Mated to you

Chapter 2 - Follow his lead

Thea didn’t know how she had managed to sleep, but she had, and somehow, she woke with energy. Enough to move, to push through the memory of him walking away from her. She could still see him, the way the moonlight caught the edge of his jaw, the way his eyes became darker than night and refused to soften. He hadn’t looked back, hadn’t hesitated, just left, like it cost him everything to stay, to be near her any longer than he had already. So, this was it. Her role here was just that. There was no leaving, this was her home now. The people here, her family. She had no one to go back to, she had retired early, sold her parents law firm, and all she had left was an empty home full of memories of her parents, they were all she missed. It got too hard to stay with the reminder of them, lost in a car accident. So, one day she decided she would tour the world, and stop when she found a place like home. Velmira was only meant to be a layover, a place to rest before moving on. But then she met Reign, as if fate had quietly nudged them into the same path. She wouldn’t change any of it—meeting him, meeting the pack, learning this strange, impossible world. Even if he had chosen to end their relationship, she chose to stay, to be their Luna.

Now there was only duty left between them, and she would honour that.

During breakfast, Lillian mentioned how everyone noticed Alpha and Diandra had become a little more than just childhood friends. She even went as far as saying he’d been spotted leaving her home this morning. Thea shifted, trying hard not to seem bothered by what Lillian had revealed. It was no secret that the Alpha had found his mate, and they would have a Luna. It was also, now very clear that the Alpha and his soon to be Luna were not romantically linked. A choice made by Reign alone. Thea felt like a knife had been driven right through her, and all she wanted to do was to rip it out and throw it right at Lillian. Did he really need to move on that quick… River noticed the slight shift in Thea and shot a warning look toward Lillian. “So,” River said, voice light but deliberate, “excited to see the west of Velmira and attend your very first ball here?”

Thea blinked, grateful for the shift. “I am, actually,” she said. “It was a place that Reign and I had planned to see. The lights and the hike to the glacier.” River smiled. She could see the hurt behind Thea’s words, the way she tucked it neatly beneath her composure.

But her brother had made his decision. Duty first.

“Do I really need to attend this grand ball?” Thea asked, now no longer interested. She hadn’t been able to get the thought of Reign being with another out of her mind. “Can’t you just go, while I tour around the place?”

River didn’t respond. She was too focused on the rack of dresses in front of her, fingers trailing over fabric like it mattered more than the question.

“River,” Thea said, sharper now.

River paused, finally turning. “What…” she said, distracted.

“Do I have to go?” Thea asked again.

River looked at her, hands on hips, expression unreadable but firm. Thea knew that look. It meant the conversation was already over.

“They want to meet our soon-to-be Luna. Packs all over the world will be there.” River said. “Also, it’s our year to host the last time we did was a 100 years ago, I wasn’t even born.”

She softened, just slightly. “Basically, yes. You need to attend the ball which honours our Alpha’s.”

Thea sighed. “Do I have to attend with him? Sounds a bit much, a party for men being men?”

River chuckled, not looking up from the dress she was holding. “You know the answer to that. Besides, I thought it didn’t bother you anymore.”

Thea rolled her eyes and slouched back onto the lounge, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the ceiling. “I’m going to need a drink,” she muttered. “And make it strong.”

River glanced over; one brow raised. “You’ll survive.”

Thea didn’t respond. She wasn’t so sure.

Thea stood in front of the mirror. The gown was stunning. Its midnight blue shimmered like stars caught in the moonlight. The off-shoulder neckline was daring in the cold, and the high slit teased with every shift of her leg. It wasn’t something she would normally wear. Too bold, and too dark. She wasn’t sure if it was appropriate, for a soon to be Luna or anyone to be wearing, but River had insisted. Had held it up with a grin and said, “This one. Trust me.” So here she was. Wrapped in silk and uncertainty. She took four shots of whisky before stepping out, whether she liked it or not, she was ready. “The pictures really don’t do this place any justice.” she said in awe as they made their way to the ball. The scenery was exactly how she’d imagined, maybe even more. The west of Velmira was breathtaking. Snow-capped mountains loomed close enough to feel their breath, crisp and ancient. Their peaks shimmered under the moonlight, jagged and regal. The greenery was lush and untamed, stretching across the hills in waves of emerald and silver. Wildflowers bloomed in quiet corners, their colours soft and strange, like they belonged to a world untouched by time. The trees here were taller, older, some twisted with age, others stood proud. She couldn’t wait to explore its ancient lands. But first, she had to get through the next few days. “Just follow Reign’s lead,” River had told her. As if that were simple.