"Ready?" Mason asked, standing by the door with his hand on the doorknob.

Adina took a deep breath and gave a curt nod. He pulled the door open, only for all of them to freeze. Standing outside the door was Jocelyn.

Her smile dropped when she saw all four of them. "Oh," she said, her gaze dropping to Adina. "I came to wish the future Queen a hearty congratulations, but I see I must've missed the invite to dress her grace, didn't I?"

"I see no reason why you should be here, Jocelyn. You don't particularly like Adina," Thessara shot at the woman.

Jocelyn's eyes flicked to her lazily. "Relax, Thessara. I'm only here to offer my blessing, if the future Queen will have it." She turned her gaze back to Adina, lips curving in something that wasn't quite a smile. "You do look stunning, I'll give you that."

"Thank you, Lady Jocelyn. If you will please excuse me, it's time for the ceremony," Adina replied smoothly.

Jocelyn stepped aside, smiling. "Of course, your grace. Wouldn't want to keep your moment waiting."

Adina gave a curt nod and stepped out of the room. Behind her, Kora glanced backward to see Jocelyn staring at their retreating figures. She shuddered internally, only to catch Mason's eyes. "She gives me the creeps," she mouthed.

Mason rolled his eyes but didn't respond.

__________

The air outside was warm and bright. The palace square had been prepared so beautifully for the ceremony. There were flowers almost everywhere. The air smelled of roses and strawberries. Chairs were arranged in rows, and in the middle was a white aisle littered with petals. It was truly beautiful.

The people had all gathered, and standing at the far end of the aisle was the new head councilman who would be joining Adina and Thorne. Adina's gaze flickered to where Thorne should be standing, waiting for her.

"Where is his majesty?" Kora asked behind Adina.

He wasn't there.

"He'll be here in a second. He's just going over things," Mason replied quickly.

"Alright, you should walk in, Adina. The king will be here soon," the older woman said, nudging Adina slightly.

Adina began walking down the aisle while Mason and Kora followed behind her. A thousand eyes burned into her, every noble watching for a crack in her composure. Still, the people got to their feet, cheering and whistling. The nerves she had melted away instantly, replaced by butterflies swimming in her stomach in excitement. She finally got to the end of the aisle and turned to the people, giving a slight bow.

"Where is his majesty?" Kora asked again, leaning close to Thorne so Adina wouldn't hear.

"He's coming," Mason replied, eyes darting out. Was the beast around? Is that why the king is taking time?

"Thorne? Where are you?" Adina asked over the mind link but found out his mind block had been pulled up. Her brows furrowed for a slight second. That was unusual, but then again, Mason did say he was tending to things.

She continued to smile, knowing he'd get there soon.

A figure began walking down the aisle, and for a quick second, Adina's heart leaped in joy, thinking it was Thorne. But as the figure got closer, she realized who it was. Freya.

It was surprising that she was still walking around when her father, Lord Carter, and his son-in-law, Alpha Radek, were already sitting in the designated seats for the councilmen and nobles. Freya didn't stop to sit with the people, no. She instead stepped forward to where Adina stood.

"Freya!" Lord Carter's voice cut through the air.

"I came to congratulate the future queen, Father. The ceremony hasn't even begun. Surely I'm allowed to do that?" she said sweetly, turning to face Adina.

"I came to personally congratulate you," she said, her tone sweet. Her gaze swept over Adina's dress, and she forced her smile to remain still. "Congratulations on your mating ceremony with his majesty," she said.

Adina gave a curt nod. "Thank you, Lady Freya. I'm afraid I must ask that you take your seat."

Freya's smile waned off only slightly. "Of course…I'll do that." She stepped back, going to sit next to her family.

"That was weird," Kora whispered behind Adina. Her gaze stuck on the woman who had just come around. Something about the woman reminded Kora of the late General Elara.

She shook her head, glancing at Adina, who seemed antsy. Minutes were going by, and the king still hadn't showed up.

"Gamma…can you please ask where the king is?" Kora asked again.

Mason nodded, shooting a quick message to Thorne and Caelum but got no response in return. He concluded they had to have found the beast. After all, Thorne was only ever supposed to take a quick look at the security arrangements with Caelum and return to the square.

Adina's stomach twisted. She forced herself to breathe, to keep her composure. She tried again to reach Thorne over the link. "Thorne? Where are you?" Nothing. That strange block again, like he'd slammed a door in her face.

She scratched her arm slightly, feeling an itch underneath her skin. The itch didn't go away; instead, it felt like it moved to another part of her body.

She shuddered internally, feeling something settle inside her body.

Kora's brows furrowed behind her. She was watching Adina, and it looked like—

"Adina?" Kora whispered from behind.

"I'm fine," Adina murmured, even as the warm air suddenly felt stifling. Her pulse quickened, the butterflies in her stomach morphing into something heavier.

Adina broke out in a cold sweat, her skin burning up like she was being boiled alive.

Kora stared at her from behind, shaking her head. "Something's wrong," she whispered to herself.

"What?" Mason asked, not getting it.

Kora shook her head. "Something is wrong," she said, much clearer now. She stepped closer, touching Adina's arm.

"Adina," she called, pulling her back. She gasped out in pure shock seeing Adina's face. Her eyes were dark, darker than anything she'd ever seen. Her skin was burning hot, not a soul could survive the hotness.

"Let go!" Adina snarled, her voice deep like she were possessed, and before Kora could even let out a word, Adina jerked her hand off, sending her flying against the wall with a sickening crack.

The crowd gasped in shock at what they'd just witnessed.

"Adina!" Mason snapped, rushing forward to hold the woman back.

Mason barely got to her side before she whipped around, faster than his eyes could track. Her hand shot out — no, it was not a hand anymore, the fingers were blackened, nails curving into claws— and slashed across his arm. The scent of blood hit the air instantly.

Her black eyes stretched wide at the scent, and she let out a deafening growl. She was no longer the Adina that had been standing and waiting for her mate.

A guard jumped to hold her back. "Don't!" Mason screamed, but it was too late.

As the guard grabbed her arm to pull her back, Adina's body locked. She grabbed the guard with one arm, hand claws tightening over his neck. The guard trembled in her hold, and in one sickening crack, she snapped his head off his body. His blood splashed over her face and body. Her white mating dress had now turned red from blood.

This was no longer the Adina who had stood still, waiting for her mate. No! This was a—

"Beast! She's a beast!" The crowd yelled.