Chapter three

Lyla's POV:

The air in the room was suffocating. I sat on the cold floor, knees pulled to my chest, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. Two weeks have passed since I caught Lucian with Marielle, and I still can't make sense of it. 

The room was in a mess, my clothes were scattered across the bed and floor, tables turned over, shattered vases littering the ground. It was a reflection of the chaos inside me—shattered, unfiltered, and utterly broken.

The knock at my door has become a daily occurrence. Lucian. He has been relentless, pleading with me to let him in, to talk. 

But I couldn’t. 

Each knock felt like a dagger, twisting the wound he’d inflicted. The only person I allowed in was Rosa, my personal maid. She didn’t pry, didn’t judge. She simply brought me food and sat with me when the loneliness became unbearable.

Today, the silence was broken by the loud ringing of my phone. I hesitated, staring at the screen. *Mom*. I almost ignored it, but I eventually picked it up.

“Lyla.” My mother’s voice was sharp, devoid of empathy. “Stop acting childishly and come home. We need to sort this out.”

I was about to hang up when my father’s voice broke through. “Don’t make me lose my tie with the Lycan King over this. It’s one mistake, Lyla. Come home.”

His words stung. *One mistake?* Was that all my pain and humiliation amounted to? I swallowed the lump in my throat. Without a word, I hung up, forcing myself to my feet. If they wanted me there, I’d go. But not for reconciliation—for answers.

After a quick shower, I dressed casually, pulling my hair into a loose bun. I could barely recognize myself in the mirror—my eyes were puffy, my cheeks hollow. 

Shaking my head, I grabbed my bag and hailed a cab.

The familiar gates of my family’s mansion came before me. I stepped into the house and Jamie, the housekeeper opened the door. Her face was filled with worry, but I couldn’t muster the strength to ask why.

“They’re waiting for you in the dining room, Miss Lyla.” She said softly.

I nodded, stepping inside. The house felt different—colder. As I approached the dining room, my stomach twisted. There they were: My father, my mother, and Marielle, seated at the table like nothing had happened.

The moment Marielle’s eyes met mine, her lips curled into a smug smile. I turned on my heel. “I’m not staying here. If you want to talk, it won’t be in the same room as her. Otherwise, I’m leaving.”

“Lyla, sit down.” my father commanded, his tone left no room for argument. “There’s something important we need to discuss.”

“Important?” I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Unless it’s an apology for letting this…this snake ruin my life, I’m not interested.”

Marielle’s chair scraped against the floor as she stood. “Oh, grow up, Lyla! You’re not the only one with feelings. I…” She paused, smirking. “I’m pregnant. With Lucian’s child.”

The words hit me hard. My legs wobbled, and I grabbed the back of a chair to steady myself. “W-what?” I managed to stammer. “How long has this been going on?” I asked, sniffing back tears.

Her smirk widened. “The day you caught us in his office? That was our first time. Guess it was meant to be.”

My vision blurred. Before I could stop myself, I lunged at her, my fingers curling into claws. “You disgusting, conniving…”

Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back. “Stop it!” My father yelled, holding me in place. “Lyla, enough! We’re here to find a solution, not fight.”

“A solution?” I spat, struggling against his grip. “You call this betrayal a problem to solve? She’s pregnant with *my* husband’s child, and you want me to sit here and…” I trailed off, unable to finish.

“Lyla.” my mother interjected, stepping beside Marielle. “We’re asking you to be reasonable. Marielle can’t have a child out of wedlock. It’s not just about her—it’s about our family’s reputation.”

I stared at her, deeply. “So, what? You want me to hand Lucian over? Propose their marriage like it’s some grand gesture?”

My father’s silence was enough.

My voice rose, shaking with fury. “You’re pathetic. Both of you. And you…” I turned to my mother, my words venomous. “You’ve always treated me like trash. Marielle’s your golden child, your little princess. And me? I’m just a pawn in your games.”

“Lyla, that’s enough.” My father warned.

“No, it’s not!” I yelled, tears streaming down my face. “You’re a coward. You let her manipulate you, let her tear this family apart, and for what? Your precious reputation? Well, congratulations, because you’ve lost me.”

I stormed out, slamming the door behind me. By the time I got home, my mind was made up. I couldn’t stay. Not in this Pack, not in this Kingdom, not in this life. I packed my belongings hastily, shoving clothes into a suitcase. Rosa stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear.

“High Luna, please.” She begged, stepping forward. “You can’t leave like this.”

“I have to.” I said firmly, zipping up the suitcase. “There’s nothing left for me here, Rosa. Nothing but pain.”

She grabbed my arm. “If you leave, what will happen to you? To the baby?”

I pulled away gently. “I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

Before she could argue further, she bolted from the room. Moments later, Lucian appeared, his face pale and drawn. “Lyla, please.” He pleaded, his voice breaking. “Don’t do this. Let me explain.”

I turned to him, my voice cold. “If you truly care about me, you’ll let me go. Because the more I see you, the more I feel like my death is near.”

His eyes filled with anguish, but he stepped aside, letting me pass. I didn’t look back.

But maybe, just maybe if he tried to hold me back. Maybe I would have stayed back. But he was truly letting me go, just like that.

The road stretched before me, dark and empty. My hands trembled on the wheel as tears blurred my vision. Then suddenly the crash came out of nowhere, a blinding light and the deafening sound of metal against metal. My car tumbled, landing in a mangled heap.

Groaning, I crawled out, blood trickling down my forehead. As I staggered to my feet, a shadow loomed before me. A figure in a mask, the person stood there quietly, watching.

“Who…” I asked, but they didn’t answer. They stepped closer, and everything went black.