It was past midnight, and everyone should have been asleep, but no one was. Not when the mating ceremony was finally happening.

Thorne stood at the far end of the table, with Caelum and Mason by his sides, followed by every official and every single head warrior from different parts of the realm.

The meeting had been going on for two hours, and even though they were tired, none of them dared to voice it out. Tonight was the most important night they had been preparing for. All warriors had been required to add extra hours to their training sessions, showing pure dedication and commitment. Anyone who showed even the slightest sign of a cough was immediately removed.

A large map was placed over the table, and Thorne's finger pointed to a mark. "Here. This sector has been left defenseless," he said, looking over them all.

"We will not—cannot—leave even a single stretch of land unguarded. Understand this: a beast none of us have seen before is hunting us. Hunting our people. And it falls on us to stop it. I will not bury another man because we underestimated it."

Murmurs of assent rippled through the room, their jaws tightening with determination.

"We've already lost two men," Thorne continued. "I swear to you, no more. Today, we make our stand. Today, we choke the life from this thing before it can touch one more innocent."

All of them nodded, determined.

"I will go over the plan once again!"

"Every perimeter will have two layers of guards. No gaps. No excuses. Mason, double the west patrol. If the beast is watching us, that's where it will test first."

"Yes, my king," Mason said, marking the map.

"Caelum," Thorne turned, his eyes glinting under the low lantern light. "I want the inner court secured, no one goes in or out of the palace without your clearance. Not even servants."

"But the mating ceremony will be going on then, your majesty. How can we stop people from coming in?" the head guard spoke up.

"Anyone who isn't present by the time of the ceremony should be kept out. Nothing must distract or interfere in this. We have a goal in mind, and we must achieve it. If anyone sees anything suspicious or out of sight, notify the beta or the gamma immediately. No hesitations!" His eyes roamed over the table, and the men all stiffened.

"Yes, Your Majesty," they chorused.

"That will be all. You're all dismissed." He turned towards the window, his eyes gazing over the lands again. This time tomorrow, he would be officially mated to Adina, and the beast... it would have been captured. This time tomorrow, there would be peace.

The last guard stepped out of the room, leaving Mason, Caelum, and Thorne alone.

Mason and Caelum shared a look, and then the beta cleared his throat. "Your Majesty," he began, drawing Thorne's attention.

Thorne turned around, brows raised. "What do you want to speak about?" he asked.

"How are you so certain that this beast will reveal itself during the mating ceremony? All the plans we have made. All of our men are being put on the line for this," he paused for a beat. "Forgive me for saying this, my king, but this beast... we still haven't seen. It could be a wild ro—"

"Are you questioning—"

"I would never, my king," Caelum rushed out before he could even complete his words.

Thorne's gaze hardened, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. "Choose your next words carefully, Caelum."

The beta bowed his head. "I only meant—we are tightening the noose around a ghost. If this thing doesn't show, our warriors will have stood on edge for nothing. I want to be certain you're not... chasing."

Mason shifted uncomfortably, glancing between them.

"Those marks on Varrick's body," Thorne growled, stepping towards Caelum. "The way his blood was drained from his body," he inched closer. "His limbs were torn apart," he continued, pressing a finger over Caelum's chest. "You think a wild rogue did that?"

Caelum looked down. "No, my king."

"Whatever is doing this, it's a beast. A deadly beast at that, and my people will not be subjected to being any beast's next meal." Thorne stepped back, running his fingers through his hair.

"It preys on people. People will be gathered tomorrow. It will come," he declared.

He turned to Mason. "Throughout the ceremony, you are to stay by Adina's side. You will personally protect her."

Mason straightened, nodding. "As you order, my king."

"Nothing... I repeat, not even a strand of hair must be out of place, Mason. If there is anything wrong... anything at all. I don't care what it is. I want you to call on me. No matter what I am doing... I'll be there."

"As you order, your majesty."

Thorne heaved heavily, turning to the window again. This time tomorrow, everything will be fine.

_________

Jocelyn jumped in fright, hands closed over her chest as the door opened suddenly. It was midnight, and she was just about to get into bed when the door opened.

"What in the gods—" her voice trailed off, eyes wide.

"Freya!" she snapped, her voice filled with shock.

Freya stepped into the faint light, removing the dark cloak over her head. She smiled. "Aunt Jocelyn."

"Don't call me that... I am not your aunt," Jocelyn snapped, throwing a cloak over her shoulders.

"What in the devil's name are you doing here, Freya? This late? In the palace?"

"I couldn't sit still. You didn't reply to my letters."

Jocelyn hissed irritably, she walked to the alcohol cabinet and pulled a bottle. She wasn't having a conversation with a psycho sober.

"Jocelyn..." Freya continued, "Have you done it?"

Jocelyn sat down, taking a sip. "And you have decided to accost me in my own chambers over this ridiculous—"

"It's not ridiculous," Freya bit out sharply. Jocelyn's eyes widened for a fraction, and she chuckled.

"You're even more desperate than Elara. How pathetic."

Freya swallowed, jumping forward towards Jocelyn. "Okay, if you won't do it for me..." she leaned closer. "You can at least do it for Elara."

Jocelyn leaned back in her chair, her gaze sharp. "You barge into my chambers at midnight... for what? To cry about a dead girl? Don't waste my time."

Freya's hands clenched at her sides, but she forced her voice steady. "Elara was killed by these people. Thorne and Adina, they hurt you, didn't they? They took everything from you. Are you going to just let it go?"

Jocelyn smirked. "Elara got exactly what Elara wanted. Don't paint her as some poor victim. She played her game... and lost. That's all." She paused for a moment. "Tell me, child, how did you think I managed to stay alive even after all these years? How did I manage to keep my body as it was over a decade ago?" she asked.

Jocelyn leaned closer to Freya. "By not doing stupid things. I don't care about Elara, and I couldn't care less about you." She dropped the glass on the table and stood up. "When you made me that offer that day outside your father's study, I thought you were something more. That you could outdo Elara, but now... now, I see why your father chooses Veronica. She's simply better than you."

Freya's eyes darkened at this, her jaw clenched hard. "Veronica will never, ever be better than me. Not in a million years. All I ask is that you do this for me, Jocelyn. Do it and tell me what it is you so desperately seek, and I will do it. Whatever it may be, whatever it takes. I will do it."

Jocelyn smirked, she stepped closer to Freya, her finger hooked under her chin. "Now, you are talking."