ZIRA

My mom looked at me. “Let’s be delicate about how we approach this,” my mom said.

“So, you...told her?” I hesitantly asked, ensuring I understood her correctly.

Isabella shook her head. She told us what happened at the bridal shop and how Alaia mentioned her “connection” with Victoria. When her mom questioned her, Isabella panicked and ran. I waited a minute to digest everything, but my mind kept repeating the same thing. They were picking out dresses for Alaia, Isaiah’s mate, for the mating ceremony that was in two weeks. Two weeks!

The mating ceremony was equivalent to a wedding. Mates are joined together in the eyes of the...