Lyra's POVThe silence that followed my arrival felt heavier than anything I had endured during my year away every conversation died and every smile disappeared. The music stopped halfway through a song, leaving only the faint crackle of the fireplace in the corner of the hall. Dozens of eyes settled on me, some shocked, some curious, and some openly annoyed. It was as if I had walked into a place where I no longer belonged my gaze stayed fixed on Darius. A year ago, he had stood before the Pack Council and promised me he would wait for me. He had promised that our family would survive the separation those promises had carried me through nights when I had nothing but loneliness for company. Now he stood beside Vanessa, looking more surprised to see me than happy. The distance between us felt far greater than the year we had spent apart.Darius finally moved first he stepped away from Vanessa and moved toward me, but there was no urgency in his stride no relief or excitement. Just th
Last Updated : 2026-07-05 Read more