The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 15

BLADE

Not all storms come to ruin you; some come to relieve you of your burdens, to take all your worries away. That’s what I learned today.

My own family was hiding this enormous secret from me. They treated me as if I were nothing. Am I the monster? I don’t feel like one of them anymore. They kept everything from me. Why? Just because I would have stopped them from sacrificing Lyra? If it had been anyone else in her place, I would have done the same. I would never have been allowed to complete the rituals for myself.

But what now? If I don’t sacrifice Lyra, doom will fall upon my family—the family that has been with me for centuries. My blood family. My Tiger Kingdom family. I don’t want to lose them. But I don’t want to harm Lyra either. She is innocent in all of this.

But why is her fate tied to mine? Why was she chosen as my hostage bride? There’s a stronger connection between her and my family, between me and her. Everything seems to lead back to her—the recurring dreams, the way the moon reacts. It all points to something bigger.

Beside me, Lyra sleeps peacefully. I run my hand gently through her hair, caressing her, feeling guilty for what she has to endure. I’m helpless. Even though I’m the center of this story, I’m being controlled by forces beyond me—and I can’t even blame them for it.

But one thing is certain: I won’t let them harm Lyra. No matter what, I won’t let that happen. She doesn’t deserve to die.

As I glance around, I notice the Primordial Book in Lyra’s hands. She holds it delicately. Carefully, I slide it from her grasp and adjust her into a more comfortable position. She is in a deep sleep, her face streaked with dried tears. She said she was ready to sacrifice everything for her parents’ sake. But no—I won’t let her.

This Primordial Book… I never even knew it existed. I don’t know what’s written inside, but before the sun rises, I need to read it. I need to uncover the truth. What is going to happen? When? How?

Amelia has no idea we’ve found this book. No one does. They hid it here, unaware that Lyra has unknowingly led me to it.

Everything is quiet. The night is still.

I open the book and begin to read.

VIKTOR

Blade’s grandmother’s invitation?

She must have something important to tell me. Does she know what I am? That I’m a threat to Blade? Is she calling me to warn me?

The invitation was left under my hall’s doormat. Blade’s family—the tigers. And me? A beast hunter. The Moon’s Sunñir. What do they want from me? And if I go there, will they try to kill me?

Not that it would be easy. I have my powers. They can’t kill me without Blade regaining his strength first. Not until they complete the rituals. And I won’t let that happen.

Everything is in my favor. Blade is weak. My power has returned. The moon is on my side. There’s nothing the Tiger family can do anymore.

So sad.

Still, I want to know what interesting news Grandma has for me. She’s never met me before.

I slide into my car and channel my power through the sun. Strength floods through me, doubling what I had before. A boost. One I can’t ignore.

Last night, the moon granted me a small weapon—a slasher. Its sharp edges form a star, spiraled with intricate engravings that seem embedded into its very core. I slip it into my pocket and drive toward Harlow Mansion.

Upon arriving, Blade's grandma was standing there to welcome me. I wondered if Blade was home, or if he was completely unaware that his grandma was meeting me in secret.

“Did you have any trouble finding the place, dear?” she asked. Her voice dripped with sweetness, but I sensed there was something else behind it—some hidden motive.

“Not really. What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, getting straight to the point.

She placed a hand on my back and gently guided me forward as we walked together. “I know you're the one who lingers around Harlow Mansion, aren't you?”

My eyes stayed fixed on her face—she was smiling as she said it.

She turned away slightly and took my hand in hers. “There's no need to be afraid, dear. I know what you are. You don't have to hide from me.”

“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice tense. I was shocked she knew who I was. But then again, why had she kept it a secret for so long—and had not warned Blade about me instead?

“I know very well that you're the one who goes near our new daughter-in-law, Lyra—at night!” she revealed.

I looked away as beads of sweat began to form on my forehead.

She placed a hand on my shoulder again and smiled. “You like her, don’t you?” she asked.

“I… actually…”

Just then, a tray of tea was brought toward us. She gestured to it. “Take it. It’s an offering. The tea in our house always tastes sweet,” she said, picking up a cup for herself.

With shaky hands, I picked up a cup. The feeling of death loomed around me. I had truly walked into the tiger’s den. Blade’s powers may be weak—but the others, not so much. I took a slow sip, just a little, then gulped hard.

