Chapter 223Lyra's POVI sighed softly as Alpha Gray turned to me, concern evident in his eyes. Standing up, I knew there was something important that I needed to tell him, something that sooner or later was going to come to light. "Gray, there's something I need to tell you," I began, my voice quiet yet resolute.He glanced around the pack hall, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Okay," he replied, taking my hand and leading me out of the hall. We found a quiet corner outside, the moon casting a soft glow over us.Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts before speaking. "I have a child," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Her name is Dora, and she's been living in the pack, unknown to everyone."Alpha Gray's reaction surprised me; he didn't look surprised at all. Instead, he wore a knowing expression that sent a shiver down my spine. "Why aren't you surprised?" I asked, furrowing my brows in confusion.He sighed softly, his gaze searching for mine. "I knew," he
Chapter 224Lyra's POVThe woods echoed with our hurried footsteps as Alpha Gray and I searched frantically for any sign of Dora. Fear clenched my heart like a vise, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. We had combed through every inch of the pack grounds, but there was still no trace of her."Where could they have gone?" Alpha Gray muttered, his voice laced with frustration and worry.I shook my head, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice trembling with fear. "But we have to keep looking."We pressed on, determined to find Dora no matter what. As we delved deeper into the woods, the darkness seemed to envelop us, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.Suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere nearby, causing us both to freeze in our tracks. Alpha Gray tensed beside me, his senses on high alert as he scanned the surroundings."Did you hear that?" he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as adr
Chapter 225Lyra's POVAfter the chaos had subsided and Raven was taken away by the guards, I found myself sitting on the forest floor, cradling Dora in my arms. Alpha Gray stood beside me, his gaze soft and comforting as he looked down at us."I'm so sorry, Lyra," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "I never wanted any of this to happen."I looked up at him, my eyes swimming with tears as I struggled to find the words to express my gratitude. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.He reached out and gently wiped away my tears, his touch warm and reassuring. "I'll always protect you," he vowed, his voice filled with sincerity.I nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over me as I leaned into his embrace. "I know," I whispered, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.As we sat there together, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the forest, I felt a sense of hope stirring inside me. Despite the challenges we had faced, we had emerged stronger and more un
"Stop it Ezekiel! You'll kill her" came the hysterical cry from a voice that belonged to a middle aged woman. At that moment, the one who was called Ezekiel yanked the neck of a young girl from the freezing depths of an open tank filled with icy water. That young girl was me. After being released from my previous hell of being plunged face first into the tank with my neck being strangled slightly to keep me from breaking away, I emerged as what everyone wanted to see, what everyone knew I was, weak. Gasping for breath loudly, inhaling so much it felt like my lung would burst, coughing and choking from the hold on my neck and shivering from the intense cold. This is how I start my week and if I was unlucky and I usually am, this is how I end it too. I am still coughing while trying desperately to breathe when I lock eyes with Ezekiel. His cold eyes are the most apparent of his striking features. I tried to look away in fear but he beat me to it. His eyes do not contain guilt whe
"Lady Raven. What brings you here?" Sonia spoke in the softest voice she could muster while sparing a courtesy bow for the new arrival. "Is this no longer my father's pack, Sonia? " Raven retorted while moving forward a few inches. "Lady Raven of Redmoon""Lady Raven of Redmoon""Lady Raven of Redmoon"One by one the greetings rang as a satisfied smile appeared on the face of my mortal adversary. Of course, she will come here just to hear her name and title be recited over and over again. That was the kind of girl she was. "That's not what I meant, my Lady. These are the servants quarters and are beneath her majesty" Sonia explained with a shaky voice. You do have your way with words, Sonia. My father was wise to spare you this job" Raven spat, not turning back to spare the middle aged woman a glance. Raven continued to scan the room and everyone could guess who she was looking for. It wasn't long before she saw. "I did not hear your greetings, Lyra" she looked at me right in th
"You asked to see me sir" I walked into his office, my feet trembling as I took each step in. This place held memories, dark memories. But then again, every place with him held the same. "Yes I did" came the voice of my father but I could not see his face. As usual, his back was turned towards me. He would not look me in the eye, not when he slapped me, whipped me, not even when he held my neck and forced my face towards his. "Well, here I am," I said carelessly. The words left my lips before my brain could caution me against it. I tried to take it back but it was already too late. "What did you say?" He was on his feet now for such a little provocation. I had only forgotten to address him with the usual respect but it was already making him mad. His face was still turned against me but I could feel it. "I'm sorry father…I…" another mistake. At this point I knew I was done for. There was no way I would be let off the hook for making two verbal errors consecutively. ."First. You
