Chapter one

Selena's POV

Five years, that's how long I'd been working in the palace. The list of things I had been through was endless even though I absolutely loved my job as an assistant caretaker, but we were only going to make do of the ones I could remember at the moment.

And the most important of it all, five years of loving Zevran Storm.

Today was the day, the day of the mating ceremony and to say I was eager had to be the biggest understatement.

While the palace had been decorated with more than enough flair and extravagance, my dress was a huge contrast to it all. It wasn't expensive, and in a way, it wasn't mine either. I'd borrowed it from one of the maids who owed me a small favor and maybe an organ or two.

I snuck a glance at the palace grounds one more time. I was desperate for anything that could calm my racing heart down. It was skipping like a child high on sugar, and if I didn't stop, I wouldn't be surprised if I suffered a stroke next.

This was it. Zevran loved me, I was sure of it. Our relationship had had it's fair shares of ups and downs, and in all honesty, who hadn't? It was what made the relationship worthwhile, especially after both parties still decides to choose each other. Whatever rocky path Zevran and I had been threading lately, the mating ceremony tonight was going to fix it. That's what it was for, and I couldn't wait to see how beautiful the night would turn out.

Or so I thought.

I should have known there was going to be some sort of hiccup in my plan, that way I wouldn't be too surprised at the turn of events.

I had barely stepped into the palace grounds when voices reached my ears. They'd spoken all at once, but I'd recognized them immediately. The daughters of the high Lords, or as I liked to call them; the Courtyard Hags.

“Selena.” Hermione purred, stepping out from under the archway with her usual entourage of highborn airheads. She was a perfect kid of expensive silks and fangs, and it rubbed off on me the wrong way. “Youre dressed, comfortably. How noble of you.”

Hermione and I weren't friends, but I knew an insult when I heard one.

“Thanks.” I let out, my smile bright. “I was going for, the financially humble, emotionally stable look. I nailed it, didn't I?”

Camilla snorted behind her at my words, and the others giggled.

“Poor Selena.” Hermione's lips curled into a sick smile. “You do know Zevran’s mating announcement will come as a shock, right? See this as a little heads up.”

“Of course.” my tone was cheerful, and something told me that only pissed her off the more. “I fully expect him to burst into flames mid dance and declare his undying love for me. I even brought a bottle of water, just in case.”

Hermione laughed at my joke, but it was cold and hollow, like the kind of laughter villains have before spiking the hero's drink with cheap poison. She glared at me, but before she could let out anymore words, I walked past them. If I had stayed any longer, then I would have “accidentally” dropped a tinge of my latest potion that was bound to have her itching uncontrollably for the rest of the night.

I continued walking around the palace, whilst I waited for the perfect moment. As per tradition, I wasn't allowed to see Zevran until the ceremony. There were certain procedures members of the royal family were expected to follow, hence the delay in seeing him whenever I wanted to. They insisted it preserved the mate bond, so I didn't have a choice but follow. If there was anything I wanted in the world right now, it was for this night to be perfect and go on smoothly without a single hiccup. So I waited with the others, maids, servants, nobles and everyone else.

Our meeting point was the garden and it was beyond beautiful. Moonstones and flower petals were scattered around the place. I was still lost in the beauty of it all, when something caught my eyes.

Not something, someone.

Zevran stepped into the light. He's royal robes caught the light, and with his hair slicked back, he looked like the moon goddess had spent her sweet time creating him. His jaw was sharp, and as his piercing eyes scanned the crowd, I counted down the seconds till he would lock eyes with me. The seconds till he would announce me as his mate and complete our bond in front of the world.

But he didn't.

Hermione appeared besides him, and before I could blink, he kissed her.

There was nothing polite or chaste about it. It wasn't accidental or friendly either. The kiss didn't lack passion, like both parties were pouring their hearts and souls into.

I didn't read a lot of fairytales, but I knew what this one meant. The pauper didn’t, as a matter of fact, get the prince.

I didn’t…I couldn’t understand what was happening in front of me. I blinked. Not once. Not twice. But as many times as I believed will make the horror in front of me go away.

I stood frozen, unable to move. I wanted to speak, to yell and scream at the top of my lungs, but no matter how hard I tried, no words came out. The world around me spun, and I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

The crowd around me didn't make things any easier either. They clapped in approval,like they all knew about it and I had only been let in on the open secret a couple of seconds ago.

