FOREVER YOURS TO KEEP

Avery's POV

The wind whistled through the trees as I walked down the cobblestone path, the letter safely tucked inside my cloak. My boots crunched lightly on fallen leaves, and the sunlight that shone through the tall pines warmed my cheeks. My heart was pounding with excitement.

I was proud to have fulfilled Father's order to deliver a sealed letter to the Shadow Pack's elders. It was a straightforward errand. I got closer to earning his respect or at least, avoiding his contempt with each task. But more than that, I was pleased because it meant I could return sooner. Faster to him.

My mate.

Prince Thorne.

Just thinking about him caused my steps to quicken. We had not talked much in the past few days because he had been so busy, but today felt different. Today's air hummed with hope. Maybe he would finally ask me to go for a walk in the gardens again. Maybe he would smile at me the way he used to, before duty hardened his expression.

I approached the palace gates and nodded to the guards, my chest fluttering as I imagined his reaction when he saw me. I just want to surprise him and hear him laugh. That rare sound had lingered in my heart for weeks.

As I climbed the marble staircase to the royal wing, the scent of polished wood and rose oil filled the hall. As I turned the corner toward Thorne's room, my smile spread.

Then it became frozen.

A maid I did not recognize stood stiffly in front of his door, arms crossed. Her gaze shifted to me as I approached.

"I would like to see Prince Thorne," I said, keeping my tone polite and friendly. "I am back from the errand. He would love to see me.”

"You will have to come back later," the maid interrupted abruptly. "His Highness does not welcome visitors."

"I am not a visitor," I replied, frowning slightly. “I’m his mate.”

She raised a brow. "It does not matter. Orders remain orders."

I let out a blink. "Who gave the orders?"

"His Highness," she replied, a little too quickly. "He does not want to be disturbed."

Her tone rang like iron against stone. I took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, but something felt off. Why would Thorne send someone like her to reject me?

"I have never seen you before," I replied. "What is your name?”

The maid smirked while brushing imaginary dust from her skirt. "You do not need to know my name. You only need to know you are not going in.

"I do not appreciate being spoken to as if I am an outsider," I said, stepping forward. "I am not just passing by; I am his fated mate. You do not obstruct my attempts to see my mate. Not unless you have forgotten your place."

Her eyes widened, her lips curled into a mocking grin. "Perhaps someone needs to remind you of yours."

I looked at her, blood pulsing in my ears. I am sure there was something she was hiding. Something about that gloating expression made my stomach turn.

"I will speak with the Prince myself," I stated quietly but firmly.

She shifted and moved to block me again. "You are not going in there, girl."

I stared at the door, which was only a few feet away. My heart, which had been soaring with joy moments before, was now beating unevenly in my chest.

Why wouldn’t he see me?

And why was the maid guarding his door as if her life depended on it?

I stared at the maid, the pressure in my chest building like a wave about to crash. Something in me snapped.

"I said I would speak to him myself!!" I yelled.

Before she could respond, I shoved her hard.

She gasped and stumbled back, nearly losing her footing, and I took advantage of the opportunity. My hands slammed against the heavy wooden door, which I forced open with my shoulder. The room beyond smelled faintly of warm spice and lilacs.

My heart raced as I took one step forward…

And abruptly came to a halt.

The sunlight from the high arched windows fell on tangled sheets and bare skin.

Thorne, my mate with my older sister Selene, was lying on the large bed.

My breath escaped me in a choked sound, as if something inside me had cracked. My legs froze and trembled underneath me.

Selene was wrapped in royal navy-blue sheets, her head resting against Thorne's bare chest as she laughed at something he whispered into her ear. His arm wrapped around her, holding her like she belonged there.

I was immobile. Could not speak.

The maid finally recovered and rushed at me, shoving me hard from behind. I stumbled forward, but she grabbed my arm and tried to drag me back to the door.

"You little brat!" She lost her cool. "Get out before you ruin everything!"

"Stop touching me!" I screamed and twisted violently.

Tears blurred my vision as I bit down hard on her wrist.

She screamed and let go immediately. I staggered away from her, the taste of blood on my tongue, and returned my attention to the bed.

Thorne cast an upward glance.

His eyes widened, but not because of guilt. Not without regret.

It was only a mild irritation.

"Avery," he said in a clipped tone. "What are you doing here?"

My knees shook. “I…I came back. I just finished the errand Dad assigned me, and I wanted to see you. I missed you."

Selene sat up slowly and stretched with a smirk. Her long golden hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and she did not bother to cover herself.

"Avery," she called. "You are not supposed to just barge in on people, you know. That is extremely unladylike."

I could not breathe. My lungs burned as I attempted to inhale air.

Thorne rose from the bed, grabbing a robe and sliding it on, her expression unreadable.

He glanced at the maid, who was clutching her wrist and staring at me.

"You were supposed to keep her out," he stated coldly.

The maid bent her head. "Forgive me, Your Highness. She pushed me..”

"I do not want to hear excuses. Leave us. “Thorne ordered.

The maid rushed out, her gaze darting from me to the bed as if she was already calculating how much trouble she was in.

I returned my attention to them.

Towards him.

"Why did both of you betray me?" I whispered. "Why?" I cried aloud, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Thorne's expression barely changed. "You are not supposed to see this."

"But, I have! I did!" My voice broke. "You are my mate, Thorne! We are bonded. How could you sleep with my sister?” I yelled as I approached him slowly.

Selene gave a low laugh and slipped off the bed to stand beside him. She was still half-naked, but didn’t seem to care.

“Oh, Avery. Always so dramatic. You were never suitable for him. I was just trying to help him see it sooner."

I shook my head, fingers clenched at my sides.

"That is not true. We were destined. I shook my head while speaking."The Moon Goddess chose us."

Thorne's eyes met mine. Cold. Distant. "A bond is meaningless without a connection. You never met my needs."

Every word felt like a dagger.

"But Thorne, you promised to give us a chance. That I was yours..." I was cut off before I could finish my sentence.

"That was before I realized what love truly looked like," he said quietly. "Before I knew it was her."

I stumbled back a step after letting out a sob.

Selene cocked her head. "You are very young, Avery. You cling to fairytales. It is not your fault.”

"Do not treat me like a child," I whispered, my voice shaking. "You are my sister. You were supposed to keep me safe." I screamed loudly and pointed at my sister.

"I did protect you," she replied sweetly. "Stop wasting your life waiting for a prince who never wanted you."

I kept my gaze fixed on her. At each of them.

My heart pounded. I could not stop shaking.

"So why did you not tell me?" My voice cracked under the pressure. "Why lie?" Why would you sneak behind my back? Why do you humiliate me like this?"

Thorne did not respond.

Selene was no exception.

And that silence was the most cruel cut of all.

"I loved you," I whispered to Thorne, my tears flowing freely. "Even when you backed away. Even though you stopped smiling at me. I thought… I thought I just had to be patient. That the bond would bring us together.”

"You were just convenient," he remarked.

My heart shattered. A thousand pieces splintered in my chest, and I pressed my hand there, as if I could keep them in.

"I never asked for this bond," he explained. "I refuse to be bound by something I did not choose."

Selene slid her arm around his. "You should leave, Avery. You are just making things harder for yourself."

I looked at them through a veil of tears, everything spinning. I felt like screaming. To fall. To vanish.

Instead, I ran away because I knew if I stayed any longer, I would be broken beyond repair.