Kamrynn's POV
The atmosphere was thick with tension, Kyven's declaration of "mate" still reverberating in the air like a ripple in a still pond. My pulse raced, my mind struggling to catch up with what had just unfolded.
Alpha Orion, ever composed, stepped in with the calm authority that seemed to command the entire space. "Thank you all for your presence," he said, his deep voice steady and commanding. His gaze swept across the gathered group, his presence anchoring the charged moment. "Let us head inside. I'm sure we all have much to discuss."
Everyone moved to follow his lead. I trailed behind the Alpha families with the other palace staff, doing my best to stay unobtrusive, but my eyes betrayed me. They flicked toward Kyven and Thalia, who were walking ahead of me.
Their gazes were still locked on each other, as though the entire world had faded away, leaving only the two of them. The intensity between them was almost palpable, their connection undeniable.
My chest tightened, an ache I couldn't quite name settling there. This isn't about you, Kamrynn, I told myself firmly. Why should it bother you? It doesn't.
Aryna's voice was soft but amused in the back of my mind. "You keep saying that, but your heart is racing. I wonder why."
I ignored her, focusing on the ground beneath my feet as I followed the others into the palace.
Tiona stepped forward with her usual brisk efficiency, gathering the attendants from the Amethyst Pack and guiding them toward their assigned rooms. Alpha Orion and Luna Rmonica led Alpha Draven and Princess Thalia to the special accommodations reserved for them. I stayed in the periphery, blending into the background as they exchanged the formalities of hosting.
"Alpha Draven," Alpha Orion said with a respectful incline of his head, "once you've had time to rest and recover from your journey, I'd like to discuss the next steps. Considering the... developments between your daughter and my nephew, I believe it's important we align."
Alpha Draven's smile was slow, deliberate, and pleased. "Of course. I look forward to that conversation. The moon goddess's plans are often unexpected but always meaningful."
With that, he entered his room, his heavy footsteps echoing briefly before the door closed behind him.
Thalia lingered a moment longer, glancing over her shoulder at Kyven. A shy smile curved her lips, and she raised her hand in a small, almost playful wave.
Kyven's face lit up, the earlier dazed look intensifying as he returned the gesture with equal warmth. His hand lingered in the air until Rmonica, with an exasperated look, grabbed his arm and began to lead him away.
"Come along, Kyven," she said, her voice light but firm.
He barely seemed to register her words, craning his neck to glance back at Thalia's door one last time.
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening around the lump that had formed there. The hallway began to clear as everyone went their separate ways, leaving me standing awkwardly in the silence.
The dryness in my throat became unbearable, and I decided to head to the kitchen for water. My footsteps echoed faintly as I made my way down the familiar halls, the noise a welcome distraction from my spinning thoughts.
Once in the kitchen, I grabbed a glass and filled it with water, taking a few small sips to soothe my throat. But before I could finish, a sudden wave of nausea washed over me.
"Oh, goddess," I gasped, clutching the edge of the counter as the world tilted dangerously. My stomach twisted violently, and I barely made it to the sink before retching.
The sound of my own heaving filled the kitchen as I emptied the contents of my stomach. The acrid taste burned my throat, tears stinging my eyes from the force of it.
Once the nausea passed, I quickly rinsed the sink, scrubbing away the evidence. Thankfully, no one was around to witness the incident; the last thing I wanted was for anyone to get worried about me. My hands trembled slightly as I cupped some water and rinsed my mouth, desperate to wash away the bitterness. Splashing cold water on my face, I tried to ground myself, focusing on the chill against my skin.
"What is wrong with me?" I whispered to the empty room, the question hanging in the air like an unwanted guest.
Aryna's voice was soothing, steady. "You're fine, Kamrynn. Just… overwhelmed. It's been a lot. Breathe. One step at a time."
I nodded faintly, following her advice and taking slow, deliberate breaths. The knot in my chest began to loosen, but the question remained unanswered, a shadow lingering at the edges of my mind. Once I felt steady enough, I decided to return to my room for some rest, but as I headed down the corridor, I was intercepted by Amara, one of the maids.
"Kamrynn!" she called, hurrying toward me.
I forced a smile. "Amara, what's wrong?"
She hesitated, wringing her hands. "I know you must be tired, but I need your help with something urgent."
"What is it?" I asked, straightening.
"It's the seating arrangements in the dining hall," she explained quickly. "There's been some confusion, and we need to rearrange them before the guests notice. Some of our esteemed guests, as you've seen, can be quite particular."
I already knew who she was talking about and it brought a small smile to my face.
"Alright," I said, suppressing my exhaustion. "Lead the way."
We worked together, rearranging the long tables and ensuring the placements aligned perfectly with Rmonica's detailed plans. Amara was chatting away, her animated voice filling the quiet space as she shared her thoughts about the festival and her excitement about the visiting Alphas. The task itself was tedious, but her energy made it bearable, even if my mind kept wandering.
Just as we were about to finish, Tiona entered the room, balancing a tray laden with plates of food. "Thought you two might need a break," she said cheerfully, setting the tray down.
Amara's face lit up. "You're the best, Tiona! I was just starting to feel my stomach grumble."
I gestured to the nearby chairs. "Join us. You deserve it."
Tiona grinned, pulling up a chair and handing out plates. The food smelled amazing-steaming bowls of beef stew, freshly baked bread, and a pitcher of cool juice. For a moment, the three of us dug in, the atmosphere light and companionable.
Midway through a bite of bread, Tiona casually remarked, "Did you know the Alphas are in a meeting right now? Luna Rmonica, Kyven, and Princess Thalia-they're all in the Alpha's office discussing the next steps."
The words hit me like a blow, and I reflexively gulped down my juice too fast, causing a coughing fit. I sputtered, nearly knocking over the glass as Amara leapt to my side, patting my back.
"Kamrynn! Are you okay?" Amara's wide eyes were filled with concern.
"Fine," I wheezed, forcing air into my lungs. I set the glass down carefully, avoiding Tiona's curious gaze.
Amara, completely unaware of my discomfort, leaned back with a dreamy sigh. "I bet the meeting's going well. Did you see the way Kyven and Thalia looked at each other? They're already smitten! You can tell."
Tiona nodded, brushing a crumb from her lap. "It does seem like a match made by the moon goddess. But we'll have to wait for the meeting to end to find out the details."
Amara clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I just love stories like this. Fated mates, destined to be together. It's so romantic! True love, happy endings... it's what we all hope for, isn't it?"
Her words made my stomach twist, and I set my spoon down, suddenly unable to eat another bite. Fated mates. True love. Happy endings. They were such beautiful ideals, and yet they felt so far removed from my reality. They were fantasies, cruelly dangled just out of reach.
My lips pressed into a tight line as I fought to keep my face neutral. Deep down, I knew the outcome of that meeting. It was inevitable. The moment Kyven had declared Thalia as his mate, the path had been set. Their union was fated, unstoppable, and expected.
But knowing didn't make it hurt any less.
"Kamrynn?" Amara's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I forced a tight smile, hoping it looked genuine. "I'm fine. Just thinking about everything that needs to be done."
She beamed, oblivious, while Tiona continued eating without noticing my discomfort. I tried to push away the foolish spark of hope that lingered in my chest-a hope that something, anything, might change.