Chapter 13

Lyka’s voice carried irritation as she folded her arms, clearly displeased. “I just got married, Dad. I haven’t even had my honeymoon yet, and you’re already sending me away. Don’t you want grandchildren? And now you want me to go to the Lycan Kingdom of all places? I’ve heard how they treat outsiders, I’m not going to throw myself into a place full of people who look down on us.” Ryan’s fist slammed hard against the table, the sound echoing through the dining hall as everyone froze. “Enough,” he said, his voice low but filled with anger. “I have had enough of your complaints. Those same Lycans you are insulting are the reason you live the life you enjoy so much. Their wealth funds your comfort, your luxury, every single thing you take for granted. If you want to keep living like this with your designer clothes and your expensive lifestyle, then you will drop that attitude and do what is required of you.”

Lyka’s lips pressed together, her pride clearly bruised, but she lowered her head anyway. “Understood.” Aiden said nothing throughout, his gaze fixed downward, his thoughts unreadable.

Days passed, but nothing changed for Lyra. Her body healed gradually, her breathing steady, but she remained trapped in silence, unmoving, unresponsive, like someone who had completely given up on the world. Matteo stayed by her side more often than anyone expected, sometimes sitting quietly for hours, sometimes spending the entire night without leaving, watching her as if willing her to come back, but she never did.

In the quiet of the infirmary, Melissa adjusted Lyra’s drip carefully, her brows slightly furrowed in thought when Dante walked in. He had already checked Matteo’s office and, as expected, found him here instead. His gaze shifted briefly to Myra’s pale face before returning to Matteo. “The Crimson Moon pack has arrived,” he said. “They brought a proposal for cooperation.”

Matteo didn’t respond immediately, his hand still wrapped loosely around Myra’s as if grounding himself. “Who did they send?” he finally asked.

Dante hesitated just a little before answering, “His daughter… Lyka. And her chosen mate. The Beta.”

Deep inside the darkness Myra had buried herself in, something cracked. For days, she had been hearing a voice, soft, persistent, calling her back, trying to pull her out of the emptiness she had sunk into, but she had ignored it, too tired, too broken to respond. But now, hearing that name again, feeling it echo through her, it hurt, sharp and unbearable, like reopening a wound that had never healed. Her chest tightened, her fingers twitching slightly as the pain dragged her upward. She wanted to wake up, she wanted to move, to open her eyes, but the weight of everything she had lost held her down, heavy and suffocating. Still, she tried.

Matteo felt it immediately. The smallest movement, barely noticeable, but he didn’t miss it. His grip tightened around her hand as his eyes snapped to her face. “Melissa,” he called, his voice firm.

Melissa stepped forward quickly, examining Myra again, her expression slowly shifting into surprise. Behind them, Dante spoke again, more cautiously this time. “What should we do about them?”

Matteo stood up slowly, his expression unreadable before a faint smile appeared on his lips, “They came all this way,” he said calmly. “It would be rude not to host them. Let them stay, let them explore the city, enjoy themselves.” His gaze flickered briefly to Myra. “As for the cooperation, the royal family is currently occupied with the health of Her Majesty. They will wait.”

Dante understood immediately. “I’ll inform them,” he said, though a part of him still lingered on Myra. “And if she doesn’t—”

“She will,” Matteo cut in, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Dante nodded once and left.

Melissa stepped back after a moment, a small smile forming on her lips. “This is good,” she said. “She’s responding. It’s small, but it’s there. She can hear you. Everything swwet things you’ve been saying… it’s reaching her.”

Matteo’s eyes remained on Myra. “When will she wake up?”

“Not immediately,” Melissa replied honestly, “but at this rate… soon.”

She glanced around. “Where’s Dante?”

Matteo didn’t answer, already stepping closer to the bed again, his attention fully returning to Lyra. Melissa rolled her eyes slightly and left the room.

Silence settled once more.

Matteo looked down at her, his expression softer, but still edged with something darker underneath. “They’re here,” he said quietly. “Your Aiden… and your sister.” His jaw tightened slightly. “Dante says they look good together. Walking around, smiling, hugging and kissing each other openly, their naked bodies are probably rolling around my lawn right now," His voice lowered, colder now. “While you lie here.”

There was a pause as he watched her, searching for something, anything.

“Even if you won’t wake up for me,” he continued, more quietly now, “then wake up for yourself. Or are you going to stay like this forever? Hiding?”

His gaze hardened slightly. “Don’t be a coward, Myra.”

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before straightening, ready to leave.

Inside her mind, something snapped.

All the pain, the humiliation, the betrayal she had tried to bury came rushing back all at once, stronger than before, breaking through the numbness she had forced on herself. Her wolf surged, her emotions rising violently, anger replacing the emptiness that had consumed her. The image of Aiden, of Lyka, of everything she had lost burned in her mind, and this time, she didn’t push it away. She grabbed onto it.

Her eyes flew open sharply, but instead of the usual emerald green eyes, it shone amber.