Luna Kyria: Mated To My Fate

Episode 2: Escaping Reality

Kyria gaped, mortified by the unbelievable twist of events. Marcus, without apology, took the hand of a sleek, poised mate. It was a crushing blow for Kyria, who felt her world crumbling like a stack of cards. She recognized her regardless of the tears that blurred her sight. He had once introduced her as his cousin. Perfect like a moon goddess adorned in a lavish royal gown, Kyria looked like a maid next to her. There was no telling she was from a wealthy and powerful allied pack.

"Howlspring!" he continued. The finality in his voice was certain, devoid of warmth and mercy, as he raised her hand above his head. "A howl to my mate, my beautiful Luna!" The announcement shattered Kyria's hopes and the dream she had almost touched.

Through the confused crowd, resonating howls and rippling gasps conflicted. Kyria’s world erupted violently. It was as if the ground had been ripped from beneath her feet. Her breath stalled in her throat, almost choking her. The wound of betrayal stinging deeper than she had ever imagined possible. Marcus’s expression, stone-cold, absolute, and unyielding towards her.

Shame poured into Kyria's face, and her blood boiled from the public humiliation. She tossed her bouquet of moon flowers on the ground like trash. The tears she fought to control welled up and spilled over her, messing up her makeup. Her heart bled like a dagger drove into it.

"But why?" she asked in a most quavery voice. "Marcus, we were meant to—I trust—!”

“Let's be honest, Kyria," he interrupted, his tone dismissive and unapologetic. "You are not enough; you never were. Besides, you're a cheap sellout.”

With ruthless majesty, Marcus turned to the crowd, a sneer dancing across his face.

“Who sells out their pack’s biggest secret over one sloppy kiss? Shame on you, Kyria Garrett! Then he spat on her.

The question cut through Kyria like a blade. Each syllable twisted and turned in the wound Marcus inflicted on her heart. She had no words, and even if she did, how was she going to compose herself to best articulate them?

Aria raged inside her. “You should have left him to bleed out? I told you not to take him to the healing stone.” But she had trusted him. Even when she had barely known him, she quickly fell for his wits and charm, running her mouth about the Valley of Healing Stones, a secret that's been kept hidden for centuries untold. Like a sly fox, the over-ambitious alpha took advantage of her, striking a deal with her father in secret.

“The prophecy about Kyria is no news. Let her be my mate, and we’ll form the strongest alliance,” he had said.

Floyd Garrett jumped at the offer but soon discovered it came in heavy conditions.

“We both know Kyria is no match for my status and excellent visage, yet I’ll make sacrifices if you're willing to do the same.” Marcus said with unapologetic audacity.

“What!” Floyd spat, feeling insulted.

“Give me access to the Valley of Healing Stones, and I’ll protect your pack's secret and have your daughter grace my bed for free.”

Feeling helpless and vulnerable, Floyd had accepted Marcus Stone’s deal. It was the only way to protect their pack’s gift from the exploitation of rival packs. Also, it seemed like the situation aligned with Kyria's fulfillment of the prophecy. His heart bled as he watched his only child get humiliated in public.

It looked as if she had been punched in her stomach, and the world around her spun fast. Her knees buckled, and she fell to her feet, faint-headed, sickened from the pain of heartbreak. Marcus’s gaze flickered with something similar to regret when she fell and curled up into herself on the floor, but his resolve remained firm.

“Obviously, you fail to present the image of strength and beauty that our pack deserves.I have made my decision,” he thundered, his bloodshot eyes brooking no argument. “And it is in the best interest of our packs.”

Kyria’s mother knelt beside her daughter in a silent gesture of support. Her father dashed forward as if to pounce on Marcus, but his vulnerability dampened his steamy anger. “Marcus,” he growled, his voice taut with repressed fury, “this is not how we do things.” Yet Marcus remained savage.

Kyria died a thousand times. What Marcus had done was choose Layla Whitehart over her. From the embarrassing disappointment, Kyria deduced that he had already chosen Layla, yet he still needed her. Layla, in her cruelty, played along, pretending to be her friend while Marcus deceived her. “Why?” Kyria lamented, searching Layla’s eyes for answers, but the new Luna only responded with a cold glare of disdain and pride.

Her breathing trembled, yet Kyria pushed herself to her feet. She wiped away her tears, squared her shoulders, and turned towards the exit. Without a word or a second thought, without proper consideration or a backward glance, she fled the hall. She could hear whispers trail her, footsteps hastening to keep up with her; still, she didn't stop.

Her mother called out, and her father ran after her; instead, she increased her speed. She couldn’t face them with the pain that gnawed at her heart. She couldn't face the pity and sympathy she knew would greet her shame-stricken face. She just wanted to run as fast and as far away from Howlspring as her weight and legs could carry her.

She proceeded into the shadows uphill, setting off into the forest that protected Howlspring. She could barely hear her parents now. Their cries had begun fading out with the lights of the village behind her, yet she forged on.

Would she find a new path and craft a new destiny away from the rejection and humiliation? Even Kyria Garrett doesn't know. Beneath uneven, shallow gasps were audible pants as she journeyed into the unknown. The familiar moonlight guided her path through towering trees.

She should stop to catch her breath, but did she? No!

Her legs didn't stop until an unanticipated blackout engulfed her. It was as if the moon had been snatched off the sky.

Fear gripped Kyria's throat. She stopped running. The horror of the blinding darkness almost gave her a heart attack.

Aria tried to guide her through the cloak of darkness, yet Kyria couldn't help but grope in what seemed like an empty space. Suddenly, the air began to thin out, and her head whirled inside her. She staggered until she bumped, face first, into a hard surface, then collapsed to the cold ground.