Chapter 3: Midnight

Cassian's POV I was feeling unusually excited that night. Tomorrow would be Lyra’s twentieth birthday, and I wanted everything to be perfect.  Lyra had been such a beautiful part of my life for as long as I could remember. She was like the sun, bright and impossible to ignore.  I could never forget the day she saved me from drowning when we were kids. After that, everyone in the pack had whispered that she was destined to be my mate and Luna, and I had accepted it wholeheartedly.  I strode down the hall toward her room, holding the gift box securely in my hands. It was the present I had chosen for her birthday ceremony tomorrow, something I knew she’d love.  When I reached her bedroom door, I knocked lightly. Moments later, the door swung open, and her face lit up the instant she saw me. I smiled, taking in the way her blonde hair framed her face, how it made her beautiful brown eyes seem to glow. “Cassian,” she said with a blush creeping to her cheeks. “You’re here? So late?” I grinned. “I’ve got a surprise for you.” She stepped aside, making room for me to enter. I walked into her room, and she shut the door behind us. “A surprise for me? But it’s not my birthday yet,” she said, her voice teasing but curious. “Well,” I said slowly, “it’s not…but who says I can’t give my girl a surprise before her birthday?” Her blush deepened. “Okay… what is it?” I held the box out to her. Her eyes widened. “Really? It looks huge. What’s in it?” “Why don’t you open it?” I said with a smirk. Lyra’s smile grew as she settled onto the bed, her fingers working delicately at the ribbons on the box.  There was something about the way her lips curved with each tug at the ribbon, the way her eyes lit up in anticipation and it made my chest feel full. Tomorrow, she would turn twenty and I’d finally feel the mate bond with her. We would be mates, officially. That thought alone sent a thrill through me.  Among my triplet brothers, the first to find his mate would become Alpha. If none of us found ours, Dorian would take the throne.  But I had no doubt. Tomorrow, Lyra would be mine in every sense. “Oh my goodness,” she breathed, pulling the lid away. I leaned forward as she lifted the dress from the box, it was a silver gown that shimmered even under the dim light of her room. “Cassian… it’s so beautiful,” she said, her voice full of awe. I allowed myself a proud smile. I’d searched for weeks to find the most exquisite and expensive dress I could for her. “I got it for you,” I said softly. Lyra moved toward me in a quick, graceful motion, the silver dress still in her hands, and pressed her lips to mine.  I kissed her back, savoring the warmth of her mouth and the sparkle of joy in her eyes. “Thank you,” she murmured softly. I touched her chin with my fingers, tilting her face up to mine. “Anything for you. Wear it tomorrow, okay?” She nodded slowly, clutching the dress to her chest like it was something sacred. That was when I heard a rising commotion from downstairs. My body tensed instantly. “I’ll be back, okay?” I told her. She gave me a quick nod, though her brow furrowed slightly in worry. I walked out of the room, following the voices through the corridor until I reached the main hall. “What do you mean? Are you saying you’re better than the rest of us to become Alpha?” Lucian’s voice was laced with barely controlled rage. Dorian leaned back into the couch like the whole thing bored him. “Stop being so bitter every time. I never said I was better than the rest of you.” Lucian stepped forward, his jaw tight. “You clearly did.” I crossed the room, my gaze shifting between them. “What is this commotion? It’s almost midnight. Why are the both of you making such a scene?” Lucian turned to me, his expression hardening. “Please, go back to your lovey-dovey. We are talking here.” “More like yelling,” I shot back. My eyes moved to Dorian. “What is this about?” Dorian leaned back on the couch, his hands resting lazily on the armrest.  “Basically, I was talking with Lucian,” he began, his tone casual. “And then I just casually said, ‘When I become Alpha, I’m going to get rid of that swamp and maybe build a more convenient school in that area.’” Lucian’s jaw twitched. Dorian went on, “And then, out of nowhere, Lucian gets upset just because I said when I become Alpha.” Lucian turned sharply toward me. “Why would he say ‘when he becomes Alpha’? Like it’s already decided.” His voice dripped with accusation. I exhaled slowly, keeping my tone even. “Come on, we all hope to become Alpha, don’t we? Doesn’t mean we’d kill the other person if one of us actually gets it.” “He’s speaking for himself. You should do the same.” I said, glancing between them. Dorian’s glare could have cut metal.  “You’re talking this way because you have Lyra, huh? Tomorrow she’ll probably feel the mate bond, and you’ll get to have her as your mate. Then you become Alpha. So, of course, you’ve got nothing to worry about.” I opened my mouth, ready to snap back, but my eyes flicked to the clock hanging over the far wall. It was midnight. A small smile tugged at my lips. It was Lyra’s birthday already. The rest of their arguing bled into background noise. I didn’t care about Dorian’s bitterness or Lucian’s glare anymore. Without another word, I turned away from them and started walking. “Cassian,” Dorian called after me, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t even look back. I was going to her right now. At the exact moment she turned twenty. When the mate bond could spark to life between us. It would be the perfect start to her birthday, and the perfect confirmation of what I already knew in my heart. The moment I reached Lyra’s room, I pushed the door open gently and stepped inside. She was already in her nightwear, her hair fell over her shoulders, she was clearly moments away from climbing into bed. I walked up to her, smiling softly. “Happy birthday, my love.” Her lips curved into that familiar, warm smile. “Thank you.” But then something tugged at my senses. My smile faltered, and my brows drew together. I wasn’t feeling the mate bond. Her own brows furrowed, concern clouding her eyes. “What’s wrong?” “It’s already your birthday,” I said slowly. “I can’t feel the mate bond.” She froze, blinking rapidly, like she was trying to process my words. “I can’t feel it either.” She said in a quiet tone. A flicker of unease passed between us. I saw it in her eyes, but before it could take root, I forced a casual shrug, waving it off.  “Maybe it’s because it’s still midnight, don’t worry. During the ceremony, we’ll feel it.” At least… I hoped we would.