Chapter 1

Lyra's Pov

A lot of things didn't come easy to me as a child but one thing did and that as hope.

As a child, I fell in love with fairytales. The way the prince would whisk the princess far away to a fairyland and have their happily ever after.  

As a child, I used to believe that love could weather any storm. That if two people loved each other, nothing would tear them apart.

But that belief was the same that ruined me.

When I met Aaric, I used to believe he would never break my heart.

But I guess I was wrong.

I watched him now from across the grand hall of the packhouse, where laughter and the scent of expensive wine filled the air.

Aaric stood with his back to me, his broad shoulders squared, his blonde hair glinting under the chandelier’s glow. And beside him was a tall, beautiful woman with her arms hooked around his. A woman I was familiar with — Thalena.

She laughed at something he said, the soft melodic sound cutting through me like a blade. Aaric didn't move away from her. He didn't even remind her that he was married. He didn't even tell her that I was his wife.

I swallowed hard, tasting bitterness in the back of my throat.

Three years.

For three solid years, I had been his. I had stood by him when his father, the Alpha, pressured him for a stronger mate.

I had fought desperately for our love when others said that a mere orphan like me was not fit to be the Luna of this pack.

I had loved him with everything in me. I had sacrificed so much.

I had given him my all and yet, here I stood, watching him smile at another woman like I was nothing. Yet, he was looking at Thalena, his first love like she was the only thing he could ever see. Maybe, she was but still didn't discredit what she did.

Thalena, whom he claimed he loved, was the one who had left him for a wealthier Alpha, only to come crawling back when she found herself discarded. And now, she had him again. And without a fight.

My fingers curled into fists and I could feel my nails biting into my palms as I forced myself to breathe.

I had told myself I would be patient, that I would not let my insecurities destroy my marriage but my patience had limits and it had passed its breaking point. Mine was hanging by a fragile thread.

I turned away from the scene, my chest tightening painfully as I walked out onto the balcony. The cool night air kissed my skin, but it did nothing to soothe the storm raging inside me.

I gripped the marble railing and closed my eyes, inhaling deeply. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe they were just old friends catching up.

But —

But if that was the case, why did it feel like my heart was being ripped from my chest?

Why had Aaric spent more nights away from me in the past few weeks than he ever had in our three years of marriage?

Why had his kisses become rare , his touch cold?

Well, the answer was clear —

I was losing him.

A soft shuffle behind me made my breath hitch and my wolf stirred restlessly, sensing a presence before I even turned.

I didn't even need to look to know who it was.

I wiped the tears off my face before he could see them and forced my shaky voice to be steady. “Are you enjoying the party?”

There was a beat of silence, and then he exhaled, coming up beside me. His scent — lavender, sandalwood, warmth — wrapped around me like it did when he came, but tonight, it brought no comfort.

“Oh,” he said. “I didn't see you there.”

“You weren't looking.” I let out a hollow laugh.

His brows furrowed, “Lyra, I —”

When he said my name, it used to sound like home. Now, it felt like an apology.

I turned to him fully, my heart pounding in my chest as I asked the question troubling me. The one question I'd been too scared to ask for years. Are you in love with her?”

His jaw tensed. “Who?”

“Thalena,” I swallowed hard. “I asked : are you in love with her?”

He hesitated and that hesitation shattered me.

Tears burned the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I refused to let Thalena win but she's had the victory already.

Aaric ran his hair through her hair. “Lyra, please —”

“Do you know what hurts the most, Aaric?” I looked into his eyes, searching for the truth even when I knew what it was. “It's not that you're spending time with her. It's not even that you might still love her. It's that you don't even care enough to lie to me.”

A muscle in his jaw ticked. “It's not that simple, Lyra.”

“Then explain it to me,” My voice broke. “Because from where I'm standing, it looks very simple. She left you, Aaric! She was the one that broke you and — and now, she's back! You're just letting her walk all over what we’ve built.”

His hands clenched at his sides. “I — I  never meant to hurt you.”

“But you are,” I let out a shaky breath. “Your actions… they hurt, Aaric.”

Silence stretched between us. Then, his phone buzzed.

I didn't have to look to know who it was but he did. And the way his expression softened, was enough for me to make my decision.

I had fought for this love. For him. For us. I was the only one fighting.

I took a step back. “I'll be staying in the guest room tonight.”

His head snapped up. “What?”

“Don't,” I held up my hand. “Not tonight.”

I turned before he could see the tears spill over, walking away from the man I had once believed was my forever.

And as I shut the door behind me, one thought echoed in my mind : Maybe forever wasn't meant for me.