Chapter 3
“Not hiding in your room, are you, Mira?”
Mira’s heart skipped a beat as she opened the door, expecting to see her sister Liana checking on her progress. But instead, she found herself face to face with Gareth, her distant cousin, smirking at her like a wolf sizing up its prey.
She took a quick step back. “Gareth… what are you doing here?”
He shrugged, his eyes sweeping over her in a way that made her skin crawl. “I could ask you the same question. Shouldn’t you be out there celebrating with the others?”
“I… I had things to do,” Mira stammered, glancing back at Liana’s packed luggage. “I’m busy.”
“Busy?” Gareth chuckled, a dark gleam in his eyes. “Isn’t that your whole life, Mira? Always running around, doing everyone else’s bidding?” He stepped inside her small room, shutting the door behind him. The sound of the latch clicking made Mira’s pulse spike with unease.
“Gareth, I—” She took another step back, her mind racing. Stay calm. Just stay calm.
“Why aren’t you out there, hmm?” he asked, drawing closer. “Watching your oh-so-perfect sister become the Alpha’s mate? Bet you’re jealous.”
“Please leave,” Mira said, her voice coming out as more of a whisper.
He didn’t listen. Instead, Gareth leaned in, his voice low and mocking. “What’s wrong, Mira? You’re not happy for your precious sister?”
She looked down, avoiding his piercing gaze. “It’s none of your business, Gareth. Please… just go.”
But Gareth only laughed, grabbing her by the wrist. “Or what? What are you going to do, Mira? Cry?”
Her heart pounded. She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened painfully, forcing her closer. “Let go of me,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” he whispered, his grin widening. “You know, it’s funny. Everyone’s busy watching Liana tonight. No one’s even thinking about poor little Mira. And you’re not exactly going anywhere, are you?”
With a quick, desperate twist, Mira yanked her arm free and darted for the door, but Gareth was faster, blocking her path with a sneer. “Where do you think you’re going?” he taunted, grabbing her shoulders and pinning her against the wall.
“Gareth, stop it! Someone will see—”
He laughed again, low and menacing. “Oh, Mira, sweet Mira. No one’s here. Everyone’s at the ceremony. The Alpha’s arrival, remember?”
She struggled against him, feeling the weight of his body pressing down on her, the smell of his breath close enough to suffocate. Panic surged through her veins. I have to get out of here. Now.
“Get off me!” she cried, pushing against his chest, but he only chuckled, gripping her tighter. Desperation clawed at her, and she felt her heart race as she searched for anything within reach.
Her fingers brushed against something sharp—the silver pin she’d left on her vanity. Without thinking, she snatched it up and drove it into the side of his neck.
“Agh!” Gareth roared, stumbling back, clutching his neck. His face twisted in pain and shock as he staggered, blood seeping between his fingers. “You little—”
Mira didn’t wait for him to finish. She delivered a swift kick to his groin, and he doubled over, groaning in agony.
Taking her chance, Mira darted past him, throwing the door open and sprinting down the hallway. Her heart was pounding, her breath coming in short gasps as she ran through the empty corridors. No guards. No one in sight. Everyone’s gone.
Her feet pounded against the stone floors as she pushed herself to go faster, ignoring the tears that blurred her vision. She could still hear Gareth’s cursing echoing behind her, but she didn’t look back.
The grand hall was up ahead, and she could already hear the murmurs and cheers of the crowd gathered inside. She knew what the ceremony meant, what it symbolized, but right now, none of that mattered. All she wanted was to escape.
Reaching the doors, she burst into the grand hall, her sudden entrance causing heads to turn. A hush fell over the crowd as every eye turned to her, her wild, panicked expression a stark contrast to the glittering ceremony.
The Alpha was standing at the front of the hall, his tall, commanding figure drawing every gaze. His sharp eyes landed on her, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face as he took in her disheveled appearance.
“Mira?” her father’s voice rang out, his tone filled with confusion and embarrassment. “What are you doing here?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but words failed her as she felt the weight of everyone’s stares. Her heart hammered painfully in her chest, and for a moment, she wondered if she’d made a mistake coming here.
But then her gaze met the Alpha’s. His dark, piercing eyes held hers, and for a moment, the entire room seemed to fade away. In his gaze, she saw something… something different. Something that made her feel safe.
Georgia
Arial
Cabin
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English
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