Chapter 55 Confrontation
Lira pov
"Do we?" I stood despite my body's protests. "Seems like you've already decided who to believe."
"I'm trying to be fair." But his eyes kept drifting back to where Mira sat, wrapped in someone's cloak. "To hear both sides"
"Fair would be believing your mate." I moved closer, getting in his face despite our height difference. "Fair would be remembering that she poisoned Aria's draughts, that she's tried to undermine me since day one."
"She confessed to the poisoning." His jaw tightened. "And she's been punished."
"With what? A stern talking-to?" I laughed bitterly. "Meanwhile, I'm facing accusations of attempted murder."
"Because the evidence"
"Fuck your evidence." I poked his chest, hard. "Look at me. Really look at me, Kael. Do I look like someone who attacked her? Or someone who barely survived?"
His eyes finally focused on my face. The bruises forming, the blood still seeping through bandages, the way I was swaying on my feet.
Something flickered in his expression. Doubt, maybe or guilt.
"I need time to investigate." He stepped back, putting distance between us. "To question witnesses, examine the scene"
"Take all the time you need." I turned away, done with this conversation. "Just don't expect me to wait around for your verdict."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm tired of being treated like the problem." I looked back over my shoulder. "Maybe Mira's right, maybe I don't belong here."
"Lira"
"We're leaving." I addressed Thomas and the guards. "Now."
The journey back to the packhouse was silent. Kael rode ahead with Mira, his wolf carrying her gently. I walked alone, refusing Thomas's offer of help.
By the time we reached the sanctuary, I was running on rage alone. Aria tried to guide me to a bed, but I shook her off.
"I need to see Selene." My voice came out hoarse. "Now."
"You need rest." Aria blocked my path. "The wounds"
"Can wait." I pushed past her. "Where's Selene?"
"Council chambers." Aria grabbed my arm. "But Lira, you can barely stand."
"Then I'll crawl if I have to." I pulled free. "This ends tonight."
I found Selene in the council chambers, surrounded by ancient texts. She looked up as I entered, her expression unreadable.
"Luna Lira." She set down her book. "You look terrible."
"Mira Voss tried to murder me in the cursed borderlands." I didn't bother with pleasantries. "And my mate believes her lies over my truth."
"A serious accusation." Selene gestured to a chair. "Sit, tell me everything."
I did. Every detail, from the poisoned boar tusks to the silver knife to Kael's betrayal. My voice stayed steady despite the emotions churning inside me.
When I finished, Selene was quiet for a long moment.
"The bond between you and Alpha Kael is complicated." She finally spoke. "Made more so by his history with Mira."
"I don't care about their history." I met her ancient eyes. "I care about justice."
"And what would justice look like to you?"
"Exile." The word came out firm. "For Mira, she attacked me twice now. She's a danger to the pack."
"Alpha Kael would have to approve that sentence." Selene's expression was sympathetic. "And from what you've told me, he's... conflicted."
"He's blinded." I stood, ignoring the pain. "By her manipulation. By her pussy, by everything except the truth."
"Then perhaps you need to open his eyes." Selene rose as well. "But not through anger or demands, through patience and proof."
"I'm done being patient." I headed for the door. "And the proof is written in blood on my skin."
"Lira." Selene's voice stopped me. "If you push too hard, you'll break what's already fractured. The mate bond can survive many things, but not hatred."
"Maybe some things should stay broken." I left before she could respond.
I returned to my room, exhaustion finally overtaking rage. The bed looked inviting, but I couldn't rest at least not yet.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. I tensed, expecting Kael.
But it was Thomas who entered, his expression troubled. "I found something." He closed the door behind him. "In the cavern. After everyone left."
He held up a silver knife, its blade still stained with my blood.
"Where" My breath caught.
"Hidden in a crevice." His voice was grim. "Exactly where you said it would be. She must have kicked it aside during the fight."
Hope flared in my chest. "This proves it, this proves I was telling the truth."
"It proves there was a knife." Thomas set it on my table carefully. "But Kael... he's going to need more than a weapon to override what he saw."
"What he thought he saw." I picked up the knife, weighing it. "Because Mira's good at playing victim."
"She is." Thomas sat heavily. "But there's something else you should know."
"What?"
"A rogue was spotted at the eastern border." His eyes met mine. "He's asking for you by name, says he has information about your family."
My heart stuttered. "My family?"
"He calls himself Dmitri Blackwood." Thomas watched my reaction carefully. "Claims to be your uncle."
The knife slipped from my fingers, clattering onto the table.
"That's impossible." My voice came out barely a whisper. "My family's dead, they are all dead."
"That's what he wants to discuss." Thomas stood. "Kael's ordered him held at the border, no contact with pack members."
"Of course he has." I moved toward the door. "Where exactly is this rogue being held?"
"Lira, don't." Thomas blocked my path. "You're injured, exhausted, and Kael will lose his mind if you."
"I don't care what Kael thinks." I met his eyes steadily. "My entire life, I've been told my family was gone. If there's even a chance someone survived, I have to know."
Thomas studied me for a long moment, then stepped aside.
"Eastern border checkpoint." He handed me a cloak. "But if anyone asks, I never told you."
"Thank you." I squeezed his arm. "For everything. For believing me."
"I know what I saw in that cavern." His expression hardened. "Mira's playing a dangerous game. And eventually, Kael's going to realize it."
"Maybe." I pulled on the cloak despite my protesting ribs. "But I'm done waiting for him to see the truth."
The walk to the eastern border took an hour. Every step was agony, but I refused to stop. This was too important.
Guards tried to stop me at the checkpoint, but my Luna status overrode their protests. They led me to a small holding cabin where a man sat waiting.
He looked up as I entered, and my breath caught.
Grey streaked black hair, grey eyes exactly like mine. Sharp cheekbones that matched my own.
"Lira." His voice broke slightly. "Gods, you look just like your mother."
I stood frozen in the doorway, afraid to believe it. Afraid to hope.
"Who are you?" The question came out barely audible. "Really?"
"I'm Dmitri Blackwood jnr." He stood slowly, hands raised in a peaceful gesture. "Your father's younger brother, your uncle." He paused, his next words shattering my world. "And I've been searching for you for twenty years."