Chapter 15
In the second year of my union with Damon Ashford, I found out that there was another wolf that got all of his love and vows. Something I have always begged for in every way since the Alpha had joined us when we were still pups.
“You are my fated mate, no other shewolf can be as stunning as you Lyria” He would have said.
But there was another wolf all along. And this other woman was none other than my sister, Lilith
If it had been another wolf, I would have snapped her into two with this anger. I would have made her regret why she belongs to pack. But it was Lilith, I dare not touch her.
this
Although neither of us were born into this pack, the Alpha and Luna took us in when we were pups. Yet, it was always clear who they favored Lilith. Always Lilith.
The she–wolf with the angelic face and the sly tongue that could convince anyone to dance to her tune. I was the shadow trailing behind her light–a dutiful wolf who could never match her allure.3
While I suffered in the pack’s healer’s den, nursing wounds from rogue attacks that nearly cost me my life, Damon abandoned me to be with her!
My heart had already endured countless scars, but this cut the deepest. The mate bond tethered me to him, a bloody reminder of what was never love but was now tomment}
The betrayal wasn’t just an affair. It was a full–scale mockery of my already pitiful existence. I learned Damon Intended to make Lilith his Luna–discarding me, his fated mate, like I was nothing more than a servant. He was just using me to save face.
But not anymore. No longer will I stay in a pack I am not respected. No longer will I devote loyalty to the love that is not my own.
That night. I made my decision.
If I couldn’t escape the bond, I would escape this life.
The moon shone high as I met with Jareth, the rogue merchant who operated in the shadowlands near the pack’s borders. He was rumoured to be untrustworthy and capable of dangerous things. But that’s what I intend to do now. Dangerous silent moves that would shake the foundation of this territory &
“Let me see this one” I demanded with my veil on
“This is no ordinary retreat,” he said, his voice low and enticing. This is a ship of the wild rivers, hidden in the uncharted territories. Fully stocked with provisions and enchanted to evade detection. Once you set sail, no wolf–Alpha, Beta, or rogue–will be able to find you. “2
I stared at the map he spread before me, tracing the rivers that would carry me far away from this wretched pack
“Will it take me to a place where I can leave all of this behind?” I asked, my voice sharp and cold.!
Jareth’s grin widened. “You’ll vanish completely. No one will know where you’ve gone.”
“Then it’s settled,” I said, cutting him off before he could continue. I’ll take it.”
“My lady.the outside world is dangerous” He began again.
“Anyone that wants to go on a journey of no return should have a companion so they won’t die of loneliness before reaching the far away lands. Are you certain you wish to–“%
“Yes. Prepare this immediately. Do your job. I will go alone!” I replied, my eyes still on the map.
“But my….” He protested. I turned my back. He proceeded again and said “You will need it..”
“I said no one,” I snapped, silencing him.
His head dropped further. “As you wish.“%
He handed me a seal, a token of the agreement. “It’ll be ready in five days. But you’ll need to prepare for the journey. Once you leave, there’s no coming back.”%
“I don’t intend to.” My voice held no hesitation as I turned and walked away!
The moment I stepped into the shadows, my mind was set. I would leave it all behind–the lies, the betrayal, the suffocating chains of the pack.E
The following evening, Damon approached me during the pack’s evening feast. His voice was soft, calculated, as if he still thought i was the naive wolf who’d once loved him.X
I was blinded by love then but now I could see how bad he was at pretending.
“Lyna, don’t forget,” he said, his eyes glinting under the torchlight. “Tonight is the full moon gathering. We must present ourselves before the Alpha”
His words made my stomach twist in disgust. Who was he deceiving again? This Lyra? This new me? This ungrateful wolf had spent the past moon phases sneaking off to meet Lilith, whispering sweet lies into her ear while I waited like a fool that I was.X
I didn’t bother looking at him. “I know,” I replied, my voice flat and emotionless.
“Lyria are you fine? I want us to go there together ”
I rolled my eyes in my head, holy pretender
“Lyria?” He called again. His voice softer
I clenched my jaw, suppressing the urge to growl. “No need,” I replied curtly. “I’ll find my way there.”
He frowned but said nothing more, leaving me to prepare for the gathering alone.
The clearing buzzed with the energy of the pack. Wolves in their human forms clustered around the bonfire, laughter and conversation filling the air.
I arrived late as expected, and as always, all eyes were on me. Just that this time, I do not care what they have to say.!!
“Lyria, do you have no respect for the pack?” Lilith’s voice rang out, sweet and venomous. She stepped forward, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
“You’ve kept us all waiting. Is it so difficult to understand the importance of punctuality? Or perhaps you think yourself above the pack’s traditions?”
“See a wolf that was rescued, now thinking she is above authority.”
“That’s why Lilith is the best. She’s always there managing the affairs of this pack after the Alpha and Luna“X
“A disgrace”
The murmurs around me grew louder. The Alpha and Luna, sitting at the head of the gathering, made no move to stop her. Their disapproving gazes pierced through me, as if I were nothing more than an unwelcome intruder
Soon I would bless them with my disappearance and they could keep their sly words to themselves.
“Lynia….this should be the last time everyone has to wait for you” Lilith’s voice came again.!
I forced myself to remain calm, though my claws itched to rip the smug expression off her face. “I see no reason to rush to a gathering where the rules only seem to apply to me,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger building within me.
There were gasps but it quickly vanished when Lilith’s voice carne again “Perhaps if you spent less time sulking in the shadows and more time contributing to the pack, you’d be treated with more respect.”
My gaze flicked to Damon, who stood silently by her side. He didn’t defend me, didn’t even look in my direction. Well, I didn’t need his support. Not that he ever did.
I clenched my fists. “Respect is earned, not given to those who betray their packmates.”
The air grew thick with tension. The Alpha finally rose, his booming voice silencing the murmurs.
“That’s enough.” His eyes bore into mine, cold and unforgiving “Lyria, you will remember your place. You are not the daughter of this pack, merely a wolf we took pity on. Show gratitude or leave.”
His words hit me like a physical blow yet it felt soft, I was already mentally disconnected from them.8
“You have your favourite, Father. The words rolled out of my lips before I could stop it. But I wasn’t wrong, the Alpha and Luna have their favourite and it would never be me in this or next world.
“Take a position next to your mate immediately!” The Alpha commanded.
“Yes father” I gritted my teeth.E
