MARRIED TO THE ALPHA WHO BETRAYED ME

CHAPTER 5

*CHAPTER 5*

*NEW BEGINNING*

**LYRA**

Come on, he said. Let's get you settled in.

Uncle Marcus led me into the guest room.

To get some rest, I was so exhausted

My body ached, and my mind was full of thoughts.

I closed my eyes, holding onto the pillows tightly till I fell asleep.

The reflection from the sunlight woke me up,

For a moment, I felt at peace.

Then it all came flashing back.

Kael betrayal, my parents' death.

I sat up slowly, my body aching from sleeping in one position all night.

Uncle Marcus was in the kitchen, making coffee. He came out when he heard my voice.

"Morning," he said. "How was your sleep?"

"Not great," I admitted.

He poured me a cup of coffee. I took it gently.

I know it's been a lot, but you're fine, Uncle Marcus said, patting me on the back.

I nodded, holding unto the warm mug.

I felt like part of a pack. I hadn't felt like I belonged to a pack in years.

Not since my parents died.

We're murdered. I corrected myself bitterly.

"You can't keep running, Lyra," he said gently. "At some point, you have to stop and build something. A life and a future."

"I know."

"Good." He relaxed back. “ If you're going to stay here, we need to do this right. You need a place to live. A job and a new identity.

I looked at him. "A new identity?"

"You're carrying Kael Storm-fang's child," Uncle Marcus said with a serious look. "If anyone from Storm-fang or the Hale Pack comes looking, they can't find you. That means hiding who you are."

How?

"First, we mask your scent," Uncle Marcus said. "I know someone who can help with that. Then we will find you an apartment. Get you settled. And you start over."

I stared at my coffee.

Start over again as someone new

Someone who wasn't Lyra Hale.

"Okay," I said quietly. "What do I need to do?"

Marcus smiled. "Let's start with finding you a place to live."

I've been alone for so long with no parents, no home, no one who really cared.

Until now, Uncle Marcus cared

I felt quite happy after a long time.

We went in search of the house,

We spent the whole morning driving round Crescent Bay, looking at apartments.

Most of them were too expensive.

But then we found one.

A tiny one-bedroom apartment above an old bookstore on the edge of town. The rent was cheap, and the owner was a kind elderly wolf named Mr. Brennan. He didn't ask many questions.

"Just keep the place clean and pay on time," he said with a warm smile. "That's all I care about."

I signed the document under a new name.

*Lyra Hayes.*

Close enough to remember. Different enough to protect me.

Mr. Brennan handed me the keys, and I stared at them for a while.

My own place, my own life

"Thank you," I whispered.

He patted my shoulder. "You take care now, miss."

Uncle Marcus helped me move in that afternoon.

There wasn't much to move, just my small bag and a few things. Uncle Marcus had lying around. A blanket, some dishes and a lamp.

The apartment was empty.

But it was mine.

I stood in the middle of the small living room and looked around.

"It's not much," Uncle Marcus said from the doorway.

"It is perfect," I said softly.

He smiled. "Good now, let's talk about your scent."

We drove to the outskirts of town, to a small hut surrounded by trees.

We knocked when an older woman answered the door. Her silver hair was tied back, and her sharp eyes studied me carefully.

"Marcus," she said, her voice warm. "It's been a while."

"Estelle," uncle Marcus greeted . "I need your help."

She looked at me. "Is this her?"

"Yes. She needs to mask her scent. Completely."

Estelle nodded and asked us to come inside.

Her hut smelled like herbs and plants. Bundles of dried plants hung from the ceiling, and shelves covered the walls, filled with jars and bottles.

She led me to a small table and sat me down.

"You're pregnant," she said bluntly.

I nodded.

"How far gone

"About six weeks."

She smiled and turned to one of her shelves, bringing down a small glass bottle filled with clear oil.

"This will mask your scent," she said, handing it to me. "Rub it on your wrists and neck every morning. It'll hide your wolf's scent completely. No one will be able to track you."

I took the bottle carefully. "Will it hurt the baby?"

"No," Estelle said firmly. "It's completely natural. Healers have used it for centuries. Just don't skip a day, or your scent will come back."

I nodded. "Thank you."

She looked at me for a moment. "You're running from something dangerous."

It wasn't a question.

"Yes," I admitted.

"Then be careful," and take care of yourself.

"I will."

She handed Marcus a second bottle . "In case she runs out."

Uncle Marcus paid her, and we left.

That night, I sat alone in my new apartment, staring out the window at the dark sea in the distance with lots of memories flashing through my mind.

I applied the oil to my wrists and neck, just like Estelle had instructed.

The scent was light, natural and clean,

Nothing like my real scent.

Nothing that would lead Kael to me.

I placed my hand on my stomach and whispered, "We're safe now. I promise."

But even as I said it, I knew it wasn't completely true.

Kael was still out there.

The people who killed my parents were still out there.

And I was carrying a secret that could destroy everything.

But for now, I

Had a roof over my head.

I had Uncle Marcus and I had Declan's protection.

I had hope.

I looked around the small, empty apartment.

This is my home now.

And I would keep it.