I was getting married.

But my mate of seven years, Theo, didn’t know.

Lately, Theo had been preoccupied with his new co-lead warrior, Beatrice. He even attended her grand birthday celebration, which doubled as a party for her promotion in the pack.

Theo took me along to the event. The feast was extravagant, complete with a twelve-layer cake. While everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, I sat alone, watching the warriors laugh and bond. Theo, completely engrossed in the festivities, forgot I was even there.

I shrugged it off, convincing myself to let him have his fun. But then, the mood changed. Someone started smearing cream on others, a playful food fight breaking out in the hall.

That’s when my chest tightened. I could barely breathe. The cream in the air—it was deadly for me.

“Astraia!”

Theo’s voice was the last thing I heard before everything went black.

When I woke up, healers surrounded me, strictly monitoring my recovery. My phone buzzed incessantly with notifications, most of them from my mother. She was furious about what had happened.

“I sent you a file. Open it,” her message read.

It was a document about an arranged marriage proposal.

Frowning, I called her immediately. “Mom, what’s this? An arranged marriage? What’s going on?”

Her voice was calm but firm. “Darling, I’ve watched you and Theo for years, and I know he’s not serious about you. Seven years, and still no commitment? If he truly cared, there’d be a ring on your finger by now.”

“B-but, Mom, maybe he’s just—”

“No excuses, Tria. I’m not happy with how he’s been treating you. As your mother, I know he isn’t the one. Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of everything. Your wedding is in five days, on the next full moon.”

My head throbbed as I massaged my temple. “Mom, isn’t this too sudden?”

“I’ve already sent maids to pack your things. Just review them when you get home. Please, take your time to heal, and don’t neglect your medication. Your allergy is no joke.”

I sighed, my resistance waning. “Okay, Mom. Thank you. I’ll look into the details when I get back.”

“Good. I love you, my princess. I can’t wait to see you again.”

The call ended. A small smile formed on my lips. Even as an adult, they still treated me like their little girl.

“Wedding? Whose wedding?”

I almost jumped when Theo’s voice broke the silence. He was standing by the door, his brow furrowed.

“Oh, just… someone from our town,” I lied.

He nodded, stepping closer. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. Thanks for asking. Shouldn’t you be working?”

Theo sat on the edge of my hospital bed. “I wanted to check on you. I’m sorry for what happened—”

Before he could finish, a panicked voice interrupted.

“Theo! Finally, you’re here!”

I turned to see Beatrice at the door, her face pale.

“What’s wrong?” Theo asked, immediately standing to approach her.

“I thought one of the Blacks tracked me in the forest,” she said, her voice trembling.

The Blacks were our pack’s rivals, but wasn’t she a warrior? Why was she suddenly acting like a damsel in distress?

Theo didn’t question it. He nodded and told her he’d handle it before leaving with her.

As the door closed, I let out a long sigh. I picked up my phone and called Senior Bridget. One of the elders here in Vermona, who had adopted me during my stay here.

“Married? To Theo? That’s wonderful!” She exclaimed when I mentioned my plans to leave.

“Uhm actually, it’s an arranged marriage, and it’s not with Theo,” I clarified.

There was a pause before she spoke again. “Are you sure about this? I always thought Theo cared for you. Maybe he’s just slow to act. Do you want me to talk to him?”

“No,” I said firmly. “This relationship hasn’t been genuine for a long time. If I don’t end it now, I’ll regret it.”

She was silent for a moment, then sighed. “If this is what you truly want, I’ll support you.”

After hanging up, I set a five-day countdown widget on my phone.

Theo might never have planned a wedding for us, but now I have a wedding of my own.

And it wasn’t going to be with him.

The next afternoon, I returned to our home, feeling an odd mix of anticipation and dread. I headed to the study area, hoping to find Theo. Maybe today, we could talk—really talk—and perhaps find some closure. My fingers hovered over the door handle when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out, my heart sinking as I read the message.

"Helping Beatrice set up the training grounds for the new warriors. Won’t be home until late."

The words felt like a slap. My chest tightened painfully, the sharp sting of disappointment mingling with something deeper—resignation.

It was our anniversary, but Theo had forgotten. Again.

I swallowed hard, blinking back the prick of tears. I wouldn't cry over this, not anymore. My stomach churned, that all-too-familiar ache of neglect clawing at me. I turned and trudged back to our room, tossing my phone onto the bed. I didn't want to look at it anymore. What was the point?

I needed air.

Slipping on my coat, I stepped out into the crisp afternoon. The town was alive with activity, colorful banners fluttering in the breeze as vendors called out to passersby. Stalls were lined with handcrafted goods, fresh produce, and warm, fragrant foods. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the hum of life around me, trying to push away the weight in my chest.

