Lyra sighed, her gaze locked on the delicate petals of the garden flowers swaying gently in the breeze. She still couldn't wrap her mind around the revelation that her wolf had been with her all along—hidden, suppressed. Who would do such a cruel thing to her? Why?
Her parents? That seemed unlikely. They'd been harsh, sure, but their abuse was meant to toughen her, not cripple her completely. Someone from her old pack? What could they possibly gain by silencing her wolf? Questions spiraled through her mind, each one more suffocating than the last.
Lyra felt her head was already spinning thinking about her situation. Especially when she was slowly thinking that Alpha Kael was really different from others. If he wanted to reject, he should've done it already. But yet he was saying that she should trust him.
"Luna, your water."
Lyra blinked, pulled from her thoughts by Gina's gentle voice. She sat up straight in the bench and looked at her.
"You didn't have too, Gina," she said politely, she took the glass of water from her hand.
"Your thinking deeply again, Luna. Is something troubling you again?"
Lyra made a deep sigh. She took a sip of the water, her hands tightening around the glass. "I don't know what to believe anymore, Gina. They say I'm not wolfless."
"Isn't it a good news? You have a chance to prove yourself now."
"I don't know. I've been living like this for too long. Thinking that I have my wolf all this time is really… too much."
"Don't worry yourself that much, Luna."
Lyra couldn't help but smile. "You're too sweet, Gina. You remind me of my best friend."
Gina laughed lightly. "I could be your friend too, Luna."
"Only if you drop the formalities."
Gina hesitated, her smile faltering. Before she could respond, another voice interrupted them—a voice Lyra had quickly come to recognize and dread.
"Well, our 'Luna' is here. What an honor?"
Lyra look at her side–it was Laura. Wearing her sleek black dress that hugged her figure, her lips painted crimson.She was smiling cunningly.
"Laura, nice meeting you here," Lyra replied, her tone neutral.
Laura arched her brows, a smug smile on her face. "You know, I don't really know why the moon goddess you chooses you as Kael's mate. You…" her gaze swept over Lyra dismissively. "...don't even in his level."
Lyra felt the familiar sting of humiliation prick at her chest. "I know what you think. But trust me, I didn't ask for this."
"Exactly!" Laura smiled. "That's what I like from you. You know your place. And now that I'm back, you should start packing your things and leave this place already."
Lyra frowned, sitting up straighter. "And why would I do that?"
"Because Kael belongs to me," Laura said, her voice cold and sharp. "You're nothing but a weak, wolfless Omega. Our pack doesn't need you.."
Gina stood abruptly, her eyes blazing with anger. "I think you should go now, Laura. You are disturbing the Luna's peace."
Laura laughed mockingly. "Luna? Humor me, Gina. She's not even married to the Alpha yet. And I assure you, that will never happen."
"Gina, it's fine," Lyra said quietly.
"See?" Laura said. "You know, Dear Lyra. If you still have a shame in your body, you will leave this place now. Leave Alpha Kael alone before you ruin him," she continued with a warning.
"You–"
Lyra stopped Gina. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She watched Laura saunter away, her laughter echoing through the garden.
Gina sat on the bench again.
"Don't listen to her, Luna. She's been trying to seduce Alpha Kael but always failed. I don't even know why she came back. It was the Alpha's order for her to manage some business abroad."
"She's not entirely wrong, Gina. I'm weak and not deserving as your Alpha's Luna."
"No! Don't say that, Luna! Now that we know you are not wolfless, you should prove them all wrong. Especially that Laura." Gina glared at the way Laura walked. "She always see herself high because she was the Beta's sister and their parents were one of the Elders."
"You know what? We should—"
"Luna!"
Gina's scream sent chills down Lyra's spine. She barely had time to register what was happening before a knife came hurtling toward her.