Chapter 3: The Summons

LYRA’S POV

My father turned to Callia and softened his tone. “Callia, we need to honor the Beta’s presence. This discussion will be tabled for later.”

Callia pressed her lips into a thin line but nodded. As she turned to leave, she shot me a smirk—like she was flaunting how well our father treated her.

My fists clenched. 

I wanted to wipe that smug look off her face, but my father’s firm hand on my shoulder stopped me.

“Lyra, let’s go.”

I exhaled sharply. “Fine.” I strode towards the door, but just as I reached the threshold, my father hesitated.

I turned back. My mother stood frozen, arms crossed over her chest. 

My father exhaled. “We have to honor the Beta’s presence as a family. It wouldn’t be right to go without you.”

A bitter laugh almost escaped me. Family? Now he remembers we’re supposed to be a family?

My mother wiped her tears and nodded wordlessly before walking ahead.

We entered the grand hall. The Beta of the Alpha King stood in the center. I forced a polite smile as I curtseyed. My father stepped forward, clasping the Beta’s hand.

“Beta Edmund,” my father said. “An honor to welcome you to our pack.”

“The honor is mine, Alpha Garrick,” Beta Edmund replied, nodding. His gaze shifted to my mother, then to me. “Luna Eva. Lady Lyra.”

I lifted my chin but remained silent. My mother stood stiff beside me.

Beta Edmund wasted no time. “I am here on behalf of Alpha King Valrik to deliver an important decree.” A pause. “The criteria for the Queen Luna Selection have changed.”

My father’s brows furrowed. “Oh? How so?”

“All she-wolves of Alpha bloodline with mates are now required to participate.”

I frowned. That… that didn’t make sense. The Queen Luna Selection had always been for unmated she-wolves. Why change the rules now?

Before I could think, the words left my mouth: “Why?”

Upon hearing that, my father stiffened and my mother paled. 

‘No one questions the Alpha King’s orders. Let alone ask why.’ My mother mind-linked to me. 

I swallowed hard. Beta Edmund’s gaze landed on me and I expected him to take offense but instead, he answered.

“Because the Moon Goddess’s will is not as simple as we once believed.”

I blinked.

“We’ve discovered that some she-wolves have more than one mate,” he continued. “Meaning a she-wolf with a mate could still be the Alpha King’s fated mate.”

My stomach twisted. What? That was impossible. Or at least… it had always been assumed to be.

“This revelation changes everything,” he went on. “The Alpha King has declared that all she-wolves—mated or not—must present themselves at the Queen Luna Selection.” His eyes darkened slightly. “Defiance is not an option.”

An hour ago, I would’ve fought tooth and nail to refuse. I couldn’t bear to be separated from Rowan. But suddenly, something clicked. I had a plan.

I lifted my gaze. “Only Alpha’s daughters can participate, correct?”

Beta Edmund nodded. “Yes, only those of Alpha blood.”

“And what about a she-wolf with half-Alpha blood? Could she also take part?”

A pause. Then another nod. “If she is of Alpha lineage, she must present herself.”

A slow smile curled on my lips and I saw my father’s jaw tighten. He knew exactly where I was going.

“I have a half-sister,” I said sweetly. “Callia.”

“Then Callia must join, mustn’t she?” I tilted my head toward my father. “She’s not exempt, is she?”

For a long moment, my father said nothing. Then, he turned to a guard, “Fetch Callia.”

The guard saluted and left immediately.

Callia had ripped my entire world apart. Now? Now she’d feel the pain of being separated from Rowan too. It wouldn’t compare to the agony inside me, but it was a start.

The doors opened and she and Rowan entered with their hands linked. I felt my stomach twist, but I steeled myself.

Both bowed to the Beta.

The Beta faced Callia. “You are Callia, daughter of Alpha Garrick?”

She hesitated. “…Yes.”

“Then you will be joining the Queen Luna Selection.”

Callia’s eyes widened. “What?” Her fingers tightened around Rowan’s hand. “That can’t be right! The Selection is for unmated she-wolves.”

“Is he your mate?” Beta Edmund asked, nodding to Rowan. 

“No, but I have a boyfriend. Rowan is my—”

“The Alpha King demands all she-wolves of Alpha blood participate, mated or not,” the Beta interrupted. “And in your case, even with a boyfriend.”

Callia paled. She turned sharply toward me with fury in her eyes, “This is your doing, isn’t it? You threw me in!”

“You wanted to be acknowledged as part of the Alpha bloodline, didn’t you?” I clapped mockingly. “Well, here you go—your first acknowledgement. Congratulations, Callia.”

Her fists trembled, but after a long moment, she muttered through gritted teeth, “Fine. I will join.”

The Beta nodded. “Then that will be all.”

With that, he turned and strode out.

As soon as the Beta left, Rowan turned to me with anger. 

“You,” he spat. “You evil, conniving woman! You did this on purpose!”

I let out a soft laugh. “Oh, Rowan. I’m just getting started.”

“This is why I chose Callia over you! You’re bitter, spiteful, and cruel. She’s nothing like you—she’s kind and gentle!”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Rowan’s voice rang out, sharp as a blade.

“I, Rowan of the Blue Moon Pack, reject you, Lyra, as my mate!”