Chapter 3

Mira’s POV

I ran.

As fast as my legs could carry me, away from the sound of laughter and music.

I didn't know where I was going. I just needed to get away. Away from the cheering especially away from the sight of Kael lifting Selene's hand like she was the most precious thing in the world.

I ran into the cold kitchen storeroom and collapsed against the wall sliding down until my back hit the cold stone floor. Then I let the tears come.

They poured out of me, hot, silent, endless. I pressed both hands over my mouth to muffle the sobs that wanted to tear out of my throat. My shoulders shook.

My chest ached and I couldn't breathe.

He promised. He promised. He promised.

The words echoed in my head. Three years of sneaking around. Three years of stolen moments. Three years of believing I was special to him. That I mattered.

And for what? To end up here, crying in a dark storeroom while the man I loved toasted his engagement to someone else.

What was u thinking that a wolfless girl. The Beta's daughter who couldn't even summon a wolf. The useless orphan who scrubbed floors and hauled linens and pretended was good enough for someone like Kael.

Our three years together meant nothing to him.I was nothing.

I don't know how long I sat there. Minutes. Hours. I didn't know. All I knew was the pain, a deep gnawing ache in my chest that wouldn't go away.

Then I heard voices outside

"Mira? Mira, where are you?"

Mara.

I froze, wiping frantically at my face. My cheeks were wet, my eyes swollen.

I couldn't let them see me like this.

"Mira!" Finn's voice joined in. "We saw you run out of the hall. Are you okay?"

Footsteps approached the storeroom door. I scrambled to my feet, brushing the dust off my tunic, trying to compose myself. But there was no hiding my red rimmed eyes and my tear streaked face.

The door creaked open. Mara stood there, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness until they found me.

Behind her, Finn and Elara hovered, their faces etched with worry.

"There you are," Mara said softly. She stepped inside, her voice gentler than I'd ever heard it. "What happened? Why did you run out like that?"

I opened my mouth to speak but no words came. My throat was too tight.

Elara pushed past Mara and wrapped her arms around me. "Oh sweetheart," she murmured. "Whatever it is, it's okay. We're here."

That broke me all over again. Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.

"I'm fine," I lied, my voice cracking. "I just... I wasn't feeling well. The crowd was too much."

Finn stepped forward, his usual playfulness gone. "You don't look fine. You look like someone just broke your heart."

I flinched. He hit too close to the truth.

Mara shot him a look, then turned back to me. "You don't have to tell us what happened. But you should know, you're not alone. Whatever it is, we've got your back."

I nodded, wiping my face with the back of my hand. "Thank you," I whispered. "I just need a minute. I'll be fine."

They didn't believe me. I could see it in their eyes but they didn't push for that I am grateful

Suddenly the kitchen door swung open.. Gregor the alpha's Butler who had an everlasting scowl on his face walked in.

His cold eyes landed on me.

"There you are," he said flatly. "I've been looking everywhere. The Alpha's son has requested refreshments for his private quarters. You're to serve them. Now."

My heart plummeted. "What?"

"You heard me." Gregor's voice was impatient. "The Alpha's son and his guests are in his quarters. They need drinks. You're the only servant available. Get moving."

"Please—" I started, but Mara cut in.

"She's not feeling well," Mara said, stepping in front of me. "Can't someone else do it?"

Gregor's eyes narrowed. "Are you refusing a direct order from the Alpha's household?"

Mara's jaw tightened. "No, but—"

"It's fine," I said quickly, my voice hollow. "I'll do it."

I couldn't refuse. If I caused trouble, I'd be punished. Maybe worse. And I'd already lost everything tonight.

What did it matter if I had to serve drinks to the man who broke my heart?

Mara grabbed my arm as I passed. "Mira, are you sure? You look like you're about to collapse."

"I'll be fine," I said, not meeting her eyes. "It's just drinks. I'll be done in a few minutes."

She didn't believe me. I could feel her gaze burning into my back as I followed Gregor out.

The walk to Kael's quarters felt like a death march.

Each step heavier than the last.

My hands trembled as I carried the tray, drinks, glasses of wine, a pitcher of water, a decanter of the Alpha's finest whiskey.

I stopped outside the door and took a breath.

You can do this. I tell myself Just keep your head down. Don't look at him. Don't cry. Just get through this.

