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Becoming Luna of His Rival, My Ex-Alpha Mate Pursuing Me Back
NovelShort
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I was lying in the healer’s den of my pack, my hands bound in thick white cloth, my gift as a mind-healer destroyed, when I heard my Alpha mate, Ronan Nightreaver, whispering with the sister of the ...
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第1章
Lysera’s POV
I was lying in the healer’s den of my pack, my hands bound in thick white cloth, my gift as a mind-healer destroyed, when I heard my Alpha mate, Ronan Nightreaver, whispering with the sister of the wolf who attacked me.
“You cannot let her send my brother to the dungeons! And we should end this hidden bond between us!”
It was Thara Melvere who hissed while I pretended to sleep.
“I am tired of being your secret, Ronan! I am tired of hiding in the shadows when I deserve more than this.”
“Don’t say that,” Ronan replied, his voice soft. “You know why I marked her as my mate. It was my mother’s last wish. I regret it every day because it has always been you. Can you wait a little longer? After the alliance between our packs is sealed, I will cast her aside.”
I thought losing my hands was the worst thing that could happen to me. The worst was my mate refusing to let me seek justice against my attacker, claiming he wanted to protect my honor when he was truly protecting his secret lover.
So, I decided to call his rival Alpha to take my case. But what he didn’t expect was that I would also break our mate bond and choose another Alpha as my future mate. By the time he realizes it, it will be too late for him to beg.
——
I was twenty-four when I performed my first solo mind-healing ritual under the full moon. By twenty-seven, I became the youngest chief healer in the most respected pack in the kingdom. They called me blessed by the Moon Goddess. Now, those hands were wrapped in heavy cloth, lying useless against the rough fur blankets.
The healer’s words from an hour ago still echoed in the hollow space of my mind.
“The nerve damage is severe, Luna Lysera. We tried to mend the torn tendons with moon magic, but the shaking will likely remain. You may still use your hands for simple tasks, but healing rituals… I fear that path is closed to you.”
I drifted in and out of sleep, the herbs pulling me under. Then, I heard voices.
“Are you truly letting your mate send my brother to the dungeons, Ronan? You cannot allow it,” she hissed. “You cannot let him rot in chains.”
“Thara, lower your voice,” came the deep, familiar tone of my mate. “You know what your brother did. He attacked her, Thara. He ruined her hands. The pack guards are already involved.”
“She brought it on herself!” Thara snapped. I could almost hear her stamping her foot. “She took that sacred healing trial from me, Ronan! It should have been me leading that circle. It should have been my rise in rank. Lysera knew I wanted it, and she still took it just to hurt me.”
“He didn’t mean it,” Thara sobbed, her voice turning soft and cunning. “He only wanted to frighten her. It was not meant to go this far. It happened because she fought back. If she had just obeyed…”
“I know, I know,” Ronan sighed. I heard the shift of cloth. “I will see what I can do. I can speak to the council, maybe lessen his punishment.”
“No,” Thara said, her voice turning cold. “That’s not enough. You must choose, Ronan. Me or her.”
The silence that followed was suffocating. The soft hum of the warding runes beside me felt like a cruel countdown to the end of my bond.
“You know I cannot just—”
“Then we should end this hidden bond!” Thara cut him off, her voice rising again. “I am tired of being your secret, Ronan! I am tired of hiding when I deserve more. I love you, and I know you love me. But if you stand with her against my blood… if you choose to be the loyal mate to the one who ruined my future… then let’s end this.”
The words lingered in the air, heavy and choking.
“Thara, please,” Ronan’s voice broke. “Don’t say that. I cannot lose you. You know why I took her as my mate,” he whispered. The softness in his voice shattered what remained of my heart.
“It was my mother’s final wish. She made me swear it as she was dying. Lysera saved her life once, and my mother believed we owed her. I should not have agreed. I should not have bonded with her out of duty.”
I felt like I was breaking apart, yet there was no wound this time.
“I regret it every day,” he continued. “Because it has always been you, Thara. Always.”
“Then show me,” she demanded. “Save my brother. Don’t let her destroy my family like she destroyed my future.”
“Alright,” he whispered.
Then silence. Soft sounds. The clear sound of lips meeting. My mate, comforting the sister of the wolf who crippled me.
