Chapter 8:
“Darling, I heard the healers are doing blood offerings today.” Damon said, his arms wrapping tightly around me as we stood in the long line outside the healer’s den. “You’ve always hated ntuals with blood, but don’t worry. I’ll stay right here with you.”
His tone was soft, laced with false concern, as though he cared. I kept my eyes down, clutching the parchment that bore the sacred sigil of the pack. This ritual wasn’t just tradition–it was the final step before a mating ceremony.
The line moved forward slowly, wolves murmuring quietly to one another, the scent of herbs and burning sage thick in the air. When it was finally my turn, the healer’s apprentice led me to a stone altar, Damon’s hand brushed against mine, his grip firm and reassuring–for show, of course.
As the healer cut a shallow line across my palm, I barely flinched. The crimson drops fell onto the stone basin, mixing with the sacred moonlight water, Damon, standing behind me, frowned deeply, his concem etched on his face.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice tender but hollow “Don’t worry. I’m here with you“!!
In the past, his words would’ve warmed me, made me feel safe. But now, they meant nothing
I gave him a small, practiced smile. The sting of the blade was nothing compared to the hurt Damon and Lilith had inflicted on me.!!! Just as the ritual was completed, a familiar sound broke the air–the low chime of Damon’s personal communicator crystal. 1 recognized it immediately. It was Lilith’s exclusive tone, a melody she had chosen herself, no doubt to remind me of her place in Damon’s life.R
Damon stiffened beside me, stepping away to answer. He turned his back, but his panicked tone carried easily in the quiet of the healer’s den.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice urgent. “Wait for me. I’ll come right now!
He returned to my side, schooling his expression into one of feigned calm. “Something’s happened at the council,” he said. “I have to go right away, but I’ll come back to find you soon.“8
I didn’t ask questions. There was no need. I knew exactly where he was going. The lies had become predictable, rehearsed.8
The healer’s den was full of life, the air thick with emotions I couldn’t touch. Wolves sat together, pairs of mates whispering softly to one another. Some females winced as the healer’s apprentice prepared the ritual blade for their offerings. Their mates held them close, murmuring words of comfort, brushing their hair, their voices warm and reassuring.X
“I’ll be over soon, one male wolf said, cradling his mate’s hand
“Just a little sting, love. You’re braver than you think,” another promised, kissing his she–wolf’s forehead.
I watched silently from the comer, pretending to wait for Damon My hands rested on my lap, fingers loosely gripping the parchment with his signature scrawled at the bottom.
The she wolves whimpered as the blade met their skin, some burying their faces in their mates chests. One turned to her mate and pouted. “You owe me for this,” she teased
The male laughed softly. “Anything you want, my love.”
“Anything?
“Anything”
I glanced away, my throat tightening, but I kept my face blank. My wolf stimed slightly in the back of my mind, restless.
“Why are we here, Lyria?” she whispered, her voice low and steady.
“Waiting for Damon,” I answered silently
“Liar 8
I stiffened but didn’t respond. Instead, I kept my eyes fixed on the pairs around me. They were all so… happy, Even in this ritual of pain, they leaned on each other, shared quiet smiles, and carried each other’s burdens
I sat alone, no one beside me to hold my hand, no warm voice telling me it would be okay. And I was okay with it. Atleast I wasn’t holding on to lies of forevermore. The healer’s apprentice glanced my way once, then quickly looked away, as if sensing I didn’t want to be approached.
My wolf growled softly. “He’s not coming back.”
“He said he would,” I replied. The words felt hollow even to me. My wolf thought I was brainwashed yet again.
“Lyca, no violence today.” I warned, still enjoying this view
She huffed. “You know better than this. Look at them, Lyria. Look at what real mates do.”!!
I didn’t answer. The truth was too bitter to admit. It was too bitter to admit that even if I vanished, no wolf would love me. No wolf would choose a stray
My gaze returned to the couples around me. A young she-wolf cried softly as the ritual was performed, her mate pressing soft kisses to her temple
“You did so well,” he said, his voice thick with pride. “You’re amazing.”
