ra’s POV

    I stared at Cael, blinking as my mind tried to catch up with his words.

    1

    “What if I can’t decide within these two weeks?” I asked, frustration bubbling up. The pressure was suffocating. The deadline was hanging over me like a sword, and I couldn’t see a way out.

    Cael’s arms were crossed tightly over his chest, his stance unwavering. “Then you’ll have to make up your mind quickly. You saw how they were earlier. Two minutes in a room together, and they couldn’t stop bickering. Believe me, two weeks is the longest they’ll manage before this thing blows up.”

    Vessa chimed in, her voice softer but no less pointed. “And let’s be real, ra. You can’t keep going back and forth between them. The longer you take, the more painful this will get. You’ll have to make a choice eventuallyi./i”

    1 groaned. I knew they were right, but that didn’t make it easier.

    “I don’t even know if these two men are my only options,” I muttered. “Do I really have ito /ipick between Thorne and Dorian?”

    Cael’s shrug was casual, but his eyes were serious. “Look, let’s say you want someone else. That guy will be up against both Thorne and Dorian. No man can take that kind of heat.”

    I rubbed my temples, a headache starting to form. “So, I’m stuck with them?”

    “Hey, calm down,” Vessa said, her hand on my shoulder. “We just need you to make the announcement. Pick one of them, and let’s at least get this fight under control. You’re not stuck forever. If you choose one andter realize it’s not right, it’s fine. This isn’t a final decision.”

    It made sense. But the idea of having to decide now? It sent a wave of panic crashing over me. I couldn’t believe I was actually facing this.

    “I don’t know what to do,” I admitted, voice low. “Which one should I choose?” I looked from one to the other, hoping for some kind of rity.

    Cael let out augh, the sound a little too sharp. “Me? Dating advice? You didn’t even listen to me when I tried to help with your wardrobe. Now you want me to pick your future husband?”

    “Because you have terrible taste in fashion,” I said, rolling my eyes.

    “Well, if it’s up to me, I’d say go with Thorne.” Vessa spoke up before I could retort. “He’s a jerk, sure, but at least he’s a werewolf. Marrying him means you’ll be able to stay at home. Dorian? Who knows where he’d take you–who knows what his homnd is even like.”

    I sighed, rubbing my forehead. “True. But Dorian’s strong. He’d protect me.”

    “Yeah, but Thorne’s a mess.” Cael snorted, leaning back in his chair. “One minute he’s into you, the next he’s throwing you under the bus. At least Dorian doesn’t change like the wind.”

    I looked between the two of them, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “You two can’t even agree. How am I supposed to decide?”

    “Rx, girlb,/b” Vessa said, her tone more soothing now. These two weeks? They’re for you to enjoy being chased by two of the most powerful men in the world. Not every girl gets that privilege.”

    Privileged? It felt more like a disaster than anything else.

    “Yeah, well, when do you need me to make this announcement?” I asked, trying to rein in bthe /bstorm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

    “The sooner the better,” Cael said. “We were hoping you’d make the announcement bat /btonight’s dinner party. I’ll introduce youb, /bthen you bcan /bsay byour /b

    pieceb./bb” /b

    bI /bexhaled sharply, standing up. “Fine. bI /bguess I better get ready ifor /ithe biggest night of my lifeb./bb” /b

    b1/3 /b

    b10:19 /bbMon/bb, /bb18 /bbAug /b

    I left the dining hall, the weight of what was ahead pressing on my shoulders.

    The bedroom looked the same as it always had. The air smelled sweet, thanks to the fresh flowers sitting on the nightstand. I stood there for a moment, absorbing the familiarity, before the maids came in, curtseying as they greeted me.

    “Wee back, Princess ra,” one of them said. “Everyone’s been waiting for you.”

    “Thank you,” I replied, offering them a tired smile. “I’m just getting ready for the party tonight.”

    “Certainly.”

    The closet doors were opened, revealing a line of dresses. The maids stepped aside to let me choose. One dress, in particr, caught my eye. A stunning emerald–green gown, floor–length with intricate silver beadwork along the waist. It looked like it belonged to a princess from a fairytale.

    “This one,” I said, pointing.

    The maid smiled brightly and brought the dress over. “Excellent choice, Princess.”

    “What about your hair and makeup?” she asked.

    “I’ll take care of it.” I waved them off, grateful for the solitude.

    Once the maids had left, I moved to the dresser and pulled out my makeup kit. A soft, smoky eye look felt right, so I went for champagne tones with a hint of winged eyeliner. A swipe of bold red lip glosspleted the look. For my hair, I kept it simple: loose waves, soft but elegant.

    With a final nced in the mirror, I headed downstairs. The music and chatter of the guests grew louder the closer I got to the dining hall.

    When I stepped into the lobby, every eye turned toward me. A round of apuse broke out.

    “Princess ra!”

    “Gamma ra!b” /b

    “Wee back!”

    I smiled and waved, doing my best to keep myposure as two tall figures made their way toward me–Thorne and Dorian, each stepping in time with

    the other.

    Thorne reached out and took my right hand. “You look stunning tonight.” His voice was low, intense.

    Dorian, ever the charmer, took my left. “You’ve always looked stunning, ra, not just tonight. Would you do me the honour of sitting with me tonight?! have so much to tell you about my homnd.”

    “I have news from Direstone Packi,/i” Thorne interrupted, his tone hoarse. “bI /bcan tell you everything over dinner.”

    Dorian raised an eyebrow. “Direstone Pack? Isn’t that her home?”

    “I think it’s clear where her loyalties lie,” Thorne shot back, his grip tightening.

    “Enough.” I hissed, shaking off both their hands.

    I straightened my shoulders, lifted my skirt, and moved away from them. “I’ll ibe /isitting with my brother tonight,” I said, not looking back as I entered bthe /bdining hall.

    bThe /broom was full of guests–at least fifty of them. Cael and I took our seats bat /bthe center, Thorne and Dorian across from bus/b.

    bCael /bstood up, raising his ss. The room fell silent instantly..

    b“/bbThank /bbyou /bball /bforing tonight,” he said, his voice carrying, “bWe’re /bhere bto /bcelebrate bthe /bbreturn /bbof /bbour /bbprincess/b, my bGamma/bb, /bbthe /bbheroine /bof bour /bbpack/b.

    bi2/3 /i/b

    b10:19 /bbMon/bb, /bb18 /bbAug /b

    bra/bb, /bwho brought peace back to this world. I’m so proud to call her my

    The crowd raised their sses. “To Princess ra!”

    sister.”

    I smiled, raising my ss in return and drinking with them.

    Then, Cael reached for another ss of champagne. “And now, I want to share some personal news with you all. I’ve found the love of my life–Vessa. Blood Moon Pack will soon have a Luna. Our wedding is in two weeks.”

    Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

    “To Luna Vessa!” they cheered.

    After taking a second drink, Cael turned to me, cing his hand on my shoulder. “Now, ra has something to share.”

    I stood up, my heart pounding. This was it–the moment everything would change.

    “Thank you, Cael,” I said, my voice steady. “As you all know, tonight is a celebration of Cael’s wedding. And at that wedding, I will announce who I will spend my life with.”

    The room fell silent. Then, in unison, two voices rang out from across the table.

    “WHO IS IT?!” Thorne and Dorian shouted together.

    AD

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