Sliver of Hope

"Kyra! Kyra!" A quiet hiss pierces through the fog in my mind.

My awareness returns and I find Tyler staring at me, his brows furrowed in concern.

The glass of champagne I had been holding was thankfully now in Tyler's hands and not shattered on the ground, otherwise, I am not certain how I would deal with all the attention that would have drawn my way.

"Are you alright? You've been frozen in a spot and you are beginning to draw attention." Tyler whispers to me.

It is only then I realize the guests throng the stage to congratulate the newly bonded couple, whereas I am the only one who is still standing where I have been even after the announcement.

I also take notice of my uncle's warning gaze fixed on me and I figure this is why Tyler was quick to come to my side, he knew I would end up angering my uncle if I carried on acting strangely.

"For the moon's sake, I am speaking to you. Say something!" Tyler whispers to me, growing more worried at my lack of response.

"I am fine, Tyler. I'm okay." I assure him, but my tone does not support my words.

"Look Kyra, I know you do not want to be here and you are not accustomed to being among the pack, but it will only be for a short time. Can you hold yourself together? I will send you home soon...do you want to go over to Lana with me? Maybe you will feel better?" Tyler asks.

I quickly shake my head, my eyes going wide and the thought of going any closer to Lana and Alpha Mikos at this moment horrifying, my heart was still ripping and it was already such a struggle to hide my pain.

Tyler's brows furrow in suspicion at my swift refusal, given that I usually always do as Tyler asks.

His gaze takes in my countenance, staring at me from head to toe and then he glances over his shoulder at the stage.

In that moment, I see the shock flash in his eyes, followed by understanding and then his jaws become firmly set and he takes my hand.

"Come out with me, I cannot afford to have you cause a disturbance." Tyler says.

I let him pull me along with him until we are outside the hall and even down the hallway to a much quieter spot and it is then Tyler stops.

For a moment, he just stands, staring at the wall, his hand still holding my wrist.

"Lana...is not truly Mikos's mate. I am well aware of this. Mikos has known Lana since childhood, they were in the same room on both their coming of age ceremonies, they would have figured it out for a long time if it were so." Tyler begins.

My heart shudders within me, no one else would dare say or even think that Alpha Mikos has made a false claim.

"This is a critical period for the pack, the election draws near and a rival alpha is after the seat of DA. Mikos must be reelected, it is imperative he chooses a Luna at this time to put forth a united front... Mikos has not found his mate, it's been ten years since he came of age."

"It is within reason to choose a suitable bond, there is no one more suitable than my sister to stabilize the situation. Even amongst humans, her influence is unmatched... with her by his side, Mikos will be reelected for sure and our territory will be safe from rival pack wolves."

"On Lana's part, she has always been the top elemental wolf, this suits her just fine. For our family, it is also the best result and the greatest honor, forming marital ties with the Alpha line strengthens our bond and my position as Beta." Tyler continues.

I stare blankly at Tyler, unsure of what he was getting at, despite being painfully aware of the truth in every word he says.

Lana was blessed with a powerful water element, not even Tyler's earth element compared to hers. Naturally, many Alphas had shown interest in bonding with Lana, simply for her abilities.

"All this, I say as the Beta of Everdale wolves..." Tyler trails off, 

"But as Lana's brother, Mikos' best friend and most importantly, your older cousin brother, I ask you... Kyra, is Mikos... your mate?" Tyler asks, his tone wary.

A quiet sob escapes me and I nod my head slowly.

Tyler places a hand on my shoulder, leaning down to my level.

"And Mikos is aware of this?" Tyler asks, but then answers his own question.

"He is no fool, you have met a few times recently, even back at the estate. He surely knows." Tyler murmurs to himself.

'A few times?' I wonder.

'Did that mean Alpha Mikos had already met me when he came to my uncle's estate a month ago? Was that why he was not surprised?' I realized.

"And Lana? Does she know?" Tyler asks me.

I shake my head slightly to indicate I did not know the answer to that.

"Lana... Lana and Mikos are close. If he keeps it from me, it is unlikely he would not share it with her... and this all happening in such a rush must be motivated by something." Tyler thinks out loud.

From Tyler's words, I realize that both parties are well aware of my bond with Alpha Mikos, long before I myself discovered it.

And was this the motivation behind their actions? 

Because I cannot be of help to Alpha Mikos' position and Lana could? 

Because I have no element like every other werewolf?

What then was Lana's excuse? 

Tyler hisses beneath his breath, turning his back to me. He runs a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Kyra, Mikos has claimed Lana. It is set in stone. They are clearly both hell bent on this...there is nothing I...or Dad can do, it will only upset Dad if we tell him." Tyler finally says, turning back to me.

"But I cannot ask you to give up either. Because I would not, if it were to be my own mate. Regardless of who is involved...you are my sister just as Lana is, I refuse to pick sides or watch either of you get hurt." Tyler says in a serious tone.

"The best case scenario is for Mikos to put things right, now, before anything goes any further. The only one who can talk sense into Mikos is Alpha Rich Landry." Tyler says to me.

Alpha Rich Landry, Mikos's father and the retired Alpha of the Everdale wolves.

"This is a lucky moment, he is present for the Gala but retired early to his quarters in the Alpha hallway. Go to him and make your case, he will speak to Mikos...on my part, I will talk to Lana. Let us see this made right tonight, yes?" Tyler asks me.

I nod, a sob still stuck in my throat. Tyler pulls me into a brief hug, perhaps the first hug he has ever given me since the night of my parents death where he held me and cried with me.

That moment had been the first and the last time we had been emotional with each other.

I was eight years old and Tyler was sixteen.

"Go now, be quick." Tyler encourages.

I swiftly wipe my tears and hasten down the hall, that sliver of hope returning.