I pushed the door open with my shoulder and stepped inside.

The room was warm, lit by a roaring fire and candles.

A massive space with thick rugs, rich tapestries, and that huge bed in the corner that I knew intimately.

My eyes went straight to Kael.

He was sprawled on a large sofa, surrounded by a group of young alphas and their companions.

They were laughing, drinking and celebrating. And on Kael's lap, on his lap, sat Selene.

She was draped over him like she owned him, her arm around his neck, her lips close to his ear.

She was laughing at something he'd said, her silver eyes glittering.

I stopped. The tray trembled in my hands.

Kael looked up and saw me.

His smile faltered for a second and something flickered in his eyes, guilt maybe, pain. But then he looked away, turning back to Selene like I didn't exist.

Like I was nothing.

"About time," one of the young alphas said, noticing me. "We were dying of thirst over here. Bring the drinks."

I forced my legs to move.

I walked to the table, keeping my head down and placing the glasses on the table. My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped the decanter.

Selene's eyes found me. A slow, cruel smile spread across her face.

"Oh," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "It's you. The clumsy servant from earlier. I hope you didn't hurt yourself when you fell."

My cheeks burned. I kept my eyes fixed on the tray. "I'm fine, my lady. Thank you for your concern."

"Concern?" She laughed, a tinkling sound that made my blood run cold. "I wasn't concerned. I was amused." She turned to the others. "This one literally threw herself at my feet earlier. It was pathetic. She couldn't even carry a basket of linens without tripping."

The others laughed. I felt their eyes on me, mocking and cruel.

"Maybe she's drunk," one of them said. "Servants are always sneaking Alpha's wine."

I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt. Don't react. Don't give them the satisfaction.

Selene smirked. "No, she's just clumsy and ugly. Look at her, so plain. I bet she's never even been kissed. Probably never even seen a man naked."

More laughter.

I felt tears pricking at my eyes and blinked them back. Don't cry. Don't you dare cry. I kept telling myself

Kael's jaw was tight. I saw his hands clench into fists on Selene's waist.

For a moment I thought he might say something. Defend me. Tell them to stop.

But he didn't.

He just sat there, staring at the floor, letting them tear me apart.

Selene lifted her chin, clearly enjoying herself. "It's so boring in here. All this talk of alliances and borders." She looked around the room, her silver eyes sparkling. "Who wants to play a game?"

"What kind of game?" one of the young alphas asked, leaning forward.

Selene smiled, "Truth or Dare."

The room buzzed. The young alphas and their companions were suddenly eager, leaning in, ready for entertainment.

Kael straightened. "Selene, maybe we should—"

"Come on, Kael," she said, pouting up at him. "Don't be boring. It's just a game. Besides, it'll be fun to see what secrets everyone's hiding."

She turned her gaze to me, her eyes glittering. "And it's not just us playing."

My stomach dropped.

"We should include her," Selene said, gesturing at me with a dismissive wave. "The servant. She's been standing there looking so miserable. I'm sure she has all kinds of interesting secrets."

"Selene, no," Kael said, his voice sharp.

But Selene ignored him. "What's your name, servant?"

I swallowed hard. "Mira."

"Mira," she repeated. "Pretty name for such a plain girl. But don't worry, this game will be fun. You'll be part of it." She looked at the others. "Everyone plays. No exceptions."

The young alphas nodded, smirking. They were clearly enjoying making fun of me

I turn to look at Kael begging with my eyes pleading that he says something on my behalf but he just turned away.

“Let's start shall we” Selena chirp.

Kael opened his mouth to object but Selene silenced him with a kiss on his cheek. "Let's have some fun, darling. Stop being so tense. It's just a game."

He looked at me then, his eyes pleading.

I stared back at him, my heart a cold dead weight in my chest.

You were supposed to protect me. You were supposed to choose me. And now you're letting her do this.

Selene clapped her hands. "I'll start!" She looked around the room, her grin widening. "Truth or Dare, everyone? And remember, no backing out."

The room erupted. The game was on.

I stood frozen. I knew this wouldn't end well for me.

Truth or Dare.

Selene's eyes found Kael. She leaned close to him, her lips brushing his ear, her voice a theatrical whisper that the whole room could hear.

"Kael, darling," she purred. "Truth or Dare?"