Lyra POV
The village was alive with a vibrancy I’d never seen before, every corner buzzing with anticipation, every smile a reflection of the joy that had taken root in my heart. I stood in the square, a soft autumn breeze tugging at my hair, my fingers tracing the silver ring on my finger, its delicate vine pattern a constant reminder of Jaxon’s proposal. I was preparing my wedding—*my wedding*—and the thought still sent a thrill through me, a dizzying mix of disbelief and elation.
For so long, I’d dreamed of this moment, imagining it with Darius, my destined mate, the one fate had chosen for me. But fate had been wrong. My heart belonged to Jaxon, the man who’d seen me, loved me, chosen me despite everything, and the truth of that love was brighter than any bond, any destiny.
The pac