“I called you here today because I have an offer for you,” she said, getting straight to the point.

“We need to sacrifice Lyra in order to regain Blade’s power. He is our king, and we cannot allow anyone to save her. Which brings me to you—I have a plan.”

She looked at me with narrowed eyes, studying my reaction—as if whatever she was about to offer would leave me with no choice.

“What offer?” I asked.

“To leave Lyra,” she replied confidently. “She will never be yours, anyway. Blade has already started getting close to her. But still, since you care for her, it’s time to let go of your stubbornness.”

“And why would I do that? If Lyra knew that I loved her, she would never choose Blade,” I said firmly.

She scoffed. “Are you lying to yourself, or are you really that naive, dear?”

“Aren’t you familiar with your past? Lyra can never be yours—no matter how hard you try. And we, the Harlows, will not let you ruin this for us.”

“Are you blackmailing me?” I asked, standing up, ready to leave.

“Calm down. Don’t be impulsive,” she said, rising to her feet as well.

“I’m saying this for your own good. You’re the Moon’s Sunñir, aren’t you? The Beast Hunter? That means you could kill Blade anytime you wanted.”

“That’s absolutely right,” I said, lifting my head with pride.

“Then listen to me—you can’t have Lyra,” she repeated, again.

“Come to the point, Grandma. What’s the offer?” I asked, folding my arms.

“Leave Lyra—and in return, your powers will be doubled. We’ll get what we want, and you’ll be promoted. Your status as Beast Hunter will be elevated. You’ll become the Truniez—the one closest to the Moon,” she said, her voice rising with excitement.

“And how do you expect the Moon to listen to you,” I asked, narrowing my eyes, “when it’s the Moon itself that wants Blade and Lyra to be separated?”

She circled around me slowly, then let out a soft laugh. “You still don’t know what that girl really is.”

“I know—”

“No, you don’t,” she interrupted. “Only I know… and the Primordial Book knows. And so does our daughter-in-law, Katherine,” she added in a strange, almost manic tone.

“She told us about her.”

I started to tremble. Katherine? Who’s that?

“That’s Blade’s stepmother. A normal human—and an emotional fool, just like Lyra.”

“It’s none of your business to know more about her. So…” She paused, eyes locked onto mine. “What do you think about the offer?”

She stood tall with her cane, exuding strength. I could tell—she didn’t actually need it. Her power was real, and my Sunñir senses picked it up clearly. This woman… this tigress… was no ordinary elder.

I didn’t want to argue any further. Who doesn’t want power? I wanted it more than anything. If I became the Truniez, as she claimed, I’d be able to control all human emotions in the world. That’s not just power—it’s domination.

I liked Lyra… but deep down, I didn’t know if I’d ever truly have her.

But… would it be right to sacrifice her?

No. I didn’t want that.

And yet—it was true—I loved my powers more. If I gained that kind of power, I could resurrect Lyra later. Bring her back, bend fate to my will.

“What are you thinking, boy?” she asked, still circling me like a predator sizing up her prey.

“If what you’re saying is true,” I said slowly, “then I accept your offer.”

She smiled—no, grinned—as if she’d just conquered the world.

I could only hope she didn’t have some ulterior motive. Because if she did, I’d hunt every one of them down. One by one. Slowly. Methodically.

As I turned to leave, she handed me an amulet—my first upgrade, she said.

What is this woman?

How does she possess all this power?

I’ll take it from her one day… and then I’ll kill her too.

But she won’t be easy to destroy.

No—if I’m going to take her down, I’ll need a better plan. Something clever. Something she won’t see coming.

Until then… I’ll play my part.

LYRA

Morning didn’t greet me—a choking gasp did. I jolted awake, coughing hard, as if someone had just been strangling me in my sleep.

In front of me, Blade sat on the couch.

We were still in his office?

But something about him was different now. He wasn’t fully human anymore—his face was marked with tiger-like stripes, and his golden eyes gleamed like fire.

Is his power returning… because I agreed to sacrifice myself?

In his hands was the Primordial Book.

When did it slip from mine?

He had taken it.

I stepped toward him. “Give me that book,” I demanded.