I didn’t scream. I didn’t move. The tears on my face turned cold. Something inside me, something gentle I had held onto for five years, faded and died.
I closed my eyes and kept pretending.
An hour later, the wooden door creaked open.
I waited before slowly opening my eyes. Ronan sat beside my bed, still dressed in dark pack robes, looking like a grieving, loyal mate. He reached out and lightly touched my shoulder.
“Lysera?” he whispered. “You are awake. Thank the Moon. How do you feel?” He leaned closer, his face full of worry. “The healer told me… about your hands. I am so sorry, Lysera. I cannot imagine your pain.”
“My path is over, Ronan,” I said, my voice calm. “Thorian took everything from me.”
Ronan stiffened at the name. He leaned back slightly, running a hand through his hair.
“About that,” I said, testing him. “I want to bring this to the council at once. I want him locked away for life. You are the strongest legal mind in the pack. You will stand for me, won’t you? We must make sure he never harms anyone again.”
“Lysera, listen,” he began, his voice smooth like when he spoke before the council. “I have been thinking. I have looked at this from every side.”
“And?”
“We should not bring this forward.”
I stared at him. “What did you say?”
“Think about it,” he said quickly, reaching toward my bandaged hands but stopping. “It will become a great scandal. The blessed healer crippled in a fight. The whole pack will talk. They will dig into everything. They may even twist it and say you provoked him. It will stain your name.”
“My name?” I let out a hollow laugh. “Ronan, he destroyed my hands. I cannot heal anymore. What name am I protecting?”
“Your honor,” he insisted, his voice rising. “Others cannot know you were brought down so easily. It makes you look weak. And besides… Thorian is not stable. Locking him away will not heal you. It will only drag us through shame for years. Thara… she’s suffering too. She wants to settle this quietly.”
“Quietly?” My anger rose, hot and sharp. “He ended my life, Ronan! He took the only thing I loved!”
“You still have me!” Ronan snapped, losing his calm. He stood and paced the room. “Why is that not enough? Why must you be so cruel? Think clearly for once, Lysera. See the bigger picture. If you do this, you ruin Thara as well. Do you truly want that?”
I looked at him, and everything became clear.
“You refuse to stand for me?” I asked softly.
“I refuse to let you make a choice you will regret,” he said, fixing his robes, believing he had won. “I am doing this for you, Lysera. I will not take a case that destroys our privacy.”
“Fine,” I said.
Ronan let out a breath, smiling with relief. “Good. I knew you would understand. You need rest. We will get through this.”
“But,” I said, my voice cutting through the air like a silver blade. “If you will not take that case, then you must take another one for me.”
“Of course,” he said. “Anything. What is it? A dispute with the healers? Pack compensation?”
I met his eyes.
“No. Our bond severance.”
第2章
Lysera’s POV
“What?” Ronan let out a sharp laugh, the sound echoing against the stone walls of the healer’s den. “You are asking me to break our mate bond? Have you lost your mind?”
He stepped away from the door and moved back to my bedside, standing over me.
“Lysera, look at you,” he said, pointing at my wrapped hands, the glowing healing runes, the broken woman lying on the bed. “You are in shock. Your spirit is shaken. You are not thinking clearly. What will you do after this? Tell me. You lost your hands. You lost your gift. Without me, without the Nightreaver and Melvere bloodlines… you will be nothing.”
His words were meant to crush me. To remind me of where I came from. The orphan girl taken in by a pack. The gifted one who rose too high and fell.
But instead of breaking me, they only made my resolve stronger.
“I would rather be nothing than stay bound to a coward,” I said softly.
Ronan’s jaw tightened. “I am not a coward. I am being practical. You cannot survive alone like this. You need care. You need resources for recovery. Do you truly think you can go through a bond severance while learning how to hold a spoon again?”
He leaned closer, his face near mine. “Think about it, Lysera. Truly think. Or go ahead and leave me. Try it. See how far you get without my support.”
He didn’t mean wealth. He meant power.
I looked at him, silence stretching between us like a drawn blade. He expected me to break. He expected tears, pleas, surrender.
When I said nothing, he sighed and straightened, adjusting his sleeves.
“Let’s not speak of this again,” he said, brushing it aside. “You are emotional. It is the herbs. Rest and think about it later. For me.”
