CHAPTER FIVE: The Royal Celebration

ANNA

I woke up early to the sound of voices downstairs. For a few seconds, I lay in bed, wondering what everyone was talking about so early in the morning. Then I remembered.

Today was the royal celebration.

I groaned and pulled my blanket over my head. It was only seven in the morning, and yesterday's trip to Silvercrest had left me exhausted. Unfortunately, there was no way I was going back to sleep.

After brushing my teeth, I headed downstairs and immediately noticed the servants decorating the house. I didn't understand the point the celebration was taking place at the palace, not here but I wasn't about to ask.

My mind briefly went back to my original plan of ruining Emily's engagement dress. I peeked into her room, but it was filled with servants, Donna, and Chrystal, all fussing over her. There was no way I could get near that dress without being caught.

So I gave up on the idea and decided to go for a run instead.

Something felt strange. My wolf had been restless since I woke up, and I couldn't explain why. Once I reached the woods, I shifted and immediately took off. Running usually helped clear my mind, and for almost an hour, I let myself enjoy the feeling of freedom.

When I finally returned home, I took a shower and climbed onto my bed. I wasn't hungry, so I started watching a mystery thriller. Before I knew it, several hours had passed.

By the time I realized it was lunchtime, the house was almost empty. Apparently, the royal celebration had everyone busy. I grabbed the food the servants had prepared and went back upstairs to continue watching my series. At some point, I fell asleep.

When I woke up again, it was finally time to get dressed.

I washed my face and applied a little makeup I didn't feel like doing anything dramatic today. After finishing my makeup, I put on my blue gown. It exposed my back and hugged my waist perfectly. I had already styled my blonde hair, so I slipped on a pair of silver stiletto heels and headed downstairs.

Everyone else was already waiting. Dad and my brothers were dressed in black suits. Donna wore a purple gown with black heels, while Chrystal wore a black dress and silver heels.

Then Emily finally came downstairs. She was wearing a beautiful red ball gown with black stilettos. Her brunette hair had been styled perfectly, and I had to admit that she looked good.

Unfortunately, she knew it too.

We took two cars to the palace because there was no way all of us would fit comfortably into one. By the time we arrived, the place was already crowded. The palace had been decorated beautifully for the celebration.

My family immediately went to greet the king and queen. Donna and Chrystal hugged the queen while Dad shook hands with the king. Emily, of course, was embraced by both of them.

I quietly left them and found somewhere to sit.

My wolf was still restless. The feeling had become stronger since arriving at the palace, and it was starting to annoy me. I stood up to get some water when I spotted Devon across the room.

He was wearing a maroon suit that fit his tall frame perfectly. Six-foot-seven was already an unfair height, but unfortunately for me, the man actually knew how to dress.

He looked good.

Then his eyes met mine. For a second, something strange passed through me.

I quickly looked away and walked toward the drinks. Maybe I was just tired.

I glanced outside and noticed that the moon would soon rise. Soon, Emily and Devon's wolves would finally connect.

I thought about the spell. Nothing had changed since I left Silvercrest yesterday. I hadn't felt anything unusual, and neither had Devon. The witch had probably been lying.

Honestly, I was relieved. I couldn't imagine the chaos that would happen if that stupid spell had actually worked.

I took another sip of water and shook my head. Emily was safe. Her perfect little future was safe.

At least from me. For now.

DEVON POV:

I adjusted my maroon suit before leaving my room and heading downstairs. I was looking for Emily when I spotted someone else.

Anna.

She was standing across the hall in a blue gown that exposed her back. Her blonde hair had been styled into a neat bun, and for a moment, I found myself staring.

She looked beautiful.

The thought caught me off guard. I quickly looked away.

What the hell was that?

Anna was Emily's sister. My future sister-in-law. Nothing more.

I shook the thought from my head just as Emily walked toward me. Unlike Anna, Emily's presence immediately drew attention. Her red gown fit her perfectly, and her brunette hair fell beautifully around her shoulders.

I smiled. "Wow."

She smiled back. "Is that a good wow?"

"It's a very good wow." I pulled her closer and kissed her. "You look beautiful."

"So do you."

I laughed. "I don't think beautiful is the word people usually use for me."

She smiled and kissed me again. For a moment, everything felt normal.

Then my wolf stirred. I frowned.

Something felt wrong.

"Is your wolf restless?" I asked Emily.

She looked confused. "No. Why?"

"Nothing."

I didn't tell her that my wolf had been restless all day. At first, I assumed it was because of the ceremony. Tonight was supposed to be the night when our wolves finally recognized each other completely. Maybe that was why.

Still, something didn't feel right.

The celebration continued as more guests arrived. Eventually, the Seeker called everyone together. Emily stood beside me, smiling. The moment we had been waiting for was finally here.

For years, everyone had known that Emily and I were destined to be together. I had grown up hearing about our future.

My mate.

My future queen.

The woman who would help continue the royal bloodline.

Tonight, our wolves were supposed to finally connect.

The Seeker began speaking, but I barely heard him. My wolf suddenly became restless not nervous, but restless, as if it was searching for something.

Then I smelled it.

A scent.

My entire body went still. It was unlike anything I had ever smelled before. Warm. Sweet. Familiar.

My wolf immediately reacted.

I looked around the room. Emily was still standing beside me, but the scent wasn't coming from her.

My heart began beating faster. The pull came suddenly hard.

I took a step forward.

"Devon?" Emily's voice came from behind me.

I ignored her. Another step.

The scent became stronger. My wolf was no longer listening to me. I could hear people talking around me. I could hear Emily calling my name again. But none of it mattered.

I kept walking.

Then I saw her.

Anna.

She was standing near the edge of the hall, holding a glass of water. Her eyes widened when she saw me approaching.

The moment our eyes met, everything inside me stopped. My wolf surged forward.

Mine.

The word crashed through my mind with so much force that I couldn't breathe.

Anna looked just as confused as I felt. I took another step toward her.

"Devon?" she asked.

I couldn't answer. The entire room seemed to disappear. There was only her. Her scent. Her eyes. The impossible pull dragging me toward her.

Emily was still somewhere behind me. The Seeker. My family. The entire kingdom.

None of them mattered.

My wolf had found what it had been searching for. And before I could stop myself, one word left my mouth.

"Mate."

For a second, the entire hall went silent.

Then chaos erupted.