Lyra was in her room with Sarah and Gina, gathering supplies for their journey.
"I took some food from the pantry, Luna," Gina said. "Also some blankets and tents we can use."
Lyra nodded. "Thank you, Gina."
"Maybe we should bring weapons too?" Sarah suggested.
Lyra thought for a moment. "Yeah, we should. I still can't shift."
Gina packed canned goods and bread into a bag, along with bottles of water she had already refilled.
"I can't wait for this journey, Luna! I can't wait to finally meet your wolf!" Gina said excitedly.
Lyra smiled, the excitement clear in her eyes. "Me too, Gina. Finally, I have something to prove to myself."
Sarah moved closer, placing a hand on Lyra's shoulder.
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone, Lyra. You're already strong—even without your wolf."
Lyra's expression softened. "Thank you, Sarah. You've always been my greatest supporter."
Sarah chuckled. "Of course! You're my best friend—my sister!"
"I wouldn't know what to do without you," Lyra said.
From nearby, Laura watched them with narrowed eyes. She had been standing at the door, observing their preparations in silence.
"So this is why our Alpha is leaving?" she scoffed. "To help you find your lost wolf?"
The three women immediately turned to her.
Gina and Sarah tensed, ready to defend Lyra.
"Laura, do you need something from our Luna?" Gina asked coldly.
Laura ignored her, stepping inside and stopping in front of Lyra.
"You… you're wolfless," she said with a smirk. "I knew it! You're worthless."
Sarah growled, pulling Lyra behind her. "Watch your mouth, whoever you think you are." Her fangs were already showing.
But Laura didn't even flinch. She arched a brow, unimpressed.
"And what are you going to do, intruder?"
Sarah was about to lunge at her, but Lyra grabbed her arm, stopping her. She shook her head, silently telling Sarah to let it go.
Sarah exhaled sharply, forcing herself to calm down.
Lyra turned to Laura. "What do you want?"
Laura crossed her arms. "I don't understand why Kael chose you as his mate. He needs a strong Luna, not a wolfless Omega like you." She let out a mocking laugh. "And now, he's leaving the pack just to help you? You're selfish, don't you think?"
"Watch your words, Laura," Gina warned. "Alpha Kael won't like this."
"Shut up, Omega! You're just a servant here."
Gina clenched her fists, but when she remembered who Laura was in the pack, she bit her tongue and looked away.
"Enough, Laura," Lyra said firmly. "If you have something to say to me, say it. Don't drag my friends into this."
Laura laughed again. "Being Luna has made you bold, huh?"
Lyra sighed. "I understand your concerns, but I didn't choose to be Kael's mate. I never wanted to be here—"
"Then leave," Laura cut her off. "We don't need you here. You're just making our Alpha weak."
Lyra felt her knees tremble. The sting of rejection hit her like a familiar wound. If she could choose, she would have wanted Kael to reject her.
Sarah stepped forward. "I think it's time for you to leave, Laura."
"Yeah, before I call Alpha Kael," Gina added.
Laura glared at them before turning back to Lyra.
"If you have any shame left, you should leave this pack yourself," she sneered before walking out.
As soon as she was gone, Sarah growled. "That woman! Who does she think she is? How dare she talk to you like that?!"
"She's just jealous, Luna. Don't let her get to you," Gina reassured her.
Sarah nodded. "Exactly. Kael is your mate, and he accepted you. That's all that matters."
Lyra sat down on the bed, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
"No. She's right. I don't deserve to be Luna. And I can't be with him. He—"
She hesitated, unable to voice her thoughts about her family.
Sarah sat beside her, rubbing her shoulder. "That's not true, Lyra! You are his mate for a reason."
"I agree, Luna," Gina added. "The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. It's us who complicate things."
Lyra exhaled shakily. "What if I never find my wolf? What if I stay wolfless forever?"
"You're still strong, Lyra," Sarah insisted.
Lyra shook her head. "It's not enough." She looked up at Gina. "Gina, I need you to do something for me."
"Anything, Luna," Gina said, though something about Lyra's tone unsettled her.
"I need you to tell Kael something. But only after I'm gone."
Sarah and Gina exchanged worried glances.
"L-Lyra, you're not thinking about leaving without your mate, are you?" Sarah asked.
"I have to, Sarah."
Gina's eyes widened. "N-No, Luna! You can't! It's too dangerous!"
"She's right! Don't forget that Darius is still looking for you!" Sarah added.
Lyra shook her head. Her mind was made up.
"No. I need to do this myself. This is about me and my wolf. I can't just rely on someone else," she said, determination in her voice.