Before I could reply, the door opened.
Thara walked in. She wore soft-colored robes and carried a bundle of moon lilies, my least favorite flower.
“Lysera,” she said softly. Her gaze fell on my hands, and she let out a broken sob. “Oh… I am so sorry.”
I turned my face away, staring at the stone wall.
“I know you hate me,” Thara continued, her voice shaking. “I know you hate Thorian. And you have every reason. He… he’s not well, Lysera. He never meant to destroy your life. I will pay for everything. The healing rituals, the recovery. I will sell my belongings. I will do anything. Just… please don’t destroy him.”
“Leave,” I whispered.
“Lysera!” Ronan snapped, his voice sharp. “She’s trying to make peace. Show some mercy.”
“Mercy?” I turned back to them, my eyes burning. “Her brother attacked me, Ronan. And you ask me for mercy?”
“She’s my closest ally,” Ronan said, his voice dropping low. “And she stands here humbling herself. You will listen.”
He moved behind Thara and placed a hand on her shoulder, protective. The sight was clear. The two of them standing together against me.
“Fine,” I said, the word bitter on my tongue. “I am listening.”
“I only want you to understand,” Thara said, wiping her tears. “We can fix this. We can move forward. If you just… if you agree not to bring this before the council, we can deal with Thorian quietly. We can send him to a private healing place. He doesn’t belong in the dungeons, Lysera. He’s family.”
Ronan looked at me, his eyes urging me, reminding me of his warning. You will be nothing.
I needed time. I needed to leave this place. I needed to be careful.
“Alright,” I said, lying. “I will not bring the case.”
Relief filled the room. Ronan’s shoulders relaxed. Thara let out a light laugh and reached to touch my arm.
“Thank you,” she said quickly. “Thank you, Lysera. You are too kind. Truly.”
“We should go,” Ronan said, glancing at the time. “She needs to rest. We will return tomorrow and handle your release.”
“Rest well, Lysera,” Thara added.
They walked out together. I watched through the small gap of the door. As they moved down the corridor, I saw Ronan’s hand slide to her lower back. I saw her lean into him.
I waited until their steps faded.
Then I forced myself to sit up. I used my elbows to move the crystal communicator on the table. It was slow. It was humiliating. But I managed to activate the voice spell.
“Call Alistair Rydell,” I ordered.
The crystal pulsed. Once. Twice.
Alistair Rydell…
The only Alpha in another territory who had ever defeated Ronan before the council. Their rivalry was fierce, almost like war.
“This is Rydell,” a deep voice answered.
“Alpha Rydell,” I said, my voice steady despite the pain. “This is Healer Lysera Nightreaver.”
There was a pause. “Luna Nightreaver? Ronan’s mate? What brings you to me? Is your mate seeking to finalize the pack alliance?”
“No,” I said. “I want to hire you. Attempted murder. Violent assault. Severe injury. Thorian Melvere.”
“Why come to me?” Alistair asked. “Your mate is the strongest speaker in the council. Why seek his rival?”
“Because he will not stand for me,” I said, staring at my wrapped hands. “He’s protecting them. So I need someone who will not.”
“I see,” Alistair replied. His tone changed, sharp and dangerous. “Well, Luna Nightreaver… I have waited a long time for a chance to bring Ronan down. I will come to you at dawn.”
Two days later, I was released.
A young healer helped me outside where a black carriage waited. Ronan was not there. He had sent a message saying he was occupied with pack matters. Most likely, he was with Thara again.
I didn’t care. I had the documents Alistair prepared hidden in my bag.
As the driver opened the door, my crystal rang. I struggled to answer with my bandaged fingers.
“Luna Lysera!”
It was Kael, Calder’s handler. He was shouting.
“It’s over. Calder is finished.”
“What?” I froze. “Kael, slow down.”
“A memory shard was spread,” he said, panic clear in his voice. “It shows him striking a woman. Using dark powder. It is false, Luna, but no one believes it. The guild cast him out. The royal sponsors abandoned him. Everyone calls him a monster.”
My blood turned cold. My brother was the pride of our bloodline. He would never harm anyone. “That cannot be true.”
“He could not bear it,” Kael cried. “I found him in his chamber. An empty vial of sleeping draught.”
The world stopped.
“He tried to end his life, Luna. He’s in the critical ward.”
