Mia’s PovThe sky was a heavy gray, the clouds hanging low as if mourning with us. A cold wind swept through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and wet earth. It felt like the world itself had paused in sorrow, the weight of grief pressing down on everything, on everyone.I stood at the edge of the clearing, staring at the pyre where Sylvia’s body lay. Dressed in her finest robes, she looked peaceful, her hands folded over her chest, as if she were simply resting. But I knew better. There was no rest in death, not for someone like her. She had given everything for us, for me. And now, she was gone.My throat felt tight, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. I hadn’t cried since the night we lost her. It felt like if I started, I might never stop. Christian stood beside me, silent and strong, his hand gripping mine, grounding me as the crowd gathered around us. The pack was here, every warrior, every healer, everyone whose lives Sylvia had touched. They all stood in somber si
Mia’s PovThe meeting room was heavy with the weight of silence as we gathered around the table—Christian, Alpha Dominic, Gamma Arnold, and I. The losses from the war were staggering, the cost far more than any of us could have imagined. Each face held the burden of those who had been lost, the sacrifices that had been made. Alpha Dominic leaned forward, his fingers drumming quietly on the wood surface.“The loss of our warriors...” he began, his voice tight. “It’s something we’ll feel for years to come. Our pack’s numbers have dwindled, but their loyalty, their bravery, cannot be forgotten.”Gamma Arnold nodded solemnly, his eyes cast downward. “The cost was high, and we must honor those who gave everything to protect us.”I stayed quiet, my eyes casted down in sorrow. So much had changed, and though we had won, the victory felt hollow, shadowed by Sylvia’s absence. Every corner of the room seemed to echo her voice, her presence, and it was hard to focus on anything else.Christian’s
Mia’s PovThe soft glow of the morning sun seeped through the curtains as I slowly blinked my eyes open, feeling the weight of exhaustion from the past few days still clinging to my bones. My body felt groggy, as if I had been in a deep, dreamless sleep for hours—perhaps days. I stretched out lazily, letting my arms extend above my head, muscles stiff from the stillness. But as I shifted, my eyes fell on Christian’s side of the bed. Empty. I scowled a little, wondering where he had gone so early in the morning.Just as I was about to push myself up, the door creaked open, and there he was, Christian, with that familiar, heart-melting smile. He stepped inside carrying a tray of food, the scent of freshly baked bread and coffee wafting through the room. My stomach growled almost instantly, betraying my hunger.“Good morning,” Christian greeted me warmly, setting the tray on the bedside table before sitting down next to me on the edge of the bed. His voice was soft, but his presence was
Mia’s PovJulia and Anastasia were like a whirlwind as they pulled me from one store to another, their energy boundless while I trailed behind, already feeling the exhaustion setting in. I wasn’t entirely sure how they convinced me to go on this shopping spree, but here I was, lugging bags of shoes, handbags, accessories—and just about everything except the gown we came here for.“Do we really need another pair of heels?” I groaned as Julia held up a sleek black stiletto with an excited gleam in her eyes. “I mean, I have more than enough pairs already.”Anastasia, who was busy inspecting a glittering necklace, glanced over and smirked. “You can never have too many heels, Mia. You’re the Beta now; you’ve got to look the part.”I rolled my eyes. “I thought the ceremony was about the gown, not how many pairs of shoes I can carry home.”Julia laughed, tossing the heels into the growing pile of purchases. “Oh, you’re going to thank us later. And besides, we still haven’t gotten to the fun
Mia’s PovAs we stepped up to the grand hall's entrance, my heart raced beneath my chest, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My hand was looped through Christian’s arm, and his steady presence was the only thing keeping me grounded as the double doors slowly creaked open.The sight before me took my breath away—the hall was illuminated by soft, golden lights reflecting off the high ceilings. The decorations were nothing short of grand, with elegant tapestries and rich emeralds and golds lining the walls. Christian had truly outdone himself. My gaze swept across the room, seeing the sea of pack members and allies standing beneath us, waiting, their heads turned toward the staircase.Dominic’s booming voice echoed across the hall, his words carrying the weight of ceremony and honor. “Please welcome Royal Beta Christian and our Royal Beta-feamle, Mia, to the stage.”The crowd burst into applause, their whispers halting for a moment as Christian and I stood at the top of t
Mia’s PovThe moment Dominic disappeared, leaving behind an awkward silence, the royal music began to play—filling the grand hall with a soft, majestic melody. It was as if the music had been timed perfectly to diffuse the tension in the air, giving everyone an excuse to focus on something else. The elegant chords of violins and the regal notes of flutes swept through the room, calming the uneasy murmurs that had begun.Christian turned to me, his smile softening the moment. “Dance with me?” he asked, his voice low and inviting, one hand outstretched toward me.Despite everything, I couldn’t help the smile that crept onto my face. “I’d love to.”I placed my hand in his, and he guided me effortlessly to the center of the dance floor, where other couples had already begun to pair off, the royal rhythm guiding their movements. The grand chandeliers above shimmered, casting a golden glow over everything as we stepped into position.Christian’s hand settled on the small of my back, pulling
Author’s Pov4 Months LaterThe sun bathed the garden in a golden glow, casting soft shadows over the blooming roses and perfectly trimmed hedges. Mia sat comfortably between Ana and Julia, her hands resting on her swollen belly as they enjoyed their afternoon tea. It had been months since the ceremony, and with each passing day, the anticipation of the baby’s arrival grew stronger. They laughed, their conversation carefree as Ana excitedly showed Mia a variety of tiny gifts she had bought for the baby—soft blankets, little shoes, and a beautifully carved wooden rattle.Mia smiled warmly, feeling the gentle kicks of life inside her. The baby wasn’t due for another month, and despite the natural aches and discomforts of pregnancy, she had felt relatively good. "Look at this," Ana beamed, holding up a little onesie with "Beta in Training" stitched across the front. "Isn’t it adorable? He’s going to look so cute in this!"Mia laughed softly, touching the fabric. "It’s perfect. Thank you
Author’s PovMia’s world dissolved into a swirl of chaos and darkness. Her body, though fainted and still in the hospital bed, was trapped within the depths of a vivid, horrifying memory. It played out before her eyes like a movie—too real, too painful. She was no longer the adult Mia. Instead, she felt herself small, fragile, and terrified—a four-year-old child once again.The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the deafening sounds of cries. She stood in the corner of her childhood home—her pack, her tiny frame trembling as she clutched her knees to her chest. Flames licked the edges of the walls, and the screams of her pack members echoed around her. They were dying. She could hear it—shouts, cries, the horrifying crackle of fire devouring everything in its path.Little Mia bawled, tears streaming down her face as she watched people—people she knew—falling to the ground. Her tiny body was shaking, her heart racing in terror. She felt helpless, too scared to move. The de