Chapter 1

• Veda's POV:
• I was supposed to announce him as my chosen mate tonight, a ceremonial confirmation of our union. But instead, I was bleeding on the marble floor, almost breathless.
• The music hadn't stopped. People still chatter on their table, eating as if I weren't lying there in the middle of the supposed joint gala, my blood staining the embroidery of my golden dress.
• Soft violins floated through the hotel's hall, dragging my whimpers along with them.
• They whisper into their ears, watching me quietly.
• "Veda!"
• Octavia dropped beside me, her hand pressing against my arm, trying to stop the bleeding.
• "Don't move!" She snapped. Her eyes glistened as she glanced around.
• I let out a weak breath and briefly closed my eyes. "Wasn't planning to."
• She glared at me, shaking her head.
• "Stay here," She said quickly as she glanced around. "I'll go get the healer."
• She rose and shook her head. "Bunch of useless people, where is that your soon-to-be mate?"
• I didn't stop her as she rushed out of my view, didn't say a word.
• As I lay on the floor, staring up at the glittering chandelier above me, a strange thought crossed my mind.
• This wasn't how it was supposed to be.....
• *****
• "The gala would be held tomorrow at the Silverbane hotel," Dad said as he sipped on his glass of white wine, his voice casual as though he wasn't saying something that would bind my life forever.
• "So..... Beaston is moving forward with making you his chosen mate." Isla's voice slipped in smoothly.
• My fork stilled on my plate as I slowly raised my head, my eyes clashed with hers. Of course, she had a fake smile on.
• A fucking snake.
• "I chose him," I murmured casually, slowly raising my fork to my mouth and biting on the steak. "He simply agreed with my plan."
• "Oh......" She murmured, a small smirk on her lips. "You're so lucky, Sis."
• Lucky?
• Why do I feel like I was being traded instead of chosen?
• A sharp sting brought me back to the present.
• A cold sharp sting shot through my side, my fingers that were balled into a fist tightened at my side.
• Lying on the cold ass floor with no single person to look at me? I chuckled bitterly and slowly turned my head to the side, watching Octavia run towards me with our Pack's healer.
• "Don't move, Veda." She cautioned and sank on the ground beside me then turned briefly towards the healer. "She's bleeding too much, please stop it."
• As the healer stepped closer for a better look at me, the hall became quiet as footsteps rang towards my direction.
• "Don't." The voice said.
• Octavia breathed shakily as she watched the figure walking towards us.
• The music had stopped; the violin was suspended as well. Suddenly, everyone's attention was on us as they watched my chosen mate and me.
• "What are you saying?" Octavia questions as though he must have lost his mind. "She needs to get treated, or else she loses too much blood."
• Beaston glanced down at me, his jaw tightened and he quickly looked away. "You have to heal Isla first." He mumbled. "She was attacked too."
• He straightened, his hand wrapped firmly around Isla's wrist.
• She leaned into him, her face pale as she held her side.
• "She's hurt," He said calmly, glancing at my wound again, "heal her." He pulled Isla closer, cocking his head to the side.
• The healer swallowed hard as he glanced between Isla and me.
• "Her wound is more severe, heal her first," Octavia said, her voice slightly trembled at the end as though she was scared of what would happen.
• Beaston slanted his eyes at the healer and arched his eyebrows. "I. Said. She. Needs. You." He gritted, enunciating each word.
• The room went quiet. All eyes were on us as Beaston abandoned me to be by Isla's side.
• My fingers curled against the cold marble floor as I watched them walk away. A trickle of tears threatened to roll down my cheek.
• The healer glanced, he swallowed hard then straightened. "I'll be back after healing Miss Isla."
• He turned away and Octavia's eyes widened.
• "What! Veda's wound is clearly more severe, what the fuck........"
• "Octavia," I called, my voice barely made it past the murmuring that had erupted in the hall.
• She glanced at me and I slowly shook my head.
• "Don't," I muttered.
• My gaze lifted towards where Isla sat with my family flanking around her and a bitter laugh slipped through my throat.
• "Veda," Octavia whispered slowly, her gaze slanted towards Beaston.
• He didn't look at me. Not even once.
• I pressed my palm over my shoulder and winced breathlessly. The pain was too much, but still wouldn't stop me from doing what I planned.
• I pushed myself up slowly, Octavia slid over the marble floor and helped me up from behind, her hands held my waist firmly.
• I stood and nodded at her. "Thank you," I mumbled.
• That little wound wasn't going to stop me anyway.
• Isla probably hired the rogue that ran into the hall and injured both of us just to prove to me how Beaston regards her more than he does me.
• I chuckled bitterly and glanced around.
• "If we're all gathered tonight....." I started, my voice steady. "Then I suppose this is the perfect time."
• Beaston finally looked at me. His brows pulled up in a deep frown and he slowly shook his head as he held onto Isla with one hand.
• "Veda, not now—"
• I smiled and clasped my hands loosely behind me.
• "Oh. I think now is the best time." I muttered, we stared briefly at each other, and glanced away.
• Wasting a second of my eyesight on him irritated me.
• "If my life rank below hers," I said, my eyes flickering towards Isla before returning to him, "then it's only expected that I adjust my expectations."
• Silence descended on the hall, and everyone waited eagerly for what the ice queen was about to say.
• Mother sashayed towards me and gripped my arm. A soft smile was plastered on her lips.
• "Please, let's settle down. I'm sure my dear Veda is just overwhelmed right now and will join us soon," she announced and tried to pull me towards the back door.
• "Wait a minute, Mother," I chuckled and shook my head once, "you didn't even hear the news."
• "I'm calling off the engagement."
• Gasps erupted across the hall.
• Mother's hand tightened around my arm as she stood, too shocked to react.
• Beaston stepped forward, his hand loosening around Isla's. "Don't be ridiculous, Veda." He said and shook his head. "You don't mean that."
• "I mean it as much as I live," I said through a chuckle. I turned towards Octavia and nodded to the door then back at him. "Live a good life with her, okay?"