LOGINOn the morning of the third day, the landscape began to change. Rolling hills gave way to mountains, their peaks snow-capped and imposing. The air grew colder, crisper. "We're almost there," Bastian said, replacing his mask as they drew closer to civilization. "Prepare yourself. The Lycan Kingdom is different from what you're used to." When the palace finally came into view, Lyra's breath caught in her throat. It was magnificent. Built into the mountainside itself, the palace seemed to grow from the rock. Towers reached toward the sky like fingers grasping at clouds. Walls of dark stone rose impossibly high, looking both ancient and impenetrable. Everything about it spoke of power, of permanence, of a strength that had withstood centuries. "It's beautiful," Lyra whispered. "It's home," Bastian said, and there was warmth in his voice. "And for the next month, it will be yours as well." The carriage passed through massive gates, guards saluting as they recognized the royal crest.
The first day of travel passed in a blur of exhaustion and relief. Lyra slept for most of it, her body finally succumbing to weeks of stress and fear now that she was away from immediate danger. When she woke, she found a blanket draped over her and Bastian sitting across from her, reading documents by lamplight, his mask resting on the seat beside him. He looked up when she stirred, a slight smile touching his lips. "You needed the rest. How are you feeling?" "Better," Lyra admitted, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "How long was I asleep?" "About six hours," Bastian said, setting aside his papers. "We're making good time. We should reach the Lycan Kingdom in three days at this pace." Three days. Three days of relative safety before she had to face whatever came next. "Tell me about the scars," Lyra said suddenly, the question escaping before she could stop it. "I'm sorry, that was rude. You don't have to answer." Bastian's hand rose unconsciously to touch the delicate lines ar
And for just a moment, their masks dropped. The hatred in their eyes was chilling. Pure, undisguised loathing. Mason's face twisted with rage and something else, something that looked almost like panic. He was losing control of her, losing his ability to manipulate and contain her, and he knew it. Jessy's expression was even worse. Her eyes burned with a fury so intense it seemed to radiate heat. Her smile was gone, replaced by a thin, hard line. She looked at Lyra like she was imagining all the ways she could kill her, like she was already planning the next attempt. Mason's lips moved, forming words without sound. Lyra was good at reading lips, and had learned the skill from watching pack members gossip across crowded rooms. "You'll regret this." The threat was clear, unmistakable. This wasn't over. The moment Lyra returned, if she returned, there would be consequences. Mason would make sure of it. But beside Jessy's expression, there was something else. A knowing smirk that su
Jessy's smile remained fixed in place as she held the wine glass, the poisoned liquid catching the light like liquid rubies. Her eyes, however, were calculating, studying Lyra's face for signs of weakness, of sickness, of the poison doing its work. "Are you feeling better?" Jessy asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You looked so pale when you left the dining hall. I was worried you might be... ill." The pause before "ill" was deliberate. A test. Jessy wanted to see if Lyra understood what had happened, if she knew she'd been poisoned. She was playing a dangerous game, toying with her victim, seeing if Lyra would confront her or stay silent. Before Lyra could respond, the King stepped forward, positioning himself between the two women. His presence was imposing, protective, and a clear barrier. "Luna Lyra will be departing with me tonight," he announced, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "She requires rest before our journey, and I've decided we shou
The reality of that sank in, cold and terrifying. Someone wanted her dead badly enough to try killing her in public. Which meant they were either desperate or confident they wouldn't be caught. "Pack only what you absolutely need," the King continued. "We leave within the hour. My guards will create a distraction, and we'll slip out during the confusion." "Mason will know something's wrong," Lyra said. "He'll come after me." "Let him try," the King said, and there was steel in his voice. "Once you're in Royal territory, you're under my protection. He can't touch you there." Lyra wanted to argue, wanted to say she needed more time, that leaving like this would cause problems. But the truth was undeniable. This place would kill her if she stayed. "Okay," she whispered. "Okay, I'll do it." The King nodded, satisfaction evident in his posture. "Good. Now, can you stand? We need to return to the dinner briefly, make everything appear normal. Then you'll excuse yourself to finish pac
The farewell dinner was Mason's idea. A formal send-off for his Luna, he'd announced, a show of pack unity and support for the cultural exchange. On the surface, it was a magnanimous gesture. In reality, it was another performance, another opportunity to maintain the facade while the rot festered underneath. The pack's grand dining hall had been decorated for the occasion. Candles flickered on every table, flowers arranged in elegant centerpieces. The best china had been brought out, the finest wines uncorked. It looked like a celebration. It felt like a funeral. Lyra sat at the head table beside Mason, wearing a formal gown that had been chosen more for appearance than comfort. The bruises on her wrist were carefully concealed beneath long sleeves and strategically placed bracelets. She smiled when expected, nodded at the right moments, and played her part. But inside, she was counting the hours until she could leave this place. The Lycan King sat to Mason's left, his masked face
The first thing Lyra felt was softness beneath her. Not the hard, unforgiving rocks that had shattered her body. Not the cold embrace of death. Softness. The familiar give of her mattress, the silk sheets she'd chosen herself three years ago, the pillow that still smelled faintly of lavender. Her ey
The door swung open fully, and there he stood. Mason Sylvester, Alpha of Crest Pack, her fated mate, her husband. The man who would one day watch her fall to her death without lifting a finger to save her.Lyra flinched. She couldn't stop herself. Her body remembered what her mind knew, and every i







