INICIAR SESIÓNLyra’s POVTlooked over at Dax, hoping to find something in his eyes— a flicker of understanding, forgiveness, anything. Bu he turned away, unable to even look at me My heart sank. Then I glanced at Keal and his face was a storm of anger; he turne his gaze from me, too, like I wasn’t worth his attention.Finally, I looked at Ronon. The silence between us spoke volumes. I guess deep down, I still hoped they’d protect me, tha they’d cover for me, because they were m mates. They were supposed to shield me weren’t they?But then I looked at the crowd gathered around us, and the fury in their faces was unmistakable. I knew I was done for. If th Alphas weren’t here, they’d kill me. It was in the eyes of the people. They wanted me dead. Why would my desperation to escape warrant so much hatred?The Guard continued to strip away my clothes, piece by piece, exposing me not just to the cold but to the judgment and wrath of everyone watching. I struggled te hold back the tears, knowing all too w
Lyra’s POVA hand struck my face, a sharp, resounding slap that felt like thunder rolling through me. The sting burned hot, not just on my skin but deep within, like a brand marking my shame for all to see. I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head. I stayed down, eyes fixed on the dirt beneath me, feeling the weight of humiliation press down harder than any blow.When I finally stirred, blinking away the daze, I saw I was tied tightly to a post. Bound like an animal, I was displayed for everyone, forced to stand there as though i were some object of twisted amusementThe full realization of my failed escape sa in, colder and more suffocating than the ropes cutting into my wrists. I had tried s desperately to flee, but here I was, dragge back to the place that had already stolen so much from me. Shame washed over me a bitter wave, a reminder of all the hopes! just seen crumble.The familiar seent of my mates filled the air, heavy and unyielding. My heart twiste in my chest, sinking into
Lyra’s POVTwo months of isolation, labor, and silence had chipped away at me until there was barely anything left. I knew that if I stayed, I would lose myself entirely. I had to leave, even if it meant risking everything. Three years of servitude was a sentence I couldn’t endure, not with every day slowly erasing my will to live. I’d endured enough. I had no more patience, no more hope for redemption in the eyes of the pack or my mates. I needed to break free.The only plan that came to mind was simple but dangerous: put the entire settlement to sleep. I knew where the water tank that supplied the settlement was located; it was in the woods, not heavily guarded. If I added enough Garnicia pollen and Wolfsbane to the water, everyone who drank or cooked with it would fall into a deep sleep, giving me a chance to slip away undetected. Once I reached the highway, I’d find any vehicle heading east or west—wherever I could escape this place. The plan felt reckless, but in my desperation,
Lyra’s POVRonon’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and filled with a bitterness that cut deep. “If you wanted to leave, all you had to do was say so, Lyra. You went too far,” he accused, and though his tone stung, I held onto the sound of his voice. Even angry, it was a connection, a reminder that he hadn’t entirely abandoned me.“I didn’t do it,” I whispered back, my voice breaking, desperation thick in my words.“Bianca has no reason to lie,” he replied, unwavering. “We trust her with our lives, Lyra. Her family has served ours for generations. She would never betray us.” His faith in her was absolute, a foundation built over years of loyalty. I could feel the weight of his conviction, his certainty pressing against me, unmoving.“But I am a Vladislav,” I said softly, letting the truth of it hang between us. “A tyrant’s daughter.” There was silence on his end, a hesitation, and for a moment, I thought he might be listening, that maybe he was searching for a reason to believe me. But
Lyra’s POV“I did nothing wrong,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper, as tears streamed down my face. The words felt hollow, useless in the face of their judgment. Elder Timothy, the elder in the center, gave me a small, twisted smile that only deepened my despair.“We have damning evidence that you planned this,” he said, his tone almost mocking. “The kitchen staff you conspired with has confessed. Do you still wish to plead innocence? If you admit to your crime now, you’ll be allowed to remain with your mates, though stripped of your Luna title. If you maintain your innocence and are found guilty, you will be separated from them permanently and required to pay reparations for the insult to your bond. A seer will sever the mate connection, so they will feel no pain when they choose to move on. Only you will bear the heartache, so choose wisely.” His words were calculated, laced with a threat he knew would cut deep.A strange laugh bubbled out of me, caught somewhere b
Lyra’s POVOne by one, people from the party came forward, recounting their own twisted versions of events. Some claimed they saw me behaving “too friendly” with Gregory, while others described my state when I was carried out of the room, insinuating that I clearly had intentions of being with him. Each testimony struck me like a blow, my heart sinking deeper with every accusation. Their words twisted what had happened, casting shadows over innocent actions, making me out to be someone I was not.Elder Tasha leaned forward, her expression a mask of cold disdain. “Do you still claim innocence?” she demanded, her tone daring me to fight against their narrative.I drew a trembling breath and lifted my chin, refusing to let them silence me. “If I had done anything with Gregory, my mates would have felt it. They would know,” I said, my voice faltering. “Please, ask them. I didn’t have his scent on me; they would have smelled it. I swear—”The Elder’s glare cut me off, his voice sharp with