第3章
Lysera’s POV
“He’s stable, Luna,” One of pack healer, Lucen, said again in calm. “The cleansing ritual worked. Now we wait for him to wake. But…”
“But the world outside will not wait,” I finished for him.
I could see it through the shutters. Carriages, reporters, spies gathering at the healer’s den like hungry crows. My crystal kept buzzing without rest.
Calder Wyndclaw. Monster? Addict? Abuser?
The false memory was flawless. Too flawless. It ruined ten years of his rise in a single night.
I touched Calder’s cold hand with my wrapped fingers. “I will fix this,” I whispered. “I swear.”
I didn’t know how. I was a healer who could no longer use her gift. But I knew one man who could bend the world if he wished. So I returned home.
I walked through the grand hall, the silence heavy around me.
I went straight to his study. The thick wooden doors were slightly open. I raised my hand to push them, ready to beg him to use his power, to silence the rumors, to do anything.
Then I heard his voice.
“It’s done, Thara. Stop crying.”
I froze. My hand stopped in the air.
“Yes, the memory is everywhere,” Ronan said, his tone cold and distant. “No, it cannot be traced back to me. I used an offshore network. Calder is finished. His name is ruined.”
The ground felt unsteady beneath me.
“I had no choice,” Ronan continued, his voice dark. “Lysera went behind me and sought Alistair Rydell. She thought she could defy me. She thought she could bring a case against your brother after I told her to stop. This is her lesson. She needs to understand that every action has a price.”
I could not breathe.
I pushed the door open. It slammed hard against the wall.
Ronan turned in his chair, the crystal still in his hand. His eyes widened for a moment, then turned calm. Not guilty. Just annoyed.
“I will call you later,” he said before ending the call.
“You,” I forced out, my voice breaking. “You did this? You destroyed Calder?”
Ronan stood, smoothing his robes. “I did what was needed.”
“He’s innocent!” I shouted, stepping toward him. “He’s my brother! He tried to end his life, Ronan! He’s lying unconscious because of you! For what? For Thorian? For a drunk who attacked your own mate?”
“For order!” Ronan slammed his hand on the desk. “You disobeyed me, Lysera. I told you to let it go. I told you to stop. But you went to Rydell. You pushed this further. You forced me to act.”
“I forced you to frame him as a drug user?” I let out a broken laugh. “You are a monster. Truly sick.”
“I am protecting my people!”
“I am your people!” I cried. “I am your mate!”
“Thara is my people!” he roared. “I have known her all my life. Her pain is mine. And you… you are acting out of spite. That case would have dragged her name through mud. It would have damaged mine as well. I saved you from making a fool of yourself.”
“By destroying my brother?” I said through clenched teeth. “By pushing him to death?”
I rushed at him. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to tear that calm look from his face with my useless, wrapped hands.
A sharp sound filled the room.
My head snapped to the side. Pain burned across my cheek. I stumbled, grabbing the desk to stay upright.
Silence filled the space.
I touched my cheek slowly. He had struck me.
Ronan… the man who once promised to protect me, had hit me.
Ronan said, his voice low and cold, “That’s what happens when you defy me.”
He walked closer, standing over me. There was no regret in his eyes. Only control.
“I told you to stop. So will you stop now? Or must I destroy something else you care about?”
I looked up at him through tears. And I finally saw the truth.
There was never love here. I was only something he owned. And now, I was broken.
But Calder… Calder was still lying in that bed. If this continued, he would wake up to nothing.
“Fix it,” I whispered.
“What was that?” Ronan asked, pretending not to hear.
“Fix it,” I said again, my voice shaking. “Clear his name. Show the truth. Please. I will do anything.”
Ronan smiled. It was slow and cruel. He leaned back against the desk, folding his arms.
“Then beg.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said softly. “Beg. Show me that you understand who holds the power. Show me you will not fight anymore.”
My pride burned inside me. Every part of me wanted to refuse. But Calder’s pale face filled my mind.
Slowly, painfully, I lowered my head.
“Please,” I whispered. “Please, Alpha Ronan Nightreaver. Save my brother. I am begging you.”
Ronan watched me for a long moment, enjoying every second. Then his expression softened, hiding the monster beneath.
“Good,” he said quietly.
