CHAPTER 131: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Josie

Kiel’s forgiveness felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. For the first time in days, maybe weeks, I could actually breathe without that sharp ache of guilt stabbing me with every inhale. He had looked me in the eye, his voice quiet but firm, and told me he forgave me. And somehow, that had been enough to stitch my fractured heart back together.

So when he asked me to join him for a candlelight dinner, I didn’t even hesitate. "Yes," I said. My voice had cracked a little, but I meant it with every fiber of my being. I wanted to say yes to him, to us, to everything that meant I still had a place in his heart.

But saying yes was the easy part. The hard part was standing in front of the mirror afterward, realizing that I had no idea what to wear, how to fix myself, how to even look like the woman who deserved a candlelight dinner with her mate. That was when I sent for Marcy.

She arrived a couple of minutes later, gliding into the room with that quiet grace she carried so naturally. But tonight—tonight, she looked radiant. Her dress shimmered softly in the light, and her hair fell in neat curls over her shoulders. I blinked, stunned for a moment, because she truly did look beautiful.

"Marcy," I whispered, my lips tugging into a smile as I reached for her hands. "You’re glowing. What’s the occasion? Did I miss something?"

Her lips curved, but there was something almost... bittersweet in her smile. "It’s my birthday."

The words struck me like a slap across the face.

Her birthday.

Oh goddess.

I felt my stomach drop to the floor, guilt wrapping its cold hands around my throat. How had I not remembered? How had I been so consumed with my own exhaustion, my own storm of emotions, that I hadn’t even checked up on her?

I pressed my hand to my forehead, horrified. "Marcy, no—oh goddess, no. I’m so sorry. I—how could I forget?" My voice cracked, and shame rushed hot in my veins.

She shrugged lightly, but her silence spoke louder than any words could.

I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t bear the weight of knowing I had hurt her like that. Without another word, I rushed into the kitchen. My hands shook as I began pulling out ingredients—eggs, flour, sugar, butter. My mind raced as I diced, whisked, chopped, and stirred, determined to make something special for her, even if it was last minute. The kitchen filled with the comforting smell of warm bread, honey, and cinnamon.

By the time I placed the small cake in front of her, my chest was tight with both shame and relief.

"Marcy," I said softly, placing a candle in the middle. "You were right to be angry with me. I should’ve been there. I should’ve checked on you. I’ve been so tired, so caught up with everything else, but that’s not an excuse. I’m sorry. Truly, deeply sorry. Please forgive me for reaching out so late."

For a long moment, she just looked at me. The flickering candlelight reflected in her eyes, and for a second, I feared she would walk away, that I had already lost her. But then she exhaled, the faintest smile tugging at her lips, and my chest eased slightly.

Before I could say more, a guard rushed into the room, his boots striking the floor with urgency. His face was pale, his voice breathless.

"The Alphas request your presence. In front of the pack."

I straightened immediately, my stomach knotting. "What is it? What’s happened?"

The guard shook his head quickly. "I don’t know, my lady. They only said you must be there."

I turned toward Marcy, searching her expression for answers, but she only shrugged, her quiet demeanor unsettling me more than anything. It wasn’t like her to be so silent, so withdrawn. Something inside me twisted tighter.

Still, there was no choice but to follow.

We arrived at the gathering grounds, the air heavy with anticipation. Wolves had gathered in clusters, their whispers buzzing like insects. The Alphas stood on the stage, tall and commanding, their presence enough to still the crowd to silence.

One of the attendants gestured toward me. "Up on the stage, my lady."

A chill ran down my spine. I shook my head quickly. "No. I—I don’t wish to—"

But before I could finish, Marcy’s voice cut gently through my panic. "Josie. You should. There must be a reason. Trust them."

Her calmness unsettled me, but I found myself nodding, stepping forward despite the dread clawing at my chest.

As I walked onto the stage, the three Alphas turned their gazes toward me, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot how to breathe. Their eyes followed me, lingering with something fierce, almost reverent. For a heartbeat, it felt as though they were seeing me for the very first time—as though I were some rare, untouchable beauty.

The intensity of their stares made my skin prickle, heat rising to my cheeks. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, forcing a nervous smile. But just as my gaze met Thorne’s, he suddenly looked away.

The movement was sharp, deliberate. My heart stuttered.

Was there... someone else? Did his eyes belong to another woman, someone who had caught his attention the way I never could?

I bit the inside of my cheek, shoving the thought away. No. I wouldn’t spiral now. Not here. I straightened my shoulders and kept my smile fixed.

Kiel was the first to speak, his voice warm and rich. "Josie, you look beautiful tonight."

Varen smirked and added, "More than beautiful. Stunning."

I blinked at them, caught between gratitude and exasperation. Before I could respond, I caught the subtle way they nudged Thorne, silently urging him to add his own compliment. But he only grunted, a terse nod his only acknowledgment.

Typical.

Then, without warning, Thorne grabbed the microphone. His voice boomed through the square, commanding every ear, every heart.

"The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here." His tone was sharp, deliberate.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

He continued, "Many of you already know that I have a mate. But not everyone has been fortunate enough to know what she really is."

The words sliced through me like a blade.

Oh goddess. No. No, no, no.

My breath caught, panic flaring in my chest. I could see it now, the path he was leading them down, the danger of it all.

Before I could think twice, I lunged forward, snatching the microphone from his hands. The collective gasp from the crowd rang in my ears.

"Are you all crazy?" My voice rang out, sharp with desperation. Whispers erupted around me, faces turning to one another in shock.

I forced a laugh, shaky and thin, but I masked it with a tight smile. "They only wanted to announce the date for our marriage. That’s all. Nothing else."

Kiel’s brows shot up, and Varen blinked at me, stunned. Then, in the most infuriating way possible, Varen leaned toward Kiel and muttered—loud enough for me to hear—"Did she just... propose to us first?"

I ignored them, grinding my teeth. Idiots. Absolute idiots. They were going to be the death of me.

Turning back to the crowd, I lifted my chin, my voice steady despite the panic roaring in my veins. "Yes, that’s right. We’re announcing the date. And I am happy—more than happy—to be with such amazing Alphas. Truly."

The words tasted strange, but I kept my smile fixed, my tone firm.

From the corner of my ear, I caught Kiel’s low chuckle and Varen’s soft curse of disbelief. Thorne remained silent, his expression unreadable.

I exhaled slowly, trying to reel the moment back under control. "We’re sorry for wasting your time tonight. Please, go home. There’s nothing more to see here."

But then a voice rang out from the crowd. A woman’s voice, high and insistent.

"When is the marriage?"

All eyes turned back to me. My palms grew slick with sweat. My heart thrashed wildly, every beat threatening to burst free from my chest.

I forced another smile, one that felt more like a grimace. And before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out—

"On the first."

The silence that followed was deafening.

I swallowed hard, the weight of my reckless declaration crashing over me like a tidal wave.