CHAPTER 1

Kyra’s POV

The Mating Ball

Pain throbbed in my head, a dull ache that seemed to echo with every beat of my heart. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, everything was blurry. The last thing I remembered was the metallic beam falling, Davis frozen in its path, and me lunging forward to push him away.

The sharp sting of blood trickling down my temple was my final memory before darkness took over.

A faint light from the window illuminated the room. The familiar scent of lavender lingered in the air, a scent meant to calm nerves, though it did nothing to ease the turmoil in my heart.

“Where is he?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. My chest tightened as I glanced around the empty room. Davis should have been here, watching over me, worrying about me. He was the future Alpha, yes, but he was also the man I had loved for as long as I could remember.

I thought of the countless moments we’d spent together as children, racing through the woods and sharing dreams under the moonlight. He had always been kind, protective even. But lately, it felt like I was invisible to him, like he didn't care anymore.

The bed creaked as I shifted, my muscles protesting the movement. My fingers brushed against the bandage wrapped around my head, a stark reminder of my sacrifice. I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to stand, the world tilting slightly. My gaze fell on the medicine bottle on the nightstand. I took a dose, hoping it would dull the pain, but not the ache in my chest.

As I stared at the mirror, my reflection seemed foreign to me. My usually vibrant brown eyes looked dull, framed by disheveled hair and a face pale from exhaustion. This wasn’t how I imagined my life would be. I thought love would be enough.

The door creaked open, and my mother entered. Her sharp gaze swept over me, taking in my disheveled state. She didn’t smile. Instead, she held out a glass of water, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“Why did you do it?” she asked, her voice clipped and cold.

I frowned, though I knew exactly what she meant. “Do what?” I replied, feigning ignorance.

She scoffed, setting the glass down with a thud. “Don’t play dumb, Kyra. You risked your life for Davis, a man who will never see you the way you want him to.”

Her words hit like a punch to the gut, but I refused to let her see how much they hurt. “That’s not true. He must know how much I care about him.”

“Then where is he?” she countered sharply, her voice rising. “If he cared, he’d be here. But he’s not, Kyra. He’s out there, probably with Jessica.”

Jessica. The Beta’s daughter. The woman every man in the pack admired and every woman envied. My fists clenched at the mention of her name.

“Talk to him if you must,” my mother said, her tone softening slightly. “But don’t expect anything to change.”

She left the room without another word, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Her warning echoed in my mind as I hurriedly dressed and made my way to the courtyard. The sound of laughter and chatter grew louder as I approached, my heart sinking with every step.

“You should’ve seen her!” Nancy’s voice rang out. “Jessica was so brave. She pushed Kyra out of the way and saved Davis!”

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Jessica? Brave?

“What are you talking about?” I demanded, stepping into their line of sight.

Nancy smirked, her eyes gleaming with mockery. “Oh, didn’t you hear? Jessica saved Davis from that falling beam. Poor thing even got hurt doing it.”

I turned to Jessica, my gaze narrowing as I noticed the bandage on her head. “That’s not true,” I said, my voice trembling. “I was the one who—”

“Enough, Kyra,” Davis interrupted, his tone dismissive. “Jessica is the one who saved me.”

His words felt like a dagger to my chest. I stumbled back, barely able to breathe. Jessica smiled smugly, stepping closer to Davis.

“That’s why I’ve made my decision,” Davis announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. “Jessica, will you do me the honor of being my Luna?”

The world tilted as I watched him kneel before her, a ring glinting in his hand.

“Say yes!” Nancy squealed, clapping her hands.

Tears blurred my vision as Jessica held out her hand, accepting the ring with a dazzling smile. Davis slipped it onto her finger, sealing my heartbreak.

“I was the one who saved you,” I whispered, the words barely audible.

Davis glanced at me, his expression cold and unfeeling. “Stop embarrassing yourself, Kyra.”

Laughter erupted around me, cruel and mocking. I turned and fled, the sound echoing in my ears long after I was gone.

[The Mating Ceremony]

The Mating Ball came far too quickly. My mother insisted I attend, despite my protests. She reminded me of my duties as the pack’s matron’s daughter, and so, reluctantly, I put on my best dress and followed her to the grand hall.

The decorations were stunning—golden drapes, glittering chandeliers, and tables laden with food. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and the tension of unspoken rivalries. But all I could see was Davis. He stood at the center of the room, looking impossibly handsome. And beside him, Jessica, her smile radiant as ever.

My steps faltered as I entered, my heart aching with every beat. Whispers followed me, cruel and sharp.

“Why is she even here?” someone murmured.

“She’s pathetic,” another said.

I lifted my chin, refusing to let their words break me. But inside, I was crumbling.

The crowd parted as Davis dropped to one knee once more. The sound of the room faded, replaced by the roaring in my ears.

“Jessica,” he said, his voice loud and clear, “will you marry me?”

The room fell silent. My heart shattered all over again.

And then, something inside me snapped. Heat surged through my veins, my body trembling as a powerful energy took hold. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse.