The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 8

LYRA

Primordial means origin, I thought. That means this book harbors everything from the very beginning. If I get my hands on this book, I’m done for. It would be like holding a treasure chest of gold.

But where will I keep it?

Is this just a fictional story, or does it truly hold the secrets of the mansion and everything connected to Blade?

I had no time to dwell on it—I needed to move. And the book had to come with me. I tucked it in the middle of the stack of books in my arms, ensuring no one would notice it.

To lighten the load, I put two or three books back on the shelf and pressed forward with this primordial book. But why was it just lying there?

Are the Harlows fools? Or maybe no one but them is allowed inside the library. Could it be that even Blade doesn’t know about this book? If he did, he wouldn’t have let it sit here so carelessly and most importantly have not allowed me to barge in here without anyone with me.

But yes, Blade had sternly warned me to get permission from someone… or did he say to bring someone along with me? Ugh! I can’t remember at all.

But why am I trying to make him seem innocent in all this? Snap out of it, Lyra. He may be your husband, but there’s nothing between you two—at least, not yet. You’ve only just started to understand him. And he’s not that innocent, after all. I have no reason to defend him.

I know by now—he’s a tiger. He has to be. Every clue, everything I’ve seen so far, points to one undeniable truth: Blade is a shapeshifter. That’s all there is to it. And if I want to dig deeper, I have to take this book. Even if it feels like a crime, I don’t care anymore. The sooner, the better.

Balancing the books carefully in my fragile hands, I was just about to step out of the library when I saw Lucas entering.

No. Not him!

Panic shot through me, my insides screaming. My grip tightened around the books. What if he sees the primordial book in my hands? I’m dead for sure.

I’m such a fool. I shouldn’t have picked it up. I should have left it here and come back daily to read it little by little. But even that wouldn’t have worked—these cunning people are always lurking around their monstrous palace.

I tried to walk straight out, ignoring him completely. But, as expected, his nosiness got the better of him.

“Lyra!” he called from behind.

“Or should I say, sister-in-law?” he teased, circling me like a predator.

I stood still, refusing to face him. My teeth clenched—I had no desire to talk to him. No desire to engage at all.

“Huh?” He smirked, still circling. Then, stepping closer, he leaned in toward my face. I instinctively backed away.

“What do you want now? I already told you—I don’t need your help.” I glared at him, tilting my head slightly upward.

My grip remained firm on the books, though their weight was starting to wear on me. I just hoped they wouldn’t slip from my hands.

“Can’t I just have a conversation with you? And what exactly are you doing in the library?” he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

I turned away. “Why do you care?” I shot back, meeting his gaze.

“Ooof! Spicy!” He smirked.

“What?”

“Your tongue! It’s spicy!” He laughed.

I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath. “Just leave me alone, Lucas.”

Pushing past him, my shoulder brushing against his, I strode toward the library doors. But just as I reached them, I froze.

Amelia.

Oh, lord. Why her, of all people?

I tried to ignore her, keeping my focus straight ahead, the books pressed securely against my chest. But, of course, she noticed me.

“Where are you taking all those books?” she asked, stopping me in my tracks.

I had hoped she’d be too distracted by her phone to pay attention. But this woman—I swear!

“I’m just taking the books for my research on writing. Any problems?” I asked her in return.

“Sadly, I don’t have problems with you. Instead, you should have problems with me.” She chuckled, taking the earphones out of her ears.

“This library is meant only for family members. No outsiders are allowed here. Has no one told you that? How did you even get in?” she asked, stepping closer and mocking me.

I turned slightly to the side and said, “Blade gave me permission. So I don’t think I need to ask anyone else.”

With a blunt and sharp tone, I ended what I had to say. She remained standing there, unfazed, still wearing that mocking expression. For some reason, I couldn’t stand the way she always furrowed her eyebrows. It felt cringeworthy and overly irritating. Plus, her rude remarks weren’t helping either.

“How could he?” she muttered to herself, visibly annoyed.

Lucas stepped out of the library, having overheard our conversation.

“Take a deep breath, dear sister! It’s fine. She’s just flaunting the fact that she has Blade’s favor. But she doesn’t know the reality.” He smirked at me.

“You stay out of this, Lucas. I don’t even want to see your face,” she snapped, pointing a finger at him.

“Okay! Who wants to talk to you anyway? I was just passing by,” he replied coolly before heading downstairs.

Oh! So there’s tension between Lucas and Amelia too. They clearly don’t get along. Lucas is nosy, and Amelia seems like the type of woman who can hate someone for absolutely no reason. What a perfect match!

Seeing an opportunity, I tried to walk away, but this b*tch grabbed my hand, stopping me. In that instant, the books slipped from my grasp and scattered across the floor. Luckily, she hadn’t noticed yet—too busy celebrating the fact that she had made a fool out of me.

Looking at me with a smirk, she said, “Oops! Do you mind if I take a look at your books?”

I froze. No, please. I couldn’t even say no. I couldn’t do anything. If I picked them up in front of her, she would immediately notice the Primordial Book—and I couldn’t lie. I had no strategy left.

Without even waiting for my answer, she quickly dropped to the floor before I could react and began picking up the books one by one.

All the while, she judged me for my choices.

“Ooo! Mystery? Are you a big fan of that genre? And what’s this? Ah, some articles and documentaries. So lame! I find this so lame.” Saying this, she shoved some of the books back into my hands.

