Chapter 2

When the Past opens its doors

Lyra's POV

It’s been five years since I turned my back on my pack—or should I say, since they turned their back on me. My Alpha knew Kael and I were mates. Heck, everyone knew we would be mates even before it was confirmed.

No one had ever forcefully separated fated mates before then. But they did.

I reached up and held my long-cherished necklace, taking a deep breath. It’s the one thing I can’t seem to get rid of. I’ve tried my best to forget about my pack, to put everything behind me, but it always feels impossible. A few things still tie me to the Blue Moon Pack: my parents… that night… and the life that came from it.

Now I know that there were only a handful of people who accepted the fact that I was wolfless—and being wolfless meant being weak. My parents… and Kael.

Or so I thought.

He tried to explain the situation surrounding his engagement, but not when I needed him to. He waited three days. He only tried the night before his wedding to Christine. Probably because he heard I was leaving town the next day.

“I’m so sorry, Lyra,” he had said with deep regret in his eyes.

But it didn’t reach me. It was all a lie. No one was forcing him to do anything. He was choosing this—choosing to discard me. Kael was intelligent, cunning. He must have thought this through before choosing betrayal.

He’ll always be a coward for going about it that way.

“You don’t understand,” he had continued when I said nothing. “This is the only thing I can do.”

“You fucked me the day before you got engaged to another woman, and this is the excuse you give me?”

“Try harder, Kael. At least attempt to lie to me better. Don’t do this and take me for a fool.”

“There are other options—I can think of a few without even trying. We could leave. Run away together. You’re not the next Alpha anyway, you have no responsibility tying you here. You could walk away, and no one would care.”

“But that’s the point, Lyra—I can’t leave. And the last thing anyone wants is for me to be with a mate who has no wolf. You would only take from me. What would I gain from you? Nothing.”

I saw the regret flash across his face the moment the words left his lips.

“Are you serious? That’s how you think of me?”

“That’s not what I meant—shit, Lyra…” He stepped forward to grab my hand, but I stepped back. No. He doesn’t get to touch me. Not now. I need to think clearly.

I can’t trust myself when it comes to him. Not his voice, not his face, not his hands on my body.

“Yes, Lyra! Don’t you see how everyone stays away from you?”

I heard another voice behind me. Christine.

“You brought her here?” I asked Kael, disbelief laced with disappointment.

“Of course not. But whatever she does is her business. I can’t tell her what to do.”

“You can start by telling your wife-to-be to get the fuck off my father’s property.”

Disappointment creeps in like poison with every word that leaves his mouth. He’s not on my side anymore. He’s on hers.

“Goodbye, Kael.” I turned to leave.

His hand caught my wrist.

“Wait, Lyra. We’re not done talking.”

“She leaves, or I do.”

I knew Christine had been waiting for this moment—the chance to show me I no longer had Kael’s protection. The power had shifted to her.

“They’re scared they’ll be as unfortunate as you,” she sneered. “Don’t you feel a little ashamed? You’re wolfless and you want him to sacrifice his future for you? I think I need to investigate your birth. You must be part Omega. Maybe your mother slept with one and gave your father a bastard child.”

I looked to Kael, expecting him to stop her—to put her in her place.

But he looked away.

He let her talk to me like that. He didn’t say a word.

“I don’t think I can ever trust you,” I breathed. “I hope you regret this moment for the rest of your life, you son of a bitch.”

I left early the next morning with the help of my mum. My dad had to be at the Alpha’s mansion before the wedding began, but he made sure to kiss me goodbye before he left. Who knew when we’d see each other again?

Five years later, I stared down at the envelope in front of me—one with the Alpha’s seal. And all at once, the betrayal I’d buried clawed its way back to the surface.

“Lyra, are you there? Hello?”

My mum’s voice crackled through the phone.

I’ve made sure to keep in touch regularly, so she doesn’t feel lonely or abandoned by her only child. It’s helped us grow even closer.

“The letter arrived, Mama,” I said, dread sinking into my voice.

She’d warned me this might happen. Even though I told her I didn’t care to know anything about the pack, she agreed not to push—only because I said it would help me heal.

“It has the Alpha’s seal,” I announced.

“It makes sense that the Alpha would summon you. He’s somewhat new. Maybe he hopes to apologize.”

“Why would Kael’s brother summon me?”

I wasn’t sure, but I doubted it was for an apology.

“Dear, it’s time you come back to the pack. Just for a few days. I want to see you too. Even though your father won’t say it, he wants to see you.”

I sighed at the yearning in her voice.

“Oh, Mama… it’s going to be awkward. I don’t think I can do this yet.”

“I’ve always told you to face your fears, Àmi. I don’t blame you for never coming home during holidays or for putting distance between yourself and the Blue Moon Pack. But this is an opportunity. Things aren’t the same as you left them.”

“No. I don’t want to know. I’ve decided—I’m not coming. I’ll buy you and Father tickets to California. I miss you guys too. But I’m not ready to show up there at the new Alpha’s request.”

“Your father’s health is deteriorating.”

Her words stopped me cold.

“What?” Panic clawed at my chest. “Why haven’t you told me?”

“I didn’t want to pressure you. Your father said not to bother you. But I think this is when you should come back. Let him see your face.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I’ve let my decisions hurt both of you. I’ve been selfish.”

Stanford University did its part in keeping me busy throughout my arts degree. I was free to spend a little over a month at home before starting my three-month internship. It gave me enough time before plunging into applications again. My art professor said it was okay.

I booked the earliest ticket I could and headed home.

I took a taxi straight to Blue Moon Pack. Jet-lagged, yes, but that wasn’t my biggest concern. My biggest concern was seeing Kael again… with his new wife, and possibly a child or two.

My legs twitched as I stepped closer.

No—it wasn’t from the heels I was wearing. It was from a pair of eyes I could feel watching me from the woods. A pair I knew all too well.

Even though I knew Kael would be here…

I hadn’t been expecting to see him yet.

He wouldn’t waste time welcoming me. And at that thought, the eyes disappeared.

“Of course, Lyra. What were you expecting? A lustful reunion?”

I backed up, shaking my head. Silly me.

The letter said to report to the Alpha’s mansion upon arrival.

“Lyra! Nice of you to accept your Alpha’s invitation.”

Christine’s voice greeted me as the guards carried my bags toward the room I’d be staying in for the next few days before visiting my parents.

“Left to me, I’d have liked you dragged here by the neck, but well… you came peacefully. That’s good,” she added.

“Hello, Christy,” I smirked at her sour expression.

She hated being called Christy. Said it made her sound like a sad child. No real change in her appearance—still beautiful, still pretending to be innocent on the outside, while rotting with poison on the inside.

“Take me to your Alpha. Let’s get this over with.”

I knew it wasn’t her place to escort me. I also knew the way.

But it felt so good to command her like that.

Oh, the shock on her face? Glorious.

The guards escorted me toward the Alpha’s hall.

Suddenly, I felt a renewal of strength.

None of these people would get to me anymore.

My knees weakened slightly as I stepped into the multipurpose hall.

Kael stood at the far end, staring down at me.

His once-gorgeous blue eyes now glowed fully gold.

He smiled, revealing those perfect white teeth.

Contempt rose in my throat like acid.

What the hell was this?

I was expecting a formal meeting. A room filled with people.

The letter said I needed to arrive today for an exchange meeting.

“Alpha Kael, your guest has arrived,” a guard announced behind me.

Wait.

Alpha Kael?

What the fuck?

Kael Bluebird is the new Alpha of Blue Moon Pack?