Chapter 3

• Lyra POV
• Elara froze mid-wipe.
• She stayed silent for a long moment before sighing, “Kid… ever since you left that month, not a single penny, not a scrap of meat has come through.”
• What?!
• “And the trades with other clans…”
• “Gone. All gone.” Elara shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. “They say this place is cursed now, ‘cause someone here broke the Moon Pact… No one wants to deal with us anymore.”
• “For the past three years, we’ve only survived because the kids who left before smuggled back whatever food they could… otherwise, we’d have starved.”
• My sacrifice didn’t just get me betrayed—it almost dragged my family and these innocent kids into the abyss!
• Guilt, rage, and regret crashed over me like a tidal wave.
• I tried to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness, but old Elara caught me tight.
• “Foolish child, you’re back… that’s what matters. You’re back.” She patted my back gently, just like when I was little.
• I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
• Now’s not the time to break down.
• I rolled up my sleeves and started helping care for the kids.
• Watching them curl up on those thin mats, I felt my resolve harden into ice.
• Late at night, familiar footsteps echoed outside—Kane’s.
• I stepped out.
• He was leaning against the car.
• When he saw me, he strode over, his face softening just a bit.
• “Lyra, come home with me.”
• He reached out to grab me.
• I sidestepped.
• His hand froze mid-air, then he pulled it back and whispered, “Maya’s fine. Just some mood swings. I’ve already sent her to my parents’ place to rest.”
• “Our house… it’s just us now. Tomorrow, my parents want to see us.”
• I almost sneered.
• When they need me, I’m the Luna who has to meet the elders.
• When they don’t, I’m the cursed sinner they want to shove far away.
• “Kane.” I pointed at the stone house behind me. “Three years ago, what oath did you swear under the moonlight?”
• “You promised to protect this place with the power of Shadowfen, to treat these kids like your own clan!”
• “And what happened? You cut off supplies, let rumors run wild, and starved these kids to skin and bones! Is that your sacred vow?”
• Kane’s brow furrowed, impatience flashing across his face, but he sighed anyway.
• “Lyra, I had my reasons. After you left, there was chaos inside, resources were tight—I had to prioritize the core members first.”
• “Rumors… I couldn’t control those either.”
• “Hardships?” I snapped, laughing bitterly. “Your ‘hardships’ are driving a nice car, living in a warm house, spoiling your pregnant Beta, but refusing to share a bite with these starving kids?!”
• “Take your ‘hardships’ and get the hell out!” I pointed toward the way we came. “Tomorrow at sunrise, we’re going to the Elders’ Council to wipe the slate clean!”
• Kane’s face went pale. “Lyra, don’t be ungrateful—”
• Before he could finish, the door behind him creaked open.
• Elara stepped out, wrapped in a tattered cloak, followed by the group of kids who’d been woken up.
• They huddled by the door, eyes wide and scared, peeking out.
• Seeing this, Kane’s expression shifted instantly.
• Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee.
• “Lyra, no matter what, it’s all my fault.” He looked up, his eyes heavy with regret. “I let you down. I broke my vows. Please don’t deny what we have. Don’t break the bond…”
• That kneel put me—and the whole Greystone Haven—right on the chopping block.
• Elara grabbed my sleeve, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Child… the Moon Goddess teaches us to forgive… The Alpha knows he was wrong…”
• Kane pulled out a small comm device at just the right moment and whispered a few words.
• Then he stood up and said to old Elara, “Elara, I just ordered a transfer of ten thousand dollars from the territory. It’ll be here before dawn. Use it to buy meat and some new clothes for the kids.”
• Ten thousand dollars.
• For this place, barely hanging on, that was lifesaving money.
• Elara’s face was a mix of shock and joy, but her eyes begged me silently.
• I looked into those hungry eyes shining in the dark, and the refusal that was on the tip of my tongue got slammed back down hard.
• He was using these innocent lives to force me to back down.
• “…Fine.” My voice was hoarse. “I’ll go back with you.”
• Back at the Pack House.
• Kane reached for my old cloak, his tone soft. “Hungry? I had someone prepare hot soup and roasted meat…”
• “I’m staying in the guest room on the east side.” I sidestepped him.
• His brow furrowed. “I’ll clean up Maya’s stuff! After everything I’ve done, you’re still causing trouble?”
• I shot a cold look toward the master bedroom. “I don’t want to stay there. It’s filthy—I’m afraid it’ll taint my wolf spirit.”
• “You—!” His face darkened, chest heaving hard, but in the end, he forced out, “Fine. Calm down.”
• With that, he turned and strode away.
• I lay on the cold stone bed in the guest room, staring at the ceiling until dawn.
• The next morning, he pushed the door open, dressed sharp in Alpha formal wear.
• He tossed a fancy gift box onto the bed.
• “Change. Your parents and the Elders are waiting.”
• His tone brooked no argument. “And remember—keep your emotions and words in check.”
• Inside the gift box was a pale-colored long dress, but it carried that unmistakable scent of Maya.
• I slipped it on quietly.
• The beast cart rumbled into the valley where the old PackHouse stood.
• The moment I stepped through the gate, the former Luna Selene came rushing at me, her eyes red-rimmed, grabbing my hand.
• “Lyra! My poor girl! These past three years must have been hell for you!”
• The former Alpha Thorin sat upright in the main seat, nodding solemnly. “Shadowfen owes you a great debt.”
• I pulled my hand back and gave a slight nod. “Lord Thorin, Lady Selene, no need to bring up the past.”
• Selene’s face stiffened for a second, then she quickly masked it with warmth and pulled me toward the banquet hall.
• Kane stayed close by my side, his eyes sharp with warning.
• I chewed on my food like it was cardboard.
• A few minutes later, noise came from the entrance.
• Maya strolled in arm in arm with a middle-aged she-wolf who carried an air of nobility.
• She was wearing an elegant long dress, her makeup soft and flawless, and she smiled sweetly. “Kane, Father, Mother, sorry we’re late. My mother heard about today’s family feast and came all the way from Morningstar Ridge.”
• Thorin and Selene immediately stepped forward with warm welcomes.
• The woman introduced as Maya’s mother—the noble Lady Hope of the powerful northern clan Morningstar Ridge—scanned the room with sharp eyes. Finally, her gaze settled steadily on me.
• “So, this must be Lyra, huh?”