“Pick up the rest, darling! What did you think? That I would gather everything and hand them to you? Nonsense! I’m the princess of this house. Do your own work, darling!” She glanced at her nails and clicked her tongue at me, her eyes flicking toward the floor, gesturing for me to pick up the books.

What a weirdo! She’s just too much. I never asked her to help me, nor did I get in her way like she did. She must just enjoy bothering me—that's the only explanation I can think of.

Smirking at me through it all, she watches as I try to pick up the other books lying on the floor. I purposely stand in between, blocking her view so she can’t see what I’m picking up. But she moves to the other side, monitoring me. I quickly slide the Primordial Book between two thin books, but they don’t hide it completely. The book's edges peek out, making it stand out from the rest.

I glance at her from the corner of my eye and start moving hurriedly.

“Hey, hey, hey! Wait, wait. Pause there!” She comes running from behind. I close my eyes, imagining she’s definitely seen the book.

I don’t turn around.

“Now what?” I ask in a low voice.

“Show me the books one more time.” She extends her palm, eyeing me suspiciously.

I take a deep breath, knowing what’s about to happen. Now that I have no choice, I hand the books over.

She carefully checks each one, flipping through the pages. Then she stops—unfortunately, at the Primordial Book.

I shut my eyes in guilt and bite the inside of my cheek. My entire body feels stiff.

She lifts the Primordial Book and glares at me. "What's this? Why do you have it?"

I flinch, my nerves pulsing heavily.

Before I can even speak, she cuts me off. "Do you even know what you're doing? This isn't yours! How dare you take this book?"

She steps closer, her presence threatening, and I instinctively step back.

Again, I try to speak, but she interrupts me once more, not giving me a chance. "You thief! You were stealing it, weren't you?"

She grabs my shoulders and shakes me, shouting, "Answer me, you thief!"

Her teeth are clenched, fury blazing in her eyes—like a beast, just like Blade. My mind blanks. I can't process anything.

So I stay silent.

But her yelling draws the attention of the family. They gather downstairs, their voices a chaotic murmur, trying to piece together what’s happening.

And when I look at them—Predators, my mind screams.

"What's happening, Amelia?" Grandma asked, worried, her hand pressed to her chest.

"Ask your granddaughter-in-law what she did instead," Amelia snapped.

She turned back to me, lifting the book high in her hand for everyone to see.

Lucas shook his head with a smirk. "Oh dear," he muttered, clicking his tongue.

I shot him a sharp glare, my eyes burning into him.

Then I turned to Blade—only to find him giving me a disapproving look.

"Blade? Aren't you going to say anything to her?" Amelia asked, her tone dripping with malice. "You were the one who gave her permission to go to the library, after all."

Blade looked away.

Guilt twisted in my chest. Had I broken his trust? Sh*t.

"The Primordial Book," Margaret purred, her tone mocking.

"Lyra, what were you doing with that?" Noah interjected, his voice firm.

Margaret smirked at me.

"No one touches that book except family. Blade, you should probably remind your lovely wife of that," Lucas said, throwing him a pointed look.

"Bring that book to me this instant, Amelia," Vincent ordered, his gaze hard on me.

Good lord. No more searching for secrets. I’ve lost that chance.

As Amelia handed him the book, Elowen shot me a disapproving look. She had always been sweet to me. What changed? Though, deep down, I already knew the answer.

Zoe just stood there, silent, trying to process everything.

Finally, I spoke. "I was just here to take some books for my writing research. I saw this one and thought it might help me. I didn’t even read much." My voice was low, heavy with guilt.

"Such a liar, you b*tch!" Amelia snarled, charging toward me.

Of course, I would’ve hit her back, but everything happened so fast—I didn’t even react.

"Stop it, Amelia!" Blade’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding.

"Just drop it. You find the smallest thing and turn it into an issue. Leave it to me—I’ll handle it better than you."

Enough, all of you! This is too much," Grandma interjected, her voice firm.

"Blade, take her to her room. And the rest of you—I want you all in your rooms. Now."

No one dared to argue. One by one, they obeyed, leaving without another word. As Amelia walked away, she sneered at me, her expression dripping with satisfaction.

★★★

Blade grabbed my hand and yanked me toward my bedroom.

He didn’t say a word, just threw me onto the bed before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

I had expected him to say something—anything—but his silence cut deeper than I anticipated. He was furious.

Why do I suddenly feel… bad?

I sat there, my thoughts swirling. About Blade. About the Primordial Book. About this family. How do I move forward from this?

Then—a knock at my door.

It was Grandma Mildred.

She must have come to comfort me, but it wouldn’t work. I had to keep searching for clues.

"I'm sorry, Grandma, I..." I started, guilt lacing my voice.

She stopped me. "It's fine. It’s your first time—you didn’t know." She smiled.

I let out a breath and smiled back.

She gestured for me to sit. I did.

Then, her expression shifted.

"Let me tell you something, Lyra."

"Yes, Grandma?"

She took my hand in hers. Warmth.

Then—her grip tightened.

"You’ve done this once. Never again." Her voice darkened. "Or the consequences will be severe. And I will personally ensure that."

My smile faded. What?

She pressed my hand harder. Pain.

"Understood?" Her eyes bore into mine, filled with hate. Despise.

Was it all a lie?

She stood, her movements slow and deliberate. Then, she smirked—a villainous smirk.

And left.

I sat there, frozen.

She’s the one.

She was never kind. She hates me.

Realization hit me like a blow, and I collapsed to the floor with a thud. Shocked to my core.