Chapter 1

• Lyra’s POV
• I stood at the stone prison door, the heavy iron gate clanging shut behind me.
• The entrance to the territory was dead silent—not a soul in sight.
• Kane didn’t show up.
• The last time he came to see me in prison was a year ago. We were separated by glass, me holding the communicator, eyes red from crying as he promised he’d come get me and bring me home.
• I’m Lyra, a lowborn wolf with a bloodline so weak I was once even suspected of being an Omega.
• Three years ago, my Alpha—the leader of the Shadowfen pack, Kane—lost control during a clash with the blood clan and nearly tore apart the Moon Truce Treaty.
• For his sake, and to keep his pack from being judged by the Elders’ Council, I stepped up and took the fall for him.
• The deal was that he’d protect Greystone Haven—the place that raised me—and give me a future.
• Back then, he bit into the back of my neck, marking me, saying it was proof that he’d come for me when the time was right.
• Now, more than a thousand days and nights have passed.
• I clenched the few bills the guard slipped me when I got out, standing at the desolate border crossing, waiting for something that never came.
• Maybe something came up and held him back.
• He’s an Alpha—always got a million things on his plate.
• I told myself that, but the disappointment gnawed at me like a knife between my shoulder blades.
• I used my last bit of cash to hail a ride and gave the address of the place I once thought of as “home”—the big house where Kane lived.
• The car sped down the road.
• Finally, the familiar front door came into view. After all this time, I was back.
• I took a deep breath, swallowing the hurt, even rehearsing how I’d act mad and punish him for standing me up.
• I raised my hand and knocked.
• “Coming—”
• But the voice that answered was a woman’s. A voice I knew too well.
• I froze.
• The door swung open.
• Standing there was Maya.
• The “little sister” Kane had raised since they were kids, after she lost her parents and was taken in by Shadowfen.
• The same Maya Kane always ruffled her hair and told me she was just family.
• She wore a silky nightgown, her hair loose, holding a glass of milk.
• She didn’t even blink in surprise when she saw me.
• “Lyra? You’re out.”
• My eyes drifted down against my will, landing on her belly.
• The nightgown was pushed out in a clear curve.
• My mind went blank, buzzing like a stuck record.
• Then a rich smell of soup wafted out from inside.
• Kane appeared, carefully carrying a bowl from the kitchen.
• He stopped dead when he saw me.
• “Lyra? You’re out today?” His voice was calm, like nothing was wrong.
• I shivered all over. “Whose baby is she carrying?”
• Kane’s brow immediately furrowed.
• He didn’t answer. Instead, he strode over to Maya and handed her a bowl.
• “Maya, drink the soup while it’s hot. You should head back to your room and rest—don’t catch a cold.”
• Maya nodded obediently and turned toward the master bedroom.
• The door shut behind her.
• Kane spun back around, and whatever warmth he’d shown just moments ago vanished without a trace.
• He scanned my clothes, faded and worn from washing, his face twisting with disgust. He even took a half step back.
• “Since you’re back, go take a shower in the back. Don’t drag the dirt from outside inside—it’s bad for the baby.”
• Dirt?
• I spent three years locked up in a pitch-black hellhole for him!
• Today’s the day I finally got my freedom, and he’s nowhere to be seen—yet here he is, making soup for some other woman?
• “Kane!” I shouted, my eyes burning red, “I spent three damn years in prison for you! And this is the ‘future’ you give me? Answer me! Is that your kid or not?!”
• My words lit a fire under him.
• He jerked his arm away from my hand, which was grabbing his sleeve, and with the ruthless strength of an Alpha, slammed me against the wall.
• “Lyra! What the hell are you doing?!” he growled, voice low and furious. “Maya’s in a fragile state right now. She can’t handle any stress! If you scare her, I won’t forgive you!”
• “You volunteered to take the fall back then. I didn’t force you! I didn’t mistreat you these past three years—I even gave you my mark to keep your status in the pack! Don’t act like I owe you something!”
• Volunteered? Didn’t mistreat? Status?
• “Remove the mark, Kane,” I said, my voice so calm it scared even me. “And apply to the elders to break the Mate Bond. I’m giving you—and your ‘family’—space.”
• Kane spun around sharply and took a few steps toward me. “Lyra! You just got out and you want to make such a scene?”
• “I said, break everything off.” I looked him dead in the eye.
• He took a deep breath, swallowing his anger hard, his tone softening a bit. “Enough. Stop throwing a tantrum. You just got out—you need rest. Tomorrow, come with me to my parents’ place. They want to see you.”
• He muttered under his breath, “Shouldn’t have let you get too comfortable in there. Now you don’t even know your place—a damn Omega who took the fall…”
• The last thread of my patience snapped.
• “Smack!”
• I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.
• I watched him turn his head, a red handprint blooming quickly on his cheek.
• He didn’t hit me back. Not right away.