第5章

I returned to our cold, empty den. As soon as I pushed open the main door, a strange scent hit me.

A faint mix of sandalwood and musk, with a deliberate, marking quality to it. My territory had been invaded.

Walking slowly through the living room, I noticed little changes – a blanket on the sofa that wasn't mine, an unfamiliar cup on the coffee table, the air thick with another woman's scent.

Everything silently screamed: this wasn't just my and Kaelen's space anymore.

A small noise came from the kitchen. I pushed the door open to see Lyra standing in front of my cabinets, casually looking for something.

She wore a loose robe, her red hair falling around her shoulders. When she saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by a fake smile.

"Sera, you're back." She closed the cabinet. "I was just looking for some herbal tea. Alpha said it's good for the baby."

I kept my face blank. "It's rude to go through someone else's things in their home."

"Someone else's home?" She raised an eyebrow, a challenge in her eyes. "Alpha let me stay in the west wing guest room. He said I need to be looked after around the clock."

The west wing guest room. Next door to Kaelen's and my bedroom.

"Is that so?" I walked to a drawer by the dining table and took out a delicate silver knife – one of my personal things. "Then, allow me to offer some 'looking after.'"

I turned to the herb rack in the corner, expertly slicing a few dried herbs.

"Lavender for calm, chamomile to cool a temper," I said, my voice even, the blade glinting in the light. "Perfect for… uninvited guests."

Lyra's smile froze, her eyes darting nervously to the knife in my hand.

"Thanks for the offer, but Alpha specifically said I should only drink tea he prepares himself."

"Afraid I'll poison you?" I looked her straight in the eye. "Smart."

We stood there, locked in a silent, charged standoff.

"Sera? Lyra?" Kaelen's voice came from the hallway, breaking the tension.

He strode into the kitchen, his eyes quickly flicking between us, assessing the situation. When he saw the knife in my hand, his brow furrowed.

"What are you two doing?"

"Just making some tea," I replied calmly, putting the knife back in the drawer. "Welcome home, Alpha."

The last two words were dripping with sarcasm.

"Sera..." he began, a warning tone in his voice.

"Don't worry, Alpha," Lyra quickly interjected, one hand gently on her stomach. "We're getting along just fine. Sera was just being… hospitable."

I watched her A-plus acting performance, almost wanting to applaud.

Kaelen seemed to relax a bit. "Good. I have an announcement."

He cleared his throat. "For Lyra and the cub's safety, I've announced to the pack that she is a 'specially protected member.' From today, she'll be staying here until… things are stable."

Even though I was expecting it, the decision still hit me like a punch to the gut. Kaelen had built this den with his own hands when he was courting me. Every piece of wood, every nail, held our promises.

And now, he was inviting another woman to live in it.

"I need to make sure my room is secure," I said coolly, turning to leave the kitchen.

I could feel Kaelen following me. "Sera, wait. This is only temporary."

"Of course." I didn't look back. "Everything's temporary. Our ceremony, our vows, even our mate bond. All very… temporary."

I went into my bedroom and locked the door, ignoring Kaelen calling my name from the other side.

I went straight to the wardrobe, pulled open the bottom drawer, and took out a small wooden box. Inside was an ancient moonstone amulet – the key to the Moon Eclipse Unbinding ritual.

Outside, the full moon hung high in the sky, coldly watching all the betrayal and pain below.

Tomorrow night, at the exact same time as the blood bond ritual, I would begin my own.