Chapter 3

In no time at all, I was locked away in the Silver Moon pack’s dungeon.

But I didn't panic for a second. I grew up listening to my grandmother’s legends about this place.

Deep within the Silver Moon dungeon lies an ancient formation left by our ancestors to restrain high-profile criminals.

This seal can only be broken by someone with the purest Moon-Blessed bloodline.

Since my father and Maya never awakened that power, they had no idea it even existed.

That night, while the guards were dozing off, I crept toward the deepest part of the prison.

Sure enough, in the darkest corner, I found the stone altar engraved with ancient runes.

Without hesitation, I bit my finger and let my blood drip onto the center of the formation.

Instantly, the entire dungeon began to shake violently. The ancient imprisonment totems emitted a blinding light before shattering into pieces.

The earth-shaking commotion alerted the entire pack.

I heard frantic footsteps coming down the stairs as Marcus and Elena rushed into the dungeon.

Seeing the shattered remnants of the totems, their faces turned as white as paper.

"This... how is this possible?" Marcus’s voice trembled. "This formation has stood for centuries. No one has ever been able to break it!"

Elena looked even more terrified. "Lyra! What have you done? You’re a cursed wolf, bringing ruin to us all!"

"You destroyed our pack’s protective seal!" Marcus roared. "You’re a jinx!"

"As of today, I officially banish Lyra from the Silver Moon pack!" Marcus’s voice echoed through the dungeon. "You are no longer our daughter. You are a rogue!"

"Don't you dare set foot on our lands again!" Elena hissed. "You cursed wolf!"

I couldn't help but laugh. Banished? This was exactly what I wanted.

"Thanks for making that decision for me," I said with a cold smirk. "You saved me a lot of trouble."

I walked out of the dungeon and headed straight for the luxury villa Zander had prepared for me.

It was located in the heart of the Dark Moon pack’s territory, decorated with such opulence that it was ten times larger than my old room.

Lying on soft silk sheets and sipping premium red wine, I realized how blind I had been to ever love a fool like Kaden.

Four days later, the big day arrived. I put on the custom pure-white gown Zander had made for me and headed to the Alpha Altar.

This is a sacred ground where Alphas and Lunas complete their mating ceremonies and announce their union to Goddess Selene.

The more powerful the Alpha, the closer to the center they can perform the rite.

As I reached the outer perimeter, I saw the familiar faces. Kaden, Maya, and both sets of parents were there.

Because of the generations-long curse, the Moonstone Alpha bloodline has grown increasingly weak, forcing them to hold their ceremony in the outermost circle.

The moment Maya saw me, she leaned weakly into Kaden’s arms, acting like a frightened lamb.

"Lyra? How dare you show your face here?" Marcus demanded. "A rogue dares to desecrate the sacred Altar?"

"Are you here to crash the ceremony?" Elena shrieked. "Do you want to destroy the Moonstone pack and keep them cursed forever?"

At those words, Kaden’s face twisted into a mask of rage.

"Lyra! You just won't go away, will you?" he roared. "I told you to stop crawling after me! I will never love a low-rent she-wolf like you!"

I let out a sharp laugh. "Kaden, you really think highly of yourself. Who told you I was here for you? I'm here to get married—just not to you."

Everyone froze, then burst into mockery.

"Are you dreaming?" Maya sneered. "This is the Alpha-only circle!"

"Exactly. What Alpha would ever want a wolf like you?" Kaden added. "You're not pretty enough, and your personality is a nightmare."

Kaden continued his taunts. "Lyra, you're really desperate for my attention, aren't you? But I'm telling you, no matter how pathetic your lies get, I'm never looking back."

Just then, the moon began to rise. Silvery light spilled over the altar, and I noticed a faint, cloying sweetness beginning to radiate from Kaden. The curse was kicking in.

Grace was the first to notice the wrong scent in the air, her face turning pale with horror.

Then, her eyes landed on me. Under the moonlight, my body emitted a soft silver glow—the true mark of a Moon-Blessed bloodline.

The sheer pressure of my lineage made Grace tremble.

"Wait!" she said, her voice shaking as she stepped in front of me. "Lyra... if... if you really are Moon-Blessed, I'll let Kaden mark both of you! Just save him!"

I laughed. They were still delusional. To let him mark me and Maya at the same time? As if that were some grand gift.

But before I could speak, Kaden cut her off, his eyes full of the arrogance and stupidity of someone who thought he knew the future.

"Mom! Don't let this trash rogue trick you!" he barked. "She couldn't help me ascend if she tried. Maya is the one destined to rule the werewolf world by my side! Lyra, even if you got on your knees and licked my boots right now, I wouldn't give you a second look!"

As the words left his mouth, a deep, magnetic voice carrying absolute Alpha authority boomed from the center of the Altar.

"She’s my Luna. You aren't even worthy of looking at her."