Today is the day. The day I return to the capital. It feels like a cruel twist of fate, one that stirs an array of emotions I thought I'd long buried. Years have passed since my last visit—a time when I was still a child, blissfully naive. Back then, I bought into the fairy tales that spun around me, weaving dreams of hope for our kingdom. I used to believe in a king with his beautiful queen who would make everything better, but I know better now.

The king is the villain. The queen? A captive in her own life. No matter how often they smile and present a façade of happiness, I refuse to buy into their charade. Perhaps it's deception that binds her to him, or maybe she's simply playing her cards close to her chest. But in my book, that's no love story.

As I ride through the bustling town, the vibrant festivities wash over me, a stark contrast to the turmoil beneath the surface. Colorful banners flutter in the breeze, and laughter echoes all around, but I can't shake the suffocating weight of reality pressing down on my shoulders. My grandfather's pack is only about a two-day ride from here—close enough for my parents to visit frequently, yet far enough to keep me from their unwavering support of the king and his regime.

I love my family, truly, but their blind adoration for the monarchy sickens me. They can't see the truth of this toxic kingdom. I can barely stomach the thought of the lavish ball awaiting me at the palace tonight. It's disgusting—an opulent display while people everywhere suffer. The packs are trying to rebuild and the humans are still treated like second-class citizens. And yet, the royal palace continues to host their extravagant events as if nothing is wrong. It's absurd.

As the palace looms closer, I steel myself, forcing a deep breath into my lungs. I need to suck it up for tonight, pretend that I'm a dutiful guest, and play the part before I can run far from this place. My heart pounds in rhythm with my horse's hooves as I approach the gates, an unwelcome visitor in a world filled with glitter and lies.

The sounds of the festival fade as I near the palace grounds, replaced by the elegant strains of music wafting through the air. Dancers twirl in the moonlight, their laughter mingling with the soft notes, creating a melody of merriment that feels foreign to me. I swallow hard, feeling the familiar pull of anger and sadness clawing at my insides.

Tonight, I will be an observer, a silent ghost in a room filled with shimmering gowns and smiling faces. I will endure this masquerade and gather strength for what lies ahead. A small flame of rebellion flickers within me, and I know that this night is just the beginning of my fight against the darkness that permeates this kingdom.

As I draw nearer to the palace, nerves flutter in my stomach like a thousand restless butterflies. It's been so long since I last set foot in this opulent fortress, and I can't shake the weight of that absence. I approach the guards with a deep breath, announcing who I am. Their expressions shift from stoic to alert as one of them rushes off to fetch my father for verification. He's an important figure here—one of the king's most trusted warriors and advisors. I can almost feel the tension in the air as I wait, my heart racing.

Before I can collect my scattered thoughts, a familiar voice slices through the tension. "Aster!" My gaze snaps to the source, and I watch as my mother comes barreling toward me, a whirlwind of warmth and affection. It's been ages since anyone has called me that name. In my pack, I'm known as Tara, a nickname bestowed by my grandfather the night I was born, inspired by a shooting star he witnessed, as if the universe itself had conspired to bless him with a star in his life. But here, in the grand halls of the palace, I am Aster.

Her arms envelop me in a tight embrace, squeezing the air from my lungs. I return the hug half-heartedly, my emotions a chaotic mix of love and resistance. I adore my family, truly I do, but the weight of their expectations and beliefs presses heavily on my shoulders. I just can't bring myself to be anything like them, and that realization sours the sweetness of this reunion.

"Don't suffocate her, dear," my father chides from behind, breaking the spell of my mother's embrace as she finally releases me. I turn to him, and he wraps me in his arms, his warmth grounding me amid the whirlwind of emotions. "We missed you, Aster. It has been far too long," he says, his voice a mixture of pride and concern.

I can sense the unspoken words lingering between us. "Azalea is..." he begins, clearly preparing to excuse my sister's absence from the welcome. But I already know the truth; Azalea has never been fond of me. Our differences have always been glaring, and my choice to leave for so long only deepened that chasm.

"It's alright, I know I'm pretty late," I interject, halting my father's awkward attempt at justification. His eyes flash with understanding, and I can see the concern etched in his brow. He knows as well as I do that my relationship with Azalea is fraught with tension, one built on the foundations of our starkly different paths.

As I pull back from my father's embrace, I scan the grand hall, taking in the polished marble floors and intricate chandeliers that shimmer like stars overhead. This palace, this kingdom, has always been a world apart from the one I've chosen. It's both beautiful and suffocating, a constant reminder of what I've fought against for so long.

But tonight, I need to put on my mask, to blend into the decorum of royal life, if only for a few hours. I must endure the night, keeping my true feelings hidden beneath layers of silk and smiles. It's a dance I know all too well, but this time, I plan to make my presence known without losing myself in the process.

