Chapter 3

The ballroom was packed.

Kaelen stood at the center of the floor with Lyra on his arm.

She wore my gown, had my crescent mark painted on her collarbone.

She smelled like me.

He was about announce her as his mate in front of every wolf that mattered.

"Stop."

My voice cut through the music. The violins died. Every head turned toward the door.

I walked in with Rowena at my side. The crowd parted.

Kaelen's hand froze on Lyra's waist. Wolves closest to the front gasped.

"Is that Elara?"

"Then who is that on his arm?"

Alpha King Theron rose from his seat.

"Elara. What is the meaning of this?"

Lyra shrank behind Kaelen. Her face went white.

I stopped in the center of the ballroom. Kept my voice steady.

"Alpha King, I came to take back what is mine. Last night my stepmother drugged me. When I woke up, everything was gone. I came as fast as I could."

Theron's gaze cut to Kaelen.

"You did not notice anything wrong?"

Kaelen stiffened.

"This is my mate. She smells right. She has the mark."

I looked up. Let the shock show on my face.

"I have had this mark since birth. I am willing to be checked."

Theron's eyes moved to Kaelen's hand on Lyra's waist.

His expression went cold.

Lyra dropped to her knees. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"My sister kept saying she did not want to be mated to the Alpha Heir. She drank too much last night and would not wake up this morning. The carriage was already at the door. I did not know what else to do."

I tilted my head.

"That is funny.

Because the way I remember it, you were the one clinging to Mother and crying all night about how scared you were. You insisted on sleeping in my room. Now I am starting to think that was so you could swap my gown and my documents while I was drugged."