**Thea**Tomorrow. I was getting married. Tomorrow.I stood in my chambers, staring out of the window, but not really looking at anything. It had been an hour since Jarin’s announcement. While he’d been speaking, I’d made sure to keep my eyes fully focused in front of me. I knew if I looked at Atlas, even once, I may cry.I didn’t want to cry anymore. I’d had enough of it. I reminded myself that although the one I loved had rejected me, I was also incredibly lucky.I had been pulled from a terrible life in order to discover who I truly was. For the first time since infancy, I had been cared for by the people here. I had even been reunited with the father that I never thought I had. For this part, I was truly thankful.A soft knock at the door told me that Bessie was here to do my dress fitting for the wedding. I

**Jarin**I looked out at the scene before me. There were at least 30 different packs who had arrived here quickly. I was sure that others would be on the way. Despite their presence, I could definitely sense the tension within the room. Whether I liked it or not, my plan to try and restore power to our kind was never going to be popular.I rose out of my seat, signalling that I was about to talk. Gradually, the chatter in the great hall subsided.I took a deep breath.“Firstly, I want to give you thanks for coming here so quickly. I know the information my pack representatives gave you has probably shocked and concerned you. As you know, I will be getting married tomorrow to a hybrid called Thea. As a result, she will become the Queen Luna. I am sure many of you will not be happy with this, but I must remind you that I am making this choice in the best interes

**Atlas**The whole hall was silent. I was panting as adrenaline coursed through my body. The only sound I could hear was my heart thumping against my chest.I couldn’t believe what I had just done. I was shocked by my own action. It was as if something had taken over my body. It had happened as soon as she’d looked at me. I wondered if she hadn’t done that, I would have allowed her to place the ring on Jarin’s finger. I realised it could only be my wolf that was responsible. Seeing her in a wedding dress but it not being me who she was marrying was horrific. It felt so unbelievably wrong.I stood, frozen to the spot. Staring into Thea’s eyes, I could not tell what she was thinking. I knew now the pendant was off, she would truly know who I was.Jarin was the first person to break the silence. He whispered something in Thea’s ear,

**Thea** We’d come out into the garden. The same one we’d walked in some weeks ago. It was quieter here than inside the castle, and it meant something to the both of us. We stood in front of each other, him holding my hands in his. The fact we could do this and not feel guilty or ashamed was such an incredible happiness.“I feel as if I am dreaming.” I whispered.“If this is a dream, then I hope I never wake up.” He replied. He moved closer to me, and placed a gentle kiss upon my lips.I wanted so much more of him, but I didn’t know how to tell him. I was so unused to being this close to him, I didn’t know how to explain that I was tired of waiting. I wanted us to have each other. Then I remembered something from the first few days of being here.“Atlas?&rdq

**Jarin**I looked out of the window. My view from this chamber was of the newly laid vegetable patches and cleared land for a planned orchard next year. Since I’d arrived yesterday, I found new and amazing things that Viola had achieved with our people. There was something of her spirit here, and that was something that I loved.After I’d said what I had last night she’d not reacted in the way I’d hoped, although not in the worst way either. She’d told me she needed time to think about what I’d said, and what it would mean for her. What her people would think. Of course, I understood.But I couldn’t pretend I’d hoped that she would run into my arms telling me she loved me back. I went out of the chamber in search of some breakfast. I hadn’t seen the kitchen yet, so it would be worth going if only for that.There