Carina's - [P.O.V]

I couldn't handle it anymore.

It felt like I'd lost my mind... like science had driven me insane since my own research specimen turned out to be my destined mate.

I paced out of the experiment chambers and then walked right back to his silver prison, only to feel that same powerful mate bond pulling at my very soul.

The connection was undeniable, terrifying, and completely impossible to ignore.

I finally left and raced home as fast as my car would take me, knowing that the only person I could trust with this earth-shattering revelation was my mother.

When I arrived, the overwhelming auras of alphas and future alphas hit me like a physical force.

They had all come with hopes that I might be their destined mate, but my story was about to shock them beyond anything they could imagine.

I weaved through the middle of the crowd that had gathered in our pack house, grateful that my dearest friends hadn't spotted me yet.

Lucky me.

I rushed upstairs to find my mother holding an elegant gown with flowing red and white stripes that looked absolutely gorgeous.

"Mom, something incredible happened today at work," I said breathlessly while she took my hands, staring into my eyes with that serious expression I knew all too well.

She wasn't really paying attention to my words but wore that focused face she used when she wanted me to think she was listening.

Before I could say another word, I found myself locked inside the bathroom.

"Take your bath quickly, so you can welcome the young alphas who've come for your mate ceremony," Elsa called through the door, and I frowned at my reflection in the mirror.

"Mom, this isn't a mating ceremony... it's my birthday party!" I corrected her, and she laughed from the other side.

"But today is when you find your mate... You know what, never mind," she said, clearly having her own conversation.

I called that self-talking.

After freshening up, I slipped into the gorgeous gown she'd chosen and sprayed the designer perfumes she'd bought, secretly hoping that what happened in the laboratory was just an illusion of things to come.

I walked out of my room feeling confident as the dress accentuated my small waist and curves perfectly.

Marcus was present along with other colleagues, and I could see them as I descended the grand staircase.

The unfamiliar faces of visiting alphas made me so nervous that I wanted to climb back upstairs and hide forever.

I wondered how some men could look so devastatingly handsome that their very presence seemed to radiate power and magnetism.

My mother gestured toward where the alphas stood with crystal glasses in their hands, discussing influential pack politics and territorial matters that I honestly didn't think I'd ever be able to navigate, no matter how much I matured.

But who knows... I might be wrong.

"Good evening, I'm Carina," I announced as I approached their group, and they all turned to look at me with intense gazes that seemed to catalog every detail of my appearance.

For a moment, I could tell they were completely captivated by what they saw.

My father walked over and stood protectively behind me, and they all straightened respectfully, recognizing his authority.

It was impressive to meet such distinguished young alphas.

"This is Alpha Zayn from one of the most powerful packs in London, and Alpha Bair from the French territories," my father, Alpha Henderson, introduced me to each of them.

I addressed them respectfully with their proper titles, which I'm sure inflated their egos considerably.

I could already sense how playful and lighthearted they were, but I wanted a strong, serious man... not someone who treated everything like a joke.

He should have a sense of humor but not behave so extremely silly that he appeared foolish to me, like these alphas seemed to be doing.

I was certain that even my wolf would reject them without a second thought.

I walked around the gathering, searching desperately for that unique scent... the intoxicating aroma of wild magic and ancient fire... but my body's desperate request went unanswered.

I gave up the search.

I genuinely needed someone who wasn't dead or frozen in silver ice.

I wanted to feel his touch, his warmth, but now I was absolutely certain that my mate wasn't here among these visiting alphas.

And I knew exactly where to find him.

I used the elevator to reach my room upstairs, grabbed my car keys, and headed for the back yard to escape unnoticed so I could be with my true mate.

But shock hit me like lightning when I saw my mother waiting, arms crossed.

"Where are you rushing off to... All these distinguished alphas are here waiting... you absolutely cannot lose this opportunity," she said with unmistakable authority coating every word.

I could feel her using her Luna powers to try to make me yield to her commands and return to the party, but my mate bond was stronger.

"Mom, I'm so sorry, but my mate isn't here," I said firmly, facing away from her toward my car.

"I've already met him, and I need to see him right now."

"Then I'm coming with you," she declared, turning to follow me.

I got into my car with her sliding into the passenger seat as we drove to my research facility.

I led her inside and finally stood before the magnificent silver ice block.

"That man... he's my mate," I said to my mother, watching her face carefully.

She smiled at me initially, but seeing that I wasn't smiling back, she realized I was completely serious.

She placed her palm against the silver ice surface, and her eyes began glowing with that ethereal green light that signaled her accessing ancient Luna magic.

"Now I understand why you were chosen to become his mate," she said softly, her eyes filling with tears that sparkled in the laboratory's harsh lighting.

"This dragon alpha was imprisoned in this state by incredibly powerful magic, but he's still very much alive even though he appears dead... He radiates peace and possesses an extraordinarily powerful aura that speaks of ancient dragon royalty."

I wiped away tears that had started flowing down my cheeks as I wondered what I could possibly tell my colleagues about him.

"So what do you think we should do, Mom..." I asked Elsa through my tears.

She turned to look at me with complete seriousness, then spoke with a perfectly balanced tone.

"We have to move his body immediately."

I was instantly confused by her directive.

"Why..." I asked, surprised by her unexpected words.

"For the Dragon Moon ceremony," she said, already walking toward the exit.

"The silver ice can only be broken by the combined power of the Dragon Moon and a true mate's touch."