Chapter 4 Not Again

Ria POV

"I really can't remember anything from that night." I lied.

It was either a lie or I risked being discovered. Until i Figure out what is really going on, I need to play the part well.

I was shown to the elders and the rest of the day passed in a blur. Everyone kept staring like some sort of miracle happened. Some people came to greet me and congratulate my supposed parents.

Sooner than I realized it, the day for the mating rite finally came and all I could feel was intense anxiety. I didn't know what I was supposed to do and it terrified me.

The sun was just beginning to set as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the reflection that wasn't entirely mine. The dress was exquisite, a silken gown of shimmering gold, with intricate embroidery that hugged the curves of my new body. It was delicate, royal, and I had no idea how to feel in it.

The maids fussed around me, adjusting the sleeves and the train, but my mind was far from the luxury before my eyes. I'd been trying to learn the basics-who Ria's family was, how she walked, talked, what she liked, what she wore. It was exhausting pretending to be someone I wasn't. I missed the days of simplicity, where I didn't have to perform every second of my life.

Thesa entered the room with a smile on her face, eyes bright with excitement. "Ria, you look breathtaking. Tonight is the night of your destiny."

I forced a smile, though my stomach was still churning. The mating rite had been suffocating me since I woke up in Ria's body. I hadn't told anyone how terrified I was of what might happen tonight. The curse of the Cresthold pack hung over me, forcing me to play along.

"Thank you, Mother," I said, the word still felt strange on my tongue. Thesa beamed at me, clearly pleased by my response.

"Your father is waiting for you in the courtyard. You know how important this is, my love. Tonight you'll meet your mate, and the whole pack will rejoice." Her voice was filled with pride, and she reached out to smooth a strand of my hair.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Of course, Mother."

A knock on the door interrupted us, and Jason entered, his eyes assessing me with a slight nod. "You're ready. The ceremony will begin soon."

The three of us walked together, the silence heavy as we moved through the grand halls of the Cresthold estate. The entire palace was decorated for the occasion-candles lit the path, and garlands of flowers hung from every archway. The air smelled of jasmine.

When we reached the courtyard, I was met by dozens of smiling faces. The pack had gathered for the ceremony, all eyes on me, their princess. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as we moved toward the altar where the prophetess stood waiting, her eyes covered by a white veil.

"Don't be nervous, Ria," Jason whispered beside me as we approached. "This is the moment you've been waiting for."

But it wasn't. This was Ria's moment, not mine. I was just an imposter living in her skin.

The prophetess raised her hands to silence the crowd, her voice echoing across the courtyard. "Tonight, we are gathered to witness the sacred mating rite of our beloved princess, Ria of Cresthold. By the light of the full moon, her fated mate shall be revealed, and their bond will be blessed by the Moon Goddess."

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement temse. My heart pounded as I stepped forward, standing in front of the altar. The prophetess moved her hands in intricate patterns, her voice chanting in a language I didn't understand. The air seemed to thrum with power, and I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest.

She reached into a bowl of liquid, dipping her fingers into it before placing them on my forehead. "By the will of the goddess, your fated mate shall be revealed," she intoned, her voice low and reverent.

I held my breath, every muscle in my body tense. I wasn't ready for this. I didn't even know if I believed in this ritual or the bond it promised. But I had no choice. The curse would kill me if I didn't go through with it.

The prophetess raised her arms high, her voice rising as she called out the name that would seal my fate. "Cypress of the Darwood pack!"

The world around me spun. Cypress? No. It couldn't be. Not again.

My body went cold, my legs trembling. I could barely breathe as the name echoed in my ears. The same Cypress who led the attack on my village. The same Cypress who had watched as his warriors slaughtered my family. The man who rejected me in front of his pack, as if I was nothing.

I must have heard wrong. This couldn't be happening. Why was the Moon Goddess punishing me? I had been given a second chance at life, but instead, I was bound to my greatest enemy once more.

I felt sick, bile rising in my throat as the crowd cheered around me. They were rejoicing-thrilled at the prospect of an alliance between Cresthold and Darwood. They had no idea the torment that was tearing me apart inside.

Thorin stepped forward, clapping me on the shoulder. "This is a glorious day, my daughter. The Darwood pack is strong, and this union will make us unstoppable."

I could barely register his words. My mind was spinning, every nerve in my body screaming at me to run. How could this be happening? How was I bound to Cypress again?

Thesa came to my side, her smile wide and proud. But as she looked at me more closely, her expression faltered. "Ria, are you alright? You look pale."

"I..." My voice was barely a whisper, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from the prophetess, who stood quietly at the altar. Cypress. Of all people. Why?

Thesa placed a hand on my arm, concerned growing in her eyes. "Ria? Speak to me, darling."

But I couldn't speak. The world around me was closing in, the noise of the crowd dulling into a distant hum. My vision blurred, and Thesa's voice became an echo in my ears.

"Ria? Ria! Answer me!"

Her voice was frantic now, but I couldn't respond. The ground beneath me swayed, and the last thing I saw before everything went dark was the horrified look on her face as I collapsed into her arms.