Chapter 83
RYKER’S POV
The pack house pulsed with energy, moving in sync while they were actively involved in the preparation of the marking ceremony. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that clung to skin and whispered of sacred rites. I could see a faint silhouette of Lyra as she stood by the window, with arms wrapped tightly around herself.
The moon was rising, full and red — the Blood Moon, and with it came a duty I must fulfil.
My heart ached as I stared at her from a distance.
She definitely hated me, I could tell, but there was no running away from duty.
A duty to my heir…
My pack…
The throne…
I couldn’t appear weak, nor could I appear emotional. Weakness or emotions had no place with an Apha, much less a King.
Painfully, I tore my gaze from where she stood and headed back for the pack with one goal in mind. To get to the ceremonial hall and get this process over with. I was flanked by Ezren and Lief as I headed for the hall.
My face was taut from restrained emotions as though carved from stone, and I could tell my eyes were cold, as though battle-ready.
I was headed for a battle. A battle against my heart…
The ceremonial robe felt like a noose around my neck, and Ezren leaned in, his voice low.
“You don’t have to look like you’re walking to your execution.”
My gaze flickered to his briefly, but I didn’t respond.
Ezren sighed. “I know what this means to you. But you’re the Alpha King. You have to be strong — even when it breaks you.”
Lief’s tone was sharper. “You knew this was coming. The council gave you until the Blood Moon. You should’ve braced for it.”
They were right, but their words did nothing to stop my gaze from flickering towards the east wing — toward Lyra’s chamber. My chest ached.
“I thought the bond ceremony would be enough. I thought they’d leave it at that.” I snarled. Chin hardened from restrained anger.
“They didn’t,” Lief said. “They never do. They would always want tradition.
This time, my fists clenched. “She’ll never forgive me.”
Lief looked away. “Maybe not. But you’ll still be king.”
The drums began. The hall filled with Alphas, council elders, and pack members dressed in ceremonial garb. Vera entered, radiant in crimson silk, her smile wide and triumphant. She took her place beside me, while her hand slipped into mine.
The High Priest stepped forward. “Under the Blood Moon, we witness the sacred rite of marking. Alpha King Ryker, do you accept this bond?”
“I do,” I replied. But my voice was hollow. Fangs stretched out, I leaned in, with canines elongating, and bit into Vera’s neck. She gasped — part pain, part pleasure — and then, she returned the mark, her teeth sinking into my skin.
Then, the crowd erupted in cheers.
But I didn’t hear them.
All I could hear was the silence from the east wing.
The council elders rose from their seats, their expressions glowing with approval. Alpha Maximus stepped forward, his voice booming.
“At long last, the North has its Alpha King and Luna. This is a moment of great unity and strength.”
He turned to Vera, who stood proudly beside me, with her hand resting on her belly. “Luna Vera, Queen of the Northern Pack, may your reign bring prosperity and peace.”
“To the Luna!”
“To the King!”
The Alphas raised their goblets in salute, and Alpha Maximus continued, “In honor of this sacred union, we declare a three-day celebration. Let the North rejoice — for the first time in over twenty years, we are whole again.”
The hall erupted in cheers, music swelling as dancers filled the floor, but my smile felt like a ghost, and the mark on my flesh burned like hell.
In the peak of the festivities, I managed to slip away, walking faster while the echo of drums faded behind me. I moved through the dim corridors like a shadow, with hurried steps heavy with guilt.
When I reached Lyra’s chamber, the guards stepped aside without a word, and I opened the door.
Lyra stood in the center of the room, her back facing me. I swallowed the guilt rapidly while I watched her turn slowly, eyes blazing with fury and something deeper —
Heartbreak...
I could tell, because I could feel it too.
“You finally remembered I exist,” she poked with an icy chill. Her voice was sharp; it felt like a whip against my flesh.
“Lyra—”
“Don’t,” she snapped. “Don’t say my name like it means something to you.”
Her eyes were wild as she looked at my face. But her gaze dropped — and she froze.
She had seen the mark.
Her face drained of color as she watched with horror the mark on my skin that spoke of my choices and my betrayal.
“You did it,” she whispered. “You actually did it.”
“Lyra, I—”
“Get out,” she said, voice trembling. “Get out before I do something I’ll regret.”
“No, wait. You know this is just temporary.” I came closer to her.
“Another lie,” She threw her head back and sucked in her breath.
“You must think me a fool that I would easily believe anything you say.” Then, she laughed bitterly. “I should’ve known better. You’re just a liar and a murderer who killed my parents, destroyed my pack, tortured me.” She paused.” And yet, I still let myself believe you could change.”
My chest tightened at her words. “I never wanted this.”
“But you did it anyway,” she spat. “So go. Go back to your Luna, and your queen, and while you’re at it.”
Then suddenly, she turned away, with her fists clenched, and gasped — clutching her stomach.
“Lyra?” I rushed forward to steady her as she was almost falling.
Her knees buckled, and a low, guttural sound escaped her lips — not human.
Her eyes flickered gold.
Lyra’s wolf… It was awakening.