Lyra’s pov

3

I gathered my gown, left the inn hurriedly to speak to Elora later. I walked back to my pack’s territory, to the same tormenting house that never felt like home. I couldn't think straight but let me get to my room first.

The apartment loomed in silence as I opened the door slowly. I’d hoped, foolishly, that my mother might ask where I’d been. Instead, the moment I stepped through the door, her voice caught me hard.

“Where were you all these Lyra? Did you followed some man to escape the mess you created here?"

She stood by the fireplace, her robe immaculate, a cup of tea in her hand. Her eyes scanned me from head to toe.

“I went to clear my head mom, don't accuse me wrongly,” I said quietly, ignoring other words like I didn't hear them.

Her nostrils flared. “Clear your head? You reek of alcohol and what I can't figure out, like looking pale” then she flinched. "What ever it is, I would find out soon."

That was no lie.

Before I could utter one more word, Cassandra glided down the stairs, her silk nightdress brushing the floor. She looked perfect, of course. Always perfect.

“Oh, Mother,” she laughed lightly, “don’t scold her. Maybe our dear Lyra finally found someone desperate enough to ignore her… condition.”

I didn't say anything, I swallow hard.

Selene’s lip curled. “Don’t mock her, Cassandra. It’s cruel to laugh at the helpless.”

That hurt more than laughter would have.

Then came the scent that made my stomach churn.

Kael.

He stepped into the living room, shirt unbuttoned, hair tousled. The scent of my sister clung to him.

I swallowed hard. “You’re here early.”

His smirk was slow, deliberate. “Or maybe I never left.”

Cassandra’s giggle was soft and poisonous.

My pulse pounded. “You....." I paused, I refused to vent out my anger. "Guess you had much fun Alpha?”

Kael tilted his head. “Why not? She’s a real wolf. A Luna should have a scent. A heartbeat that calls to her mate.” He leaned closer, his voice like venom. “You were just a mistake, Lyra. A broken promise from your father.”

Something inside me moved. I had to keep calm even though it was hard.

My voice stable, but I forced the words out. “You said you loved me those times. Were they all trick?”

“I did,” he said, eyes hard. “Until you became an embarrassment for me." He chuckled, turned away, then stopped like he remembered something. He spun to me again. "And please, Lyra, stop giving your all to the company, your sister can handle it perfectly. Adding to everything going on, we might loose the company to some strong rival pack. Allow her handle things.

Phew! 

Did I just heard him right?

Cassandra crossed her arms, smiling sweetly. “You should leave, Lyra. Stop clinging to people who never wanted you.”

I felt the wesk, my heart rumbling in my chest.

“My father promised us Lunaris Holdings, because he knew you'd get married to me kael.” I said quietly. “It was his wish before he died. You can’t take that from me.”

There was silence in the sitting room. Then my mother furrowed.

Her teacup shattered on the floor the moment I spoke. She crossed the room and slapped me so hard that I almost hit against the wall.

“How dare you speak of the company after all the mess you created!” she screamed. “That company is in my care now, with Cassandra by Kael's side, things will flow in massively. You? You’d destroy everything your father built!”

My cheek burned. Tears stung, but I refused to let them fall.

“I have no scent doesn't make me a dumb brain mother. It is mine,” I insisted.

Selene’s voice was harsh. “You are nothing. You were born cursed. You bring shame to this family every time you breathe.”

Cassandra sighed dramatically. “ How dare you Lyra? Mother fed you, clothed you, protected you, and this is how you repay her? Fighting for something you could never handle. You should obey and listen to mother."

“Enough,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Enough. I would never sit and watch you all take away the only thing left for me, you seized the house documents from me, all the property papers and even the company.

I knew Serena married my father out of her greed and love for money, she pretended to love me enough when father was alive, I wish my mom never really died. My thoughts kept sweeping me away, stared on air , then glared back at them, thinking of what to do next.

My hand reached my stomach, the only one who could stand as my own true family was growing in there.

Kael stepped forward, his eyes fierce. “You want to fight us for Lunaris enterprise now? You couldn’t even fight that hard for me.”

I didn't say anything.

“Do you know what I’ve been through?” I choked. “Do you know how it feels to be treated like dirt by the people who should love you? Finally good to know you all were all pretending to love me.”

Kael’s gaze didn’t waver. “ Come on, stop already. You disgust me.”

I took a step back, my heart shattering.

“Fine,” I said, voice shaking. “You want me gone? I’ll go. But remember this, I'll be back to take everything that belongs to me, you all better lawyer up.”

I turned to leave.

Cassandra’s voice floated behind me, soft and cruel. “She’s going insane, Mother. I don’t trust her. She might do something stupid.”

Kael smirked. “Leave it to me. I’ll handle her.”

Selene’s laugh was cold. “Good. She should just disappear!”

The door slammed behind me.

My knees wobbering as I walk into the rain. They were so heartless to treat me this way. I didn't deserve this, kael played me for three years.

I looked at the lonely streets, I didn’t know where I was going, only that I needed to leave them.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Vandora was calling.

I swiped to answer. “Vandora?”

Her voice was breathless. “Lyra, I’ve been trying to reach you. Are you home?”

“I’m leaving,” I said hoarsely. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

There was a pause. “Before you go… there’s something you should know.”

My steps slowed. “What?”

“I ran the tests twice like you'd asked me to and it's still the same,” she said quietly. “Lyra… you’re three weeks pregnant.”

My hands reached my tummy again."I'd protect you my child." I whispered to myself.

I gripped the railing of the bridge I’d wandered onto, staring into the river.

The Night of Veils. The masked stranger Has planted his seed inside me.

The pack would shame and bully me till I'm dead. No father to my child, no mate for myself, no scents, just betrayals lurking around me. I dropped my head on the rail, sobbing, loud enough for vandora to hear.

“I'm with you sweetie, it's okay, it's going to be fine. Remember you can always trust me, where are you right now, let me pick you up?"

But silence was the reply to her question.

“Lyra?” Vandora’s voice was faint. “Are you still there?”

Headlights flared across my face, gleamed hard enough for me to see, I stood froze staring at the huge truck.

The screech of tires accelerating hurriedly.

I tried to run across the other end but the truck hit me with a sound like thunder splitting the earth. Pain exploded through my body. I flew, hit the guardrail, and crumpled to the ground.

My phone slipped from my hand and fell to the ground, screen still glowing.

Suddenly, I heard approaching heavy boots.

A man’s shadow loomed over me with a phone pressed to his ear. Blood oozing from my head. The rain fell soft now. He knelt, pressed two fingers to my neck.

“Boss, she’s dead now,” he muttered. Then he pulled out a phone.

My mind racing fast, my eyes remained shut.

A voice spoke through but I couldn't hear properly.

" Wait kael. What should I do to the body"

My heart sank into my stomach.

Kael?

I wanted to scream, but I should remain dead.

The man straightened, turned toward his truck.

Then paused, came back and kicked me.

My body rolled and stopped by a tree, my body almost crashed into the river, pain exploding through my body.

Then truck drove off, I saw the faint light vanish into shadows.

Then last thing I saw was the moonlight breaking over the black river.

And the last sound I heard was my phone, still glowing on the bridge, Vandora’s voice faint through the static:

“Lyra? Lyra, are you there?”