Aliya’s POV The ride away from the palace was tense and silent. Evan and I rode side by side, the landscape of the Lycan Kingdom blurring into the distance. My heart was pounding, the reality of what I had just done starting to sink in. I had left everything behind, choosing Evan over Jayden, the life I knew over the unknown. "Are you okay?" Evan asked, his voice softening as he looked at me. I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure. "I think so. It's just... a lot to take in." Evan squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I know. But we're together now. We'll figure it out." The journey was very quiet, as as the car drove silently, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. . . JAYDEN'S POV: Her words stung, each one felt like a dagger thrust into my