**POV Cassandra**"Ursula… I…" I stammered, my throat tight with nerves, unable to form a coherent sound. I knew I needed to tell the truth, no matter how terrifying it was. My hands trembled, and my heart raced as I clung to the wall beside the hallway, trying to keep myself upright. "I already found my mate… or at least, I think I did."Ursula froze. Her serious expression grew even graver, as if she were waiting for the words to complete a nightmare she feared. Her cold hands released my face, and she took a few steps back, hesitant, almost in panic."Who is your mate, Cassandra?" she asked, her voice low but heavy with palpable tension. Her lips trembled, as if simply asking the question risked opening a deep wound. The air around us seemed to grow heavier.I lowered my head in shame, unable to bear the weight of her gaze. I knew what was coming next would be devastating, but there was no avoiding it any longer. A solitary tear escaped, tracing a burning line down my face. The tru
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