With that, my family leads me through the grand corridors of the castle, their footsteps echoing against the marble floors. It's everything I remember—opulent, regal, and a little suffocating. The king rewards loyalty, and the lavishness of our quarters serves as a reminder of that.

As we enter the room, I catch sight of my sister. Azalea stands before a mirror, meticulously fixing her hair, and she looks absolutely stunning—every strand perfectly in place, a vision of grace and poise. "Oh, Aster, hi," she greets, her voice a mix of surprise and cool indifference. I force a warm smile, pushing aside the history between us.

"It's good to see you, Azalea," I reply, and for a fleeting moment, I mean it. I've missed her, missed the bond we once shared before I left. But her tight-lipped smile tells me that time has etched distance between us, something I've regretted since the moment I left.

My mother, ever the whirlwind of energy, hurries toward me, holding a gown draped over her arm like a banner of elegance. "Come now, the ball will start any second!" she frets, her voice a melodic urgency. I glance at the beautiful dress but know I can get ready in just a few minutes. I've never been one to fuss over my appearance, never cared to adorn myself in layers of finery. Besides, who am I trying to impress? I'm not here for their approval.

Once I slip into the gown—a simple but elegant piece that clings to my form just right—we make our way toward the assembly room. The hall is a vibrant tapestry of colors, laughter, and chatter, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. Yet, that angsty feeling continues to swell inside me, an unease that seems to thrum in my veins with each step I take deeper into the palace. I'm not normally one to get nervous; I pride myself on my composure. So, what is going on with me?

As we enter the grand assembly room, the sight before me is both breathtaking and overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers hang like constellations, casting shimmering light over the elegantly dressed attendees. Laughter mingles with the soft strains of music, creating a melody that dances through the air. We mingle with other guests, exchanging pleasantries and smiles, yet my heart feels heavy, weighed down by the undercurrent of dread coursing through me.

We wait for what seems like an eternity for the royal family to make their grand entrance. I can feel the eyes of the crowd flickering toward the grand doors, anticipation crackling in the air. I try to calm my racing heart, but the feeling of urgency thrums beneath my skin, intensifying with every passing moment. The atmosphere shifts, and I find myself scanning the room, as if searching for something—or someone—who might alleviate this inexplicable tension.

In the back of my mind, I can't help but think about why I'm really here. It's not just the ball, not just to reconnect with my family, but something deeper, a yearning to stand against the injustice of this kingdom. And with that thought, my resolve hardens. I will navigate this night without losing sight of who I am, no matter what awaits me.

Anxiety grips me, a tightening coil in my chest that only seems to worsen with each passing moment. My wolf is restless, pacing within my mind, and I can feel the heat of her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. I lose track of time, the chatter and laughter around me blurring into an indistinct hum. I think I hear the guards announce the arrival of the royal family, but it feels far away, like echoes in a dream.

Then, chaos erupts.

People are suddenly shoved aside, and the crowd parts, revealing a scene that sends shockwaves through my system. I lock eyes with the man responsible for the commotion, and time seems to freeze. No. No, no, no. This is not happening.

His piercing blue eyes capture me, pulling me into their depths, and my wolf roars to life, desperate to connect, to claim. But I recoil at the thought. I don't want this. Everything inside me screams to run to him, to bridge the gap that's just been created, but I would rather flee from the reality unfolding before me.

Then I take in his form, and the world tilts on its axis. He's tall and lean, muscles defined under the tailored fabric of his clothes, a force of nature that draws the gaze of everyone in the room. But that's not all. I know him.

Alex.

"Fuck," I breathe, the curse barely escaping my lips before my instincts take over. My heart races, pounding like a war drum in my chest, a primal beat urging me to run. And I do. I bolt, weaving through the crowd, desperate to escape the pull of fate that threatens to ensnare me.

Every instinct screams at me to look back, to see if he's following, but I refuse to give in. I push past the celebration, the vibrant atmosphere a stark contrast to the chaos raging within me. My feet carry me toward the palace's grand doors, the promise of freedom just ahead.

But no matter how fast I run, I can't outrun the truth that has just been thrust upon me. Alex is my mate, and that reality is like a weight dragging me down, chaining me to a fate I never wanted. My heart aches at the thought of being tied to someone so entwined in the royal family—the very embodiment of everything I resent about this kingdom.

I burst through the doors, gasping for air as I stumble into the cool night. The stars twinkle above like distant beacons, and I crave their solitude. I need to think, to breathe, to escape the turmoil swirling in my mind.

My wolf whines softly, yearning for connection, for understanding, but I shut her down. I can't let her take control, not now. I need clarity. I need space. I turn and run into the darkness, the shadows wrapping around me like a cloak, shielding me from the world that seems intent on binding me to a destiny I refuse to accept.