My brain could not keep up with so much emotion that was being processed in a single second. Fear and anxiety were common to me whenever I was in such situations with my father, the Gamma of Redmoon. But today I daresay I felt more. I felt a curiosity more pronounced than it had ever been, I felt love that had never been and against my own better judgment, I felt guilt and pity for this man who was about to beat me to an inch of my life. "Time is up" he barked, suddenly rising and turning for the first time towards my direction. At this point, his belt was already in his hand and a wicked smile had been substituted for the pain I knew was in his eyes some moments ago. "Plea… father please" I tried to reach out to the man I saw a few moments ago. The man who stooped so low even in the presence of his acclaimed enemy and slave. "Never call me father in your life" an order that preceded a tight smack of the face. I fell from the force of the attack and from the intensity of the malic
My lungs burned with more intensity than it did when I had just been yanked out of the tank. My face twitched with even more pain than when my father had smacked just a couple of hours ago. My limbs and every part of me ached with new torment. And my heart? My heart was shattering with so much force, I could almost hear it through my ears. The crashing sound that each piece made when it felt the pressure of my own mate's betrayal. Fool.I could hear the words from deep within me. I know how deep because I have heard the exact same word from the same place a couple of times before but it seemed I was destined to hear it all my life, destined to know that I was a fool and a failure. I first heard that word from inside of me when I was five and was trying to convince all my peers that my mother was still alive and she was going to come back to me. I heard the word again when I was nine and I had just woken up after being beaten unconscious by my father and thought maybe if I tried ha
Chapter 225Lyra's POVAfter the chaos had subsided and Raven was taken away by the guards, I found myself sitting on the forest floor, cradling Dora in my arms. Alpha Gray stood beside me, his gaze soft and comforting as he looked down at us."I'm so sorry, Lyra," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "I never wanted any of this to happen."I looked up at him, my eyes swimming with tears as I struggled to find the words to express my gratitude. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.He reached out and gently wiped away my tears, his touch warm and reassuring. "I'll always protect you," he vowed, his voice filled with sincerity.I nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over me as I leaned into his embrace. "I know," I whispered, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.As we sat there together, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the forest, I felt a sense of hope stirring inside me. Despite the challenges we had faced, we had emerged stronger and more un
Chapter 224Lyra's POVThe woods echoed with our hurried footsteps as Alpha Gray and I searched frantically for any sign of Dora. Fear clenched my heart like a vise, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. We had combed through every inch of the pack grounds, but there was still no trace of her."Where could they have gone?" Alpha Gray muttered, his voice laced with frustration and worry.I shook my head, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice trembling with fear. "But we have to keep looking."We pressed on, determined to find Dora no matter what. As we delved deeper into the woods, the darkness seemed to envelop us, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.Suddenly, a twig snapped somewhere nearby, causing us both to freeze in our tracks. Alpha Gray tensed beside me, his senses on high alert as he scanned the surroundings."Did you hear that?" he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as adr
Chapter 223Lyra's POVI sighed softly as Alpha Gray turned to me, concern evident in his eyes. Standing up, I knew there was something important that I needed to tell him, something that sooner or later was going to come to light. "Gray, there's something I need to tell you," I began, my voice quiet yet resolute.He glanced around the pack hall, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Okay," he replied, taking my hand and leading me out of the hall. We found a quiet corner outside, the moon casting a soft glow over us.Taking a deep breath, I gathered my thoughts before speaking. "I have a child," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Her name is Dora, and she's been living in the pack, unknown to everyone."Alpha Gray's reaction surprised me; he didn't look surprised at all. Instead, he wore a knowing expression that sent a shiver down my spine. "Why aren't you surprised?" I asked, furrowing my brows in confusion.He sighed softly, his gaze searching for mine. "I knew," he
