Chapter 68 Mira's Desperation
LIRA POV
I ran through the forest, branches tearing at my clothes, tears blurring my vision.
Pregnant. Mira was pregnant with Kael's child.
The bond twisted like a knife in my chest, his desperate denials crashing against my walls. But I couldn't listen. Couldn't process anything beyond the searing pain of this betrayal.
"Lira, stop." Selwyn begged. "You need to think clearly. This could be a lie."
"Does it matter?" I stumbled over a root, caught myself against a tree. "He slept with her after he met me. After he knew I was his mate."
Because Mira had made sure I knew. Had smiled so sweetly when she'd cornered me after the challenge, whispering details. How Kael had come to her bed those first weeks after returning to Darkfang. How he'd chosen her warmth over the naive girl rotting in the cellar.
How I'd never been worthy enough for him to want.
I collapsed against the tree, sobbing until my throat was raw. The moonfire stirred inside me, responding to my anguish, but I pushed it down. I wouldn't lose control again. Wouldn't give anyone more ammunition to call me unstable.
A branch snapped nearby.
I was on my feet immediately, flames coating my hands.
"Easy." Dmitri emerged from the shadows, his hands raised. "It's just me."
"How did you find me?" I wiped my face roughly.
"I've been tracking you since you left the cabin." He moved closer carefully. "Heard about Mira's announcement. Wanted to make sure you were alright."
"I'm fine. Perfectly fine."
"Of course you are." He sat on a fallen log, patting the space beside him. "That's why you're crying alone in the forest instead of burning down the packhouse."
Despite everything, I almost smiled. I sat beside him, exhausted and hollow. "He knew. From the moment he came back to Darkfang, he knew I was his mate. And he still chose her bed over mine."
"Because you seemed too innocent?" Dmitri's voice was gentle. "Too naive for his damaged soul?"
"Because I wasn't enough." I stared at my hands. "Because I'd never be enough for someone like him."
"That's not true." He pulled out a flask, took a drink. "Kael's fear has nothing to do with your worth and everything to do with his brokenness."
"Then maybe we were a mistake." I accepted the flask, taking a burning sip. "Maybe the mate bond got it wrong."
"The bond doesn't make mistakes." He took the flask back. "But it also doesn't guarantee happiness, just connection."
We sat in silence for a while, the forest sounds filling the space between words.
"What are you going to do?" He finally asked.
"Face them tomorrow." I stared at the darkening sky. "At the council gathering. Hear Mira's claims and watch Kael try to defend the indefensible."
"And if she's telling the truth? If she really is carrying his child?"
The question made my stomach twist. "Then I'll have my answer about where I stand. About what this mate bond really means to him."
"You could leave before then." Dmitri suggested quietly. "Come to Silvermoon. Claim your birthright, let Kael deal with his mistakes alone."
"Running won't change anything." I handed back the flask. "And I'm done running from my problems."
"That's my girl." He squeezed my shoulder. "Your mother would be proud."
We walked back toward pack territory in silence. My mind churned with plans and fears in equal measure.
The packhouse was ablaze with lights when we reached the border. Wolves moved frantically, searching for something.
Searching for me.
"I should go." I told Dmitri. "Before this gets worse."
"Lira, wait." He caught my arm. "Whatever happens tomorrow, remember you're stronger than anyone gives you credit for. Including Kael."
"I'll remember." I pulled away gently. "Thank you. For everything."
I walked into pack territory alone, my head high despite the tears still drying on my cheeks.
Guards spotted me immediately. Within minutes, I was surrounded by concerned faces asking if I was hurt, if I was alright.
"I'm fine." I kept my voice steady. "Just needed air after the challenge."
Thomas pushed through the crowd, his expression relieved and angry in equal measure. "We've been searching for hours. Kael is losing his mind."
"Kael can deal with his own mind." I moved past him toward the packhouse. "I have a council meeting to prepare for."
"Lira." He grabbed my wrist, his grip gentle but firm. "About Mira's claim"
"I don't want to talk about it." I pulled free. "Not with you, not with anyone."
I climbed the stairs to the Luna quarters, the rooms I'd barely used since becoming Kael's mate. The bed was perfectly made, untouched. A monument to all the nights I'd spent in his rooms instead, trying to bridge the gap between us.
Trying to be enough.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The woman looking back was tired, scarred, but stronger than the girl who'd started this journey.
A knock at the door made me tense.
"Go away." I called out.
"It's Aria." Her voice was soft. "Please let me in."
I opened the door. She stood there with a tray of food and medical supplies, her expression sympathetic.
"Thought you might need these." She entered when I stepped aside. "And someone to talk to."
"I'm fine." I said for the hundredth time tonight.
"Lira." She set down the tray, turning to face me. "You don't have to be fine. Not with me."
The kindness broke something in me. I sank onto the bed, fresh tears spilling over.
"He knew I was his mate." The words came out broken. "From the moment he returned to Darkfang, he knew. And he still chose her bed. Still decided I wasn't worthy of him."
"Oh, Lira." Aria sat beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "That's not what happened."
"Isn't it?" I laughed bitterly. "He took one look at the naive girl in the cellar and decided she wasn't enough. Not sophisticated enough. Not experienced enough. Not worthy enough."
"Kael's an idiot." Aria said firmly. "But not because you weren't enough. Because he was too afraid of breaking something pure."
"I don't care about his reasons anymore." I wiped my face roughly. "I'm tired, Aria. So tired of loving him like a fool."