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Lyra’s pov 

The ballroom shimmered with the bright lights and torches hung in gold, lined across the walls. There was laughter across the room and the scent of expensive perfume wafted across the air mixed with the mouth watering savoring scent of the delicious food passed around in exquisite trays by the Omegas. 

But I couldn’t breath. The air was also thick with something. Whispers. The type of scornful ones, that when I heard it, It felt like my neck was squeezed tightly with a vice. 

“He hasn’t taken his eyes off her all night.” 

“Who is she?” 

“Don’t you know? It’s Sable.” 

“Who’s she? What woman has the power to make Lyra’s man look so distraught and distracted.” 

I swallowed, forcing a smile as I ignored them, grabbing Cassian’s arm, just like I always did in public gatherings because I always felt safe and comforted, especially when he would wrap his arms around me. 

But he didn’t. And I felt even more a fool, standing there with my arms wrapped around his stiff one at his side while he stood, regal, commanding, broad shouldered and with a face carved to perfection, infatuated at another woman across the room. 

I could hear the other Lunas still, and they didn’t seem to care that they could be heard across the other side of the world. 

“You didn’t hear? She was his first love, they were mates, dated for a while were so in love Chelsea, I swear- I wonder why she had refused him then. What could she be doing here?” 

I turned away, but just like she could read my thoughts, my best friend Mira grabbed a glass of wine to which she held out for me. 

Unlike the others who had sympathetic and mocking expression, hers was twisted into disgust as she stared at Cassian like she wanted to burn a hole right through his head. 

My fingers tightened around the glass until I felt it crack just as I took a long gulp. I blinked quickly, feeling tears already cloud my eyes. 

“I want to leave.” I whispered, fearing to turn, aware he was already heading in her direction. 

Everyone seem be to be doing their own thing at the soiree, but it was obvious they were watching. Nothing could go amiss in a room filled with werewolves.

Definitely not when it involves an Alpha. 

“No.” Mira grabbed the wine, set it down and made me face Sable again, and there they were, chatting with gleam in their eyes like they’ve known each other their whole lives. “You are not going to let that bitch wedge her way between you two. You should be by your husband’s side. Now.” 

Dread formed a knot in my stomach. Only, they have known each other their whole lives. But I was his Luna. Before he even remembered she existed today, he had chosen me. 

Before I could protest, Mira made me go after them. 

Sable. 

Golden hair that still sat so perfect around her children even in highschool days, perfect curves, and that smile, seemed innocent, sweet, but it knew exactly what it was doing. Cassian didn’t even try to hide it. The way he leaned in when she whispered something amongst the rowdy music and dancing in the background, the way they locked eyes for seconds. 

I felt invisible even as I approached them, my own heart gnawing on itself. 

My heels clicked against the marble, but he must not have heard me approach them because he didn’t even look my way. 

“Sable, hi,” I forced another smile the moment her eyes fell on me. “What a surprise, you’re here!” 

She laughed and I silently gritted my teeth. Cassian put his arms around me and I should have felt some sort of comfort that he hadn't completely erased me from his mind tonight but I was so much consumed by rage. 

“It’s been so long, Lyra. I couldn’t recognize you, you’re so beautiful now.” 

I cringed at the underlying brawl in her words, but I didn’t let the smile slip, not when I could feel the gazes burning into us at all sides. Instead I reached up and held onto Cassian’s arms fondly. 

“She only returned from abroad last week and decided to make a grand entrance today. Typical Sable.” Cassian added, I looked to him but his eyes were on her. 

She smirked, a hue to her cheeks. “Oh, please stop, Cassian…” she obviously senses the shift in the air and almost choked on her drink as she apologized.  “Apologies Luna Lyra, I shouldn’t have called him so fondly- I still forget him and I aren’t together anymore. Ah yes, and congratulations on you two, I missed your ceremony.” 

“It was three years ago.” 

“I see, well I’m really happy for you,” she folded her arms, her smile taunting as we locked eyes. “Who would have thought.” 

A brow raised. “Thought what? That the Alpha could have chosen someone like me and not you?” 

“Come on darling. You know that’s not what she meant.” Cassian leaned in to whisper, but he chuckled, clearly finding Sable’s words amusing. 

“Well, If you know her like you claim then you’d know she meant every bit of it. I’m tired. Let’s retire to the guest rooms.” 

I pulled away from our embrace, hoping he’d come after me, but he just stood there, clearly reluctant to leave. 

My heart pounded as blood flowed fast and hot in my veins seeing them both together, looking so perfect and every inch the couple they were meant to be while I stood with my back to the ballroom, shoulders squared, jaw tightened. 

“Cassian- “ 

“You can go ahead darling. I promise I’ll join you soon. It’s barely midnight, are you sure you don’t want to stay a bit longer. We have so much to catch up on.” 

Tears burned the back of my eyes. 

“I’ll wait for you then. Don’t stay out too long, darling.” With that, I forced a smile at Sable who sipped her drink, mirth in her gaze just before I turned and walked away. 

Around us, they stared even more. They whispered, and pity glimmered in their eyes. I hated it. I hated it so much. 

Mira tried to follow me, but as I rushed past her, I sighed. 

“Don’t.” 

On my bed, alone and away from my sparkling dress and tight corset, only wrapped in a silk night gown and buried under the sheets, the tears rolled down my cheeks onto the pillows. 

By each second, each minute, each hour I remained alone, my chest tightened more and more till my tears turned to heart breaking sobs. What was she doing here? She was back all of a sudden but why? She knew she and Cassian had history. They were literally fated Mates for fuck sake, what did she think would happen when she reappeared in his life again. Of course she knew. 

She had rejected him, didn’t want to be shackled with the roles of a Luna, wanted to live a free life. So why was she here? 

I felt so hollow. 

It was already in the early hours of the morning when I was awoken from sleep by the door opening. I lay there, still, feeling my heart reopen and bleed again like a fresh wound. 

I had spent the night alone. Whereas… 

The mate bond pulsed like fire licking open wounds, it aches so much silent tears rolled down my cheeks and my hands squeezed into fist. 

I could smell her on him. 

I didn’t turn, only listened as he undressed in the dark before he lay beside me. His hands naturally curled around me as he pulled me close. 

He kissed the mate mark throbbing on my neck and pulled me in close. With gritted teeth, I lay still, almost trembling from rage and disgust.