Chapter 7

Nyra’s POV

My mom pulled me into a tight hug, like she wasn’t convinced I was fine. Her fingers slid through my hair as she exhaled slowly.

“I should have seen it,” she murmured, her voice heavy with regret, “All this time, she was right under my roof and I—”

“Mom,” I cut in gently, pulling back.

She looked at me, her eyes red, guilt written all over her face.

“It’s not your fault,” I said, squeezing her hand lightly. “You trusted her, that’s not a crime.”

Her lips trembled, “But you’re the one who paid the price.”

I shook my head and gave her a small smile. “Not anymore.”

She nodded but she kept looking at me like she was searching for something beneath my calm expression. Like she could tell something had changed but couldn’t quite place it.

She wasn’t wrong. That version of me who cried over Cassian, who begged and endured was gone.

“Mom,” I said quietly, lowering my voice, “There’s something else.”

Her expression shifted immediately. “What is it?”

“It’s Dad.”

She frowned. “What about him?”

“You didn’t notice it?” I asked, watching her closely. “The way he defended Isolde and didn’t dare speak against Cassian even when he said those insulting words to me.”

Her brows pulled together, “You know your father, he’s probably scared to stand up against someone as powerful as Alpha Cassian.”

“No, Mom, this was something else,” I said firmly, “Something isn’t right. You’re an Alpha too but you didn’t back down.”

My mother nodded, “Exactly, Princess. I’m an Alpha and your father is a Gamma, he’s below rank where Cassian is concerned. I assure you, that’s all there is.”

I shook my head. In my past life I would have been convinced that my father had just been scared of incurring the wrath of Cassian but I knew it was something more and this time I’ve decided not to be blind again.

“I don’t know what it is yet,” I admitted, “But we need to be careful, Mom. I’m serious, no matter how scared you are, you don’t throw your flesh and blood under the bus.”

For the first time, doubt flickered across her face.

“What are you suggesting?” she asked.

“We watch him,” I answered simply, “Not openly, we won’t confront him yet. We just pay more attention to his movement, his decisions, and anything involving pack affairs or finances.”

She stared at me for a long moment, as if seeing me in a completely new light. Then slowly she nodded.

“Alright,” she said quietly, “I’ll assign my trusted wolf on the job.”

I smiled, “Good. Now come make me your famous sponge cake.”

My mom chuckled as I led her to the kitchen. “You had it two nights ago.”

Tears clouded my eyes. How could I tell her that two nights ago I died and it’s been seven years since I tasted her cooking last.

But I only smiled and hugged her again. “I missed it.”

She pulled back slightly, studying my face. “Are you alright, Nyra?”

I smiled through my tears and hugged her, “Everything is perfect, Mom. I love you,”

Her expression softened instantly, “I’ll always love you, my Princess.”

—

Two days later, the day that was supposed to be my mating ceremony with Cassian. The entire pack was buzzing with activity as Omegas moved around more than usual, guards stood straighter, and whispers floated through every corridor like wildfire.

Only this time, the excitement wasn’t about me. It was about Cassian and Isolde.

Seven years ago, I thought I was the luckiest woman alive when Cassian chose me. I clung to that belief even when everything told me otherwise.

Now, standing here, I could only laugh at myself. I was never chosen, I was used.

As I walked down the corridor, a group of Omegas whispered excitedly.

“Alpha Cassian is making an announcement today.”

“They said he’s throwing a huge party to introduce his new Luna.”

“It’s Miss Nyra, right?”

“No, I heard he chose the orphan girl who lived here.”

“Oh, he must really love her. He said he’d give her everything.”

“I feel bad for Miss Nyra, she’s loved Alpha Cassian for years. She even threw a tantrum when her mother wouldn’t let her see him.”

“Or when she went to the frozen mountain to retrieve an antidote to save his life after he was injured in battle.”

I walked past them without a word. They immediately lowered their heads, falling silent.

My father was already in the living room when I came downstairs, dressed like he was heading to a celebration.

His eyes flickered to me briefly before he spoke.

“You’re here,” he said, “Get ready. We’re attending Isolde’s mating ceremony.”

“You are unbelievable, Tom!” My mom snapped, “We’re not going.”

He sighed like she was being unreasonable. “Mary, enough is enough. What’s done is done. Are you going to keep holding onto it forever?”

“She betrayed our daughter!”

“And?” he shot back, “Does that change anything now? Cassian has made his decision. You can either accept it or continue embarrassing this family.”

My mother looked like she had just been slapped.

“You want us to stand there and watch him present that girl as Luna?” she asked in belief.

“If that’s what it takes to maintain peace, then yes,” he replied flatly.

My mom scoffed, “Since you don’t care about your daughter’s feelings, you can go to the ceremony. Have fun!”

I watched them quietly. There it was again, that same cold indifference.

“It’s fine, Mom,” I said, touching her arm, “We’ll go.”

“Nyra, no,” my mother said worriedly.

“I’ll go. I have the perfect outfit for today,” I insisted.

My father eyed me warily, “As long as you don’t cause a scene, Nyra,” then he turned to my mother, “At least someone here understands how things work.”

I smirked, I understood perfectly.

The next one hour I spent it with the pack’s best stylist as they dressed me in a beautiful blood red dress and adorned me with gold jewelry.

My mom kept staring at me worriedly and I wondered how I could convince her that I was more than happy to attend my ex-mate new mating ceremony.

—

The pack grounds were crowded by the time we arrived. Wolves from different territories were already gathered.

Cassian stood at the center. Isolde beside him, dressed in white, glowing under the attention the pack showered her.

“Behave yourself,” my father whispered to me.

Before I could respond, Isolde spotted me and hurried over, her smile bright.

“Sister,” she said, grabbing my hand, “I’m so glad you came.”

Her voice carried just enough for others to hear.

“That means you’ve forgiven me. It’s not my fault Cassian chose me instead of you.”

The whispers started immediately.

“That’s Nyra? She looks so beautiful.”

“He rejected her for that girl?”

“How embarrassing…”

“Get away from my daughter!” my mom snapped.

I squeezed her hand lightly. “It’s fine.”

Then I turned to Isolde, “I’m glad he chose you, I rejected him already.”

Shocked gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as Isolde's smile faltered. But suddenly all the voices became muffled as my wolf stirred weakly inside me.

A faint and familiar scent drifted through the air. I inhaled sharply and turned.

I saw him, walking in with his Alpha aura rolling off him in waves. His gaze lifted and locked onto mine.

My breath caught. It was him, the man from that night who saved my life!

His scent grew stronger with every step, wrapping around me, sinking into my skin, into my bones.

My wolf surged and for the first time in years she felt alive.

That’s when I heard the clear, certain, and unmistakable voice in my mind.

Mate!