Chapter 69 Lira Anger
Lira POV
We sat together in silence, her presence a small comfort in the storm of my thoughts.
Eventually, she left me with instructions to eat and rest. As if I could do either.
I lay on the bed fully clothed, staring at the ceiling. The bond pulsed with Kael's continued searching, his growing panic.
Good. Let him panic. Let him feel a fraction of the pain I was drowning in.
Sleep came eventually, fitful and filled with nightmares.
I woke to dawn light filtering through the windows. The council gathering was in two hours.
I dressed carefully, choosing simple but elegant clothing. Braided my hair back from my face. Applied enough makeup to hide the evidence of crying.
When I looked in the mirror, I saw a Luna. Strong, composed, ready to face judgment.
The mask was perfect.
I walked to the council chambers with my head high, ignoring the stares and whispers. The bond screamed with Kael's presence nearby, his desperate need to talk to me.
I kept walking.
The chambers were already full when I arrived. Council members sat in their high seats, pack members filling every available space. And there, in the center of attention, sat Mira.
She looked radiant. Glowing with supposed pregnancy, her hand resting protectively over her flat stomach. Her eyes found mine across the room, and she smiled.
I wanted to burn that smile off her face.
Kael stood near the alpha's seat, his expression haggard. He looked like he hadn't slept, like he'd spent the entire night searching for me.
Our eyes met across the chamber. I saw desperation, apology, love in his gaze instead i looked away.
Elder Selene called the gathering to order. "We are here to address Mira Voss's claim that she carries Alpha Kael's child. A serious matter that affects pack succession and the legitimacy of the current mate bond."
"There is no legitimacy to question." Kael's voice rang out. "Mira's claim is false. I have not been with her since before I marked Lira."
"But you were with her after you returned to Darkfang." Mira's voice was soft, hurt. "After you'd already met your mate. You chose my bed over hers for weeks, Kael. You can't deny that."
The chamber erupted in whispers.My chest constricted. So it was true. He'd known about me and still chosen her.
"I made mistakes." Kael's voice was strained. "But that doesn't mean."
"Doesn't mean what?" I spoke for the first time, my voice cutting through the noise. "That you rejected your mate in favor of your lover? Because that's exactly what it means."
Every eye turned to me.
"Luna Lira." Selene gestured for me to approach. "You have been notably silent. What is your position on this matter?"
I walked to the center of the chamber, my movements controlled despite the rage burning through me.
"My position is that my mate is a liar." I kept my gaze on Kael, watching him flinch. "He claimed he didn't know about me. Claimed he was alone and broken. But the truth is he knew exactly who I was and decided I wasn't worth his time."
"Lira, that's not" He started.
"It's bad enough you fucked Nessa in front of me to teach me a lesson." My voice rose, vicious and cold. "Bad enough you slept with Mira because I wasn't worthy enough of you. Bad enough you kept humiliating me at every chance you got."
The chamber went silent.
"I'm tired, Kael." I met his eyes, letting him see my exhaustion. "Tired of loving you like a fool. Tired of begging for scraps of your affection. Tired of being second choice to everyone else."
"You were never second choice." He moved toward me. "Lira, please"
"Don't." I held up a hand, flames flickering along my fingers. "Don't lie to me anymore, just tell the council the truth. Did you sleep with Mira after you knew I was your mate?"
His silence was answer enough.
"Yes." He finally admitted, his voice breaking. "I did. And I will regret it for the rest of my life."
"At least that's honest." I turned to Mira. "So your claim could be legitimate, the timing works."
"It is legitimate." She touched her stomach again. "And I demand a place of honor as the mother of the future heir."
"Over my dead body." I said.
"That can be arranged." Eldric spoke up from his seat. "If the Luna cannot fulfill her duties, perhaps the mother of the alpha's child should take her place."
"No one is taking anyone's place." Kael's alpha command crashed through the room. "Mira will submit to examination or withdraw her claim."
"I refuse." Mira lifted her chin. "I won't be humiliated just because your mate is jealous."
"Then you leave me no choice." I let the moonfire rise, silver flames dancing across my skin. "Challenge me. Right here, right now. Combat for the truth."
"You can't force a pregnant wolf to fight." She backed away. "The council won't allow it."
"The council will allow a truth trial." Selene stood, her ancient eyes gleaming. "If Mira refuses examination, Luna Lira has the right to trial by combat. The Moon Goddess will reveal the truth through battle."
"This is insane." Mira looked to Eldric for support. "She'll kill me."
"Then maybe you should have thought of that before making false claims." I moved closer, my flames controlled but deadly. "Fight me, Mira. Prove your truth."
The chamber waited in tense silence.
Mira's eyes darted between the exits, calculation visible on her face. She was trapped and she knew it.
"Fine." She finally spat. "But not today. I need time to prepare."
"You have until sunset." Selene declared. "Meet in the trial grounds. May the Moon Goddess guide the victor."
The council dismissed. Pack members dispersed with excited chatter. Mira swept past me, her shoulder deliberately bumping mine.
"You'll regret this." She whispered. "Even if I lose, you've already lost him."
"Lira." Kael reached for me as Mira disappeared. "Please. Let me explain everything."
"There's nothing left to explain." I pulled away from him. "You chose her over me. Repeatedly. That's all I need to know."
"It wasn't about choosing." His voice cracked. "I was afraid of ruining you. Afraid my darkness would destroy your light."
"So you humiliated me instead?" I laughed bitterly. "Paraded your lovers in front of me? Locked me away like a shameful secret? That was you protecting me?"
"I was wrong." He grabbed my arms, desperate. "About everything. But I'm here now, choosing you. Doesn't that count for something?"
"No." I wrenched free. "Because you only chose me when you had no other options. When the bond forced your hand. I will never be more than your obligation, Kael. And I'm done pretending that's enough."