Chapter Four: Seven Years Younger

LARA’S POV

My father's hand on my shoulder jolted me awake, gasping for breath. Selric stood over my bed, his face tight with worry as he signed frantically. I blinked at his lips and hands, trying to catch up— I was in my deaf week. "Lara, you've been sleeping all day. You need to get up. The Claiming Ball is tonight at Northwind Palace and we can't be late."

I sat there staring at him, completely confused and disoriented. I had just dreamt about something that felt so real. My heart was pounding against my chest, and I was still trying to process everything. My hands were shaking, and I couldn't make sense of any of it. The images were already fading, but the fear lingered.

Today is a big day, the biggest day of my life actually—so I took a deep breath and pushed it all aside. I need to focus on what's coming. I need to make the best of today.

The Claiming Ball, excitement bubbled in my chest. Tonight Alpha Kael might choose me, the man I'd been crushing on forever.

I signed back, "What time is it?"

"Almost four," he replied looking excited.

He left, and I jumped out of bed. I couldn't stop smiling. Tonight could be the night Kael finally noticed me, the broken omega nobody wanted.

I headed to the bathroom, caught my reflection, and smiled at myself. I looked so young and hopeful.

"He's going to choose you," I told my reflection, "Alpha Kael is going to make you his Luna."

I caught movement from the corner of my eye. Dante stood in the doorway, my bodyguard and only real friend.

His hands moved with steady ease, "Your father wants to know if you need help getting ready for tonight."

"I'm fine, just excited. Do you think he'll really choose me, Dante?"

He smiled gently. "If the Alpha has any sense he will."

That made me grin wider. "Thank you, you always know what to say."

He nodded and left. I sat on my bed trying to calm my racing heart. Tonight Kael would choose me in front of everyone.

I started getting ready, picking through my closet for something to wear. My hands landed on a silver dress. I pulled it out, and something about it felt right.

I put it on, and it fit me perfectly, making me look stronger than I felt.

The hours crawled by, and my father came to check on me twice. He went on and on about how proud he was, how this would secure our family's position, and how lucky I was that the Alpha wanted me despite being broken.

Each time my chest swelled with pride. I wouldn't let him down. I'd make him proud tonight.

Finally it was time. Dante drove us to Northwind Palace in my father's car, the sun was setting, turning the snow pink and gold.

"Are you okay?" Dante signed from the front seat. "You look nervous."

"Just excited," I answered honestly.

We pulled up, and wolves were everywhere. Every pack in the north had sent representatives. The Claiming Ball was a huge deal.

My father helped me out of the car. He signed, "Remember to smile, be gracious, and make me proud."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation, Dante walked behind me as we headed for the entrance. 

We stepped inside, and the great hall looked so beautiful, hundreds of wolves in formal clothes, candles everywhere, the old timber balconies overlooking everything, and the massive windows showing the frozen fjord below.

Then I saw him. Kael stood at the front in a black suit, handsome and powerful.

Our eyes met across the room, and he smiled. My heart raced, but something flickered in my mind—less than five seconds: pain, betrayal, blood—then it was gone.

I blinked, confused, shook my head. Must be nerves, Kael was perfect.

My father guided me through the crowd. People whispered as we passed, their lips moving in ways I’ve learned to read over the years. “There she is, the broken omega, can't believe he'd actually choose her, must be political.”

I kept my expression smooth and held  my head high. If Kael chose me, none of it would matter.

We found seats near the front. My father signed, "Any minute now, are you ready?"

"Yes," smiling so wide my face hurt.

Kael stepped forward, and the room went silent. He started speaking, but I couldn't hear him. I  just watched his lips move and his hands gesture at the crowd.

Then the crowd's movement caught my eye, everyone turning toward the back of the hall at once. The huge doors stood open, and I realized I'd missed whatever sound announced their arrival.

Two men walked in like they owned the entire world, tall and dangerous in leather jackets that screamed they didn't care about formal dress codes. Power radiated off them in waves that made my skin tingle.

The one on the left had storm-gray eyes that swept the room, and the one on the right had amber eyes that seemed to glow in the candlelight.

Their eyes found mine across the crowded room, and something inside me snapped into place—like a lock clicking open, like coming home after being lost. The mate bond hit me like a freight train.

No, I thought desperately. No, no, no, not them. Not now.

My whole body leaned toward them without permission, and heat flooded through me— recognition I didn't understand.

The storm-eyed one's lips moved. "There you are."

The amber-eyed one looked at me with pure hunger, like he wanted to cross the room and claim me right there.

Fury rose in my chest. Why were they my mates? Why not Kael, the man I'd been waiting for, the man I wanted?

Kael's face went dark when he saw them. He was furious. Then he started speaking again, his eyes  fixed on me.

My father grabbed my arm and signed frantically. "He's choosing you right now, you need to stand up."

Relief flooded me. Yes, Kael was choosing me—not these random strangers who made my body react in ways I didn't want.

But I couldn't look away from the twins, couldn't breathe nor  think. The bond was screaming at me to go to them.

 Kael said my name, I could read his lips, and he claimed me as his Luna in front of everyone.

The room erupted, people cheering and clapping, and my father was pushing me to stand.

I forced myself to look away from the twins. This was what I wanted, this was right. Kael choosing me was everything I'd dreamed about.

But my eyes were pulled back to them against my will. The storm-eyed one's jaw was tight, the amber-eyed one's fists were clenched.

Anger burned in my chest, mixed with confusion. Why did the Moon Goddess give me mates I didn't want when the man I loved was right here choosing me?

 I'd just been claimed by the Alpha I loved while my fated mates watched. I had no idea why the Moon Goddess would give me mates I didn't want when the man I'd been waiting for was finally mine.