Chapter 3: "HOW TO GET KICKED OUT AND STILL SLAY"

LYRA'S POV

Realization hits me hard now. Sophia is at work Again. That sly bitch! Now, I can't be more sure that she wants me dead.

"I didn't do it!" I almost cry. "Why would I want to poison Sophia? Please, believe me!"

"Believe you?" Duncan scoffs. "I warned you, but you didn't listen. You poisoned someone who is pregnant with the future lycan king! That's treason!!"

Tears stream down my face now. "No, this is a set-up! It's all Sophia's scheme. I even tasted the concoction before she took it."

Duncan doesn't look convinced at all. "So, the pack doctor lied? Your concoction was the last thing Sophia took. Do you think your tears will move me? No! You went too far!"

"No, Duncan—"

"Guards!" He grits out, silencing me. "Take the traitor to the dungeon. Tomorrow, her fate will be decided!"

The guards drag me to the dungeon then lock me in.

Everyone knows the usual fate of anyone accused of treason. Death!

Will Duncan really kill me tomorrow? I wonder as I lay down on the cold floor of the dungeon.

****

I wake up to the sound of hush voices outside the dungeon.

"Killing Luna Lyra is a wrong move, Duncan."

It's the voice of Justin, Duncan's beta. I rise up and walk closer to the iron gate of the dungeon so I can hear them clearly.

"We can't let our fury blind our better judgement. You married Lyra because she's the last primordial wolf standing. She's the only one with whom you can produce strong heirs, so you can't just wipe her off. At least not until she conceives."

Horror grips me as I listen to those preposterous words. Duncan's purpose of marrying me is to breed strong heirs that will have both alpha blood and primordial blood.

He never loved me? Not even once? He was only trying to use me for his selfish purpose, and then discard me like trash when he no longer finds me useful.

The weight of his betrayal tears roughly at my insides the more I try to understand.

Wait what? I'm a primordial?

How is that even possible? How does he know that? Primordials are supposed to be a myth.

They are said to be the original werewolves who possess immense strength and have the ability to connect to the moon and other natural elements. Simply put, they can do and undo.

I always had my healing abilities, but I didn't have my parents to give me a heads-up about the thype of wolf I am.

"Listen, I've long since given up on that!" Duncan counters. "Lyra is barren— completely useless. The only reason I'm not tearing her apart is because today is the full moon. I can't stain the sacred day with her blood!"

A rush of relief and gratitude fill my insides. At least, I know I'm not going to die today.

The full moon is a sacred symbol for us, werewolves. Not even the most ruthless Alpha can dare to spill blood as it means inciting calamity on the pack for generations to come.

I pace up and down the dungeon, different thoughts competing for attention in my head. That Duncan is sparing me today doesn't mean he won't try to punish some other way.

I have to act fast and—

The sound of footsteps approaching the dungeon interrupts my thoughts just before the gate creaks open.

"Rise!" Duncan says and I obey.

My gaze trains on his face that holds nothing but contempt.

"Leave before sunrise!" He orders. "You must never step foot into this pack again. I don't want to ever see you again. Count this as my final act of kindness."

"I, Duncan Smith reject you, Lyra Wilder as my fated mate and Luna."

Something twists violently in my chest, then snaps. The pain runs through my body, shaking me violently that I coutch my chest like it'll reduce the pain.

How can Duncan just switch to a totally different person within the space of one week?

Or perhaps he was always like this and I was the fool who never noticed it.

Lumps form in my throat but I swallow it. I can't let him see how much his rejection is hurting me.

"I'll leave your life and your pack just like you want," I begin, my voice a sharp contrast to the pain clawing at my heart.

"But know that you will regret throwing my love away and treating me like trash!".

A cruel smile crawls up his face, making his usually handsome face a bit ugly.

"Regret?" He scoffs. "The only thing I'll regret is bringing you out of slavery and making a lowly person like you my Luna. You've always been a thorn in my flesh. You should be grateful I'm even pardoning you now!"

Grateful? I scoff inwardly. Grateful that he is framing me for a crime I didn't commit.

I clench my fist tightly but I don't bother arguing with him, I just give him a fake smile before walking out of the room.

Of course, Duncan did a lot for me in the past. He wiped out all the men who abused and molested me at the blood moon pack, pardoning only the women. That much, I'm grateful to him.

I quickly pack a few of my belongings in a backpack and head for the pack borders.

The sun hasn't even risen yet but here I am, more than two weeks pregnant, betrayed, homeless and treading the lonely woods alone.

Duncan will surely regret doing this to me. I will make sure of it!.

****

By the time I reach the borders of Blood Moon Pack, the day's breaking already and I feel bone-deep weary from trekking such a long distance.

However, the weariness snaps out of my body the moment I get closer and I meet a chaotic sight; Most of the pack houses are on fire and people run helter-skelter for their lives.

Shouts of pain rent the air, almost blending perfectly with the thick, suffocating smell of blood.

My body moves even before my mind can catch up. I am no longer the weak, broken girl who was cast aside and bullied endlessly by this same pack. I am a fighter now.

That much I owe to Duncan for training me in martial arts.

It's easy to spot the rogue attackers because of the way they are dressed. I go after them, taking them unaware and striking down as many as possible.

"Somebody help me, please!" A tiny voice cries nearby.

It moves something deep inside me and I whip my head towards the direction of the voice only to see a little girl being dragged by one of the rogues.

Her torn dress is stained with the blood that drips from a cut in her elbow. Angry blood roars in my ears as I charge forward, expertly slide his sword out of his sheath and stab through his heart from behind.

In one fell swoop, the man falls and I quickly scoop the trembling girl into my arms. By this time, most of the rogues are down and the few still standing are forced to retreat.

"Oh, the moon goddess bless you. You saved my daughter!" A voice says behind me and I turn.

A familiar face comes Into view, only he looks older with a handful of grey hair on his head. He was the alpha prince when I was still here, one of the few men who didn't bully me.

As my gaze trail over his expensive regalia, it doesn't take me long to realize that he's now the Alpha king.

I give him a short comment. "I didn't do much, Alpha. I just did what I had to do."

"No, you saved us all!" one pack member counters, her voice reverent. "You fought like a true warrior!"

And before I know it, I'm surrounded by many of them who are admiring me. Most of their faces are still fresh in my memory, but none of them recognize me.

None of them remember the last I left behind.

Yes, this is it!

A fresh start.

A new beginning.

And this time, I will not be weak nor wallow in heartbreak.

I will move on and protect my child from Duncan forever!