Chapter 4 The Deviating Line of Destiny

The pain came again.

It had become a habit, every midnight my body began to rebel. It felt like my skin was being slowly peeled from the inside, and the area around my eyes felt like it was being showered with hot thorns that pierced mercilessly.

I bite my lower lip, trying to hold back the scream that usually can’t be stopped. But tonight, I want to be strong even though my body is shaking violently and my breath is labored like I’ve just emerged from a battle.

“Miss Lyara, breathe slowly. Please scream if you feel pain. Don’t try to endure it alone,” the soft voice comes from the side of my bed.

Liora, the servant who had been with me since I couldn’t even spell my own name, stroked my back with her trembling old hands. There was a damp cloth in her hands, she gently wiped it across my forehead, which was beginning to sweat coldly.

I knew she was also in pain, not because of the curse, but because she had to see me like this every midnight and couldn't do anything but wipe my forehead and hug me.

Soon after, footsteps were heard coming from the door. They were heavy but not hurried. He didn't say much, just sat by my bedside and held my hand tightly, as he used to.

That grip was the only thing keeping me sane. Our eyes met briefly, and I could see the worry he could no longer hide.

"Father is here," he said softly.

And that simple sentence was more soothing than any potion. Though the pain hadn’t subsided, my body slowly began to calm. Not because the curse had vanished, but because I was no longer alone.

***

A few days passed peacefully. The tingling sensation in my chest unconsciously curled the corners of my lips. My gaze was filled with my father’s serene face, and I looked straight at the trees again once he was by my side.

Yes, that’s right. I managed to prevent my father from joining the war.

As the leader of the pack’s warriors, failing to carry out the Alpha’s orders could be considered an act of rebellion. However, due to my deteriorating health, Alpha Gareth had no choice but to grant my father permission. If he still had a conscience, he wouldn’t turn away from me, who had taken the curse in place of his son.

“You might be cold, dear.” A light gray knitted scarf draped over my shoulders, wrapping my body in its warmth.

I glanced briefly and then straightened my gaze forward. Welcoming the beautiful morning with a hot chocolate in my hand wasn’t so bad. Relaxing like this, I had never done it in my previous life. Back then, I had only kept striving to do my best to become a Luna worthy of Kaelen’s side.

“Alpha and his troops have arrived!”

The warm, sweet feeling that was about to pass through my throat turned into a pebble. I coughed, and my father quickly stroked my back gently.

How could Alpha and the warriors have returned already? This war was supposed to take five days, and it’s only the third day now.

“The Gravepine pack has returned with victory!”

“Alpha Gareth has brought victory!”

Some pack members ran while scattering dark red rose petals along the path. Flowers symbolizing courage and blood. Their courage in achieving victory through the rugged path drenched in blood.

The sound of footsteps echoing grew closer. A gentle touch on my shoulder snapped me out of my reverie.

“Do you want to go to the street?” My father’s sweet smile forced me to fake a smile.

“Yes, that’s a good idea. As the leader of the pack’s warriors, you should welcome the warriors, right?” The corners of my lips turned up, making my eyes squint. It seemed like I had made an odd smile.

It was just a few steps from my house to the flower-strewn street. A crowd was beginning to form to welcome the victors who had defeated the criminals. A rogue pack that had been the source of concern for pack members lately had been eliminated by the Alpha.

"I knew they would be destroyed once they faced Alpha," said a woman with white hair, wiping her teary eyes. Her nose was red and her eyes radiated the relief she had been waiting for.

Perhaps the old woman was one of the victims of the rogues. Although there were only a few of them, they still managed to cause some damage to the pack.

"Waaa! Long live Alpha Gareth!"

“May victory always be with the Gravepine pack!”

“Long live the Gravepine pack!”

I stared blankly at Alpha Gareth and Kaelen, who walked with proud smiles on their faces. My gaze fell downward, to Alpha Gareth’s hand tightly gripping the hair of the headless body. Blood dripped, forming small droplets on the rose petals.

“No doubt about it, that’s the head of the rogue pack’s leader. But how is that possible? They should have been cornered, and the rogue pack’s leader should have escaped,” I muttered, furrowing my brow.

This path of destiny…

It’s different, very different from what happened in the past.

Is it because I interfered and messed it up?

“Yes? Did you say something to me?” Father asked, still with the same smile.

I shook my head. “No, I didn’t say anything.”

I refocused on the front. There was an empty space beside Alpha Gareth, where Father should have been.

Does the absence of someone really change destiny that much?

A loud buzzing sound hit my head. My forehead wrinkled as my hands reflexively gripped my hair. The people around me appeared blurry, as if they were only shadows in my vision.

“Dear, what’s wrong?” my father’s voice was filled with concern. My left hand moved to hold his arm in response.

I shook my head several times before finally regaining my focus. “I’m okay, Father,” I replied, trying to look as composed as possible.

“We should go back inside.” My father carefully helped me up.

I never expected the health issue I had made up to become a reality like this. But what was that ringing sound in my head? Was it because I was thinking too much at once?

***

“I, General Coren Moonveil, address you, Alpha.” Father bowed his head for a moment.

“I, Lyara Moonveil, address you, Alpha.” I bowed my head before straightening my gaze. Staring at Alpha Gareth and the face I hated so much on the throne above.

“General, it’s been a long time since we last met.”

A charismatic smile graced my father’s face, which still looked young despite his age nearing fifty. “Alpha, how can it be considered long? I’ve only been away from your side for a week.”

Alpha Gareth’s laughter echoed through the vast room. “General, a few weeks feel like years to me. The warriors keep murmuring your name because of your absence in battle.”

Father smiled faintly. “Forgive me for my shortcomings, Alpha.”

Father clearly stated that his shortcomings referred to me. There were no shortcomings or weaknesses in my father except for me. This made Alpha Gareth clear his throat several times.

“How are you, Lyara?”

He shifted his focus to me. I placed my right palm across my left chest. Lowering my gaze, I replied, “I have improved thanks to your kindness, Alpha.”

Alpha smiled contentedly. “Glad to hear it. The descendants of the Moonveil family are indeed filled with strong individuals.”

Was Alpha emphasizing that I had to be okay because I was a Moonveil, even after taking the curse in place of his son? I knew Alpha was very kind to my father, but perhaps different toward me.

“Lyara, I know you’re still recovering even though several weeks have passed…” Kaelen wore an expression full of compassion. An expression that made me want to vomit everything in my stomach right now.

“But you still need to know. Lyara, I’ve found my mate.”

At that moment, my heartbeat slowed as if time had frozen. My throat felt like it was being choked by an invisible hand, making it impossible to breathe even though my lungs were screaming.

Her blonde hair, which I had always hated, swayed lightly past me. She stood on a higher ground, right beside Kaelen, looking down with her sweet smile. A smile that made my blood boil.

“Meet my mate, Seraphyne Blackthorn.”