Chapter 5

Kael was dumbfounded.

Lyra tightened her grip on my hand.

"What did you say?" Kael asked, incredulous.

"I want to dissolve our mate bond," I replied. "We'll divide the assets of the pack house and the territory's income fairly. I want 30% of your authority within the pack to ensure a stable future for me and the pups.

"Lyra and Finn will stay with me, and you will provide pup support at the pack's highest standard."

Kael looked at me as if I were a stranger. "Elara, have you lost your mind? Do you know what pack authority means? And you want 30% of it? What would an Omega like you know about leading warriors?"

"I don't know, but the pack's ancient laws do," I retorted.

His expression grew darker.

Lyra suddenly spoke up. "Dad, if you don't agree, I'll reveal those disgusting mind-link whispers between you and Seraphina at the next full moon gathering. I know your mind-link signature is connected to the pack's communication crystal activation phrase—every werewolf will hear it."

Kael snapped his gaze toward her, his eyes murderous. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me." Lyra looked up at him without flinching. "After all, I'm only five years old. Even if I break the rules, the punishment will be light at most. Do you want to test it?"

Kael raised his hand, Alpha dominance radiating from him. I stepped forward, shielding Lyra.

"Lay a hand on her, and I'll make sure you regret it."

His hand froze mid-air.

We stood there, locked in a stalemate, as the fire in the fireplace crackled.

Finally, Kael lowered his hand and tugged at the leather cord around his neck.

"Fine, Elara, you've got guts. You're really something."

He snatched the leather pouch from the table and stormed out, the door slamming shut with a gust of wind.

The moment the door closed, my legs buckled, and I nearly collapsed.

Lyra steadied me. "Mom, are you alright?"

I looked at her. "Did you really hear those mind-link whispers?"

She blinked. "I was bluffing. My mental strength isn't that strong."

"What about what you saw at the market?"

"I did see that," Lyra replied. "But I don't have any evidence. I just said it to scare him."

I was taken aback.

Lyra pulled me down to sit on the fur rug in front of the fireplace. Then, leaning against my shoulder, she said, "Mom, to deal with an Alpha like Dad, you have to be more ruthless than him. The weaker you are, the more he'll tear you apart."

I stroked her hair, feeling a hollow ache in my chest.

"Lyra, was I really that miserable in my past life?" I asked.

Instead of answering, she only held me tighter. After a long time, she finally said, "Mom, I promise it won't be like that in this life."

The next morning, Kael still hadn't come back.

After getting up, Lyra went to the kitchen to bake some rye bread and warm the goat's milk. She even made me a fried egg sprinkled with herbs.

"Mom, breakfast's ready," she said, bringing the wooden tray to the bedside.

I looked at the fried egg on the plate. It was perfectly shaped with golden-brown edges.

"When did you learn to cook?"

"In my previous life." Lyra climbed onto the bed and sat beside me. "I learned when your wolf was weakening. After you died, I had to take care of Finn."

After she finished speaking, she took a bite of the bread, chewing slowly.

A sudden thought struck me, and I asked, "Where's Finn?"

"At the pup training grounds," she said. "It's Friday, so he won't finish until this afternoon. Mom, you should go see Elder Ulrich today, while Dad hasn't had time to react."

I sat up. "That soon?"

"Yes," she replied with a nod. "He'll definitely go to see Seraphina today to discuss things. If we wait until they get their stories together and rally the elders who support him, you'll be at a disadvantage."

She jumped off the bed and rummaged through her small leather pouch, pulling out a wooden token carved with oak leaves.

"Elder Maeve Ulrich is the most impartial elder I have known in my previous life. She specializes in adjudicating mate disputes and isn't subject to Alpha's absolute authority. Go to her and say you were guided by the Moon Goddess."

I took the wooden token. It carried a faint scent of calming herbs.

"How did you—"

"I did my research before coming back," Lyra replied with a smile. "Mom, you have a really capable daughter."

Looking at her smiling face, I felt the last bit of hesitation in my heart suddenly vanish.

"Alright, I'll go."

Elder Ulrich's dwelling wasn't located in the bustling center of the pack house but instead at the edge of the territory, nestled in the branches of a massive ancient tree.

When I pushed open the vine-woven door, she was polishing a moonstone.

She looked up as I entered, her wise eyes showing no surprise. "You've come."

"Elder Ulrich."

"Sit," she said, putting down the moonstone. "Lyra has already sent her messenger raven to me."

I paused. "When did she—"

"Just after dawn," Elder Ulrich replied with a smile. "That little pup is sharp and articulate. She already explained everything. She also said you might hesitate because of your Omega nature and asked me to help steady your resolve."

I didn't know what to say.

Elder Ulrich poured me a cup of herbal tea. "Lyra's right. These matters are better dealt with quickly."

She took out several scrolls of parchment from a wooden box. "These are the pack's asset and contribution declaration scrolls.

"Write down everything you can think of—the assets in the pack house, the territory's income, the contributions you've made to the pack over the years, and any wealth Alpha Kael has hidden privately."

My hands trembled slightly as I looked at the ancient runes.

"I-I don't know how much he has hidden."

"We can find out. As long as you know where he keeps his wealth."

"I know." Lyra's voice suddenly came from the doorway.