Avery's POVExcited murmurs passed through the guests. The nobles sat straighter, the ladies giggling and glancing at one another.One by one, they recited their poems sweet rhymes, nature verses, romantic prose. The garden rang with carefully rehearsed voices.And then Claire turned her smiling dagger toward me.“Lady Avery, would you like to share something with us?”I froze inwardly.My throat tightened, heart pounding.I hadn’t expected to be called on. And I knew exactly why she’d done it.She thought I would fail.I smiled, though it barely reached my eyes.“Of course,” I said.I rose to my feet, gathering every shred of calm I had left.And then, I recited:“In halls of gold and whispered lies,Where roses bloom and truth oft dies,One voice may tremble but won’t break,For thorns can bleed but still awake.Though I may fall, I rise anew,In silk and pride, and strength in view,A crown unclaimed upon my brow,But fire walks with me now.”Silence.For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
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
Avery’s POV I staggered into my room like a ghost, my feet numb and my hands trembling. The door slammed behind me, and the silence that followed was deafening. It pressed against my skull, loud and suffocating. I stood still for a moment, my eyes wide, gazing at the familiar space that no longer felt like mine. My knees buckled suddenly. I sank into my bed, the softness mocking the devastation within me. A scream crawled up my throat but never came out. My lips quivered, and silent sobs shook me. Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. It was not just about betrayal. It was the way they stared at me as if I were nothing. As if I were dirt beneath their feet. I pressed my hand to my chest and gasped as if I could not breathe, which I couldn't. It was as if someone had broken my ribs open and scooped out every ounce of joy, hope, and love I had stored inside. I felt hollow, like a broken shell, devoid of meaning. I clutched the edge of my blanket and tightened it around my
Sebastian’s POV The wind howled like a wounded beast as it passed through the narrow windows of the Starlit Pack's palace. Cold and magnificent Even with the fire flickering in the hearth, the hall was as lifeless as a tomb. And today, they were bringing a new haunter: my intended bride. "Avery Walter is here, Your Highness," one of the guards said. I did not lift my gaze right away. My fingers tightened on the armrest of my chair, made of dark oak and steel, as I mentally prepared. Yet another puppet. Another bargain in the king's power game. But then I listened to her. Her steps echoed across the stone, graceful yet hesitant. Like a person entering a cage for the first time. When I finally looked up, I froze. She looked... radiant. I had not expected such beauty. Not like this. Her hair fell over her shoulders like midnight silk. Skin smooth and radiant with life's subtle blush. Her eyes are gods; they are gentle and open, yet beneath the surface they are blazing with a f
Sebastian's POV The wedding was nothing more than a transaction, the seal on a deal made without my permission, as cold and calculated as the man who raised me. However, when I saw Avery Walter walking down the aisle toward me, I froze. She was dressed in pale silver, the gown hugging her slim figure like starlight clinging to midnight. Her dark hair fell in soft waves down her back, and for a moment, I forgot how to look away. The girl they called my bride looked like she belonged in a painting, not standing next to a crippled prince who could barely walk ten steps without assistance. I should not have bothered. But I did. Not that I let it show. I remained motionless in my wheelchair, my hands clenched around the rims, as the court officials talked about duty, alliance, and unity. Words I had heard my entire life. Words that meant nothing. She stood next to me, silent and composed. I gave a sideways glance. Her lips were slightly parted, and her hands trembled lightly.
