Chapter 2

Lyra didn't finish her sentence, but I knew it couldn't have been anything good.

Outside the door came Kael's heavy, distinct footsteps.

Lyra immediately wiped away her tears and slipped out of my arms. Then she ran back to the couch and picked up a scroll of parchment.

By the time the door opened, she had already unrolled it and was pointing at a symbol. "Mom, this wind-wolf totem is so pretty."

Kael walked in, carrying a leather pouch.

He glanced at me and asked, "What are you standing there for? Is dinner ready?"

I didn't move.

Lyra jumped off the couch and ran up to him. "Dad, Mom isn't feeling well today. How about we have the kitchen prepare something simple?"

Kael frowned. "What are you making a fuss about again?"

"I'm not," Lyra said, looking up at him with a sweet smile. "I just want some berry pie. We've been eating Mom's roasted meat every day, and I'm getting tired of it. Let's have something different."

Kael looked at me. "You're not feeling well?"

I stared at his face. This was the face I had looked at for seven years—dating for two, being a mate for five.

I used to think he was the most handsome Alpha in the world, but now I suddenly noticed the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, the way his mouth always turned down at the edges, and how little warmth there was in his gaze when he looked at me.

"Yeah, I have a headache."

"Then let's have something simple." He set down the pouch and loosened his tie. "I have a pack meeting in half an hour. Call me when the food arrives."

He went into his study.

Lyra ran over and took my hand. "Mom, let's go change."

"Why?"

"That deep red dress—the most beautiful one." Lyra tugged me toward the bedroom. "The last time I saw you wear it was on my fifth birthday. After that, you never wore it again."

There really was a red dress in the wardrobe. I bought it for our marking ceremony. But Kael had said the color was too bold and didn't suit my status as an Omega.

Lyra pulled it out and shook it open.

"Put it on."

"Why do I have to wear this now?"

"Wear it for me," Lyra insisted. "Mom, you're only 29 years old, not 92."

I changed into the dress. The she-wolf in the mirror looked unfamiliar. Her waist was still slender, but her face was pale, with dark circles beneath her eyes.

Lyra climbed onto the vanity and picked up my lipstick.

"This color is pretty," she said, twisting it open and handing it to me. "Put it on."

I did as I was told.

She then opened a box of face powder, her movements too skilled for a pup. She dusted my face lightly and traced my brows, her touch gentle.

"You'll be beautiful later," she said. "A hundred times more beautiful than you are now. Many Alphas will pursue you—strong warriors and wise Betas alike. An Alpha who ruled an entire forest adored you and courted you for three years, but you never said yes."

I looked at Lyra. "How do you know?"

"Because I've seen it." She put down the powder puff and studied my face. "Before I came to this world, I dreamed of a version of you that didn't die. You turned down the Alpha, opened a flower shop, dressed beautifully every day, and had lots of friends.

"You even took up sailing at 50 years old and posted a photo of yourself smiling happily on social media."

She jumped off the vanity and pulled my hand toward the door.

"Every time I saw that version of you, I cried," Lyra said. "Because I knew that she-wolf wasn't my mom. My mom died at 29 years old, and her last words were 'Remember to drink the soup on the stove.'"

She pushed the door open.

Kael was just coming out of the study and froze when he saw me.

His mouth fell open. "W-Why are you dressed like that?"

Lyra cut in before I could answer. "Mom's taking me out for dinner. Dad, you can have something simple by yourself. We're going to the best restaurant in the territory."

With that, she tugged me toward the door.

Kael called out from behind with the commanding tone of an Alpha, "Elara Byrd!"

But I didn't look back.

Standing on her toes, Lyra pushed the door open and nudged me outside. Then, she slipped out herself and closed the door behind her with a backward motion.

The night wind rushed in, lifting her hair.

Lyra stepped under the moonlight, catching her breath and looking at me with a smile.

"Mom, from today on, I'll take care of you," she said.

Looking into her shining eyes, I suddenly felt that maybe I really had died once.

And now, I was alive again.