Amity's POV:
The soft hum of magic fades as I land in my bedroom. The instant change in environment—from the cold, stone walls of the dungeon to the familiar warmth of my personal sanctuary—is jarring. I exhale, slowly, quietly, and lean against the wall for a second, letting the tension melt from my shoulders. The sun is beginning to dip beneath the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow through the large window. The light hits the pale blue curtains, casting faint shadows across the wooden floor.
Everything is calm. Peaceful.
And yet, I feel like a storm is raging inside my chest.
I push off the wall and pace slowly toward the full-length mirror across the room. The moment my eyes meet my reflection, I feel it—that quiet ache in the back of my throat. My red eyes stare back at me, glowing faintly, still holding the remnants of my alpha power, but there's a softness in them I rarely let anyone see.
Leila found her mate.
The words echo in my mind like a whisper in a canyon—bouncing, growing louder each time they return. My hand comes up and rests over my chest, over the faint thrum of my heartbeat.
I knew this day would come. I knew it. It was written in the stars from the moment she was born. But I never imagined it would hit me so hard. I thought I would be ready. I've faced rogue invasions, council betrayals, even death threats from royals of every species under the sun—but this? This moment of silent realization, of letting go?
This is the one that cracks me open.
She's not a child anymore. She's growing into a woman, powerful and commanding, yet still full of that spark—my spark—that made me choose her all those years ago. She was just a scared little girl then. Broken. Alone. Abandoned. Just like me. I remember holding her for the first time, when her white hair was tangled and bloodied from running. When her blue eyes, so wide and haunted, looked up at me with fear and silent desperation. She was barely eight.
She became my daughter that day. My world.
And now… she's someone's mate. Someone else's everything.
I take a shaky breath and walk to my wardrobe. My fingers trail over the fabric of my jackets, cloaks, and armor. I pull out a simple outfit—dark jeans, a sleek, black top, and my favorite fitted leather jacket. Not my usual ceremonial wear, but enough to command respect. Tonight, I meet the alphas of three powerful packs. We're forming a new alliance. The future of the supernatural world hangs on these negotiations.
And yet, all I can think about is her. Leila.
As I change clothes, I move slowly, my thoughts tangled. I remember her face when she burst into the dungeon—eyes wide, lips parted, completely dazed. She looked like someone had pulled the ground out from beneath her, and I knew. I knew before she even said it.
Mate.
And the look in Devin's eyes… dark green, deep like an ancient forest and just as full of secrets. I saw how he looked at her like she was his sun and stars, like his world had shifted on its axis the moment they touched. And gods, when they did touch—I felt the sparks from across the room. That sudden warmth in the air, like the entire pack house was holding its breath.
It's beautiful. It's terrifying.
I pause, staring down at my necklace in my hand. A thin silver chain with a charm in the shape of a crescent moon. Leila gave it to me on my birthday two years ago. I remember how shy she was when she handed it to me, hiding her face behind her hair. She had made it herself—clumsily, but with so much love. It's imperfect, scratched in some places, but it's my favorite piece of jewelry.
I clasp it around my neck and close my eyes for a second.
"Demetria," I murmur softly in my mind. My demon stirs in response, quiet but attentive. "Why does this hurt so much?"
She chuckles lowly. "Because you love her more than anything. And you're afraid of losing her."
"I know I won't lose her. But it's like… it's the beginning of a goodbye."
"Not a goodbye. A change. A shift in the story. She's growing. So are you."
I sigh. "I just didn't expect it today. And not in the torture room."
Demetria laughs, and even I smile. "It was very us, though," I admit.
I finish getting dressed and walk toward the mirror again. I look older than I did a few minutes ago, or maybe it's just the weight of emotion behind my eyes. Still, I stand tall, fixing the collar of my jacket, brushing back my long hair. It falls over my shoulder like a curtain of living color—shifting now from crimson to a soft violet, reflecting my heart's bittersweet unrest.
"You're strong," I whisper to my reflection. "You're her Alpha. Her mother. Her guide. And you'll be okay."
I repeat the words until I believe them. Or at least pretend to.
A knock sounds at the door, soft but purposeful.
"Alpha," comes Sera's voice from the other side. "The other Alphas have arrived."
"Understood," I call back, turning once more to look at the room before me.
This place has been my fortress for so long. The one place where I didn't have to wear my mask. Where I could be Amity—not Alpha Lucid. Not the warrior. Not the most feared hybrid in the world. Just… me.
But tonight, that version of me is going to stay locked behind this door. The world outside needs my strength. My power. My presence.
And Leila… she'll need me, too. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But eventually, she'll need her mother again. Her protector. Her anchor.
And I'll be there.
I always will be.
Straightening my shoulders, I walk toward the door. My fingers graze the handle for a moment. One last breath. One last thought.
She found love today.
And in some strange, inexplicable way… so did I.
Because watching her find her other half reminded me of what's still worth fighting for. What I still believe in, even after all these years.
I open the door.
And step into the next chapter.