Chapter Four

Lyra’s POV

I looked next to me, Mina wasn’t there.

“Sleepyhead,” Mina said, coming from the living room with two glass cups of orange juice.

“Mina I had the strangest dream last night,” I said, stretching out as I collected a glass.

“C’mon, tell me. Did you see Eamon fall down from a cliff?” she scoffed, trying to tease me.

“Actually… it’s worse,” I said, looking frightened. “In the dream, I was back at the packhouse, just after my mating ceremony. Eamon was pouring me a drink… but Dr. Sam was there too. He gave Eamon something some kind of vial. Eamon poured it into my drink before handing it to me. But I don't actually remember Eamon handing me a drink at the first place.”

Mina’s smile dropped; she looked scared. “Lyra… that doesn’t sound like just a dream. Remember? We sat at the same table when Eamon gave you a glass of wine.”

“But… how come I only remember Eamon and I dancing and the crowd clapping?” I said, staring into my glass.

“Yes, Lyra. After the dance that night, we went to sit before Eamon handed you that drink,” Mina said.

“It felt more like a memory,” I whispered. “What if… what if I wasn’t barren by nature? What if Eamon did this to me?”

Mina’s eyes widened. “Lyra, that’s…” She lowered her voice. “That’s dangerous to even think about. But… it would explain so much.”

“Maybe that’s what Dr. Sam wanted to tell me before he was killed. What if Eamon was behind Dr. Sam’s death?”

Then questions filled my head. How did Eamon know I was barren when I never even showed him the scan results?

“But Lyra, why do you think Eamon would do that?”

“I don't know, Mina, but I would have to find out. He has no right, even as the Alpha, to do that.”

“Mina… I have to go to work. I need to pretend nothing’s happened,” I said as I stood up from the bed.

I cleaned up quickly and headed for the door.

“Lyra, please don’t do anything reckless. You’re no match for Eamon,” Mina said; I could see the worry in her eyes.

“Don't worry, Mina.”

I walked out of her house and slid into my car, driving straight to AETHER.

*****

My office was just next to Eamon’s. As I approached the door, I heard a voice out of Eamon's it was Jake’s. Out of curiosity, I stood right behind the door.

“...Even if the fire took care of Sam, do you think she won't suspect?” I over heard, it was clear they ment me.

She won't suspect? It was the final confirmation I needed to proof that Eamon was behind Dr. Sam's death.

“He was becoming a liability. He knew too much and would have told her if he wasn't eliminated. So it's better she suspects than she knows,” Eamon said.

Jake hesitated. “But do you know that he tried to call her? If she starts asking questions…”

“Then make sure she finds nothing,” Eamon snarled. “She must never know anything.”

That was it. I slammed the door wide open.

“What did you do to Dr. Sam?”

Jake spun around, startled. “Luna?”

“I am not your Luna, Jake!” I snarled. “Answer me, what did you do to him?”

“You’ve got guts barging in here like this. After the stunt you pulled, you’re lucky you’re not already dead.” Eamon replied, with rage in his voice.

I stepped closer. “Dead? Like the way you killed Dr. Sam?"

"On the night of our mating ceremony, what did you put in my drink Eamon?”

Both of them were silent. Jake glanced at Eamon. Eamon couldn’t even look at me.

“Lyra…” Jake’s voice was soft. “Who told you that?”

I ignored him, my eyes fixed on Eamon. “Answer me!”

“Tell me what you poured in my drink. You thought I won't find out? You think I’m blind?”

Slowly, he lifted his head. And for the first time since I’d known him, I saw tears in his eyes.

“You want to know why? You want to know why you’ll never bear a child?” His eyes were red. “Because I didn’t count you worthy of carrying my bloodline!”

His words didn't even move me, all I wanted to know was what he put in my drink to make me barren.

“That’s not the truth, Eamon. That’s an excuse. There’s something more. What are you hiding?”

Jake looked very uncomfortable, shifting on his feet. “Alpha, don’t...”

“Shut up Jake! You want to know Lyra? You were never the problem, I was. My bloodline is cursed. My grandfather angered a witch years before my father was born. She put a curse on us: any son born into my line grows stronger than his father. Their presence drains the Alpha, takes his strength. The only way for the heir to take the throne is to kill their father.

I killed my father to become Alpha. I did what I had to do to survive. I promised myself I would never let it happen again. I couldn’t watch a child grow up and be forced to kill me. So I made sure there would be no child, not with you, not with anyone.

Dr. Sam helped me with that. He knew what needed to be done. He got reckless, he wanted to tell you, so he had to be silenced. I’m sorry you’re hurt. I’m sorry you lost everything. But I’m not sorry for protecting what I am.”

He dragged his hand across his face. “So yes… that night, I made sure you couldn’t bear my child and Dr. Sam helped me. He made sure you’d never have to suffer the same pain my mother did. He… he was supposed to protect you from it. But he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. That’s why...”

“That’s why you killed him.” My eyes filled with rage.

Eamon flinched. “I didn’t kill him...”

“You did!” I screamed, tears blurring my sight. “You killed him as surely as if you’d set the fire yourself. You killed my doctor, and you killed me, Eamon. You took away everything I ever wanted. My womb. My life. My chance to be a mother. And then you lay with my own sister like I was nothing.”

"I don't love you. I never did. I loved your sister. I didn't think I would be mated to you, so when you were chosen to be my mate I had no choice. Mira, on the other hand, already agreed she didn't need a child, so she loved me for who I was."

My breath came in ragged gasps. “You don’t get to say that to me. You poisoned me. You lied to me. And I swear you will pay for this.”

Eamon’s face twisted with anger but I didn’t care. “Lyra, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

“No,” I hissed, stepping back. “I know exactly what I’m saying. And the Moon Goddess hears me, I will make you regret the day you were mated to me.”

Jake stood there without saying a word as I walked out.

Heading to the exit of the company, I saw Mira. I couldn't even look at her; I was about to walk past her when she spoke. “Hey, mateless Luna.”

The anger I’d been holding back finally snapped. I grabbed Mira by the collar before she could say another word and slammed her against the glass doors. The loud thud made people nearby turn to look.

Mira gasped, clawing at my hands. “Lyra—”

“Shut your dirty mouth!” I growled, pressing my arm hard against her chest. Her smirk disappeared, and for the first time, I saw fear in her eyes.

“You think I’m weak? You think you can stand here and laugh at me like I’m nothing?” I shoved her harder against the door. Her head hit the glass, and she winced. “Say it again, Mira. I dare you.”

Her lips moved, but nothing came out.

Her legs shook under her, but I kept her pinned, letting her feel just how helpless she was.

“Listen well,” I whispered close to her ear. “Next time you cross me, you won’t walk away. You’ll crawl.”

I let go suddenly, and she stumbled forward, almost falling on the steps. Her face had gone pale, her hands shaking as she held her chest.

With that, I walked away, got into my car, and drove off.