Her tears turned to laughter, and he wrapped her in his arms as if she was the most precious thing in the world.
I lowered my head, staring at the stone floor under my feet. Damon wasn’t here. He was never here when it mattered. The healer offered me a pity look. “Are you alright, Lyria?”
2:22 PM
I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
But I wasn’t. My wolf stimed inside me, restless and angry. I walked out of the healer’s den, my steps silent, my heart numb.
As I walked into my room, the silence greeted me like an old friend, I sat by the window, my gaze wandering over the forest line, my heart steady as stone. The communicator crystal on my desk buzzed, and curiosity got the better of me. I swiped it open.X
A new image flashed–Damon, His arm rested casually over the chair beside him, but it wasn’t empty. Lilith sat there, radiant as ever, laughing alongside my parents. They were at the council hall, the symbols of the pack evident behind them, a perfect picture of unity that I didn’t belong to.
I rolled my eyes. Typical.
Damon was exactly where I knew he’d be–right in the middle of their plans. His fake smiles, Lilith’s over–the–top charm, my parents eating it all up. It was all so predictable, it was almost boring.
Shaking my head, I grabbed a scrap of paper and scribbled a line from an old wolf legend: “They chose freedom under the Moon Mother’s light.“!
The words made my chest ache. But leaving no trace was important. I tore the paper into tiny bits and tossed it into the fire.
“Soon, Lyria… in a few hours, you would disappear. This is what you have been planning. Pretending to care so as to not leave a trail” My wolf jumped inside of me and I smiled. We have really been reduced to nothing.”
The communicator buzzed again, snapping me out of my thoughts. Jareth’s voice came through, calm but firm. The ship will dock tonight. Are you ready, my lady? This is your last chance to vanish.”
I didn’t hesitate. “The plans must follow through, Jareth. No matter what.”
There was silence on his end before he finally said, “You’re sure? There’s no going back after this. “B
–
“I know” My voice didn’t shake. I knew what I was getting into “The sooner I’m out of here, the better. Everything’s set on your end?” “Yes. The crew’s ready, and the passage is secure. But you’ll need to leave unnoticed. If Damon or the council suspects anything=” “When do you start worrying about Damon or the Alpha? You are dangerous and invisible, that’s why you are perfect for this“!
The Alpha can be really something else. Too power driven. Else there will be rogue attack on his territory” Jareth’s voice held no emotion.!
“They won’t,” I interrupted, my tone sharp. “I’ve played my part perfectly. No one suspects a thing.“%
“Besides you made the claims yourself the last time we met“:
“Good,” Jareth paused. “My lady… once you’re gone, it won’t just be the pack you leave behind. You’ll leave your name, your past, everything.
I leaned back, staring at the moonlight spilling through the window. “That’s the point, Jareth. That’s the whole point”
There was a brief pause before he said, “We’ll be waiting. Be ready.”
As soon as the call ended, I moved quickly, packing my belongings into a single travel bag. I sent most of my things ahead, leaving only Damon’s possessions behind. Let him and Lilith enjoy what was left.
Messages poured in from pack members, their words were full of fake congratulations.
“Congratulations, Lyria! Wishing you a happy mating ceremony!”
“You and Damon are perfect together
“May your union bring strength to the pack!”
“Your dreams are coming through Lyria.
I read each one with a cold smile. They all believed the lie, just like I had. But not for much longer.
How fast do wolves switch? Weren’t they the ones saying I could never be Damon’s mate
My wolf stirred, her presence stronger now. Just two more days, she whispered. Then we’ll be free.
“Yes Lyca, you would be able to run freely without being judged”
I walked to the mirror, staring at the reflection of the she–wolf I had become. A slow, dangerous smile spread across my lips. Damon and Lilith thought they’d won. They had no idea what was coming 8
