Four

I told myself I wouldn’t go.

All afternoon, I stayed in my room, sitting by the window and staring at the fading light. The sound of laughter, music, and celebration drifted up from the main hall. The whole pack was already gathering for the wedding.

Every voice, every cheer felt like a knife turning in my chest.

I kept whispering, I won’t go. I won’t give them the satisfaction.

But as the sky turned gold, something inside me refused to stay still. I needed to see it with my own eyes. Needed proof that it was really over.

So I got up. I dressed in a plain grey gown, nothing fancy. No ribbons, no flowers. I pulled my hair back and left my room quietly, walking down the long hallway toward the courtyard.

The closer I got, the louder it became. Music. Cheers. The smell of roasted meat and wine. Everything felt like a cruel celebration of my failure.

I reached the edge of the hall, stayed in the shadows. No one noticed me. All eyes were on Aedric who stood beside his new mate, the Frostmoon Alpha’s daughter.… tall, beautiful, dressed in silver.

They looked perfect together.

Perfect in a way that made my stomach twist.

I tried to tell myself I didn’t care, but my chest felt tight. My eyes burned as I watched him slip a silver band onto her wrist, sealing their bond. The crowd clapped and shouted blessings.

And then someone in the back called out, loud and mocking,

“Congratulations, brother!”

The crowd went silent for a heartbeat. My head snapped toward the voice. It was deep, smooth, carrying amusement and something darker underneath.

I recognized it.… though I couldn’t place it.

I’d heard it before, deep... soft and teasing

Aedric’s shoulders stiffened. His face changed proud smile fading into a grim line.

“What are you doing here?” he asked coldly.

The man laughed softly. I still couldn’t see him through the crowd. “Can’t I come celebrate your special day? It's your mating ceremony... I couldn't miss that”

A murmur ran through the guests. Some whispered. Others stepped back like they didn’t want to be too close.

My heart beat faster. I leaned slightly to the side to catch a glimpse, but all I saw was a tall figure dressed in black, standing near the door, half in shadow.

Aedric’s voice was sharp. “Say what you came to say, and leave. You're not welcome”

The man chuckled. “Ouch, that hurts me, brother. Always so serious. Straight to the point, as always. Fine. I came for what you owe me.”

“Owe you?” Aedric frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“The debt, brother,” the man said calmly. “You know which one. It's been six years now… don't tell me your memory got old.”

A hush fell over the room. A few people exchanged uneasy looks.

My stomach dropped. Brother?

My mind froze. That voice. That lazy tone.

No. It couldn’t be.

Aedric’s face went pale. “How do you want your debt to be paid?”

There was a pause... long enough for the air itself to feel heavy.

Then the man’s voice came again, low and deliberate.

“Your former mate Sylvara. The omega. Give her to me.”

I forgot how to breathe.

My eyes widened as I looked toward the sound. The man stepped forward then, out of the shadows.

And there he was.…. the same man I’d met the night last night… the one whose words made me feel better. The one who’d called me bunny, who had leaned against the wall and told me not to cry.

For a moment, I couldn’t move.

Our eyes met across the hall. His gaze was sharp, calm, almost amused, but there was something fierce behind it that made my knees weak.

The hall buzzed with whispers.

Someone nearby spoke his name... and the moment I heard it, my blood ran cold.

Kaelen.

Kaelen Veyr.

The outcast Alpha. The cursed one. Aedric’s brother.

Stories about him had been told to all packs.. Babies for years... stories of blood, rebellion, and power that made even elders speak his name in a whisper.

Aedric stared at him, disbelief flashing in his eyes. “You want who?”

Kaelen smiled, slow and dangerous. “I'm sure you heard me clearly brother. The mate you rejected. Sylvara”

Gasps echoed through the hall. My breath hitched in my throat.

Aedric stepped forward, furious. “She’s not someone you can toy with or bargain with.”

Kaelen tilted his head. “Bargain? Aren’t you too greedy, brother? You don’t want her, but you want to keep her?” He took another step closer, eyes still locked on mine. “Give her to me. Let her join my pack. My harem, I'm going to take her back with me. Except you have a reason for holding onto her?”

Every word burned. My chest felt like it was tearing apart.

The crowd watched, whispering, some looking at me with pity, others with cruel amusement.

Aedric turned to me. Our eyes met for a brief, aching second. There was guilt in his face... guilt and something like fear.

Then he looked back at Kaelen and said quietly, “Fine. She’s yours.”

The world seemed to stop.

My breath caught. My vision blurred.

He had really done it.

Just like that, he’d given me away... like a piece of property. Like I was nothing.

Anger surged through me, hot and sharp. “You can’t just…”

But my words broke off. My voice was shaking too badly.

Kaelen’s eyes stayed on me. Calm. Steady. Satisfied.

And that was when I realized the truth... whatever game this was, I had just become the prize.

I felt betrayed. Humiliated. Furious.

And deep down, a part of me swore that I would never forgive either of them.