He reached out and touched the cheek he had struck. I flinched, but I stayed still.
“I am sorry it came to this,” he said, his voice full of false care. “I will handle it. By tomorrow, the memory will be exposed as false. Calder will be seen as a victim. His name will rise again.”
I nodded, staring at the floor.
“Now,” Ronan said, clapping his hands lightly. “Let’s move on. How about we go out together? Just the two of us. To fix things. To start again. Agree?”
He looked at me, waiting.
“Yes,” I said quietly.
“Go change,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Wear something red. You look best in red.”
I left the study. I climbed the stairs. I entered our chamber.
I didn’t cry. I had no tears left.
I went to the wardrobe and took out a red dress. But before putting it on, I sat on the floor and took out a hidden crystal.
I called Alistair.
“Delay the case,” I said, my voice empty. I looked at my reflection. The mark on my cheek was already darkening. “Prepare something else for me. At once.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“My bond severance,” I said. “Write it. No reconciliation. Betrayal. Infidelity. Violence.”
“I like the sound of that,” Alistair replied.
“And Alistair?”
“Yes?”
I took a slow breath. “If you truly want to bring Ronan Nightreaver down,” I said, my voice cold, “then take me as your mate.”
第4章
Lysera’s POV
“Lysera?”
I jerked awake in the hard chair beside the bed. Calder was looking at me, his blue eyes still weak but clear.
“Calder!” I gasped, rushing to him. I wanted to hold his hand, but the bandages around mine stopped me. Instead, I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to his arm.
“You are awake. Thank the Moon.”
He tried to sit up, wincing. “What happened? I remember… the memory. The sleeping draught.”
“It’s gone,” I said quickly, my voice firm. “All of it is gone, Calder. It was a false memory. A crafted illusion. The guild released a statement this morning. The guards confirmed it. You are a victim, not a criminal. The people support you again. They’re already calling your name with pride.”
Calder let out a shaky breath. He closed his eyes, a tear slipping down his cheek. “I thought it was over, Lysera. I cannot… I cannot lose this. My name, my work… it is all I have.”
“I know,” I whispered, brushing his hair gently. “I promise you, Calder. I swear on my life. It will not happen again. No one will ever harm you again, brother.”
The next morning, I returned home.
The manor was quiet. Ronan was at the council hall. I walked into the library and locked the door. From the back of a hidden chest, I took out an old communication crystal, one that could not be traced.
I called a number I had not used in years.
“Kaizen,” I said when the line opened.
“Luna Lysera,” the warm, steady voice of our old steward answered. He had served my parents, then me, until Ronan suggested replacing him with younger staff. But Kaizen had never truly left me. “It has been a long time.”
“I need your help, Kaizen,” I said without delay. “I need you to search. I want everything on the Melvere bloodline. Thorian, Thara, their parents. Debts, secrets, illegal trades. And I want everything linking Ronan to them. Gold transfers, land deeds, messages. Everything.”
“It will be done, Luna. Are you well?”
“No,” I said, touching the fading bruise on my cheek. “But I will be.”
For the next seven days, I played my role.
I became the perfect mate. I wore the gowns Ronan liked. I poured his drink when he returned. I smiled when he touched me, even when my skin felt cold. I asked about his day. I acted as if nothing had happened.
“See?” Ronan said one evening, pressing his lips to my neck as I arranged flowers, using my arms more than my hands. “This is better. No conflict. Just us.”
“Yes, Ronan,” I said smoothly. “Much better.”
“Good,” he replied. “Because I have something planned. Dinner tonight as a small celebration.”
“Celebration?”
“For us,” he said with a smile. “For moving forward.”
I wore the black silk gown he chose. I put on the diamond earrings he gave me. I looked like a prize.
When we entered the private dining room, my body went cold.
We were not alone.
Sitting at the table, holding a glass of red wine, was Thorian Melvere.
His arm rested in a sling, clearly for sympathy. He looked strong. Proud. He smiled when he saw me, his gaze slow and uncomfortable.
“Lysera,” he said lazily. “It has been a while.”
I stiffened and looked at Ronan. “You invited him?”
“We’re ending this conflict,” Ronan said, guiding me to sit. “Thara will join us soon. We will be one family again, Lysera. Peaceful.”
I sat down. I had no choice.
