Chapter 82
RYKER’S POV
Lief ran into the war room, breathless. “They’re here,” he said. “The Council of Elders. All five. And the other Alphas from the northern packs.”
“Now?” I replied. My eyes narrowed.
“They said they heard the bond ceremony was completed. They’ve come for the marking.”
My jaw clenched. I had not anticipated the council of elders summoning the other Alphas to witness the ceremony.
I strode out, with my fur coat massively wrapped around me as I went to welcome them. The pack servants scrambled to prepare the guest wings, laying out ceremonial robes and wines while the pack house buzzed with urgency.
As I approached the grand hall, Alpha Maximus, one of the eldest council members, greeted me cheerfully with a hearty nod.
“We expected the marking to follow the bond. Why the delay?” His grin was wide, but there was no mistaking the slight frown that graced his features.
I hesitated. “It’s… complicated.”
Maximus’s gaze was sharp. “The Blood Moon is upon us. The packs need stability. The Luna must be marked soon. Tonight, in fact.”
I swallowed hard and gave him a decisive nod. “Understood.”
As the council settled in, whispers spread like wildfire. News of the Lycans razing southern territories had finally reached them. It was beginning to spread. The packs needed unity, and a Luna also served as a symbol of unity and continuity.
And Vera had already played her part.
LYRA’S POV
The Luna’s chamber was quiet, too quiet in fact. The morning light spilled through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the tiled floor.
I sat curled on the edge of the bed, fingers grazing the silk sheets while my mind wandered. Ryker had promised not to mark Vera. But I’ve been branded with so much pain where he is concerned, I didn’t know if I could trust his words this time.
My stomach twisted suddenly — a sharp, fleeting discomfort — but it vanished as quickly as it came. Stunned at the sudden ache, I pressed my palm to my abdomen, frowning. Was it stress?
A sigh escaped my lips as my thoughts tangled like vines: the bond, the betrayal, yet the way Ryker looked at me like I was both his sin and salvation. I wanted to believe him so badly. But then, my thoughts wandered to Vera. I tried to close my eyes, trying to breathe through the ache I suddenly felt in my chest.
Suddenly, a sound of heels from the entrance of the room stunned me. So, I turned to find Vera walking into the Luna chambers like she owned the air itself. Her gown shimmered with silver stones, and her hand rested delicately on her baby bump that was not quite visible — a gesture meant to provoke.
Startled, I asked. “What are you doing here?”
Vera’s smile was slow and cruel. “Just wanted to see how the borrowed chambers are treating you. Comfortable, I hope?”
My eyes narrowed. “Borrowed?”
“You heard me.” She replied and strolled across the room, while she looked around the room as though assessing the entire structure with a slight air of distaste. “This place needs a complete overhaul soon.”
My breath hitched, my heartbeat thudding in my chest.
“Why are you here, Vera?”
She turned to face me with a slow, wicked smile. “The council is here. The Alphas, too. They’ve come for the marking ceremony, just thought to inform—no, invite you.” She added with a wicked grin plastered on her face.
“Marking?” I blinked.
Her eyes gleamed instead. “Ryker’s marking of me, his Luna, tonight.”
“No,” Lyra whispered. “He said—he promised—” I stuttered, shaking my head. Unable to believe what she said.
She laughed, soft and mocking. “He promised you a lot of things, didn’t he? But promises don’t hold weight when the council demands tradition. And tradition says the Luna must be marked before the Blood Moon.”
Shaking my head in denial, I stepped forward, voice shaking. “You manipulated him.”
“I gave him stability,” Vera said, lifting her chin. “I gave him a future. And now I carry his child. That alone makes me Luna in every sense.”
At the mention of her child, my breath caught. “He said he wouldn’t mark you.” Tears are pooling around my eyes.
“He lied,” Vera said simply. “Or maybe he changed his mind. Either way, tonight, I become Luna. Officially. And you? You’ll be locked away, forgotten.”
She turned to the door, pausing with a smirk. “Enjoy your last sunset in these chambers, Lyra. They were never meant for you.”
Then she was gone, leaving behind chaos in its wake.
My feet stayed frozen, and for a while I couldn’t move. Vera’s words kept echoing like thunder in my skull.
Marking ceremony…
Tonight.
My heart pounded against my ribs. Each beat was a betrayal. Ryker had sworn he wouldn’t mark Vera. Yet, he had lied?
It was clear his promises didn’t mean anything.
Or had he been forced? I desperately wanted to hold on to some semblance of hope because I couldn’t tell anymore.
My chest tightened, and my breath shallow.
I needed to see him, to hear it from his lips. I wouldn’t be able to function if I didn’t see him right this instant.
But as I reached for the door, the handle refused to turn.
Locked.
My pulse spiked, and I yanked harder.
Yet, Nothing.
Panic crept in. Why would he lock me in?
Unless… what Vera said was true.
This time, panic took over me, and I twisted the handle again, but it was still locked.
I banged against it, my voice rising. “Open this door! I need to speak to Ryker!”
A guard’s voice came through, firm and detached. “Orders from the Alpha King. You’re to remain inside until further notice.”
“I’m not a prisoner!” I shouted. “I’m his mate!”
Another voice, quieter but no less resolute, spoke out. “It’s for your safety. It’s the Alpha King’s instruction. The council is in session, and there must be no interruptions.”
Shaken by the sudden twist in my predicament, I backed away and screamed so loud, I could almost feel a slight tremor under my feet. That was when I felt it…
My wolf —
It stirred like a whisper in my bones, but there was no comfort, no strength to draw from. I was still vulnerable.
My eyes darted to the windows, but I paused because guards stood below, stationed like sentinels. Besides, if I couldn’t attempt a climb from a story building, much less five.
So, I spun round and turned to the mirror, staring at my reflection. There were no claws. Just flesh, fear, and pain..
Outside, drums began to echo through the palace walls — They were slow, and ceremonial, almost ancient. A symbol of the marking that was about to take place.
Frustrated, I pressed my forehead to the cool glass. “You promised, you said it was me,” I whispered to no one in particular.
But promises didn’t unlock doors.
And tonight, someone else was being marked.