06

My vision blurred with unshed tears as I darted through the thick forest, branches whipping at my face and thorns snagging my clothes. My lungs burned, my heart pounded like a war drum in my chest.

My foot caught on a moss-covered rock hidden beneath the underbrush, and I crashed to the ground with a gasp. Pain flared as my knees and palms scraped against the rough forest floor. Blood welled up in angry streaks, but I barely noticed.

I just lay there for a moment, breathing hard, fists clenched against the dirt, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The ache in my body was nothing compared to the storm raging inside.

My mind was spinning. Two mates in one night. The first — my so-called boyfriend, the one I thought would give me the whole world — rejected and humiliated me. Then the second… I didn’t really get to see his face.

I gulped and stood up. I dusted myself off and started walking home. A few minutes later, I reached my house and entered. My grandfather, Maddox, was shocked to see me come back so early. The mating ceremony wasn’t supposed to end by this time — but here I was. He suspected something was wrong, but he said nothing.

I greeted him and walked to my room, closing the door softly behind me. I removed my dress and placed it on the bedside table, crying softly — it was a possession of my late mother. I washed myself and fell onto the bed, clutching the pendant until I fell asleep.

---

THE NEXT MORNING

I didn’t come out of my room. The soft glow of dawn seeped through the cracks of the old cottage, but my door remained shut. Maddox knocked gently.

“Lyra?” he called, voice laced with concern. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice muffled through the door.

But I wasn’t.

I didn’t come out for breakfast. Or for lunch. Not even as the sun dipped and the forest outside darkened. Maddox paced a little, trying to give me space, but as the hours dragged by with no sound from my room, I knew his worry grew. I hadn’t eaten a single bite.

The next day, Maddox made his way to my door again — but just as he was about to knock, I opened it. I stepped out, my movements sluggish. Maddox’s face fell the moment he saw me.

My eyes were swollen and red, my skin pale, and dark circles shadowed beneath my eyes. I probably looked like I could collapse at any moment.

“Come, sit,” he said softly, guiding me to the small table.

He placed a warm plate of food in front of me. I didn’t hesitate. I devoured it like I hadn’t eaten in days.

“Lyra… what happened? Why did you lock yourself in?”

I swallowed hard, eyes shimmering again with tears. My voice broke as I answered.

“He rejected me,” I whispered. “My mate… he rejected me.”

Maddox stiffened, pain flashing in his eyes.

“I really loved him, Grandpa… and they ruined Mama’s dress. The only one she gave me.”

Maddox reached out, gently patting my head before pulling me into a strong, warm embrace.

“I’m so sorry, little wolf,” he murmured, holding me as I broke down. My sobs racked my fragile frame, but he didn’t let go.

---

CRESCENT FANG ACADEMY

Alpha Kade — my second mate — walked through the stone corridors of the academy, his presence commanding attention. Students bowed and greeted him with the utmost respect. He gave them small nods, barely acknowledging them as his mind drifted elsewhere.

Where is she? he wondered.

His mate. Me. He’d hoped a stroll around the academy would lead him to me, but so far, no sign.

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Caleb lay on the bed, his body aching from the brutal duel. The nurse had just left after checking on him for what felt like the hundredth time.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open and Vanessa walked in.

“What do you want?” she asked bluntly, crossing her arms.

Caleb struggled to sit up. “I just… wanted you to stay with me.”

Vanessa raised a brow. “Is that why you called me here?”

He nodded slowly, reaching for her hand. “I missed you, Nessa.”

He brought her hand toward his lips, but she yanked it back sharply, her face contorting with disgust.

“Don’t you have any shame?” she snapped. “You lost your Alpha title. Now you want me?”

Caleb blinked in confusion. “I… I thought you liked me.”

“Liked you?” she repeated with a bitter laugh. “You’re nothing now, Caleb. A weak, worthless piece of trash.”

She turned to leave.

“Nessa, please…” he groaned, forcing himself up, his body screaming in protest.

But before he could reach her, something strange happened.

A shimmering red string appeared connecting their hands. It glowed faintly between them, drawing both of their gazes in shock.

Just then, Kade turned the corner. He saw the string entangled between them and he smirked.

“I thought you wanted me, Vanessa,” his deep voice echoed down the corridor, sending a chill through the air.

Vanessa shook herself, startled. She hadn’t expected to see him there. Her eyes widened. “I do! I do want you!”

“Prove it,” Kade said coldly.

She turned to Caleb without hesitation, her face hard.

“I, Vanessa Calista, daughter of the Beta, reject you Caleb Draven as my mate,” she declared loudly.

The red string shimmered once… then snapped and vanished into the air.

Kade chuckled darkly and walked away without another word.

Caleb staggered, the pain of the rejection slamming into him like a wave. His chest tightened, his legs gave out, and he collapsed, unconscious before he hit the floor.

Vanessa didn’t even flinch. She smirked, gave Caleb a disgusted glance, and hurried off to find Kade.

A few students who had witnessed the entire scene from down the hall rushed forward. Shocked, they gently lifted Caleb and carried him back to the nurse’s office.

---

NIGHTFALL

The cottage was quiet, the gentle hum of the forest outside settling into a calm rhythm. For the first time in days, I felt a little lighter. My heart still ached, but it no longer felt like it was shattering.

I stepped into my room, closed the door softly behind me, and sat on the edge of my bed. My fingers found the pendant resting against my chest — it pulsed faintly with a soft, silvery glow. I held it tighter, like I always did when I needed comfort.

My gaze drifted to the floorboard near the foot of my bed.

I got up, knelt, and carefully pulled out the old wooden box. It was my mother’s box — the one I had taken the cream-colored dress from.

The dress was clean now. The stains had come out more easily than I expected, and it looked just like it used to. Gently folding it, I reached into the box to put it back in its place.

That’s when I noticed something.

A small note, neatly folded and tucked beneath the inner lining.

📝 “When you are ready to see this, open it.” 📝

My breath caught. My fingers trembled slightly as I lifted the rest of the items in the box. Beneath them lay an old, cracked leather journal. It was weathered, soft with time, and smelled faintly of lavender and dust.

I sat back on the bed, the journal resting on my lap. My thumb brushed across the cover before I finally opened it.

Inside, a delicate arrow had been drawn in ink, pointing me to a particular page.

I followed it, heart beating faster.

There, in the center of a faded, yellowed page, a sentence had been carefully highlighted:

📔 “I WAS BULLIED AND REJECTED, BUT HE FOUND ME… AND ACCEPTED ME.” 📔

I stared at the words, my throat tightening.

The handwriting was unmistakable.

It was my mother’s.