Lies

Damian kept acting normal, believing he had Lyra fooled, while she hid an ironic smile behind his back. The marking's almost here, he told himself.

MEANWHILE

"You'd better act fast," her father demanded. "Lyra's going to transform soon."

"Dad, you told me you were doing something to stop her transformation?"

"The witch warned me her body will only accept three doses — after that, they won't work." He slammed his fist on the table. "And you've already seen for yourself she's on the verge. The next full moon, she might pull it off."

"I won't let that happen." Kiara smiled smugly. "Damian's about to fall."

"He'd better." Victor slammed the door on his way out. "I'm running out of options, and we can't afford to let her find out who she really is."

Kiara sighed with determination. She had to get the Alpha into her bed — Lyra would never forgive that. Besides, who wouldn't want a specimen like him?

Lyra left the bedroom after listening to Damian's hollow excuses and invented stories. Her heart was shattered. If he'd at least come up with something more believable, maybe she wouldn't be questioning whether going through with the marking ceremony was wise. They had the bond, but it was on the verge of breaking — she could feel it.

Mura approached her in silence, not wanting to disturb her but needing her to know she wasn't alone. Lyra felt alone.

"He lied to me so easily, Mura." She slid down the wall and sat on the ground. Her friend did the same. Lyra didn't cry.

She wouldn't allow it.

Because after the tears came weakness, and she refused to give them that satisfaction.

"I'm going to break the bond between us," she declared.

"And with what proof?" Mura pressed. "You don't have anything concrete yet, and you know they'll demand an explanation before they let you break it."

Lyra looked at her and smiled sadly, shaking her head.

It wouldn't be enough to say they'd been in his truck together, or somewhere else. They didn't actually know anything — only that the two had left together and that the Alpha reeked of Kiara's perfume. But the Elders would say they could have been doing anything... blah blah blah. She knew how it worked.

Mura was right, and Lyra was no longer sure she wanted to go through with the bond. Something was off.

DAMIAN'S MANSION

Damian walked into his house after spending a few minutes with his fiancee. His mansion sat on the outskirts of the territory where the pack families lived — more remote than any other.

But when he stepped inside, his mother was already waiting. Judging by the look on her face, he was in for a lecture.

"Hello, Mother. To what do I owe the warm welcome for your only son?" He tried to make a joke of it.

"What are you doing parading around with your fiancee's sister?" She crossed her arms. "The packs are talking."

"How did you find out I was with Kiara?" He felt a stab of worry — what if Lyra had heard the same thing while he'd fed her a different excuse?

"The wolves are talking. If I found out, what makes you think Lyra won't?" She glared at him. "Lyra's sister is a volatile girl who loves the spotlight. And people are saying things. You and I both know the difference between her and Lyra."

"What they're saying about Kiara is a lie." He came to her defense. "She's an enchanting little she-wolf."

"Idiot!" His mother was livid. "You've fallen under her spell. A she-wolf who doesn't respect her own blood isn't noble. Lyra is her sister."

"She's only her half-sister," he shot back. "Besides, Lyra still hasn't awakened her wolf."

His mother's hands balled into fists. It seemed her son had already made up his mind to leave Lyra.

"Then talk to her," she demanded, her grey wolf flashing in her eyes. "Tell her the truth."

Damian wasn't going to fight his mother. He stormed out toward the green hillsides and released his wolf, running full speed to clear his head.

Exhausted, he threw himself into the pool at the base of the waterfall to cool off. He emerged in human form — broad chest, chiseled muscles, sharp features on full display. Two young she-wolves sighed as they watched him climb out of the water.

"I'm so jealous," one of them said with a grin.

"Of which sister?" They both burst out laughing.

"Watch your tongues," Beta Raul growled, overhearing them. He was Damian's second. "Remember, he's your Alpha. If he finds out what you're saying, he'll rip out your guts."

The she-wolves hurried away, frightened. They feared the Beta — but they feared the Alpha more.

The next day, Lyra woke and sipped the herbal tea Mura had brought her.

"Three more days," Lyra said. But her voice didn't carry the excitement it once had — that infectious thrill of knowing she'd become her Alpha's Luna. Now she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Sarai's arrival with a diadem woven from fine strands of pure gold broke the quiet. They both stood quickly.

"Lyra, sweetheart, it's almost time for you to officially become my son's Luna." She smiled warmly, but the sadness behind Lyra's tight, ironic smile told her the girl had already heard something.

"Maybe he should find a real she-wolf. I still haven't been able to shift." The words came out strained, the pain in her chest barely held in check.

Sarai sat beside her and pulled her into an embrace.

"Lyra, talk to my son," she urged. "Demand the truth from him. He owes you that, and once you have it, you'll know what to do."

Lyra looked at her, sensing Sarai wanted to say more — but it wasn't her place. This was something Lyra had to face herself.

Lyra nodded.

It was already getting dark when she arrived at Damian's mansion. Several cars were parked outside, but that was normal.

She went in, asking Mura to wait in the truck — she said she wouldn't be more than fifteen minutes. She slipped inside without making a sound and headed straight for the Alpha's bedroom. She knocked softly, but no one answered. Instead she heard... moans? And laughter. She opened the door without waiting.

And there they were.

For a split second, Lyra thought the world had stopped.

But it hadn't.

Her blood ran cold — because the woman in the Alpha's bed wasn't a stranger.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***