Chapter 164. Mercy at Last?

Astrid

I stood in front of the mirror, my hands trembling as I fastened the final clasp on my dress. The fabric clung to my form, shimmering in the low light of my room. My reflection stared back at me, eyes filled with conflict and a touch of sorrow. Tonight, was Magnus's alpha succession ritual, a ceremony that would mark his rise to power. I should have been there by his side, supporting him. But fear had a stronger grip on me than my sense of duty.

His scent was all over me, his mark an ever-present reminder of our bond. The thought of someone sensing it, of exposing our secret, sent chills down my spine. I couldn't risk it. Not tonight. Not when the pack's future was at stake.

With a heavy heart, I turned away from the mirror and grabbed my coat. Meredith's hideout was my sanctuary tonight, a place where I could hide from the world and drown my worries in ancient texts and spells. As I walked through the moonlit forest, the cool night air whispered through the