chapter 5

Circe was right.

This wasn’t her mate.

Yet here she was, in his arms.

Lydia kept her head held high as the Lycan spun her gently into his embrace, pressing a warm palm against her waist. His grip was strong but respectful, his golden eyes watching her with interest—perhaps even admiration. She should have felt something—heat, electricity, fate—but instead, her wolf was silent, absent. The connection wasn’t there.

Still, she played along.

She had to.

Her eyes flicked to Thalia across the ballroom. Her best friend looked radiant, wrapped in the arms of the short-haired Lycan prince. Her mate. Lydia’s real mate. But he didn’t even glance her way. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t seem to sense a mistake had been made.

She looked back at the man dancing with her. His touch was firm, his posture relaxed, and he was smiling at her like he meant it. Like he believed she was his.

The music swelled, soft and melodic, slowing the tempo further. Lydia moved with him, keeping her steps measured. She wasn’t a skilled dancer by any means, but thankfully, the pace didn’t demand much grace. Her thoughts, however, were far less composed.

Her scent had been swapped. Her wolf silenced. And now she was dancing with a stranger while her true mate held another woman.

What if Thalia bonded with him? What if the mix-up became permanent?

No. She wouldn’t let it.

She inhaled deeply, trying to center herself.

“You’re tense,” the Lycan said, his voice smooth, deep, and teasing.

“I don’t enjoy being watched by an entire room,” she replied coolly, her gaze skimming the crowd. All eyes were on them.

He smiled. “Then I suppose I should introduce myself, give them something to talk about. I’m Knox. Knox Green, Alpha of the Southern Lycan Pack.”

“Lydia. Heiress of the Moonglade Pack,” she replied, matching his tone.

“I’ve heard of you,” Knox said with a smirk. “They say you’re one of the most promising young wolves in the north—strong, smart, and impossible to intimidate. I can now confirm that’s true.”

She quirked a brow. “Flattery? Already?”

“I find honesty easier,” he said. “And if I’m being honest, I didn’t expect the infamous Alpha Damon’s daughter to be this—” He paused, his eyes glinting. “—sharp.”

“And I didn’t expect a Lycan prince to be this charming,” she replied dryly. “Must be exhausting.”

He chuckled. “You’re quick.”

“And you’re clearly used to getting what you want.”

He tilted his head. “Not tonight.”

That made her pause.

There was a moment of mutual understanding, brief but heavy. They both knew the truth, even if no one else did.

This wasn’t right.

This wasn’t fate.

But they had to pretend.

For now.

“I didn’t catch your name before,” he added.

“That’s because I didn’t give it.”

He laughed softly, spinning her out, then pulling her back in. For a moment, she forgot everything—until she landed against his chest, and that wrongness returned. No spark. No pull.

“Take that as an apology,” he said, his voice low. “For kissing you earlier.”

“You were helping me,” she said.

“You helped me too,” he replied.

She studied him, trying to figure him out. He was composed, calm—but his eyes were stormy. And when she looked deeper, she sensed something else… conflict.

Before she could ask more, Thalia came bounding over with the short-haired Lycan at her side.

“Lydia!” she beamed. “Meet Harold. Harold, this is my best friend. Isn’t she gorgeous?”

The Lycan—Harold—offered a polite smile and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Lydia.”

Lydia’s heart stuttered.

Her true mate.

Up close, she could smell him—his clean, woodsy scent, mingled with something spicy. Her knees went weak. Her wolf still didn’t respond, but something in her soul did.

She forced herself to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Lycan Harold. I hope you’ll take good care of Thalia.”

“I will,” he said warmly. “And I’m happy my brother found someone like you. He’s not the easiest man to please.”

Lydia laughed awkwardly. “He’s tolerable.”

Knox raised a brow at her, amused.

“I’ll let you two dance,” Thalia said, tugging Harold away again. “But don’t run off! We’re practically family now!”

As they disappeared into the crowd, Lydia’s smile faded.

She turned to Knox. “We need to talk to my parents. You’ll have to meet them eventually.”

“Lead the way,” he said, falling into step beside her.

Alpha Damon and Luna Saria stood by the head table, looking regal and proud. They smiled when Lydia approached with Knox. Her father gripped his shoulders and nodded approvingly. Her mother embraced her with quiet excitement.

But someone wasn’t smiling.

Blake.

Her younger sister stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. She waited until the parents were distracted before grabbing Lydia’s arm and pulling her aside.

“Knox isn’t your mate,” she said quietly but firmly.

Lydia stiffened. “Blake—”

“I know your scent. I know your face. You were shaken earlier, and now you’re playing pretend. I’m not stupid, Lyd. Your wolf went silent, and Thalia’s scent got tangled with yours. I put it together.”

Lydia’s eyes welled. “I can’t say anything. If people find out, I’ll be labeled mateless—or worse, accused of trying to steal someone else’s mate.”

Blake’s expression softened. “I get it. But you need to fix this. We’ll find answers. After the ball, we go to the pack library. There has to be something about scent confusion or dormant wolves.”

Lydia exhaled in relief. “Thank you. I knew I could count on you.”

“Always,” Blake said.

But then her posture froze. Her eyes widened. She went still.

“What’s wrong?” Lydia asked.

And then she felt it too.

The air shifted. The crowd parted.

The third Lycan prince strode toward them—tall, broad-shouldered, with long dark hair that shimmered under the lights. His golden eyes locked onto Blake.

He didn’t speak. Just walked straight up and pulled her into his arms.

“Mate,” he growled.

Before Lydia could stop it, his lips crashed into Blake’s.

Gasps rang out from the guests.

Blake stood stunned for a moment—but then pushed him back with force.

“No,” she whispered. “I can’t. I’m with Sean.”

The Lycan blinked, confused. “But I’m your fated mate.”

“I’m sorry,” Blake said, trembling. “I love someone else.”

Then she turned and fled the ballroom, shoving past stunned guests.

Alpha Damon followed, calling her name.

Lydia stood frozen. Then Knox was beside her again.

“What just happened?” he asked.

“She found her mate,” Lydia whispered. “But she already loves another. Sean—our head warrior. He’s been by her side for years. She’s not ready to let him go.”

Knox ran a hand through his hair. “My brother’s going to be furious. He doesn’t handle rejection well.”

“She’ll come around,” Lydia said softly. “But she has to make peace with it on her own.”

Knox nodded slowly. “You’re lucky to have her. She’s sharp.”

“She’s the only one who figured it out,” Lydia said. “She’s helping me. We’re going to research everything we can about what happened to my wolf and the scent confusion.”

“You lost your wolf just before the ball?” he asked gently.

She nodded. “The silence is… terrifying. It’s like losing a part of myself.”

He didn’t look surprised. “My cousin went through something similar years ago. It wasn’t permanent.”

She stared at him. “So you believe me?”

“I’ve seen stranger things,” he said. “And I want to fix this. I want my real mate. You deserve yours.”

They stood there, quiet in the noise.

Then Knox held out his hand.

“Let’s make a deal. We work together to find answers. Find our real mates. Set things right.”

Lydia took his hand.

“Deal.”

As their hands clasped, a flicker of warmth pulsed through her chest.

A voice stirred faintly in her mind.

“Darkness…”

Her breath caught. “Circe?”

But the voice vanished again.

Lydia stood frozen. Her wolf was still gone—but for a brief moment, she’d felt her.

Circe was still inside her.

Waiting.