Avery’s POV The soft morning light filtered through the sheer golden curtains, casting delicate shadows across the marble floor. I shifted beneath the silk sheets, my lashes fluttering open as I adjusted to the light. For a brief moment, I blinked in confusion. The bed felt too soft, familiar, and wrong.I sat up slowly, the silk pooling around my waist.Wait… I fell asleep on the couch last night.My brow furrowed as I looked around the room. The velvet couch near the window, where I remember curling up with a blanket after the awkward conversation with Sebastian, showed no signs of sleep. But I was certain I had fallen asleep there. I remember hugging my knees and staring at the flickering flames in the fireplace until exhaustion overtook me.So, why was I on the bed now?My heart beat a little quicker. Did he ...?I turned quickly, almost breathless, hoping to see him next to me. The space was cold, undisturbed, and empty. Sebastian was nowhere to be found.My chest tightened. I
Avery's POVExcited murmurs passed through the guests. The nobles sat straighter, the ladies giggling and glancing at one another.One by one, they recited their poems sweet rhymes, nature verses, romantic prose. The garden rang with carefully rehearsed voices.And then Claire turned her smiling dagger toward me.“Lady Avery, would you like to share something with us?”I froze inwardly.My throat tightened, heart pounding.I hadn’t expected to be called on. And I knew exactly why she’d done it.She thought I would fail.I smiled, though it barely reached my eyes.“Of course,” I said.I rose to my feet, gathering every shred of calm I had left.And then, I recited:“In halls of gold and whispered lies,Where roses bloom and truth oft dies,One voice may tremble but won’t break,For thorns can bleed but still awake.Though I may fall, I rise anew,In silk and pride, and strength in view,A crown unclaimed upon my brow,But fire walks with me now.”Silence.For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
Avery’s POVI was fastening the last button on my dress when I heard a firm knock on the door. I paused because I was not expecting anyone else and I was a little surprised.I approached the door with curiosity, my gown's smooth hem grazing the floor. I cautiously opened it and froze."Good morning."In his wheelchair, Sebastian sat in front of me. He was meticulously dressed in slacks and a dark, fitted shirt. His eyes were as cold and unreadable as ever, and his hair was combed back neatly. But after seeing him here, something was different. right outside my door."Your Highness..." I blinked, speaking more softly than I meant to. "I was not expecting...""I came to ask if you had eaten." His tone was calm and distant, but polite.I stood there, stunned for a moment. "No...not yet.""Then can I come in?"I quickly stepped aside. "Of course."He rolled in with ease, gliding silently across the polished floor. For a brief moment, I just stood there staring. I had not really seen him s
Avery’s POV The soft morning light filtered through the sheer golden curtains, casting delicate shadows across the marble floor. I shifted beneath the silk sheets, my lashes fluttering open as I adjusted to the light. For a brief moment, I blinked in confusion. The bed felt too soft, familiar, and wrong.I sat up slowly, the silk pooling around my waist.Wait… I fell asleep on the couch last night.My brow furrowed as I looked around the room. The velvet couch near the window, where I remember curling up with a blanket after the awkward conversation with Sebastian, showed no signs of sleep. But I was certain I had fallen asleep there. I remember hugging my knees and staring at the flickering flames in the fireplace until exhaustion overtook me.So, why was I on the bed now?My heart beat a little quicker. Did he ...?I turned quickly, almost breathless, hoping to see him next to me. The space was cold, undisturbed, and empty. Sebastian was nowhere to be found.My chest tightened. I
Sebastian's POV The wedding was nothing more than a transaction, the seal on a deal made without my permission, as cold and calculated as the man who raised me. However, when I saw Avery Walter walking down the aisle toward me, I froze. She was dressed in pale silver, the gown hugging her slim figure like starlight clinging to midnight. Her dark hair fell in soft waves down her back, and for a moment, I forgot how to look away. The girl they called my bride looked like she belonged in a painting, not standing next to a crippled prince who could barely walk ten steps without assistance. I should not have bothered. But I did. Not that I let it show. I remained motionless in my wheelchair, my hands clenched around the rims, as the court officials talked about duty, alliance, and unity. Words I had heard my entire life. Words that meant nothing. She stood next to me, silent and composed. I gave a sideways glance. Her lips were slightly parted, and her hands trembled lightly.
Sebastian’s POV The wind howled like a wounded beast as it passed through the narrow windows of the Starlit Pack's palace. Cold and magnificent Even with the fire flickering in the hearth, the hall was as lifeless as a tomb. And today, they were bringing a new haunter: my intended bride. "Avery Walter is here, Your Highness," one of the guards said. I did not lift my gaze right away. My fingers tightened on the armrest of my chair, made of dark oak and steel, as I mentally prepared. Yet another puppet. Another bargain in the king's power game. But then I listened to her. Her steps echoed across the stone, graceful yet hesitant. Like a person entering a cage for the first time. When I finally looked up, I froze. She looked... radiant. I had not expected such beauty. Not like this. Her hair fell over her shoulders like midnight silk. Skin smooth and radiant with life's subtle blush. Her eyes are gods; they are gentle and open, yet beneath the surface they are blazing with a f
Avery’s POV I staggered into my room like a ghost, my feet numb and my hands trembling. The door slammed behind me, and the silence that followed was deafening. It pressed against my skull, loud and suffocating. I stood still for a moment, my eyes wide, gazing at the familiar space that no longer felt like mine. My knees buckled suddenly. I sank into my bed, the softness mocking the devastation within me. A scream crawled up my throat but never came out. My lips quivered, and silent sobs shook me. Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. It was not just about betrayal. It was the way they stared at me as if I were nothing. As if I were dirt beneath their feet. I pressed my hand to my chest and gasped as if I could not breathe, which I couldn't. It was as if someone had broken my ribs open and scooped out every ounce of joy, hope, and love I had stored inside. I felt hollow, like a broken shell, devoid of meaning. I clutched the edge of my blanket and tightened it around my
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