All Chapters of Forbidden Bonds: Secrets of the Alpha's Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Xander's POVThe sting of Lyra's slap still burns on my cheek as I storm away from her, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions: anger, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of possessiveness war within me. I want to turn back, shake some sense into her, and demand answers about the mysterious man on the phone. But I force myself to keep walking, putting distance between us before I do something I'll regret.My wolf, Blaze, paces restlessly in my mind. 'Go back,' he urges. 'She's ours. We can't let her go.'"She's not ours," I growl under my breath. "We rejected her, remember? She's Elara's sister. Off-limits."But even as I say the words, I know they lie. The mate bond pulses between us, more vital than ever, despite our attempts to sever it. Every fiber of my being screams to return to Lyra, to claim her as mine.I shake my head, trying to clear these dangerous thoughts. I made my choice. I chose Elara. I can't go back on that now, no matter how much my wolf howls in protest.A fa

Lyra's POVThe afternoon sun beats down mercilessly as I make my way through the pack grounds, every step feeling like wading through molasses. The events of the past few days weigh heavily on me, and I have a constant ache in my chest that refuses to subside.Elara's mocking words from earlier still ring in my ears. She had burst into my room, triumph gleaming in her eyes as she recounted her intimate moments with Xander in excruciating detail. Each word was a dagger to my heart, twisting deeper with every syllable."He doesn't need you, Lyra," she had sneered. "He doesn't want you. When will you get that through your thick skull?"I tried to explain and defend myself, but she cut me off with a dismissive wave. "Face it, sister, dear. The only reason the rejection didn't work is because you're too pathetic to let go. How sad."As I wander aimlessly, her cruel laughter echoes in my mind. The mate bond thrums painfully, a constant reminder of what I can never have. Xander chose Elara. M

Lyra's POVThe party's remnants lay scattered across the living room like the wreckage of my life – empty cups, crumpled napkins, and the lingering scent of too many bodies in too small a space. I move mechanically, gathering trash and straightening furniture, desperate for any distraction from the storm raging inside me.But even as I try to focus on the mundane task, I'm acutely aware of his presence. Xander is my mate, my sister's boyfriend, and the source of both my greatest joy and deepest pain.He's across the room, helping my mother move a heavy bookshelf back into place. The muscles in his arms flex with the effort, and I find myself mesmerized by the play of light across his skin. As if sensing my gaze, he looks up, our eyes locking for a breathless moment.The intensity in his hazel depths sends a jolt through me, like touching a live wire. I quickly averted my eyes, cheeks burning, but the damage was done—our mate bond hummed with renewed vigor, a constant, annoying reminder

Lyra's POVThe full moon hangs low in the sky, a silver eye watching the sleeping world. But sleep eludes me, my mind a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The events of the pack meeting replay on an endless loop—the unexpected praise, Elara's threats, and Xander's words that felt too much like hope.With a frustrated growl, I throw off my covers. I can't stay in this room for another second. Nova, my wolf, paces restlessly within me, yearning for freedom.'Run,' she urges. 'Let's run until we can't think anymore.'For once, we're in perfect agreement. I slip out of the house silently, padding across the dew-dampened grass. As soon as I reach the tree line, I let the shift take me. Bones crack and reform, fur sprouts across my skin, and in moments, I'm no longer Lyra the girl but Lyra the wolf.I take off into the forest, reveling in the feeling of the earth beneath my paws and the wind in my fur. The physical exertion helps quiet the tumult in my mind, if only temporarily. I r

Lyra's POVThe tension in Alpha Blackthorn's office is thick enough to cut with a knife. I stand before his imposing desk, flanked by Xander and Elara, feeling like a prisoner awaiting sentencing. The Alpha's steely gaze sweeps over us, his expression unreadable."Explain," he says, his voice low and dangerous.Elara immediately launches into a tirade, her words a poisonous mix of accusations and crocodile tears. "She's trying to steal Xander from me, Alpha! That photo proves it. She's been seducing him behind my back, trying to worm her way into the Luna position-""Enough," Alpha Blackthorn cuts her off, his eyes fixed on his son. "Xander. What do you have to say about this?"Xander hesitates, conflict clear in his eyes. "Father, I... It's not what it looks like. Lyra and I ran into each other in the forest. We were talking. Nothing happened.""Nothing happened?" Elara screeches. "You were about to kiss her!""We didn't-" I start to protest, but Alpha Blackthorn silences me with a ra