CHAPTER 2

Lyra's POV

The rain had stopped by the time I walked out of the hospital. The night air felt cold against my skin, but I barely noticed it.

My hand rested on my stomach the entire time as I slowly walked to my car.

Twins. I was carrying twins.

I sat behind the steering wheel without starting the engine. My eyes stayed on the ultrasound picture the doctor had given me.

Two tiny lives. Two tiny heartbeats.

A small smile appeared on my face before tears blurred my vision again.

"They're really here," I whispered.

Kaelen and I have been trying for a child since we got married but for three years, there was nothing.

"When exactly did it happen?" I asked myself until I remembered it was exactly two months ago. The last time Kaelen and I made love before Selene's sudden miraculous appearance.

I placed my hands on my stomach again and for the first time in years, I didn't feel completely alone.

I reached for my phone and opened Kaelen's contact. My thumb hovered over the call button.

He deserved to know. Didn't he? After all, he was their father.

I took a deep breath and pressed the button but before the call could go through, another thought entered my mind.

I remembered our anniversary dinner. The untouched table and the cake I had thrown away. The way he had walked out with Selene without even looking back.

Then I remembered his last words before I left.

"You know we can't just end this marriage." Not... "Please don't leave or even I love you."

He never fought for me. He never even chose me. Slowly, I ended the call before it connected.

I closed my eyes as another painful memory surfaced.

Just last week, I had overheard two pack members talking outside the company building.

"Selene is finally back." One said.

"They're perfect together." The other replied.

"I heard the Alpha is only waiting for the divorce." The first one continued.

"I always knew Luna Lyra wouldn't last." He second one added and they both laughed.

Their laughter still echoed inside my head. I looked down at the ultrasound again.

"My babies..." My voice trembled. "You will never grow up in a place where people only tolerate you because of your father."

Tears rolled down my cheek.

"You deserve to be loved." I gently folded the ultrasound and placed it inside my bag. "I'll be enough for both of you."

That night, I switched off my phone and I never turned it on again.

...

The following morning, I left Black Ridge City.

I didn't tell anyone where I was going. Not even my family because I didn't even have a family. My parents died when I was young and my uncle and aunty were almost none existent in my life. Let's just say it's safe to say that I was practically abandoned and sold to Kaelen by them.

The farther my car drove from the Black Ridge Pack, the lighter my heart became.

My heart still hurt. The pain probably will always be there but every mile I took felt like another step toward a better life for my children.

...

The first year was the hardest.

I rented a tiny apartment in Moonhaven City, where nobody knew my name.

Money disappeared quickly and morning sickness sometimes made it difficult to work.

Some nights I cried from exhaustion and some mornings I wanted to give up but every time I placed my hands on my growing stomach, I found another reason to keep going.

"You two are worth everything," I would whisper.

Months later, I gave birth to a beautiful little girl and a healthy little boy. I named my daughter Aria and my son Aiden.

The moment they wrapped their tiny fingers around mine, every sacrifice became worth it but life was never easy.

During the day, I worked as a freelance business consultant and at night, I stayed awake with crying babies.

When they slept, I studied finance, investments and business management. I took online classes and attended free seminars.

I accepted every small job I could find and little by little, people began to notice my work.

My ideas helped struggling businesses grow and soon, one client became three and three became ten. Then companies from other packs started contacting me.

Five years passed faster than I expected.

The small consulting business I started from my apartment became Silver Crescent Holdings, one of the fastest-growing investment companies in the eastern territories.

People no longer knew me as the abandoned Luna. They now called me the President Lyra.

A businesswoman, an investor and a leader. Someone who built her own future without depending on anyone and most importantly, I became the mother Aria and Aiden deserved.

...

Meanwhile, at Black Ridge Pack. Kaelen stood inside the floor-to-ceiling office overlooking the city below.

His Beta, Rowan, placed another file on the desk.

"The elders are asking about the divorce again." Rowan said.

"Later." Kaelen answered without looking up.

"It's been five years." Rowan reminded him.

"I know." He replied.

"They're also asking about Luna Selene." Everywhere became silent and Rowan carefully continued. "The pack believes you'll announce your marriage soon."

"There won't be any announcement." Kaelen said, finally closing the file he was reading.

"Why?" Rowan frowned.

"I haven't signed the divorce papers." Kaelen looked out the window as he answered.

"The papers Lady Lyra sent four years ago are still in your drawer."

"I know where they are."

"Then why haven't you signed them?" Rowan asked.

Kaelen didn't answer. Even he couldn't explain it but every time he picked up the papers, something inside him refused to let his pen touch the page.

He told himself it was because of politics. Because the elders preferred stability and another marriage would create problems.

But deep down... He knew those were excuses.

That evening, Selene entered his office carrying two cups of coffee.

"I thought you might need a break." She said placing one cup beside him.

"Thank you." Kaelen nodded.

She smiled before sitting across from him. "I spoke to the wedding planner today."

"The what?" He looked up and she laughed softly.

"Everyone already assumes we're getting married." She reached for his hand. "So... maybe it's time."

Kaelen quietly pulled his hand away. "We'll talk about it another day."

Her smile faded. "You've been saying that for years."

He remained silent as she studied him carefully.

"Is this because of Lyra?" Selene asked.

His expression didn't change.

"It has nothing to do with her." He answered but even he was no longer sure.

...

At Moonhaven City, Lyra walked into her office with Aria and Aiden beside her. Both children wore matching school uniforms.

"Mom!" Aiden shouted happily. "We're taller now."

"I noticed," Lyra said with a laugh.

"You say that every morning," Aria teased her brother.

Before either child could continue arguing, Lyra's assistant hurried into the office.

"Miss Lyra, this arrived from the Inter-Pack Alliance." She handed over a sealed envelope.

Lyra opened it carefully and her smile slowly disappeared. It was an official invitation.

The Black Ridge Pack, together with several neighboring packs, was opening bids for the largest investment project in the region.

The winning company would oversee billions in development funds.

The final presentation would take place...

In Black Ridge City.

Her hometown. The place she had promised herself never to return.

Aiden looked up at her. "Mom... what's wrong?"

Lyra folded the letter and forced a smile.

"Nothing."