Chapter 2

Lyra's Pov

A Luna was supposed to be respected, adored, a pillar of strength for her pack.

I used to believe that.

But belief meant nothing when reality crushed it under its cruel foot.

I stood at the threshold of the pack's grand hall, my hands trembling at my sides.

Inside, voices echoed — soft laughter, murmurs of approval, the sound of my people rallying around a woman who was definitely not me.

Thalena.

She stood in the center of it all, her black hair cascading down her back, her delicate fingers gesturing as she spoke.

The warriors and every single member of the pack hung on her every word. Even the pack women who used to be on my side, now nodded, smiling, as she gave them orders. Orders that were supposed to mine.

I had spent three years earning their trust, guiding them, standing beside them as their Luna, and now, piece by piece, she was taking it all away.

The worst part was Aaric was letting her.

I tightened my jaw, forcing my feet forward, my heartbeat hammering like a war drum.

“Thalena,” I called, my voice cutting through the chatter.

The room fell silent.

Slowly, she turned, her lips curling into a smile so sweet it made my stomach churn.

“Lyra,” she called out cheerfully. “Didn’t see you there. I was just discussing preparations for the upcoming moon festival. I hope you don't mind.”

Mind?

I wanted to laugh but there was nothing funny about watching a woman take my place while my mate stood by and did nothing.

“Of course I mind. It’s my responsibility as the Luna of this pack and not yours.” I said, my voice firm.

Thalena tilted her head. “Oh, I know, but everyone's been so busy, and I only wanted to help. Right, Aaric?”

She turned to him, and like a fool, I did too.

He was standing beside her, arms crossed over his broad chest, and instead of correcting her, instead of reminding everyone in the room that I was Luna, he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“She was just trying to help, Lyra.” His tone was tired, like I was the one exhausting him. “You're overreacting again.”

Those words hit harder than a slap.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Overreacting? Aaric, she's taking over my duties. The pack is looking at her instead of me.”

“You're making a big deal out of nothing.” Aaric sighed.

Making a big deal out of nothing?

So this was nothing to him?

So I was nothing to him?

I turned back to Thalena. She was watching me, amusement flickering in her eyes and she knew. She knew what she was doing. And she knew Aaric would defend her.

She had won.

Again.

The murmurs started again. The pack whispered, their eyes darting between me and Aaric, their respect for me was fading like a goddamn dying ember.

I wanted to scream but I didn't. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked out. And I didn't stop until I reached my chambers, slamming the door behind me.

How — How had it come to this?

How had the man who had once worshipped me let another woman erase me from my own life?

My breathing was ragged and my chest was tight.

I can't breathe.

A knock at the door made me flinch. I knew who it was before I even turned.

“Lyra,” Aaric said, his voice muffled through the wood. “Open the door.”

I hesitated, wanting to lock him out, wanting to make him feel an ounce of what I was feeling but what was the point? He wouldn't even understand. If he did, he would refuse to understand.

With a heavy heart, I pulled the door open.

Aaric stood there, his expression unreadable.

He sighed, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “Why are you doing this?”

“Why am I doing this?” I let out a bitter laugh. “What does it look like I'm doing! Do you not see what's happening out there?!”

His brows furrowed. “Look, Thalena just wanted to help. It's not a big deal.”

I clenched my fists. “That's not helping, Aaric. That's replacing! She is trying to replace me!”

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration flashing in his eyes. “You're acting like she's your enemy when she's not.”

“Isn't she?!” She snapped. “Isn't Thalena the same person who left you?! She broke you, goddammit! And now, she's back, and you're letting her take everything from me.” My voice cracked. “From us. Why, Aaric?!”

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “You're imagining things, Lyra. She isn't taking anything away.”

I stepped closer, my heart pounding. “Do you still love her?”

His silence was deafening and I felt my soul crack in two.

I took a shaky breath. “I see.”

“Lyra —”

I held up a hand, my eyes burning with unshed tears. “I'll stop fighting, Aaric. If you want her, you can take her, but don't you dare me make me watch you erase me.”

“That's not what I'm doing,” he said.

“Then what are you doing?!” I snapped. “Talk to me, Aaric! What the hell are you doing?!”

He didn't answer.

I knew why.

He didn't answer because he didn't know.

Or worse — he did but wouldn't tell me.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, and I stepped back, wrapping my arms around myself. “You once told me that I was your world. You promised me at our mating ceremony that nothing could ever make you stop loving me.”

He flinched, not ready to say anything else.

I swallowed down my heartbreak and turned away. “You should leave.”

“Lyra,” he called out, reaching for me but I couldn't. Not when he'd use those same hands to touch another woman.

“Just leave, Aaric.” I whispered.

He hesitated for a moment and walked away, the door clicking shut behind him.

I pressed a hand to my chest in a bid to hold myself together but it was too late. I was already breaking.

And this time, I wasn't sure I'd pick up the pieces of myself back together again.