Mag-log inI had paced the length of my office so many times that morning that the soles of my shoes had begun to irritate me, yet sitting still felt impossible. Every time I stopped, I remembered Zaren's face in the council chamber, the cold authority in his voice, and the way he had humiliated me in front of the elders as though I were some worthless Alpha begging for scraps.
The bastard had dismantled my marriage alliance, questioned my authority, and allowed his father
Lyra's PovI returned to my bedroom and shut the door harder than I intended.The broken savings box was still sitting on my bed. I picked it up, stared at the damaged lock, and felt another wave of anger roll through me.Five hundred bills.It might not have been a fortune to someone like Kael, but it represented years of small sacrifices. It was the money I had saved instead of buying new shoes when my old ones wore out. It was the money I had kept aside when the pack celebrated festivals and everyone else spent freely. It was the money I had planned to use when I finally had the courage to leave.Someone had taken even that from me.I tossed the broken box aside and returned to packing.There was no point waiting for anyone to change their mind. I could walk if I had to. The settlement where my grandmother lived was
Lyra's Pov I slowly straightened, staring at the broken box in my hands. My heartbeat began to quicken, and a hot wave of anger climbed from my stomach into my chest.Someone had entered my room.Someone had broken into my savings.And whoever had done it knew exactly where I kept my money.I dropped the box onto the bed."Who touched my savings?"My voice came out louder than I expected.I looked toward the open bedroom door, then stepped into the hallway."Who touched my savings box?"A servant carrying folded linens stopped near the staircase. She looked at me, then quickly lowered her eyes."Miss Lyra, is something wrong?""Someone broke into my room and stole my money. Did you see anyone enter?"The maid shook her head. "I wasn't on this floor earlier."I looked down the corridor. Two guards were standing near the far end, speaking quietly. Neither seemed particularly interested in what was happening.I could feel Ash pacing inside me.Someone has taken what belongs to us….find
Lyra's POVThe first thing I heard that morning was the sound of someone opening my bedroom door.I hadn't slept properly. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Zaren standing in front of me, remembering the way he had looked when I told him I wanted nothing more to do with him. Then I would remember his lies, the way he had allowed me to believe he was an ordinary hunter while hiding the fact that he was the most powerful Alpha in the kingdom.I turned toward the wall and pulled the blanket over my shoulder.Whoever had entered could leave. I wasn't interested in another argument, another lecture, or another person telling me what I was supposed to do with my life.Unfortunately, the person who entered had no intention of leaving."Still sleeping?" Selene's voice carried a mocking sweetness. "I suppose being protected by the Alpha King has made you comfortable.
Zaren's Pov The drive back to Silver Crest was quiet.I expected to find the mansion quiet.It was already late, and I had intended to speak with my father the following morning at his residence. I wanted to confront him privately before Ezra could twist the situation any further.But as soon as the vehicle stopped in front of the main entrance, I noticed several unfamiliar cars parked along the driveway.My father's royal crest was displayed on the doors.I frowned.Cade looked through the windshield. "It appears your father has already arrived."I stepped out before the driver could open my door.The mansion was brightly lit, but the atmosphere inside was anything but welcoming. Two royal guards stood near the entrance, their ceremonial armor polished and their hands resting on their weapons. They bowed when they saw me, then exchanged a brief glance as I walked past.I recognized the voices coming from the main sitting room.My father.Ezra…and my other brothers.So much for a pri
Zaren's POVThe glass shattered against the fireplace.I barely noticed.Whiskey dripped down my fingers, but I kept staring at the empty bottle on the table, wondering how something that had started with a simple desire to protect my mate had turned into a disaster I could no longer control.Lyra was back at Ashbourne.With Kael.With the parents who had allowed her to rot in Ironmoor while their precious daughter enjoyed the life that should have belonged to her.I dragged a hand over my face and paced across the living room. My wolf was restless, moving beneath my skin, its claws scraping against the inside of my mind. The mate bond had become an uncomfortable ache, stretching between us with every passing minute she remained away from me.She was angry. Hurt. And she believed I had deceived her.I couldn't even blame her.I had hidden my identity because I wanted to know what it felt like to be loved without the weight of my title. I wanted her to see Zaren, not the Alpha King, th
Lyra's POVKael took a step toward me, but Cade immediately moved into his path, placing himself between us.My brother stopped, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the Beta. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was thick enough to make the wolves seated around the dining table shift uneasily in their chairs.Kael finally scoffed, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt as though Cade were nothing more than an irritating servant who had forgotten his place."I think your welcome is over," he said coldly. "You can get the fuck out of my house and let me take care of my sister."Cade didn't move. His shoulders remained squared, and his attention stayed on Kael rather than the people watching us from the table.I caught his arm before the situation could get worse."Cade, please step aside."







