Lyra’s POV
I waited for Kaidos to find me.
He was prince and exercised more authority than a Beta.
The dungeon was cold, colder than it had ever felt. Because this time, I truly believed I would impress my father. All I got was a marriage proposition to a man whose name alone made me shiver.
I couldn’t be married to him.
A little bit into the night, when sleep was slowly dragging me into its abyss, I heard footsteps. Sounds that told me my freedom had come. Kaidos must have found out about what my father did when I didn’t slip into his room.
He stood there, tall, handsome, and frowning.
I got to my feet and rushed to the gate that separated us.
“Kaidos,” I called out.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“I wanted father to see that I was capable of being everything he ever needed in a son or one who had a wolf.”
Kaidos was the only one I told the truth to, even more than myself. Going the pack’s troop and even the battle at Rogue’s land wasn’t about fighting for a chance to become the next Beta, I wanted my father to look at me without regret.
Kaidos didn’t step forward to hold me reassuringly or produce the keys to the lock. He stood there, eyes distant, like my father’s.
“Aren’t you here to get me out?” I asked.
“You should have told me before leaving. What if you had died? That was too reckless, Lyra.”
I nodded. “I couldn’t tell you because you wouldn’t let me go. But…I did it. I killed over thirty rogues and Western pack is now rid of them all. You would be Alpha over these lands. And I’ll be your Luna. Just as you promised.”
He didn’t smile like he used to whenever I brought up his promises.
Maybe he’s upset, I thought.
I reached out to touch his chin but he backed away. “I’m sorry, Kaidos,” I said. “Please, get me out of here. I can’t be mated with Alpha Thakros.”
He was silent for a while, and when he spoke, I wished he didn’t.
“It was beautiful while it lasted, Lyra,” he said.
That statement broke my heart and welled my eyes. “What are you saying, Kaidos?” I asked. “You can’t leave me here.”
He shook his head. “Your father is right. You need a wolf who can tame your spirit. I can’t.”
I shook my head defiantly, refusing to believe what he was saying. “You know why I did it, Kai. You know. Your words are higher than my father’s. All it takes is your command, Kai.”
“I lied to you,” he said instead. “Everything I said about the mate bond not being strong compared to what I feel for you was a lie.”
My heart must have stopped beating.
“I’ll be getting married to my mate, Artemis. Lyra. I’m sorry…but you were never good enough.”
I grabbed the bars of the gate, tears spilling, and shaking the gate. “You can’t, Kaidos! You can’t do this to me.”
He glanced at my hand and returned his gaze to my face. “You don’t have the fitting of a Luna, Lyra. You’re a warrior that has been stripped of everything, The best you can do is get married to Alpha Thakros.” He paused as though he was about to take back everything he said. Then he continued. “I’m sorry, Lee.”
He started to walk away, despite my tears.
“I’m pregant!” I screamed, despite the tears choking me.
He stopped but didn’t turn back.
“You have two options, Lyra. Get rid of it or claim the child belongs to Alpha Thakros before it’s too late.”
He started walking away, and this time, I didn’t call out for him.
I knew when to give up.
Darkness crept up quickly in the dungeon. It wasn’t my first time here. But it was certainly my last. From the crack at the top came the glow from the moon. It was here, once again, to mock me, to laugh at me.
The moon was no friend to me. Why did it make me an Omega and daughter to a man who wanted a son? And where was she when my mother was cast away?
I crawled in a corner, waiting for my fate, my new role as the mate of Alpha Thakros. I didn’t want to think about Kaidos’ betrayal or the truth that I was carrying his pup, so I thought of what my life would be as Luna of the Eastern pack.
My mind was blank and soon the moon was gone, leaving the eerie realization that dawn was approaching.
I must have dozed off while squatting because I didn’t hear the sound of the enforcers until they were unlocking the gate. Sleep vanished immediately.
“It’s time,” one of the enforcers said.
I didn’t want to fight it so I stood up, surrendering completely. I wanted my father and Kaidos to see that because I was returning with vengeance.