon to be bonded with someone who isn’t a dragon. Still, Lycans and dragons have stood as allies for generations. It seems our bloodlines are fated to remain close.”

The prince bowed slightly, his dark hair brushing his forehead as he replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my visit to Eryndrakor would lead me to the queen of the North Kingdom. I am humbled and deeply grateful to the Goddess for this gift.”

My cheeks flushed.

When Prince Alexander stepped closer, taking my hand in his, the warmth of his touch sent a shock straight through me. Sparks. Real, tangible sparks that danced beneath my skin. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it softly.

It was like my heart forgot how to beat for a moment.

The rest of the evening blurred into fragments.

Formal greetings, incessant toasts, and courteous grins. My parents proudly spoke of me, and nobles congratulated me, and I heard my name repeated over and over. Music, laughter, and the clinking of crystal glasses of spiced wine were all present. Rich and overwhelming, a feast was spread out.

However, my thoughts were elsewhere.

I caught a glimpse of my father's infrequent but sincere smile as I looked across the hall. My mother appeared happier and more radiant than I had seen her in weeks. While Marina—beautiful, charming Marina—was in her element, gliding through the court with effortless grace, her every word like honey, Caspian caught my eye and smiled, as if amused by my surprise.

And then there was Dorrin.

He stood silently by the edge of the hall, watching. His expression was unreadable. Not cold, but… distant. I didn’t know if he was relieved or disappointed, and I didn’t dare guess.

Everything felt surreal.

Just this morning, I’d been trying to convince myself that a life with Dorrin could be enough—that maybe I could learn to love him. And now? Now, in the span of a heartbeat, the Goddess had given me what I’d been waiting for my whole life.

My mate.

I should have felt pure joy. And I did, partly—but I also felt dizzy, unsteady. There was a heat in my chest, curling like fire, a connection so intense it frightened me. Every story I’d read about mate bonds felt like a pale shadow compared to this. No one had warned me it would feel like being caught between fire and wind, like being seen to the depths of my soul.

By the time the evening drew to a close, I could barely stand. I excused myself as gracefully as I could, though I felt my legs trembling.

Prince Alexander insisted on walking me to my chambers.

He was perfect. Too perfect. His words flowed easily, polished and warm. His smile held a confidence I couldn’t quite read—charming, but not arrogant. He was the kind of man who made you feel small and sheltered but safe, too.

With his dark hair, sun-kissed skin, and those deep black eyes, he looked like something carved from fire and shadow. I couldn’t stop glancing at him, wondering what he was thinking.

When we reached my door, he paused. “Rest well, Princess,” he murmured, before leaning down and brushing a soft kiss against my cheek.

The moment his lips touched my skin, my whole body reacted. Sparks rippled down my spine, and my heart kicked into a wild rhythm. A dizzy, warm wave of happiness washed over me, as if the world had narrowed to nothing but that single touch.

I managed to mumble a goodnight before stepping inside.

The second the door shut, my legs gave out. I collapsed onto the bed, still trembling from the strange, intoxicating energy that seemed to hum through my veins. Sleep claimed me before I could even untangle my thoughts.

I was running.

The meadow around me was alive with golden light, butterflies weaving through wildflowers. But then, like a sudden storm, the brightness began to fade. Petals withered, the sky darkened, and the meadow fell silent.

I ran faster.

The flowers and butterflies vanished entirely, the ground crumbling beneath my feet as if the earth itself was dissolving. Ahead, a yawning void stretched, black and endless. I didn’t want to run into it—but I couldn’t stop. Something pulled me forward.

“Mira.”

The voice was soft but echoed in my bones.

“Mira, there are many traitors on your path—choose wisely who to trust.”

The words chilled me, but I kept running. Far ahead, through the dark, I saw a glimmer of light. I had to reach it. I had to—

I woke with a violent gasp.

My heart pounded against my ribs like I’d been running for real. I felt… drained. My body ached as if I’d been fighting, falling, crashing through mountains.

It was still the middle of the night. The moonlight spilled pale and cold across my floor, but I couldn’t settle. Pain pulsed through my limbs, restless and strange. I tossed and turned, heat burning through my veins as if the mate bond was clawing at me, unwilling to let me rest.

It was only when exhaustion finally overpowered everything else that sleep dragged me under again.