Chapter 8
790words
Fenrir's voice cut like ice. His words stung Cassian's face like a physical blow.
An unfamiliar emotion clogged his chest, making it hard to breathe.
He tried calling for Lyra through their Alpha-Luna bond.
Though he'd always resented this connection, now he clung to it desperately.
At least he could still feel her presence, he told himself.
But today, he realized with horror that the connection was fading!
He could barely sense her anymore!
Panic gripped him as the engagement ceremony proceeded. Before, his every call had received a response.
Now, the woman who should answer him stood on stage, accepting blessings, gazing at another man with a sweet smile.
Cassian barely remembered returning to Black Claw territory, his mind filled with images of Lyra and Fenrir arm in arm.
Fenrir's gaze toward Lyra had been filled with genuine affection and possessiveness, his presence constantly hovering near her.
Any man who approached her faced the Alpha's intimidation.
As an Alpha himself, Cassian understood perfectly: Fenrir was truly, madly in love with her.
This wasn't an act.
Back at the pack, the elders immediately began condemning Lyra.
"She betrayed our pack so shamelessly!"
"She's the Luna of Black Claw, yet she's with the Moon Shadow Alpha! Lyra is nothing but a traitor!"
"Were we not good to her?"
"When were we ever good to her?" someone blurted out.
Silence fell over the room.
They remembered the punishment in the rain, the years of mockery...
No pack would ever treat their Luna that way.
Suddenly someone realized: "Wait—Lyra's gone. What happens when Alpha has an episode?"
The silence deepened, becoming eerily oppressive.
The words had slipped out, but it was too late. The silent Cassian suddenly looked up.
His eyes blazed red as he lunged forward, grabbing the speaker by the throat.
"What the fuck did you just say? Who's been helping me during my episodes?"
The Alpha's crushing aura paralyzed the man, who stammered:
"L-Lyra. She said you despised her and didn't want to burden you. Besides, you never wanted to hear about her."
Cassian staggered back, remembering Lyra's words that rainy night and the disappointment in her eyes.
Everything she'd said was true.
After each episode, he'd dreamed of a gentle girl holding him, soothing him like cool water, giving him whatever he needed.
He'd felt an unparalleled comfort but could never see her face clearly.
He'd considered Lyra but despised the idea of a fated mate, and by extension, despised her.
When he met the seemingly gentle Rouise at the academy, he'd convinced himself she was the woman from his dreams.
Cassian's hands fell to his sides before clutching his head in agony. For the first time, he felt true heartbreak.
He had lost his Luna.
Rouise rushed over, seeing his distress. While others kept their distance, she approached cautiously.
"Darling, are you alright?"
Now Rouise's touch repulsed him. He glared at her with disgust.
"Why did you lie to me? Lyra never touched you that day, did she?"
Rouise looked slightly embarrassed. She shrugged, smiling stiffly. "I did lie, but isn't that what you wanted to hear?"
"You allowed the pack's hostility toward Lyra. You encouraged it."
In any territory, the pack followed their Alpha's lead.
He had despised Lyra, disrespected her, so naturally everyone else did too.
Even her own uncle had turned against her.
Cassian stood stunned, forced to face the truth.
All of Lyra's suffering had originated with him.
"But it's okay." Rouise comforted him, assuming he was just having an episode.
She produced a bottle of green liquid. "This is the remedy I found for you. It will suppress your episodes."
"This way, you can sever your connection to that woman completely. Black Claw will no longer need her."
Rouise maintained her gentle smile.
But Cassian felt no affection for her now. Her smile seemed grotesque.
Sever the connection?
But Lyra was his Luna. Could he truly give her to another Alpha?
"Excellent! We can finally cut all ties with Lyra!"
"Let the traitor fend for herself!"
Cheers erupted around him.
"Rouise is our Alpha's true mate! We'll support her as our Luna!"
Cassian collapsed to his knees in despair.
Rouise listened to their support with smug satisfaction.
She had eliminated her rival and could finally claim her place as the pack's Luna.
She was already fantasizing about the power she would wield.
But on the night of the full moon, Cassian refused to drink the antidote!
"Why? You're gambling with the lives of the entire pack!"
Rouise couldn't comprehend his refusal.
Cassian's eyes glowed crimson as he endured excruciating pain, his muscles tensed to breaking point.
He narrowed his eyes dangerously and roared—
"I want Lyra! Bring Lyra back to me!"
