Chapter 43
Because of the last rite before I became fully his, the Alpha and Luna had ordered me to spend nights in his chambers. As if we were not mated already. It was Lilith’s idea, so as to not look guilty for putting on my gown and to prove she wanted the best for me as her sister
I didn’t argue, I was done doing all of that. I have connected with Jareth and everything will be ready a day to the mating ceremony.
“These place should be tidied“}
I heard Damon return to the den, the faint scuff of his boots against the stone floor echoing through the space. I didn’t bother looking up. Instead, I stayed on my side of the bed, my back to him, pretending to sleep. His scent–once intoxicating–now made me want to rip him off.
The bond between us was still there, the lies I once believed still posed as the truth, a connection forged by the Alpha and Luna. The connection was still there, though faint, a part of me that I would burn completely believed he didn’t know what he was doing!!
But his betrayal had killed the part of me that once cared.
“My moon lily…” He said walking in. I knew that word wasn’t meant for me, because even the syllable sounded like Lilith’s name. I closed my eyes but Lilith’s innocent face made me open my eyes back
“Lyria. you must have been tired“}
He sighed, heavy and deliberate, as though trying to draw a reaction from me. When none came, he muttered something under his breath and moved toward the hearth. I heard him toss his clook over the chair and sit down, but I still didn’t tum
“Still awake?” His voice was calm, almost too casual.
“What do you think?” I said, not bothering to hide the bittemess in my tone.
Lyria, you walked out on Lilith the other day….she apologised for wearing your dress. And you are still bitter? The words rolled from his mouth uncontrollably.
I scoffed, tired of being bonded to this sham called union. If it was the previous Lyria, I would have begged him to choose me, that i could do what Lilith was doing.
–
The real mating is soon…I went to the Alpha and Luna, a lot of preparations are being made. Can’t wait to have you as mine? These last statements made me realize Damon took me as a dumb pup that doesn’t have her senses heightened.
“Can you look into my eyes…Lyria…these behaviours from you are really alarming
I didn’t have to look at him. I already knew where he’d been.
Lilith’s scent clung to him like a second skin–sweet and cloying, a severe mockery of everything I used to cherish about my sister, had caught them once, deep in the woods where they thought no one would see. Since then, I hadn’t confronted him. What was the point? I’d felt the truth through the bond every time he disappeared.
He didn’t love me. He never had. And now, I don’t want his love even if offered on a gold plate.
The Alpha and Luna might have chosen us as mates, but Damon had chosen Lilith.
“You can’t ignore me forever, Lyria,” His tone carried the faintest growl, a waming from the wolf within.
I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. I’m not ignoring you Dammon. I just don’t care enough to respond.“8
That got his attention. He stood, his heavy steps echoing as he crossed the room. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Him feigning ignorance triggered another memory I buried. He came behind me, trying to help me apply oll to my bruised area. Anything to make him look like he didn’t deserve cold treatment from me.
I pushed back.
“How did you get these?” He was referring to my bruises.
“It’s been there for months now, and you are just noticing” I smiled, shaking my head. If it had not been that I found out his other wolf was my sister, I would be holding on and be thinking I was the problem.
“Lilith is fragile, and the Alpha doesn’t want anything to happen to her” He said, dropping the oil.
“Me too I love her” I nodded.
The memory hit me hard.
It was last month, during the full moon. I’d wandered into the clearing late, avoiding the pack as much as I could. That’s when I them–Damon and Lilith &
I saw
Her wolf brushed against his, her tail curling flirtatiously around his. She let out a low, playful growl that I’d never heard her use around anyone else.
“Damon,” Lilith said, her voice light and teasing, “you spoil me too much.”
He smirked, his wolf practically preening under her attention. “Someone has to. You deserve it, don’t you?”
My heart clenched painfully, but I didn’t move. I stayed hidden behind the trees, my claws digging into the bark.X
Lilith turned her head slightly, her golden eyes locking onto mine. She saw me. And instead of guilt or shame, there was triumph in her gaze. She leaned closer to him, her muzzle brushing his neck.
I stumbled back, unable to watch anymore.
Later that night, Damon had come to my chambers. I was still sitting in silence, the image of them together burned into my mind. “Lyria,” he said softly, stepping into the room!!
2:21 PM
I didn’t respond.
He cleared his throat and held out something in his hands–a small bouquet of moon lilies. Shewolves loved them. A peace offering. A lie wrapped in delicate petals.
“I thought you might like these,” he said, his tone almost nervous.
I stared at the flowers and then at him. “Where’d you get them?”
His jaw tightened. “Does it matter? They’re for you”
“Oh, it matters.” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Because if you’re giving them to me, I’m guessing Lilith didn’t want them Z
“You are my mate…Lilith is your sister and I take her as my own too. He lied, not batting an eye.
“Take those to her. I’m sure she’ll appreciate them more.” I smiled with a heavy heart.
Damon’s grip on the bouquet tightened, his frustration evident. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“That’s why the pack and other territories prefer Lilith. She is just too soft and wants the best for everyone unlike you” He added.
I stared into the fire, the crackling flames unable to drown out the memory of that day. The Alpha had stood tall before the pack, his voice echoing as he declared, “Lyria and Damon, fated by the Moon Goddess herself.”
I had looked at Damon, my heart racing with joy. “Did you know?” I whispered, breathless.
He smirked, his wolf proud. “It was always going to be you.“!
The pack howled in celebration, their voices rising to the heavens. I had thought it was the beginning of something beautiful 3 Now, I realized it was the worst mistake of my life.
Damon looked at me, unable to tell what I was thinking. Nobody could in the pack because while growing up, Lilith was everyone’s favourite and I was the stray who they gave food and shelter to so as to not die.
Many times, Lilith would be praised for leaming how to fight as a shewolf and when we were put against each other to fight, she would lose but I get punished because I struck her too hard.
Then, I cried to the extent that I couldn’t cry anymore and just accepted my fate
Damon came and pretended I was the most beautiful wolf.
“Lyria?” He called out. I looked at him, realizing he was still in the den with me.)
His face darkened. “You’re still my mate.”
and distanced myself from her and everyone until
I took a step closer, letting him feel the heat of my anger. “Do you think that means anything to me anymore? The Alpha might’ve tied us together, Damon, but you’ve done everything in your power to destroy that bond. I won’t be your second choice.”
“You’re not my second choice,” he said, his voice low
“No?” I arched a brow. “Then why do you reek of her? Why do I feel your bond with her growing stronger while ours fades? Don’t stand there and lie to me, Damon. Im done being the fool.”
“Then you are a big fool, if you think I am having something to do with Lilith. You are just bitter, Lyria. Probably jealous of your sister” He lied again. To my face.
“I am sorry…” I nodded my head. Left him in the den, and went to the inner chamber. I was done begging to be seen by him. I don’t even want to be bonded to him forever. I knew the truth already, even though he made it messy and blamed me. The truth still remained which is, as long as I am in this territory and pack, I will never leave Lilith’s shadows.
