LOGINLyra’s PoV
“Damn it!” I snapped the moment the door to my recovery room swung shut behind me. I was supposed to be discharged today. Honestly, there was nothing wrong with me—just exhaustion and the little performance my mother staged to drag Alaric’s attention back to me.
But still…
I hurled a pillow at the wall, then clawed at my own hair in frustration. “What the hell is going on with Alaric?!” My breath came fast and uneven. “He was perfectly fine when we were in WestVale. But now?”
I caught myself nibbling at the corner of my thumb, pacing the room with agitation coiling tight in my chest.
“No. I can’t let this go. I won’t lose to that woman. She was thrown out of this Pack. There’s no place for her here.”
The servant who had been lingering in the room stared at me with fearful eyes.
“And Iris—why is she
Alaric’s POV“We’ll be arriving soon, Alpha,” the driver said once we crossed the main SilverFang gates.“I know,” I muttered.Of course, I knew I was almost home. How could I not?Ck.The moment the car rolled to a stop, several warriors opened the door for me. Russel—who had been glued to his phone the entire ride back—half jogged to catch up as I made my way toward the mansion doors. His breathing was uneven, as if whatever he’d learned was too heavy to carry alone.“Alpha,” he said, lowering his voice, “I just received an additional report.”I stopped. “What report?”Russel scanned the area first, then leaned in closer to whisper.“Miss Lyra. She left the mansion last night. Exactly at two in the morning. She used the side entrance—the one no one really pays attention to.” He bowed his head slightly as he handed me his phone. “She returned only when the sky began to lighten. Cassian’s men tightened their perimeter, so it was difficult for ours to follow further.”My instincts flar
“I missed you too,” Cassandra replied, her voice trembling just slightly.The moment should have been simple. Ordinary. But to me, it felt like standing at the edge of a chasm I’d let grow too wide for too long. A mother and daughter… and I had been part of the reason they were torn apart.Part of me wanted to kneel beside them. Wrap my arms around them both. Protect them. Promise I wouldn’t let anything hurt them again.And Fenrir agreed.He growled, pushing at the edges of my restraint, demanding I say everything burning inside me.Orion stepped closer, though his gaze stayed locked on Cassandra and Iris. “She looks stable,” he said quietly. “We’ll keep her safe.”Iris blinked up at him. “You… you’re going to protect me?” she asked, her voice trembling—nerves or fear, I wasn’t sure. Orion’s presence could be overwhelming. “But why?”I had to admit; she was brave to question an Alpha so directly.“Alpha,” she said again, turning to me. “Did I do something wrong?”I crouched down so w
Alaric’s PoV“How are you feeling now?” I asked quietly, breaking the silence inside the car.Iris turned her head, clearly surprised by my question. Her thoughts seemed far away—maybe because Lyra hadn’t visited her once. According to Alice, she’d spent all yesterday asking where Lyra was.“I’m much better, Daddy. Doctor Raymond said I just need to rest more. And Alice has been taking care of me… um, really well.”A faint smile appeared on her lips—a soft little smile I hadn’t seen in a long time.Through the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of her hugging the tiny stuffed toy I’d given her years ago. She once told me it was one of her most precious things.“I’m glad to hear that,” I replied shortly.She shifted in her seat, restless. Her spine straightened as if she’d gathered courage to speak. “Um… Daddy,” she began hesitantly. “Is Mommy Lyra okay? I miss her. I haven’t seen her for days.”A quiet breath left me before I answered. “She’s fine. She just needs some recovery time a
Whatever it took.At least this time, my partner had a decent face. When he touched me later, I wouldn’t be too disappointed.When my lips met him, Eiden went stiff like a statue. But the next second, he loosened, falling into the rhythm. His hands rose hesitantly to my waist, and he exhaled like he couldn’t believe this was real.“M-Moon Goddess… Luna… you’re… so beautiful…” he breathed, voice breaking in awe.I didn’t acknowledge the compliment. But Eiden was already losing control.He drew in a sharp breath when my fingers brushed his cheek. His skin was hot, his whole-body tense from the smallest touch. I could feel his heartbeat, wild and uneven.“L-Luna, may I?”“May you what?” I whispered against his ear. “You want to touch me?”He nodded, small and ashamed, like a wolf pup asking permission to approach fire.“Then do it. Slowly.”His hand lifted—hesitant, trembling—as if he were touching something sacred. His fingertips traced my face carefully, as though afraid I would vanish
Lyra’s PoVEiden went silent for a long moment, as if his mind couldn’t process what I’d just said. His eyes stayed locked on me, wide and trembling. His hands twisted together in his lap, his breath unsteady.“L-Luna… you… do you mean I have to—”“Yes, Eiden. You didn’t mishear me.”I held his gaze, stepping closer until his entire body tightened like a frightened pup cornered in the dark. His face drained of color. “You need to make sure your task doesn’t fail. You understand the consequences, don’t you?”He swallowed hard. “I-I understand, Luna Lyra.”Of course he understood. Everyone knew his entire family survived on the financial aid my mother funneled to them through the back channels.“Your little sister still needs her medicine, doesn’t she?” I murmured softly. “If I pull that support away …, what do you think will happen?”His eyes widened. His breath hitched. Yes. Just like that.“Lyra… Luna… I—I’m not refusing. I just didn’t expect… that you would want—”“Don’t make the mi
She gave a low, cold laugh. “Have I ever led you astray?”“That child is finally proving useful,” I chuckled. “Amazing.”“But because of that, Iris collapsed. I was too exhausted after I pushed her to keep brewing the potion. I refused to waste a single moment while you and Alaric were away in WestVale.”I nodded brightly. “That’s fine. If the potion truly works, whatever happens to Iris… why should we care?”We both laughed, satisfied with our own cruelty.“After she recovers, I plan to take Iris back to the old house. We still need her if you’re going to bear Alaric an heir, Lyra. Your body still isn’t fully recovered. Don’t ruin our grand plan with that weakness of yours.”“Yes, Mom.” I leaned comfortably into her shoulder. “In that case, I’ll have Alice removed. Alaric can’t know. I’ll bring in a new







