Sent to the Red Mountain

ALYRA

Tears blurred my vision as I stared at Liam. The man I once believed would give me the world now looked like a stranger. His eyes were hollow, his jaw clenched, with no trace of the warmth I used to know.

How could he change so completely? How could love turn this cruel?

Meira, my wolf, snarled inside me, her fury pressing against the walls of my chest.

‘He betrayed us, Alyra. Let me out.’

I swallowed hard, forcing her back. No… not now. If we lose control, they’ll think we’ve gone mad.

My mind drifted back…

TEN FULL MOONS AGO

The packhouse was alive with celebration. Our warriors had returned safely from war; the air was thick with the smell of roasted meat and the sound of laughter. But my joy had nothing to do with victory.

It was because of Liam. My mate. My soon-to-be Alpha.

In a few days, he would complete his Alpha training, and I would finally become his Luna. I could still remember how light I felt that morning, humming to myself as I prepared a small meal.

I wanted to look perfect for his induction ceremony, so I made a light salad, nothing heavy. I was smiling, foolishly happy, when the door creaked open behind me.

Alessia.

My stepsister.

Even in the morning light, she was flawless: raven curls cascading over her shoulders, lips painted red, every feature perfectly touched with makeup. She looked like she was going to a gala, not standing in the kitchen.

We had lived under the same roof for nineteen years, but affection was something foreign between us. The only words she’d ever given me were sharp, cold, or meant to wound. So when she spoke softly, I froze.

“Hey,” she said. Her voice sounded forced, almost rehearsed.

“Hey…” I answered, cautious.

“The Alpha seeks you,” she said, her gaze flicking over me. “He’s waiting in his chambers.”

I frowned. “Liam?”

She nodded, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. There was something hidden beneath the surface: a glint of satisfaction or maybe hate. She’d grown colder ever since the pack found out I was meant to be Luna. Maybe she thought the title should have been hers.

Still, I didn’t question it. Why would I? Liam loved me. He was my mate. I trusted him completely.

I cleaned my hands, smoothed my dress, and made my way to his chambers. I remember my heart racing, thinking maybe he wanted to surprise me with something romantic, maybe he wanted to discuss the ceremony.

But the moment I turned the knob and stepped inside, the world stopped breathing.

The air was thick.

Liam sat on the edge of his bed, hands trembling, his face pale as death. And on the floor, a woman lay still, blood pooling beneath her head.

I couldn’t move. My voice cracked when I finally spoke. “Liam… wha—what happened?”

He looked up, eyes wild with panic. “Alyra… I didn’t mean to—” His words came out in gasps. “She brought me the wrong drink. I told her I was allergic. She wouldn’t listen. I panicked… I pushed her… I didn’t know it would—”

I stumbled forward, my legs weak. “Oh, Moon Goddess…” My gaze fell on the woman’s body. She was a wolf. How could she have died from just a push? Her face was turned away. I couldn’t recognize her. My heart pounded against my ribs so loudly I could barely hear him anymore.

He was shaking, tears streaking down his face. “If the council finds out, they’ll strip me of my title. I’ll never be Alpha. I’ll lose everything.”

I knelt beside him, my breath uneven.

I loved him too much to see him fall. My hand found his, trembling as I whispered, “Then let them find me instead.”

His eyes widened. “What? No—Alyra, you can’t—”

“Listen to me,” I said, my voice breaking but steady. “You’ll tell them I acted alone. That you had nothing to do with it. When you become Alpha, you’ll free me and tell the truth. You’ll fix everything.”

He stared at me for what felt like an eternity. Then he nodded slowly, gripping my hands. “I promise.”

And just like that, I sealed my own fate.

I believed him completely, foolishly, and blindly. I didn’t even know who the woman was at first, not until later when they told me she was my sister.

***********

Now, standing before the council ten moons later, my heart felt like a dying flame.

“Bring her out,” the councilwoman commanded. Her tone was flat, her face carved in stone.

I looked around, confusion etched on my face. What was she talking about?

A loud creak echoed from the shadows, the sound of a heavy door opening. I turned toward it, and my world shattered all over again.

“Mother?”

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Did my mother really have a twin I didn’t know about?

The word fell from my lips as a whisper, but the moment her frail body stepped into the light, my knees almost gave way. Her once-radiant green eyes were dull, her skin pale, and her lips trembling as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

Tears burned my cheeks. I tried to run to her, but two guards yanked me back.

“A…Alyra…” she tried to speak, her voice faint and trembling. Her eyes held a sorrowful look, one that told me she wasn’t proud of me.

“You told me she was dead!” I screamed at my father.

Elder Carlos stepped forward, pity softening his stern face. “She was ill, Alyra. A rare disease. It was contagious. We had to isolate her. But she’s nearly healed now.”

My chest rose and fell rapidly. “Then why bring her here?”

His next words made the air leave my lungs. “She’s the key to our revenge. The price we will offer you. Alpha Viktor must pay for what he’s done to this pack. You will go and seek revenge.”

“And if I don’t make it?” My voice trembled.

Silence was the only answer I got, but deep down, I already knew what it meant.

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. Revenge? My mother as the price? My mother?!

My heart twisted painfully.

“You expect me to serve as your pawn?” I whispered.

Carlos didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. The silence was enough.

From the corner of my eye, I caught movement—Alessia. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile as she slipped her arm around Liam’s.

The sight made my blood run cold.

It all made sense now. Her morning visit. Her forced smile. Her perfectly timed message.

She knew; she had planned it. But why would she want to kill her own sister?

The question burned in my chest, but the answer didn’t matter anymore. Not now. Not when everything I loved had been taken from me.

My body stilled. I lifted my gaze slowly, meeting Alessia’s mocking stare and Liam’s guilt-ridden eyes.

And that ignited a fire in me.