Chapter 3

Lilith’s lips curled into a smug smile, her golden eyes gleaming with challenge.

“What’s the matter, Nyra? Keeping an eye on me now?”

“Maybe you should just chain Alpha Talon to your side if you’re so worried about him.”

“Tell me, how does it feel to be the Luna of Alpha Talon? Living in someone else’s shadow, watching me take everything that was once yours?”

“You’ll never win against me. No matter how hard you try.”

Her laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. Around her neck, the necklace gleamed under the lights, its brilliance searing into my vision like a blade to my soul.

Lilith and I had once been inseparable—at least, I had believed so. We had dreamed of conquering the world of architecture together, our bond unshakable. But then, Alpha Lucien, my fated mate—severed our bond, choosing Lilith as his Luna and shattering my world in one brutal moment.

To be betrayed by my closest friend and my destined mate—there was no deeper agony.

For a time, I thought the darkness would consume me. Until Alpha Talon, Alpha of the rival Nightwarden Pack, entered my life. He offered me a way out, a promise of something greater.

In the beginning, everything felt safe, secure. But then came the moment that changed everything. Just as I was preparing for a prestigious international Pack competition, Alpha Talon uttered the words that would define my downfall:

“Nyra, you don’t need to fight for dominance or carry the weight of our Pack. Just be my Luna. I will protect you. Your family will be safe. You’ll never have to struggle again.”

His words burrowed deep into my wounded soul, and in a moment of weakness, I let go of the life I had built. I sold my architectural firm. I abandoned the competition without a second thought.

And who stood victorious in my place, basking in the limelight? Lilith.

My so-called best friend ascended, her name celebrated in thecircles of the architectural world, while I faded into obscurity, reduced to nothing more than Mrs. Mournvale—Alpha Talon’s Luna in name alone.

But now, as I stood in the center of it, something felt off. The towering structure before me was familiar—too familiar. My gaze traced the lines, the symmetry, the core design principles embedded in every detail. My breath hitched.

This was my design.

The one I had abandoned years ago. The one I had left buried deep in my personal files, never to be touched again.

And yet, here it stood, a living, breathing monument to my stolen dreams.

My pulse pounded in my ears. How had this happened? How had Lilith—

“Nyra!”

Lilith’s sudden shriek shattered my spiraling thoughts.

She stumbled backward, her hands clutching her stomach. A strangled gasp tore from her throat as she crumpled to the ground, her face twisted in pain.

Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd.

“Someone call an PackDoctor!”

“She’s fallen! Get help!”

All eyes snapped to me, suspicion and accusation burning in their gazes. And then—I saw him.

My Alpha.

He descended from the Pack’s high platform, his movements swift, urgent. My breath caught as he neared. For one fleeting second, I thought he was coming for me.

But instead—

He shoved me aside.

Not roughly. But with enough force to make his priorities painfully clear.

“Alpha Talon—”

“Lilith.”

Her name left his lips like a vow as he crouched before her, his hands hovering protectively over her trembling form. His voice, usually so commanding, softened with unmistakable concern.

“Are you alright?”

The Pack Doctor arrived moments later, but my world had already frozen in place.

Alpha Talon lifted Lilith onto the stretcher, his presence shielding her from the crowd. Then, finally, he turned to me—his gaze now dark with barely contained fury.

“I know you have history with her, but pushing her like that?” His voice was low, seething. “Didn’t you know she’s carrying Alpha Lucien’s pup?”

A sharp, cruel silence settled between us.

My hands trembled at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. His words were a slap to the face, each syllable another dagger to my chest.

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Why does this mall look exactly like the design I left on my computer?”

Alpha Talon’s expression barely flickered. “What?”

“The architectural plans,” I pressed. “I never showed them to anyone. And yet, somehow, Lilith—”

His jaw tightened. “Nyra, you’re being paranoid. Architectural designs overlap all the time. It’s just a coincidence.”

A coincidence?

The bitter taste of betrayal curled at the back of my throat.

There were only two people who had access to my private files at home. One was our Pack’s nanny. The other—

Was him.

Sensing the shift in my aura, Alpha Talon exhaled sharply. His stance softened, his fingers reaching for mine.

“Please, Nyra.” His voice was quieter now, almost pleading. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just—frustrated. This situation could put our alliances with the Ebonhart and Nightwarden Packs at risk.”

He sighed. “Lilith is still our lead designer. I don’t want you making trouble for her.”

Making trouble? For her?

I bit the inside of my cheek, reeling from the sheer audacity of his words.

But then Alpha Talon did what he always did—he shifted gears, softened the blow.

His grip on my hand tightened slightly, his voice dropping to something more intimate.

“Let’s have lunch together at noon,” he murmured. “I’ll have Eulalia set something up. I’ll join you after I finish handling things here.”

I stared at him.

At the man who had promised me protection.

At the man who might have stolen everything from me.

And for the first time, I wondered—had I truly escaped the darkness?

Or had I merely traded one cage for another?