As I wandered through the garden market, I thought about picking up something for Mom and Dad. Maybe a small trinket or a bundle of fresh herbs to bring back home when I visited. They always loved little surprises.

I was mulling over a bouquet of lavender when laughter caught my attention—familiar, grating laughter. I looked up, and my breath caught in my throat.

Theo and Beatrice.

They stood at a stall not far from me, examining what looked like new training equipment. Beatrice said something, and Theo laughed—a sound I hadn’t heard from him in what felt like ages. They looked… comfortable, like they belonged together.

I froze, the bouquet slipping from my hands. The sight of them, always side by side, replayed in my mind like a cruel reminder of my place—or lack of one—in Theo's life.

“Miss? Are you alright?” the vendor asked gently, his brow furrowed in concern.

I forced a smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” My voice didn’t sound like my own.

Desperate to escape, I turned and walked away, my steps quick and unsteady. I didn’t stop until I ducked into a small, cozy café tucked away from the bustling market. The warm scent of coffee and pastries wrapped around me, offering a momentary reprieve from the chill outside—and the storm inside me.

I slid into a corner booth and ordered a cup of tea, my hands trembling slightly as I wrapped them around the warm mug.

“Rough day?” the waitress asked softly, her kind eyes studying me.

I hesitated before nodding. “Something like that.”

She gave me a small, understanding smile. “Well, take your time. This place is great for clearing your head.”

I thanked her and stared out the window, watching the world move on without me. The laughter and chatter of the market outside seemed distant, muffled by the glass separating me from the life I longed for.

And there they were again—Theo and Beatrice—walking past the café window, laughing as if they didn’t have a care in the world. I tore my gaze away, my heart twisting painfully when Theo stopped walking and glanced over my way.

Shit. Did he see me?

Panic gripped me when I thought Theo had seen me. My breath caught in my throat, and I quickly turned away, pretending to adjust my scarf.

The thought of him seeing me like this—tired, defeated, and teetering on the edge of tears—was unbearable. But as I stole a glance through the corner of my eye, I realized my panic was unfounded. He hadn’t noticed me at all.

Instead, Theo merely shrugged, his attention fixed on Beatrice as they moved toward another store. She said something, and he laughed, the sound stabbing through me like a blade.

I released the breath I’d been holding, my shoulders slumping. He didn’t see me. He never did anymore.

When my coffee arrived, I stirred it absently, watching the ripples spread across the surface. My thoughts drifted back to a time when Theo had been my world. Back then, he was everything—charming, attentive, and utterly devoted.

I had sacrificed so much for him: my title as the heir to the Southern territory, my family’s approval, and the life I had known. All of it gone, left behind for a love that now felt like it had been built on sand.

The Theo I knew was gone, replaced by someone I could barely recognize. Or was it me? Was it my heart that no longer saw him the same way? The bond we once shared felt like a distant echo, a shadow of what it used to be.

A tear welled up, but I quickly blinked it away as the café door chimed.

“Astraia,” a familiar voice called gently.

I looked up to see Aunt Aunt Veron, her sharp eyes immediately flicking from my face to the window, where Theo and Beatrice lingered, still laughing as they examined something at a stall. Aunt Veron’s lips pressed into a thin line before she turned her attention back to me.

“What’s wrong, star?” she asked softly, sliding into the seat across from me.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “Nothing I can’t handle.” My voice wavered despite my efforts to sound steady.

Her brows knitted together, and her tone turned brisk. “Nonsense. You’ve always been strong, Astraia, but even the strongest need someone to lean on. Now, let’s focus on something better, shall we?”

Her warmth was a balm to my aching heart. Aunt Veron always had a way of knowing exactly when I needed her most.

Over the next hour, her lively chatter began to pull me from the dark corners of my mind. She talked about the Southern territory, her excitement bubbling as she described the preparations for my return to Lunaris.

“Everyone’s thrilled to have you back,” Aunt Veron said, her eyes sparkling. “You’ve been away far too long, and trust me, they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

I managed a small, genuine smile as she pulled out her phone.

“Hold still,” she said, raising the camera. “Let me capture this moment.”

I laughed softly, trying my best to relax. Aunt Veron snapped a photo and inspected it with a satisfied nod.

“Perfect,” she declared, her fingers flying over the screen. A moment later, she held it out to me, showing me the post she had just uploaded:

"Someone’s going home ."

A chuckle escaped me, light and unforced. For the first time that day, a flicker of hope stirred within me.

Maybe this was what I needed—a fresh start, far from Vermora City and all the pain it held.

Aunt Veron reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “This is just the beginning, Astraia. You have so much ahead of you, more than you can imagine.”