“Werewolves of our pack,” Zevran announced as he pulled away from Hermione, but only slightly. His gaze darted to and fro her face, and I could only ask myself how I'd been oblivious for so long.

“Allow me to introduce, Hermione , my Luna and mate.”

The people's cheers rode higher this time, almost rupturing my ear drums. I stared at the duo in front of me. I'd already seen it, witnessed it, but a tiny part of me still didn't want to believe it was real.

Zevran didn't even hesitate. He didn't even glance in my direction. He didn't consider the fact that I had nursed him back to health from from his near fatal wolf fever. He was just a stone's throw away, but I hadn't felt more distant from him than I had in my entire life.

As the rest of the ceremony started to dwindle, I searched for Zevran. After searching for a while, I found him in the corridor in one of the hallways.

“How could you?” I snarled in his face. “You didn't even tell me!”

“Hermione and I are mates now.” He looked to me like a stank of dirt mixed with soot.

“I know what this looks like, alright? Like I played you and all of that. But it’s my mating ceremony, Selena. Can you at least be happy for me?”

Happy for him?

“Zevran, I…”

“It’s beta Zevran or lord Zevran to you now, Selena.” He cut in harshly.

“It’s very obvious you and I were meant to be something temporary. I thought you would know that. How could you even think that I was serious?”

“Dont forget that The crown has taken care of you since you started to work here. Know your place, Selena.” The shock of his words buzzed through me, but clearly he wasn't done. “Don't overstep.”

“I loved you…” i blurt out. I stuttered incohereny, and that only seemed to annoy him more. “I love you….”

“You were being delusional, Selena.” He cut me off in an instant. “You’re nothing but an orphan who was raised here. You should be grateful if anything else.”

Grateful. The word echoed in my ear, taunting me.

Zevran was right, and I'd learned that one she pay gratitude with more gratitude, and I'd almost shown him how grateful I was with my fists, when footsteps echoed behind me.

“Seize her.” Someone yelled. I barely had a moment to breather before guards flanked my sides, their hands grabbing a hold of me.

“What are you…” I stuttered incoherently. “Let me go. What's going on?”

Every attempt of mine to break free from their grip turned futile. If anything, they only seemed to tighten their hold on me, and I cried out in pain.

“Why would they let go of a thief?” Camilla appeared in front of me. She wore a smug grin and I wondered for a second who was worse between her and her best friend Hermione. “You need to be locked up for all I care.”

“Thief?!” I was stunned. “I haven't stolen anything. Let me go.”

“I found it in her room.” Camilla turned to Zevran instead. Something glistened underneath the chandelier, and I realized it was a diamond pendant, or necklace “Hermoine has been searching for it for a while now, and we just happened to find it in her room.”.

“You're lying! I've never seen that thing in my life. ” I spat out loud. “you're fucking lying. Is this what you're being taught at those sloppy and fancy schools you attend?! If that's the case, I thibj you should go get your money back.”

“You're the one who's lying.” Hermione breezed in, the lie on her lips as smooth at butter. “You stole it, so admit it.”

There was no winning this one. A couple of people had started staring and even if they did, it didn't make a difference. No one was going to listen to the orphan over the noble.

“Apologize.” a smug smile made its way to Hermione's face. “Kiss our feet and maybe we'll let you go.”

I always knew Hermione was a bitch, but right now, I would bet my life she had something stuck up here ass, and it wasn't even morning yet.

“What?” I shook my head. “I can't ..”

“Do it.” Zevran cut in, his voice cold and final. “Now.”

My gaze flickered from the nobles, then to the pendant and the said shoes. I wasn't a fashion critic or enthusiast, but anybody could see that Hermione and Camilla’s shoes belonged on a children's show and not here.

I stepped forward, and just when I leaned in to kiss their shoes, I did the opposite.

I spat.

A smug grin made its way to my face at the shriek that slid past Hermione's lips. She shrieked as she stepped back and it only widened my grin.

“How dare you?” she shook her head. “how could you …”

“Get her out of the palace.” Zevran finally spoke. “And strip her of the bushes too. After tonight, I want nothing left of her name in this place.”

The guards grabbed me again, harder than the last time. I thrashed against them, but they didn't budge. No one spared me a second glance as I was led outside, no one even bothered to defend me.

My heart tugged at my sides. I'd started the night hopeful and full of life, and now, I was no one.

What a nice joke fate had decided to crack, don't you think?