Chapter 84
RYKER’S POV
Her wolf was here.
I stumbled back slightly, stunned. Lyra’s eyes blazed gold, her fists crackling with energy like I had never seen before. “Lyra,” My voice was gentle as I tried to reach her human side.
“It’s me.”
But she didn’t hear me. Her claws tore through my shoulder, causing blood to spill across my robe, but I didn’t mind.
I was contemplating the discreet path to take to the woods for her first shift when I noticed something was wrong.
She wasn’t shifting — not fully — but the signs were there.
Fangs. Power. Rage.
Strange…
Then I tried to hold her arms, but she threw my hands off with a force that stunned me. Even in her unshifted state, she was quite strong. Before I could process her energy core, she roared with a guttural sound. It sounded so ancient and unhinged, the guards ran in, fangs and claws out, ready for an attack as they felt the chill from the sound.
Lyra’s eyes went to the guards who had come in, and she moved with a speed that stunned me. It was like she was never in front of me.
Did she teleport within the same distance?
“Chain her!” I barked, at the same time, rushing to drag her from behind, creating a distance between her and the frightened guards. But my focus was more on the door that was ajar.
The guards hesitated, still in shock from what had just happened. Then, as if in a trance, he suddenly sprang to action and obeyed my order. Within minutes, Lyra was wrapped with enchanted silver around her wrists.
She thrashed and snarled until her body gave out, then she collapsed, unconscious.
I knelt beside her, limp frame, and carried her carefully to the bed.
My heart was racing cheerfully at the cheerful fact that she had her wolf. And it was strong.
Very strong.
But why hadn’t she shifted? She was meant to.
I rose quietly, careful not to wake her. Only then did I notice the blood dripping down my arm, before I left the room.
Ezren and Lief needed to know. Something was changing. And fast.
Outside, the pack house was alive. Music soared through the air, drums pounding in rhythm with the crowd’s joy while Alphas toasted with goblets of spiced wine, and laughter echoed through the halls.
Pack members danced in circles, while the young pups playfully tossed flower petals into the fire pits. The scent of roasted meat and sweet herbs filled the night. Vera stood at the center, radiant in her Luna robes, her smile wide and triumphant. She waved to the crowd, soaking in their cheers.
“To Luna Vera!” someone shouted, and the chant spread like wildfire. She basked in it, eyes gleaming. This was her moment. My gaze left hers, and I saw the only two men who understood me: Lief and Ezren.
My brothers.
My feet moved of their own accord towards where they stood, and I didn’t notice when Vera slipped out of the hall.
VERA’S POV
The crowd kept calling my name, making my heart thunder with excitement. Out of the corner of my eye, I finally saw Ryker come in. My smile faltered a bit. It was clear he had just gone to see Lyra.
Looking around, I figured there was no perfect time than now. If I were going to get rid of Lyra, it had to be brutal—
A public execution—something so bad, even Ryker would not be able to look at her the same, and the mate bond would mean nothing then.
I needed to get a hold of Lola fast.
Lola was a mixer, and she was good with the herbs. She had just the perfect ingredient for me.
With my purpose in mind, I strode out of the hall, offering a warm smile here and there before escaping the festivities.
I walked straight to the pack garden and just as I thought, I found Lola near the herb tent, grinding roots into powder.
“Lola,” My face broke into a sweet smile. “I need something.”
Lola raised a brow. “What kind of something?”
“A wolf aphrodisiac,” Vera whispered. “The strong kind. The one that clouds judgment. Makes instincts override reason.”
Lola blinked. “You mean Moonlust?”
“Yes,” I nodded and took a cautious look around, then whispered in her ear. “And wolfsbane. Enough to weaken a shift.”
Lola’s hands paused. “That’s dangerous. What do you need it for?”
“I want Lyra out of Ryker’s life. She’s a threat. I need her compromised.” I leaned in, my voice low.
Lola hesitated. “But, she already lost. Why do you want to drug her?”
“I want her exposed,” Vera said. “Let the pack see her for what she is. A mistake and an unfit she-wolf.”
Lola nodded slowly. “I’ll prepare it. But it’ll take time.”
“I need it before the celebration ends,” Vera said. “Two days is all I have.”
“Alright,” Lola smiled and nodded, then continued her grinding.
“Very well then. I’ll be off to continue my Luna duties.” And with that, I turned to leave, but Adam stepped into my path, grabbing her wrist, just outside the garden walls.
“So you finally got what you wanted,” he sneered. His voice thick with anger, yet laced with desire.
“Let go,” I hissed. The mate bond between us hums faintly. Instead, he pulled me into a side room, pressing me against the wall. “You promised me. You said once you were Luna—”
“I didn’t promise anything,” I snapped, but his lips grazed my neck. “I need you now.”
My eyes widened as I took in his sudden demand.
Had he gone mad?
I shoved him, but he held firm. His hands roamed my body, possessively. My breath faltered, and I sucked in air. I was aroused, but Adam was a thing of the past now for me.
I had achieved my goal and had no use for the mate bond between Adam and me. But, seeing how unstable he was, I let him touch me briefly.
“Later,” I finally whispered as his fingers moved in between my thighs. “I’ll give you what you want.”
He grinned and stepped back.
I watched him leave, then smoothed my gown. The moment he was away of sight, my eyes gleamed and a smile curved my lips as I thought of how my plans would unfold.
Very soon, not only Lyra, but Adam would be a thing of the past.
By the time I got back to the celebratory hall, the Alphas surrounded Ryker, clapping him on the back, their voices booming.
“IT’s time, Alpha King!” one shouted. “Take your Luna to the bridal chamber!”
“Yes!” another laughed. “Let the bond be sealed!”
Ryker’s jaw tightened. “It’s not necessary.” He said, and I managed to keep my smile on my face without showing how hurt his dismissive tone made me feel.
“It is,” Alpha Maximus spoke in reply, stepping forward. “Tradition demands it. The pack must know the union is complete.” He motioned to me to step closer, and I did, and stepped beside Ryker, glowing.
“I’m ready,” I turned to face Ryker. My eyes were beaming as I slipped my hand into his.
Ryker hesitated. Then someone handed him a goblet. “Drink,” they said. “It’s Emberroot. You’ll need it.”
Then, he drank and consumed the content whole, which earned him another bout of hearty cheers all around from the pack members and Alphas in attendance.
The root must be a special kind because it did the trick. It ignited the heat in Ryker’s veins, and his body responded, much to my surprise.
They led us to the chamber.
Outside, the pack cheered, and the celebration roared on.
THIRD PERSON POV
Lyra stirred, groggy. Her body ached, her wrists raw from the chains. She blinked, trying to sit up.
Then it hit her.
Pain…
A sharp, searing pain in her chest — like claws raking across her soul.
She gasped, clutching her heart.
“No,” she whispered. “No, no, no…”
The pain intensified, spreading through her limbs. Her bond — it was screaming. Breaking. Burning.
She saw it. Felt it.
Ryker.
He was consummating the mating ceremony with Vera.
Why would he do this to me, when he knew it would hurt me this badly? She thought.
Her scream tore through the room, primal and raw. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed to the floor, sobbing.
Her wolf stirred again, stronger this time.
But it wasn’t rage.
It was devastating.
Meanwhile, outside, the Blood Moon glowed brighter.
And deep within Lyra’s soul, something ancient awakened.
Something that didn’t forgive easily, neither did it forgive.
Something that had just been betrayed.