Chapter 13
Lyra's POV
The waiter wheeled in the cart, and dinner began.
Due to my carelessness, my fingers accidentally knocked over the wine glass. The crystal goblet toppled across the table, deep crimson liquid spilling onto the pristine white tablecloth, spreading instantly into a dark stain.
I jumped to my feet in panic, about to apologize, when I heard Orion's casual voice, "This wine was rather mediocre anyway. A perfect excuse to open a better bottle."
He nodded slightly toward the waiter, who immediately stepped forward to clean up with respectful efficiency, showing not the slightest displeasure or reproach.
I sat back down, warmth flooding through my chest. Over the past three years, every time I accidentally knocked something over, Kael would furrow his brow and look at me with that disappointed expression, making me feel clumsy and incompetent. But now, Orion simply brushed it aside, even actively covering for me. This thoughtfulness nearly brought tears to my eyes.
Orion reached for an elegantly wrapped gift box from the chair beside him and placed it before me.
"For you," he said, his voice carrying a note of anticipation.
I froze for a moment before accepting the surprisingly heavy box.
"Open it," Orion encouraged.
I carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid, immediately stunned by what lay inside. It was a crown—an exquisite platinum base encrusted with countless small diamonds that sparkled brilliantly under the light.
"This is too expensive. I can't accept it," I said hastily, closing the lid and trying to return it to him.
But Orion didn't take it back. His gaze remained gentle as he looked at me, speaking slowly, "Five years ago, when your father came to discuss our betrothal, I happened to pass by a jewelry store and saw this crown. I thought it would suit you perfectly. Now that I see you wearing it, I know my judgment was sound."
My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped the gift box. Five years ago, when Father went to Orion to arrange our marriage, I had been preparing to flee—to escape the Silver Moon territory in pursuit of so-called freedom and love. And Orion... he had prepared this gift for me five years ago, patiently waiting for my return.
"About what happened five years ago..." I bit my lip, unsure how to explain my flight from our engagement. "I was—"
"You don't need to explain," Orion interrupted, his tone remaining gentle. "Everyone has their own choices. I understand. What matters is that you've come back now."
His understanding only deepened my guilt. I lowered my head and said softly, "Thank you, Orion. Thank you for being willing to wait for me."
Before leaving Saint Michael's Keep, I remembered the gift I had been carrying in my handbag. I retrieved the box from my bag and handed it to him somewhat nervously. "This is something I prepared for you. I... I'm not very good at these things, so if you don't like it—"
Orion took the gift box, opened it, and a flash of appreciation and pure joy crossed his eyes. He raised his hand and gently patted my head, the gesture so tender it made my heart skip.
"You've grown up. You know how to choose gifts now," he said, his voice filled with pleasure.
Then he looked seriously into my eyes, speaking each word deliberately: "It's beautiful. I like it very much."
In that moment, my heartbeat stuttered, and I couldn't tell whether his "like" referred to the watch or to me. Heat rushed to my cheeks again, and I hastily averted my gaze, only to hear his low chuckle near my ear.
As we left the private dining room, Orion suddenly spoke up, "Lyra, why have you been delaying your return to the Silver Moon territory? Your father is very worried about you."
My steps faltered. I knew I couldn't hide it from him, and besides, if I was truly going to investigate the Blood Moon Cult, Orion's help would be crucial.
After a moment's hesitation, I decided to tell him the truth.
"I've discovered something," I lowered my voice. "About Kael. He seems to have connections with an organization called the Blood Moon Cult."
Orion's expression turned serious immediately. He stopped walking and turned to face me.
"The Blood Moon Cult? Are you certain?"
I nodded and briefly explained the clues I'd uncovered over the past few days—the surveillance footage where Kael mentioned "Silver Moon bloodline" and "blood moon," and what Father had told me about Silver Moon branch family members disappearing around Chicago.
"This must be reported to your father," Orion said in a tone that brooked no argument. "The Blood Moon Cult isn't something you can handle alone."
"No!" I almost instinctively stopped him.
"My father... he's only just emerging from the shadow of Mother's death. If I tell him now that the Blood Moon Cult might be resurfacing, it will only plunge him back into anguish. And besides," I took a deep breath, "I need to investigate this myself. Those missing clan members—they're people I should have been protecting."
Orion remained silent for a long time. He simply looked at me seriously before slowly speaking, "All right. I can keep this secret, but you must agree to let me help you. The Blood Moon Cult is dangerous. You cannot face them alone."
I looked at him gratefully and nodded firmly. "Thank you, Orion."
"Don't thank me," his tone softened. "Protecting you is what I should be doing."
By then it was late at night, and Orion offered to drive me back. Chicago's streets gleamed brilliantly under the neon lights as I sat in the passenger seat, fumbling to turn on the overhead reading light but unable to find the switch.
As I searched somewhat clumsily, Orion controlled the steering wheel with one hand while reaching over with the other to press the switch accurately. The moment the light came on, I turned my head and saw his strong profile. That face that commanded the thirteen wolf packs of the Northern Territory, usually so imposing, now carried a reassuring gentleness.
The car stopped near the Red Fang Pack territory. I pushed open the door to get out, only to see two familiar figures standing in the distance—Kael and Mira.
They appeared to have just emerged from a nearby bar, Kael's hand resting on Mira's waist as they chatted and laughed together.
I stepped out of the car and watched as Orion's vehicle slowly drove away, its taillights disappearing around the corner. When I turned around, my eyes met Kael's directly.
He watched me descend from that luxury sedan, a flash of complex emotion crossing his eyes before he let out a cold laugh.
"Well, well. Found yourself a new benefactor? Or is this another one of your playing-hard-to-get schemes?"
Mira clung to Kael's arm, looking at me with a mocking smile.
"I wondered how long you could hold out. Turns out you came crawling back so quickly. Sure enough, a lone wolf like you with nothing to rely on is nothing without a man. If I'd known you were this shameless, I should have been upfront with you from the start instead of pretending to be your friend."
I looked at her calmly, a derisive smile curling at my lips. "I'm shameless? At least I didn't spread my legs for my friend's partner."
Mira's expression turned ugly instantly. She was about to retort when Kael stepped in front of her first.
"Lyra, watch your tone. Mira isn't some woman you can compare yourself to."
I let out a cold laugh, too lazy to continue engaging with them. I walked past them and headed straight for the apartment—my only residence within the Red Fang Pack.
Behind me came Mira's deliberately raised voice, "Some people are just pathetic. Even after being dumped, they still come crawling back. Kael, isn't that hilarious?"
I didn't look back, merely noting this account in my mind. They would pay for their behavior eventually. But for now, I needed to return to the Red Fang Pack and stay close to Kael, gathering more clues about the Blood Moon Cult.
After returning to the apartment, I carefully stored away the crown Orion had given me and began organizing my action plan for the days ahead.