|ASTRAEA| I jolted awake, gasping for breath as I found myself in my chamber, disoriented and confused. How did I get here? The last thing I remembered was being with Kallias, his lips on mine, the intensity of his gaze searing through me. My heart raced as I struggled to make sense of what had just happened. Kallias... I couldn't shake the memory of his touch, his scent lingering in the air around me like a haunting whisper. “Asana,” I whispered, seeking solace in the familiar presence in my mind. ‘I’m lost for words,’ Asana murmured, her tone reflecting the turmoil within me. Before I could gather my thoughts, the door burst open, and Eloise rushed into the room, her expression a mixture of shock and concern. She wasted no time in crossing the room, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence. With a swift motion, she slapped my back, the sting jolting me into awareness. “Seriously?” Eloise's voice was a mix of disbelief and reproach. “You were with Kallias! Do you know how Ori

|ASTRAEA| I stirred in my sleep and woke up in an unknown place. The air was fresh, and the sky was a clear blue with white clouds. As I looked around, I found myself in a green grassland. The soft grass brushed against my feet, and I could smell wildflowers mixed with the earthy scent of the soil. The land was peaceful, stretching out as far as I could see. Gentle hills rose and fell in the distance, and small groups of trees offered shade. Birds sang sweetly, adding to the beauty of the place. I began to walk, feeling curious. With each step, I felt more connected to the nature around me. The grass was cool under my feet, and a soft breeze touched my skin, as if sharing ancient secrets. As I walked further, I sensed something special ahead. In the distance, I saw a figure standing in a sunny clearing. She glowed with a gentle light, her presence calm and powerful. Getting closer, I saw her clearly. She was beautiful and graceful, with eyes that sparkled like stars and hair that

*Meanwhile in her realm* |ORION| I clenched my fists, trying to control my anger as I stared at Astraea’s unconscious body laid out on the bed while the healers treated her. Bruises marred her arms, and her pale skin was a clear sign of how long she had been immersed in water. “What is it? Why isn’t she up yet?” I demanded, my voice tight with frustration and fear. “I’m afraid she’s in a coma, Sire,” one of the healers responded softly. I growled, the sound reverberating through the room as Raeya tried to calm me down. This would have never happened if I didn’t have so much to do. I would have been able to watch her. “She’s fine, she’s safe here with us,” Raeya said soothingly, placing a hand on my arm. “Safe? What do you mean safe? Do you know how much can happen in a coma? She could fucking die, Raeya!” I snapped, my voice rising in anger. Raeya flinched at my aggression, but I wasn’t sorry. I was furious with myself for leaving her unattended and allowing her to get hurt. I

|ASTRAEA|I never had friends back home. Most werewolves didn't even know the Werewolf King had a second daughter.I remembered their gasps and exclaims as they saw Alan dragging me down the aisle that day. They were surprised, bewildered even, to find out they had a third princess and she was sold out to the ruthless Alpha of the Blue dawn pack.My senses gradually awakened to the dimly lit chamber that surrounded me. The air felt heavy with a mysterious energy, and a faint scent of incense lingered in the air, weaving through the shadows like tendrils of smoke.Blinking sleep from my eyes, I found myself in a room shrouded in darkness, save for the soft, ethereal glow that emanated from the moonlit stained glass windows. Their muted hues painted the chamber in an otherworldly palette of blues and purples, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow upon the walls.

|ASTRAEA| In the quiet of the palace chambers, surrounded by the familiar faces of my family, I gathered the courage to speak the words that weighed heavily on my heart. "I'm not here to stay," I whispered softly, my voice barely above a whisper.Their smiles, though weak, spoke volumes of their understanding. "We know," my father replied, his voice filled with a quiet resignation that tugged at my heartstrings.As I gazed at them, taking in their slightly weathered faces and the subtle signs of aging that marked the passage of time, a wave of disbelief washed over me. "How long have I been gone?" I asked, my voice trembling with shock."Two years," my mother's response was barely a whisper, but it hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me reeling from the realization of just how much time had passed in my absence.And then, the question I had been dreading hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our reunion. "W-what of Alan?" I ventured, the silence that followed deafening in it