Chapter 4

• Lyra’s POV
• Mrs. Hope spoke coldly.
• Her well-manicured hand gently rested on Maya’s shoulder.
• “I heard that Maya here has been pretty shaken up lately, worried about the baby she’s carrying.”
• Her eyes never left me.
• “Here in Morningstar Ridge, scaring a pregnant woman of noble blood is something you’d better pray to the Moon Goddess to forgive you for.”
• Selene caught on right away. Her smile got even brighter as she hurried back over to me.
• “Lyra, did you hear that? Mrs. Hope isn’t blaming you—she’s just worried about Kane’s baby.” She grabbed my wrist hard. “Come on, go apologize to Maya. Let’s just drop this.”
• Kane stood not far off, his face tight, but his eyes locked on Mrs. Hope, full of obvious brown-nosing.
• He didn’t even look at me, like I was just some problem to be dealt with and tossed aside.
• I glanced at Maya’s face, flushed with smugness, leaning into her mother’s arms, soaking up all the attention.
• Apologize?
• I went to jail for him. He got someone else pregnant.
• I came home, and he kicked me out like trash for that woman.
• Now he wants me to say sorry to the thief who stole everything from me?
• “No way.”
• I said stubbornly.
• Selene’s smile froze.
• Thorin’s hand clenched on the armrest of his chair.
• Kane finally turned his glare on me, pure rage burning in his eyes.
• “Lyra!” he hissed, voice low, “Don’t be shameless.”
• Mrs. Hope chuckled softly.
• “Looks like this girl’s been rotting in that stone cell too long—forgot how to behave.”
• She raised her hand, and a servant standing nearby immediately brought over a tray.
• On it sat a clear glass filled with amber liquid, smelling strong and spicy, with a sharp herbal bite.
• Wolfbane.
• “This drink is called ‘Moonfire,’” Mrs. Hope said slowly. “It’s the sacred liquor our northern tribes drink when honoring the gods. They say if you’ve got a guilty conscience, drinking it will wash away your sins. But if you’re innocent, you’ll feel like you’re burning alive.”
• Her words were like a knife wrapped in sugar.
• “Lyra, since you think you’re in the right, I guess you’re not afraid to face the Moon Goddess’s test, huh?”
• Everyone’s eyes fixed on that glass.
• The elders exchanged looks, their faces full of spectators waiting for a show.
• They didn’t care who was right or wrong. What mattered was whether Shadowfen and Morningstar Ridge could form an alliance.
• And I was the damn obstacle standing in the way.
• Kane strode over and grabbed the glass off the tray.
• His shadow swallowed me whole.
• “Drink it.” His voice was ice-cold, no warmth at all. “For Shadowfen. Drink it.”
• I lifted my head and stared into his eyes.
• No guilt there—just impatience and orders.
• All for Shadowfen again.
• Three years ago, I walked into the stone prison for Shadowfen.
• And now, three years later, I still have to drink this humiliating crap for Shadowfen.
• “What if I don’t?” I asked.
• Kane sneered.
• “Then I’ll have to use Alpha’s orders to make you.”
• “Lyra, don’t make me kneel you down in front of everyone.”
• “That’d be even uglier.”
• My heart froze solid in that moment.
• I reached out and took the cold glass.
• I could feel everyone holding their breath.
• Maya’s eyes were shining with hope she couldn’t hide.
• Selene and Thorin looked relieved.
• And Kane gave me a look that said, Good girl, you know your place.
• I lifted the glass to my lips.
• The strong booze hit my nose first, mixed with that wolfbane scent that makes every werewolf’s instincts scream.
• No hesitation.
• I tilted my head back and downed it in one gulp.
• Then the wolfbane hit me like a bomb inside.
• My wolf spirit curled up deep inside my mind, screaming in pain.
• My body screamed to collapse, to scream in agony.
• My legs started shaking, cold sweat soaked through the back of my dress.
• Darkness flickered at the edges of my vision.
• But I gritted my teeth.
• Kept my back straight as a board.
• I couldn’t fall.
• Couldn’t let them see me broken.
• This was the last shred of my dignity.
• I slammed the empty glass back on the table with a loud thud.
• “Sorry, I can’t apologize.” My voice was hoarse from the pain, but every word was clear. “I drank the damn drink.”
• “Now, can I go?”
• I saw the smug look on Maya’s face freeze, turning into shock.
• Mrs. Hope’s eyes narrowed slightly, surprise flashing through them.
• Kane’s face twisted ugly.
• I didn’t break like he expected. Instead, I ruined his carefully planned little show.
• He felt his Alpha authority was being challenged.
• “Who the hell gave you—” He was about to blow up.
• But from the other side of the banquet hall, a sudden commotion broke out.
• A young werewolf in a sharp blue outfit strode in, flanked by a group of warriors.
• Tall, with black hair.
• He carried a powerful presence—not the oppressive kind an Alpha has, but something older, more commanding.
• The blood of the Lycan.
• “Sorry to interrupt.” The young werewolf scanned the hall, his voice cold as ice.
• “My name’s Kael. I’m from Silvermoon.”
• “I’m looking for a woman named Lyra.”
• His eyes scanned the crowd, then locked onto me with deadly precision.
• There was no hiding the cold, murderous intent burning in his gaze.