I woke up the next morning with a sense of anticipation and nervousness. Leaving my fake home with Ariel had been a difficult decision, but the pull between us was undeniable. Now, I needed to return to the palace, but one burning question consumed my thoughts - why had Ariel been invited? And who had extended the invitation?As I made my way through the grand halls of the palace, my mind was consumed with these questions. I needed answers, and I knew that my grandmother, Regina, would be able to provide them.I found Regina in her study, surrounded by books and papers. She looked up from her work as I entered, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern."Xavier, my dear, what brings you here so early in the morning?" Regina asked, her voice filled with warmth.I approached her, a serious expression on my face. "Regina, I need to talk to you about something," I said, my voice filled with urgency. "Ariel received an invitation to the palace. Do you know anything about it?"

Ariel——As I wiped away my tears, I took deep breath and looked into Chloe's eyes. It was time to reveal the truth, to unburden myself from the weight of the secret that had been consuming me."Chloe," I began, my voice steady but filled with trepidation. "There's something I need to tell you. Something that I should have told you a long time ago."Chloe's eyes widened, her curiosity piqued. "What is it, Ariel? You know you can tell me anything."I took another deep breath, gathering my thoughts before I continued. "You remember when Xavier and I told everyone that we were mates, right?"Chloe nodded slowly, confusion evident in her expression. "Yes, of course. It was a surprise to everyone, but we were all so happy for you."I looked down at my hands, unable to meet Chloe's gaze. "The truth is, Chloe... Xavier and I were never really mates."Chloe gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What? But why? Why would you lie about something like that?"Tears welled up in my eyes once again

ARIEL——I watched Xavier carefully, my heart heavy with the knowledge of his true identity. It pained me to see him continue to lie, to pretend that he was just a guard when I knew he was so much more. But I couldn't reveal that I knew his secret, not if it meant losing him for good.Every time he spoke about his duties as a guard, a pang of sadness echoed within me. I wanted so desperately to tell him that I understood, that I knew he was the Alpha of our pack. But the risk was too great. If I exposed his secret, it could put both him and the pack in danger.As Xavier continued to explain the dangers that came with being close to him, I felt a mix of frustration and longing. I wanted to be by his side, to support him in every way possible. But I had to respect his decision to keep me safe, even if it meant keeping me at a distance."Xavier, I understand," I said softly, my voice filled with a mixture of resignation and sadness. "I don't want to put you or the pack in danger. I'll tru

Xavier——Xavier's mind raced as he absorbed Regina's words. The realization that Ariel was his true mate sent shockwaves through him, leaving him both elated and filled with regret. How had he kept this secret from her for so long? And why did Regina seem so urgent in discussing this now? Questions swirled in his mind as he hurriedly ended the call and made his way back home.As I entered our empty home, my worry intensified. Ariel was nowhere to be found, and her absence only fueled my growing concern. I paced anxiously, my mind consumed with thoughts of what could have happened. Had something gone wrong? Was she in danger?My heart pounded in my chest as I replayed my conversation with Regina. The weight of Ariel's question lingered, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her inquiry than met the eye. I couldn't help but be suspicious of Regina's constant probing and urgency.Unable to wait any longer, I grabbed my phone and dialed Ariel's number. It rang and rang,

Esther pov——Esther's heart raced as she dialed Xavier's number, her mind racing with urgency. She knew she had to warn him about Alpha Calvin's plans, but time was running out. As the phone rang, her anxiety grew, hoping that Xavier would answer before it was too late."Esther? Is everything alright?" Xavier's voice came through the line, filled with concern."Xavier, it's Esther," she said, her voice urgent. "You have to listen to me. Alpha Calvin has invited you for a private meeting, but it's a trap. He has ulterior motives, Xavier. You must not go."There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and Esther could almost feel Xavier's confusion and surprise."Esther, what are you talking about?" Xavier asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Why would Calvin set a trap for me? We've been working together for years."Esther hesitated for a moment, her mind racing to find the right words. She couldn't reveal everything without implicating Ariel, not when Xavier was still unaw