“What’s the use?” he said coldly. “What’s written here will shock you. And what I remember—from my past—it will traumatize you.”

That tone. The audacity to speak to me like that.

“I said give me the book! What do you even want, huh? I’m sacrificing myself for you. You should be grateful—making me happy, not pulling this crap. Now, give me that book!”

I reached out to grab it, but in an instant, he threw me down. His half-tiger form towered over me, growling, roaring.

“You want to eat me?!” I shouted, scrambling to rise.

But he grabbed my arms, squeezing them with a strength that burned straight through to my bones. I cried out in pain.

“You always wanted to know the truth, right?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

I stared at him in confusion, struggling to break free. But his grip was too strong.

Then—without warning—he cornered me and pressed his lips to mine.

For a moment, I froze. My eyes widened as the heat of his mouth calmed the storm inside me. But just as quickly, I pushed him away—hard.

And I slapped him. Hard enough to echo.

He didn’t move. No regret in his eyes—but emotions stirred beneath. Like he truly meant it.

I wiped my lips in disgust, turning to leave.

But he caught my hand.

“Don’t you want to know the whole truth?” he asked.

“What more is there to know?!” I screamed, tears burning down my face.

“Trust me,” he said. “There’s more than you can imagine.”

“I don’t want to know.” I jerked my hand, trying to free myself.

“I read the Primordial Book,” he said quietly. “And now… I remember everything. About our past.”

I stopped.

Frozen.

Every instinct told me to keep walking—but my body refused to move.

Our past?

“I didn’t want to kiss you,” Blade said, circling around me slowly, “but I couldn’t stop myself… not after I finally remembered our past.”

He came to a halt, gently taking my hand in his.

“You remembered? Meaning what?” I asked, my voice cautious but curious. For now, I didn’t pull my hand away.

“I read the Primordial Book… but it wasn’t just the words. It triggered something. I remembered everything—what really happened between us. The whole story.” A single tear slipped down his cheek.

“You’re acting like you didn’t know all along,” I said, scoffing, my voice sharper than I meant it to be.

“I didn’t. Trust me, Lyra—if I had remembered… I would’ve never married you. Never held you hostage.”

My eyes narrowed. “What are you trying to say?” I asked, my voice tight with mistrust. After what just happened, I couldn’t just believe him.

“All I’m trying to say is… yes, I’m a tiger. And I’m cursed. I can’t regain my powers unless you’re sacrificed. That’s all I knew. That’s all I was told. And I didn’t even know you were the one meant to be sacrificed until yesterday.”

He paused, staring into my eyes. There was something raw and real in his gaze. Emotion. Passion. Pain.

“But there’s more to it, Lyra,” he said softly. “So much more than any of us were told.”

I said it impulsively, without even thinking—

“Then tell me everything.”

“I will,” he said immediately. “Yes… I’ll tell you.”

He gently guided me toward the couch, holding my hand tightly as he led me to sit down. He knelt in front of me, resting slightly against my lap. His grip never loosened—if anything, it only tightened.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before beginning. “You and I… we were lovers in the past. That part of my family history, two hundred years old—I always knew. But I didn’t remember that you were mine.”

He looked up at me, his golden eyes brimming with something ancient. “The dreams you have… of me in my tiger form… they’re not just dreams. They’re memories. You’re not imagining them. I was once a Tiger King, ruling the lands with power and pride. But I lost everything. My powers, my immortality. And I was forced into a human life—a billionaire now, yes, but hollow.”

I stared at him, stunned.

“And you… Lyra, you were an immortal too. But you were sacrificed in that life. Killed by someone you trusted—by Viktor.”

My blood boiled.

Viktor?

The one I thought was my friend?

Blade saw the fury in my eyes and quickly added, “I know what you’re thinking. That you’ve dreamed of the three of us as friends. And that’s true too. But listen to me carefully before you react. The story is long… and you’re not ready for the whole truth yet.” His voice trembled—partly from fear, partly from sorrow.

I didn’t fully understand it all—not yet. But something inside me shifted. A quiet pull toward believing him.

This could be my only chance to hear it all. The truth. Before I’m actually sacrificed for him.

So I said nothing.

And I listened. Closely.

As Blade began to unravel the past—our past.