Chapter 10

Keira’s POV

I wrapped the bandage tighter around my fist, watching the white cloth stain with pink. The pain barely registered anymore. It was like I’d gone numb. Maybe I had.

How did I let this happen? How did I let Alia sweet talk me into tearing myself apart like this?

I stared at the ground, at the cracks in the old stone tiles beneath my feet. She’d told me it was for my own good. That if I forfeited, I’d be free from the pain, the humiliation. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t for me. It was for her. It had always been for her.

Now here I was, going to do the exact same thing I said I wouldn't, all because she promised me it would be safe. All because she made me see that I could still have a chance at freedom. 

Who knows...maybe if I hadn't fallen into the cave that day and escaped the guards...I would have far away from here by now.

There would have been a chance, and I wouldn't have to deal with all of this drama. 

I took a deep breath as Nyra purred against me, trying to soothe my nerves. 

I was inside a storage room, hiding and waiting for Alia to return and tell me that the coast wasclear. I stared down at my bandaged hands and sniffled softly.

A loud rustle came from outside the storage room I’d hidden myself in. A small click signified she had returned, and I slowly unlocked the door.

"Keira..." She whispered. "The man is waiting, come on," she beckoned. 

I hesitated, looking around. I grabbed my small duffel bag, my heart pounding in my ears, hoping I would actually be making the right choice. My eyes darted up just as the door burst open.

“There you are!” a girl burst into the room. I vaguely recognized her from class, although she wasn't part of the people who always bullied me. She was panting hard. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you hear?”

I frowned, stepping out of the room entirely. “Hear what?”

“There’s a special announcement at school. Everyone’s gathering at the main hall right now,” she said, grabbing Alia by the wrist and dragging her out from where she’d been pretending to look for herbs on the shelf.

I watched them go, confusion bubbling in my chest. An announcement? My heart thudded heavily. I shouldn’t care. It wasn’t my business. But… my feet moved before I could think. I followed them out of the storage room, down the narrow halls, and out into the school grounds.

The air buzzed with whispers and murmurs as students crowded around the main hall entrance. I squeezed myself in between bodies until I finally reached the front, my eyes widening at what I saw.

Three figures stood on the raised wooden stage.

Three of them.

I blinked hard, thinking my vision was playing tricks on me. But no, it wasn’t. There was Kai, standing stiff and stoic, his dark eyes glaring at the crowd like he’d rather be anywhere else. Next to him was Riven, relaxed with that arrogant grin plastered on his lips. And beside Riven stood Dax, his green eyes soft, almost sad, scanning the faces below.

My chest tightened painfully. Three Alpha princes. Three.

The principal’s voice boomed across the hall, breaking the heavy silence. “As you can see, the Alpha heir you’ve always known is not just one person. They are three brothers, bound by a curse since birth. Alpha Kai, Alpha Riven, and Alpha Dax.” He gestured among all three. 

Gasps and whispers rose around me like a tidal wave. I barely heard them. My gaze stayed locked on the brothers, memories flashing in my mind like broken glass.

Kai’s cold eyes watching me get bullied.

Riven’s mocking smirk whenever I tripped or fell.

Dax’s fleeting kindness, his hand helping me up when no one else bothered.

I swallowed hard, my throat burning. None of them had ever truly cared. Even Dax’s kindness felt like pity now.

Beside me, Alia’s eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open in shock. She looked… betrayed? Scared? I couldn’t tell. All I knew was that for once, she didn’t have that confident, sweet smile on her lips. It made me happy, low key. 

“For the first time,” the principal continued, “they will judge alongside their father against the chosen Luna candidates in the Lunar Trials starting tomorrow. May the moon guide us all.”

The crowd erupted into cheers, applause, and frenzied chatter. But I stood frozen, staring at the three brothers.

Kai. Riven. Dax.

My mates.

The ones who held my fate in their hands.

Riven caught my eye and winked, his lips twitching up in amusement. Dax looked away quickly, guilt flickering across his face. And Kai… Kai’s eyes locked with mine, hard and unyielding, making my chest twist painfully.

So this was it.

The beginning of the Lunar Trials.

"Keira...." I heard Alia whisper beside me. I turned to her, and was met with wild confusion in her eyes. For the first time, Alia didn't have anything under control. It made me happy, sort of. 

"This doesn't change anything...we...we still have to go on with the plan. You'll go on with it, right?" She asked, strange desperation in her eyes. 

I clenched my bandaged fist tighter, ignoring the sting of fresh blood seeping through. 

"You think we can?" My voice was small. 

"Of course! There's always a way Keira. Besides this will make things even worse," she continued. 

"Hey omega!" My heart stopoed as I heard the familiar voice of the Dean walking towards us. My fists clenched, but I forced myself to keep my expression blank. He walked up to me, his eyes scanning everything from my head to my toe. "Why the fuck did you come back? Everyone had hoped you died."

"Everyone? Or just you?" I shot back, keeping my voice cold and calm. Without warning, he snatched me by the neck, forcing me to meet his gaze. My expression remained blank. 

"Someone's grown wings. What? Was it the rogue guards who taught you this?" He spat. I dragged my gaze to Alia, who was behind him. She looked away, biting her lower lip in guilt. So, she told him of her plan to sell me. 

"Let me go, Dean," I muttered, my body sagged and tired. 

"Or what?" He growled. I fought the urge to whimper, and kept my expression the way it was. 

"Or you can do whatever you want. Just beat me up and get it over with," I said coldly. His eyes went wide in surprise. 

Even I shocked myself.