Chapter 4: Dark Warning

Lyra's POV

Xander's grip tightens, eyes blazing with an emotion dangerously close to hatred. I wrench myself free, stumbling backward, but he matches each of my retreating steps with an aggressive advance. The space between us crackles with tension.

Despite his anger, the mate pull thrums stronger than ever. It's intoxicating, making me light-headed even as alarm bells scream in my mind. I squeeze my eyes shut as he closes in, his face mere inches from mine. My heart pounds, torn between longing for a kiss and bracing for a verbal assault.

But neither comes—instead, the sharp click of heels on stone cuts through the night. My eyes fly open to see Xander retreating, moving towards a figure emerging from the shadows.

Elara. Of course.

"Is everything alright?" she asks, her saccharine tone belied by the sharp look in her eyes. "Lyra? What's going on here?"

"Nothing," I manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

Xander smoothly interjects, "Lyra was feeling overwhelmed by the party. I came to check on her. She's fine now – I just wanted to ensure she'd be okay out here alone."

"How thoughtful of you," Elara purrs, snaking an arm around his neck and pulling him into a deep kiss.

My stomach churns. Does she know? Is she aware of the mate bond between Xander and me, deliberately flaunting their relationship?

The thought chills and infuriates me simultaneously. If she knows, this display is needlessly cruel. She's already won. She has our parents' approval and everyone's respect and admiration.

And now she has my mate.

* * *

When I re-enter, the house is a buzzing hive of activity. Elara's friends and their extended social circle swarm every room, their chatter and laughter starkly contrasting the turmoil inside me. I weave through the crowd, desperate to reach my room's stairs and sanctuary.

I'm about to bolt upstairs when a hand catches my arm. I whirl, expecting Elara's smug face, but find my mother instead.

"Sweetheart, where are you going?" she asks, concern etching her features.

Anger bubbles up inside me. Now she remembers the daughter whose birthday this party is supposed to celebrate. I swallow the bitter retort, forcing out a calm response. "I need some space. The crowd is a bit much."

"I'll walk you up," she offers, surprising me with her attentiveness.

We navigated the sea of bodies to my room. Instead of leaving me at the door as expected, she followed me in, perching on the edge of my bed as I collapsed onto it.

After a heavy silence, she speaks. "Something's bothering you, isn't it? You've been off since Xander arrived. Do you know him?"

Her perceptiveness catches me off guard. I've always assumed Elara was the only child she indeed saw. This realization cracks my carefully constructed walls, and suddenly, I'm pouring out the truth.

"Xander is my mate," I whisper. Mom's eyes widen in shock. I bury my face in my hands, words tumbling out. "I know, I know. I don't want to complicate things, but these feelings... they're overwhelming. I feel this pull towards him, even though I know he loves Elara."

Mom stares at me, her expression unreadable. I look away, unable to bear her scrutiny.

Finally, she speaks, her voice soft but firm. "Xander is destined for your sister. You can't interfere, Lyra. I'm proud of you for recognizing that."

"But what do I do with these feelings?" I plead, desperate for guidance.

Her expression hardens. "Suppress them. Kill them. Bury them so deep they wither away. You cannot come between them, Lyra. Not ever. This stays between us, a secret we take to our graves."

My heart shatters, but I know she's right. She kisses my cheek and leaves, abandoning me to my internal battle.

I try to follow her advice, to push down the emotions, but it only intensifies the pain. My body feels like thousands of tiny needles are stabbing it. My chest constricts, making each breath a struggle.

Desperate for relief, I stumble to the bathroom to splash water on my face. That's when I hear it – from Elara's room next door.

Moaning.

My enhanced hearing picks up every excruciating detail. The rhythmic creaking of the bed. Elara's breathy pleas for more, faster, harder. Xander's deep groans of pleasure. The sounds build to a crescendo, assaulting my ears, heart, and soul.

He's claiming her. My sister. My mate. Even with our bond still pulsing between us.

As their passion reaches its peak, something inside me snaps. At that moment, I made a decision that would alter the course of my life forever. I can't stay here, suffocating in the shadow of their happiness, drowning in my forbidden desires.

By morning, Lyra Nightshade will be gone.