Dinner was torture. Thorian made crude remarks. Ronan laughed. They spoke of old memories while I stared at my plate, cutting my food with slow, painful effort.
“Excuse me,” I said during the meal. “I need to step away.”
I walked into the hallway, my heart racing. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm myself. I dried my skin and turned to leave.
Thorian stood in the doorway. He had locked it.
“You think you are above everyone, do you?” he said, stepping closer. His breath smelled of wine. “Acting like you didn’thing wrong after trying to ruin me. I only reacted because of you. It was for my sister.”
“Move,” I said quietly.
“Or what?” he laughed. “You will fight me with those broken hands?”
He rushed forward. He pushed me against the stone counter, his weight trapping me. His hand grabbed at my dress, tearing the fabric.
“No!” I cried. “Let me go!”
I could not use my hands. I could not push him away. I drove my knee upward into him.
He groaned but didn’t release me. He was too heavy. His mouth pressed against my neck. “You need to learn your place.”
“Ronan!” I screamed. “Help!”
The door shook. Then it opened.
It was not Ronan. It was Thara.
“Thorian!” she cried.
She ran toward us and grabbed his arm. “Stop! What are you doing?”
Thorian shoved her away in his anger.
Thara fell back. Her hip struck the edge of the stone counter with a sickening sound. She collapsed, crying out in pain.
Ronan appeared moments later. He looked at the scene. Me, shaken and pressed against the counter. Thorian standing there. Thara on the ground in pain.
He didn’t look at me. He ran to Thara.
“Thara!” he said, dropping to his knees. “Are you alright?”
“She pushed me!” Thara cried, pointing at me. “Lysera pushed me! She has lost her mind!”
“What?” I said in shock. “No! Thorian tried to force himself on me! She tried to stop him and he pushed her!”
Ronan looked at me. His eyes were filled with anger. He didn’t believe me.
“You…” he said slowly. “You bring nothing but harm.”
“Ronan, listen to me—”
“Leave my sight!” he roared. He lifted Thara into his arms, panic clear on his face. “Call the carriage! We’re going to the healer’s den now!”
They left me there.
My hands were throbbing. During the struggle, I had struck them against the stone. Fresh blood soaked through the bandages.
I took a carriage to the same healer’s den. I entered quietly, keeping my head down. A healer changed my bandages, shaking her head at the damage. Once she finished, I slipped away toward the private chambers.
I saw Ronan standing outside a room. He was speaking to a healer. I stayed hidden in a shadowed corner.
“Is she alright?” Ronan asked. His voice shook. I had never heard him like that.
“She has a light head injury,” the healer said. “But the scan is good. The heartbeat is strong. The pup is safe, Alpha Nightreaver.”
“Thank the Moon,” Ronan breathed, leaning against the wall. “And the gender? Can you tell?”
“Yes,” the healer said with a small smile. “It is a boy.”
“A boy,” Ronan whispered. “My pup. My heir.”
The healer walked away. Ronan pulled out his crystal.
“It is me,” he said quietly. “This situation cannot continue. Lysera is out of control. She almost killed my pup tonight.”
He paused, listening.
“No, I cannot simply break the bond. She knows too much. And with her brother’s influence… no. We need something final.”
My heart pounded hard in my chest.
“I will convince her to travel with me,” he said calmly. “Then I will end her life. Make it seem like an accident on the way to the sky port. A broken carriage. And do the same to Calder. I don’t want him asking questions after she’s gone. Everything will be clean.”
第5章
Lysera’s POV
I walked back into the manor and looked at my hidden crystal. Two messages were waiting.
The first was from Kaizen.
“The records are complete, Luna. Gold transfers, healing reports, the messages between Alpha Nightreaver and the carriage handler. I have everything. It is enough to destroy them.”
I let out a slow breath. The weapon was ready.
The second message was from Alistair.
“The bond severance is filed. The path is secured. And about your other offer… I accept. The officiant is waiting at ten in the morning. Don’t be late.”
The next morning, the sun shone brightly, as if mocking my world.
I went to the kitchen. Ronan was there, drinking his coffee, reading reports on a glowing tablet. He looked up when I entered, and his face changed at once. The cold look vanished, replaced by deep concern.
“Lysera,” he said, standing and pulling out a chair. “Did you rest well?”