Chapter 222Raven's POV I stood there with Silver, a mischievous smile playing on my lips, I couldn't help but revel in the sense of satisfaction that came with knowing something he didn't. Despite the turmoil swirling within me, there was a small thrill in having the upper hand, even if it was just for a moment."Maybe you'll find out soon enough," I replied cryptically, my voice dripping with amusement. "But don't worry, Silver. You'll see."Just as our conversation reached a tense moment, a messenger hurried towards us, breathless and wide-eyed."Silver, princess Raven, you're needed at the pack hall," the messenger announced, his voice urgent. "Alpha Gray has called for an important announcement."I turned to Silver, a knowing smile playing on my lips. "Looks like you'll find out sooner than you thought," I remarked, interlocking my hand with his as we began to make our way towards the pack hall.Silver sighed, his expression a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "What do you
Chapter 221Alpha Gray's POVAs Lyra leaned in and kissed me, a rush of emotions surged through me, catching me off guard. I felt a mixture of surprise, longing, and a tinge of uncertainty. What did this kiss mean? Was it a sign of forgiveness? Or simply a moment of vulnerability amidst the chaos surrounding us?Breaking away from the kiss, I looked at her with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "I... I don't understand," I admitted, my voice tinged with uncertainty.“What does this mean?.” I asked, expecting a clear explanation from her, something heartfelt. Lyra smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Does it have to mean anything?" she asked, her tone gentle yet teasing.I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Did this kiss signify a reconciliation between us? Or was it merely just a moment of weakness from her part. Glancing around to ensure that no one was watching, I turned back to Lyra, searching her eyes for any hint of clarity. "Does that mean that...?" I began, b
Chapter 220Lyra's POV Alpha Gray's reassuring smile eased some of the tension coiling in my chest. His comforting presence gave me a sense of stability in the midst of uncertainty."Everything is going to be okay, Lyra," he said softly, his voice gentle yet firm. "We'll get through this together."I nodded, grateful for his words of encouragement. But despite his reassurance, a nagging worry lingered at the back of my mind, like a shadow threatening to engulf me."I'm just... worried," I admitted, turning to him with a furrowed brow. "I don't know why or what exactly, but I'm worried about Raven. She... she isn't taking the news well, and I fear she might do something rash."Alpha Gray's expression softened, understanding flickering in his eyes. "I know Raven," he said with a sigh. "She's headstrong and impulsive, but she's also fiercely loyal to the pack. We'll keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn't do anything foolish."I nodded in agreement, grateful for his assurance.
Chapter 219Lyra's POVI walked towards the palace, my mind still preoccupied with the weight of the secrets I carried. As I glanced up, I noticed Raven standing by the ledge, her gaze fixed on me. I sighed, feeling a pang of guilt as I wondered what she must be thinking.Shrugging off the uneasy feeling, I pushed open the doors and entered the palace. Climbing the stairs, I made my way through the hallway, expecting to see Raven still standing there, but she was nowhere to be found.With a heavy sigh, I continued walking towards the room where Alpha Gray had said he would be meeting with the rest of the elders. As I approached, the low murmur of voices reached my ears, signaling that they were already in session.Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped inside, the weight of their collective gazes settling on me as I entered the room. Alpha Gray looked up from his conversation and gestured for me to come forward."Lyra," he called out, his voice filled with warmth and
Chapter 218Raven's POV I approached the grand entrance of the palace, a sense of loneliness washed over me. I hesitated, unable to bring myself to step inside. It felt as though an invisible barrier stood between me and the life I had always known, a life that suddenly felt unfamiliar and unwelcoming.I knew that something was wrong when I saw the picture of the late Luna, and how she looked so much like Lyra … “you were supposed to be my mother.. not her.” I muttered in anger. I was a fool for thinking that it was just a coincidence. “Fuck!.” I shook my head, trying to dispel the doubts that gnawed at the edges of my mind. "Get it together, Raven," I muttered under my breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead.Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the opulent hallway beyond. But instead of feeling a sense of belonging, I felt like an intruder in my own home. Every step I took felt wrong, as though I was trespassing on someone else's territory.I
Chapter 217Lyra's POVAlpha Gray," I said, turning to him with a firm expression. "I think you should go ahead of me. There are some things I need to take care of first."Gray nodded in understanding, though a hint of concern lingered in his eyes. "Are you sure, Lyra?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine worry. "Is everything alright?"I forced a smile, trying to reassure him despite the tumult of emotions swirling within me. "Yes, everything's fine," I replied, my voice steady. "I just need to check on some things. I'll catch up with you later."As Gray moved to leave, I turned to follow him, eager to get started on my own tasks. But before I could take a step, he reached out and gently took my hand in his, halting me in my tracks.I turned to look at him, surprised by the sudden gesture. "Is there something else?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.Gray hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching mine as if trying to read my thoughts. "Are you sure you're okay, Lyra?" he asked again,