Mia’s POV

“Mia.”

I kept my eyes on my plate, pretending not to hear. My hands were steady, but my stomach wasn’t.

“Mia.”

Still nothing. My fork dug into the same piece of meat over and over.

“Mia.”

The third call made me look up. My chest locked.

Kaiden Silver stood a few feet away, alive. Breathing. Looking at me like this was the first time we’d ever met.

It didn’t make sense. I’d seen him dead, his head separated from his body. I’d been there when they accused me. I’d felt the blade on my own neck.

I had died too.

Yet here we were, at the banquet, like none of it had happened.

My pulse thundered in my ears. The room felt smaller.

Lucien stepped into my line of sight, his tone soft. “You look pale, Princess. Do you want…”

“Don’t.” The word came out hard.

His eyebrows lifted. “I’m only trying to…”

“Stay away from me!” I yelled.

The chatter in the hall stopped cold. Every head turned my way.

Lucien stared, his calm mask slipping just enough to show the irritation underneath. “You’re making a scene.”

“Good,” I said, shoving my chair back and standing.

That’s when I noticed Orion watching me from across the room. No grin this time, no teasing expression. Just a steady, unblinking look like he knew something.

I didn’t wait for questions. I pushed through the crowd, shoved the doors open, and stepped outside into the cool air.

I needed space. I needed to breathe. Because if Kaiden was alive… then what the hell had happened to me?

Didn’t I die?

I gripped the railing outside, the cold air biting at my skin. My chest felt tight, my mind racing so fast I thought I might throw up.

“Mia.”

I froze, then turned around.

Orion stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets like he’d just wandered out here by accident. But his eyes were locked on me like he was trying to read my thoughts.

“What do you want?” I snapped.

“You looked like you were going to pass out in there,” he said, stepping closer. “I just wanted to make sure…”

“Stay away from me.”

He stopped in his tracks. “I’m not your enemy.”

“I said stay away!” My voice rose. I could feel that pull again, the mate bond, tugging at me like invisible chains, and it made me hate him instantly for it.

He didn’t move. He just kept looking at me, his jaw tightening like he wasn’t sure whether to argue or leave.

The pull got stronger and the air between us charged. My body reacted before I could think. I stepped forward and kicked him square in the gut.

“Urgh” He stumbled back with a grunt, catching himself before he fell. “Was that necessary?”

“More than you know,” I said, turning away before he could answer.

I stormed back inside, ignoring the stares, and went straight to the chambers they’d prepared for me earlier.

I closed the door and leaned against it, my breathing uneven.

Kaiden was alive. I had died. Yet here I was.

It didn’t make sense… unless

My eyes narrowed. The Moon Goddess.

It had to be her. A blessing. A curse. Whatever it was, I was back, and that meant one thing, I had a chance to do what I couldn’t before.

Lucien wasn’t going to win this time.

I sat on the edge of the bed, running through every detail I could remember. The accusation. The trial that never happened. The beheading. The way Lucien smiled when the axe fell.

My fists clenched.

Fine. If this was a second chance, I’d use it.

I’d stay put tonight. No unexpected moves. And tomorrow…

Tomorrow I’d see if Kaiden still died.

If he did, I’d be ready.

The morning came with the sound of boots on stone and the heavy toll of the palace bells.

I already knew what it meant before the guard knocked on my door.

By the time I stepped into the courtyard, the crowd had gathered. The air was sharp with tension, and the platform for executions stood at the center like it had been waiting for this moment.

Orion was on his knees at the block, wrists bound in silver. His shirt was torn, a gash running along his cheek. But it wasn’t the wounds that caught my attention, it was his eyes.

They weren’t mocking. No lazy grin, no teasing light. Just cold and focused like a blade right before it strikes.

The herald read the sentence. “Orion Vale of the Silverfang Pack, by decree of the High Council, you are hereby found guilty of the murder of Alpha King Kaiden Silver and sentenced to death.”

I stood still with my hands folded, saying nothing.

It was a lie. I knew it. He knew it. Everyone here probably knew it. But as far as I was concerned, it wasn’t my head on that block. As long as I was alive, I still had a chance to get to Lucien.

Orion’s gaze swept the crowd until it landed on me. He held it there for a long moment. Then, with deliberate clarity, he mouthed the words: I will do anything to protect you.

Before I could react, the executioner raised the axe.

The blade came down in one clean swing. His head hit the platform with a dull thud before rolling onto the floorboards. The crowd gasped, some cheered, others turned away.

I closed my eyes, forcing the image out of my mind.

When I opened them again…

I was back at the banquet. The same music, the same chatter and the same glass of wine untouched in front of me.

Huh…