Chapter 5

It had been a week, and Ryder still hadn't returned.

News from within the pack reached me every day. Ryder and Isabelle moved as one, circling the territory and accepting each family's blessing, like a true pair.

And me? I wasn't even fit to stand in their shadow.

I scrubbed the place I once called home. Bit by bit, the marks I'd left were being wiped away. No corner of the room held my scent anymore. It was as if I'd never lived here at all.

That afternoon, I visited Elena, the elder who had looked after me since I was a pup. She was a well-respected healer in our pack, and she was Ryder's mother.

She was startled when she saw me. "You've lost so much weight, Lyra."

I took the seat across from her and managed a smile. "I'm leaving. I'll be gone for a while, Elena."

Her brows drew together. "Leaving? But what about the bonding ceremony?"

I kept my tone even. "It's been called off. Ryder and I couldn't make it work."

Elena's face hardened at once. As an elder among our kind, she understood how sacred a mate bond was.

She shook her head. "That can't be right. You were fated mates, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself."

"Even the Moon Goddess' will loses to reality. Ryder chose Isabelle and the pup she's carrying."

Elena's eyes widened. "Isabelle's pregnant? B-but… you're his mate!"

I rose. "Yes. I thought so too. Turns out I was wrong."

Elena caught my hand. "Lyra, you can't just give up like this. Go to the Elder Council. They'll see justice get served."

I ran my hand over her aged fingers. "It won't help. It'll be worse if I end up cast out as a rogue. I can still leave with some dignity for now."

Elena read the resolve in my eyes and let out a long sigh. "May the Moon Goddess watch over you."

I hugged her. "Thank you."

After leaving Elena's place, I went straight to Chloe Mercer's apartment. She was my best friend, the last tie I had to this world.

When Chloe opened the door, she nearly jumped. "Lyra? Oh my God, you look awful!"

I walked into the living room and set the boxes I'd packed on the floor. "Chloe, I need you to handle these for me."

She stared at me, confused. "What are they? Wait, shouldn't you be getting ready for the bonding ceremony? Wasn't that the thing you wanted most?"

I sank onto her couch. "The ceremony's off. I'm leaving."

"What? Why? What happened?" Chloe screamed.

I drew a deep breath, deciding to tell her everything that had happened over the past month. "Ryder is having a pup with Isabelle. She's already pregnant. They conceived through artificial insemination."

Chloe shot to her feet. "No way! You're his mate! The one chosen by the Moon Goddess!"

I managed a bitter smile. "But reality makes it clear that my place as his mate counts for almost nothing."

Chloe was shaking with anger. "That bitch! Who does she think she is?"

I repeated Ryder's words in a flat voice. "Three years ago, Isabelle stepped in front of a silver dagger meant for him."

Chloe came right up to me. "That's a damn lie! Lyra, you were the one who saved him three years ago! You!"

I froze. "What?"

Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes. "Don't you remember? You took a silver dagger for Ryder three years ago. It went straight into your heart. You almost died!"

But I couldn't remember any of it. All I recalled was being wounded in the attack and spending a month in a coma at the infirmary.

When I finally woke, Ryder told me Isabelle had arrived just in time and got us out.

"Isabelle—"

Chloe broke down sobbing. "Isabelle did nothing! She got there after it was over. You're the one who saved Ryder. You traded your life for his!"

"Then why would Ryder believe—"

Chloe gripped my hand. "Because the dagger carried Silverblood. The healers said the toxin kills slowly, and there's no cure. Isabelle must've taken advantage of that."

I slumped onto the couch. My mind was in chaos.

Was the Silverblood in me from three years ago, when I saved Ryder? If so, then I was the one who saved his life, not Isabelle.

Chloe's voice caught. "So… how much time do you have left?"

I closed my eyes. "Under a month. Maybe even less."

Chloe broke down, clutching me as she sobbed. "Why? You saved his life, loved him for five years, and this is what you get?"

I patted her back. "It's alright. I'll be free soon."

Chloe pushed me away. Her eyes were blazing. "No! I'm going to tell Ryder the truth! He needs to know who saved him!"

I grabbed her hand. "Don't. It won't do any good. He's already made his choice, and so have I."

"But, Lyra…"

I held her gaze. "Chloe, promise me you won't tell anyone about my condition. Let me go quietly, please."

She met my gaze and found only resolve there. At last, tears slid down her cheeks, and she nodded.

She pulled me into a hug. Her voice was breaking. "I can't bear to lose you. What can I do to help, Lyra?"

I patted Chloe's back.

One last trace of warmth stirred in my chest. At least someone still cared enough to cry for me in this unfeeling world.