Kaelan paced the room, his sharp eyes fixed on Mira, who sat on the edge of their bed with her head bowed. Her shoulders were tense, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her tunic. She had been distant all day, a shadow of the vibrant woman who had stood by his side through so much.
“You were excited about the ceremony,” Kaelan said, his voice low but edged with frustration. “And now you want it postponed? Mira, this isn’t like you. What’s going on?”
She didn’t answer immediately. The silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating. Finally, she raised her gaze to meet his, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I don’t deserve to be your queen,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Kaelan’s brows furrowed, his frustration giving way to concern. “What are you talking about? You’re the strongest, most deserving person I know.”
Mira shook her head, her hands clutching her tunic tighter. “You don’t understand, Kaelan. I’ve been living a lie. I’m not who you think I am.”
Before Kaelan could respond, the door creaked open. His mother stepped in, her presence as imposing as ever. Her expression was one of cold disapproval, and it was clear from her sharp tone that she had been listening.
“Yes,” the ex-Luna said, her voice dripping with disdain. “She is unworthy of you, Kaelan. She is nothing but a bastard wolf and a witch.”
Kaelan froze, his jaw tightening as the words registered. “Mother,” he warned, his tone low and dangerous. “You will not speak to Mira that way.”
But the older woman ignored him, her focus locked on Mira. “You think I didn’t know?” she continued, stepping closer. “You think the Pack didn’t whisper about you behind your back? You’re a disgrace, a stain on our legacy. Kaelan deserves better than to be tied to someone like you.”
Mira flinched as though struck, her breath hitching. She rose unsteadily to her feet, her head bowed in submission. “I never asked to be here,” she said softly. “I never asked for this life or these accusations.”
Kaelan moved to Mira’s side, his hand reaching out to comfort her, but his mother wasn’t done. “You should have stayed in the shadows where you belong. A bastard wolf. A daughter of a witch. That’s what you are.”
“Mother, stop this!” Kaelan growled, his voice echoing through the room. But the damage was done.
Mira turned toward the door, her face pale and her body trembling. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her anguish. She took a step forward, but then her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.
“Mira!” Kaelan shouted, rushing to catch her before she hit the ground. Cradling her limp form in his arms, he turned to his mother, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’ve gone too far this time.”
The ex-Luna’s expression wavered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I only spoke the truth,” she said coldly.
Kaelan ignored her, focusing entirely on Mira as he carried her to the bed. “Mira, stay with me,” he murmured, his voice breaking with worry. He brushed her hair away from her face, his heart pounding as he searched for signs of consciousness.
His mother lingered for a moment longer before turning and leaving the room, her disapproval lingering in the air like a toxic cloud. Kaelan’s anger boiled over as he pressed a kiss to Mira’s forehead. “You’re not going anywhere,” he whispered fiercely. “Not now. Not ever.”