“I didn’t,” I answered.
He sighed and sat across from me, reaching for my wrapped hands. I let him hold them. I let the man who planned my death touch me.
“I am sorry, Lysera,” he said, his voice heavy. “About last night. About the dinner. I was not thinking clearly. I said things I should not have said.”
“You called me poison,” I said quietly.
“I was angry,” he insisted, tightening his hold. “But I thought about it all night. We cannot continue like this. The pressure, the rumors, the fights… it is breaking us. I want to fix this. I want to be the mate you deserve.”
I looked at him. “How?”
“I arranged a trip,” he said, his eyes bright with lies. “A retreat in the northern mountains. Very private and quiet. Just for you. So you can rest, recover, and escape everything. And I arranged for Calder to go with you. He needs to leave the chaos too. It will help both of you. A fresh start. I will join you after a few days for our anniversary.”
A fresh start in death, I thought.
“The northern valley?” I asked, pretending to hesitate.
“The sky carriage is ready,” he said. “The carriage will take you to the port at noon. Please, Lysera. Do this for us. Do this for your brother.”
He was too eager. He needed us in that carriage. That was where the accident would happen.
I forced a small smile. “Alright, Ronan. You’re right. We need this. I will go.”
Relief crossed his face. “Thank you. You will not regret it.”
At eleven forty-five, a black carriage stopped outside.
I watched from the window as the driver loaded my bags. I knew that driver. I knew he worked for Ronan. I knew the carriage had been prepared for my death.
“Goodbye, Ronan,” I said.
He kissed my cheek. “Travel safely. Send word when you arrive.”
“I will,” I replied.
I stepped outside and entered the carriage.
As we passed through the gates, I waited two minutes. Then I leaned forward.
“Stop the carriage,” I said.
The driver glanced at me in the mirror. “Luna, we must keep to the sched—”
“I said stop,” I cut in, my voice cold. “Or I will open this door and jump. Then you can explain why your Alpha’s mate died before the accident was meant to happen.”
The driver froze. Then he pulled the reins hard.
“Leave,” I said. “Drop the keys and go. My steward will reward you better. Leave now while I am still calm. I will drive.”
He hesitated, then quickly stepped out and left.
I moved to the front and took control.
I didn’t head toward the sky port. I didn’t drive toward any cliff.
I went to the council office.
Alistair was waiting outside. He stood tall in dark clothing, his face unreadable. We entered together.
There was nothing grand. No ceremony, no music, no guests. Only a bored official and a paid witness.
“Do you, Alistair Rydell, take Lysera Wyndclaw as your lawful mate?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Lysera Wyndclaw, take Alistair Rydell as your lawful mate?”
“I do.”
“Then you are now bound as mates.”
As Alistair signed the record, sealing our bond, I took out my crystal. It was one in the afternoon.
“It is time,” I said.
He nodded. “Do it.”
I opened the message group I created. It included every major news guild, every rumor network, every powerful voice in the kingdom.
I attached everything Kaizen had gathered.
The scan of Thara’s unborn pup from three moons ago.
The messages between Ronan and the illusion makers.
The recording of Thorian attacking me.
The gold transfers from Ronan to the assassin.
Subject: The Truth of Alpha Ronan Nightreaver.
I sent it.
Ten minutes later, my crystal rang.
Ronan.
I answered and placed it on speaker so Alistair could hear.
“Lysera?” Ronan’s voice was tight. “Where are you? I’ve got the news that you have not arrived. You should have been there already.”
He was checking if I was dead.
“Oh, I am sorry,” I said lightly. “I had something to take care of.”
“To take care of?” His voice rose. “Lysera, are you in the carriage? Are you heading to the port? Why is the driver not answering? Where is your brother?”
“Yes,” I said calmly, looking at the simple gold ring on my finger. “I am on my way. But I made a stop first.”
“A stop? For what?”
“To leave you a gift,” I said. “For our anniversary. I know it is early, but I could not wait.”
“What are you saying?” Panic filled his voice. “Lysera, go to the port now. I will meet you there—”
“I left it with the news guilds,” I said, my voice turning cold. “And I sent copies to the council and the high judges.”
“What?” he whispered.
“You will enjoy it. Just wait and see. Happy mating anniversary, Ronan.”
I ended the call and threw the crystal aside.