Twist of Fate

The Reception

Lyra's POV

"Grin broader Luna. They’re watching."

Killian's tone was smooth yet firm as his fingers sank into the curve of my back leading me across the reception hall. His grasp felt like a mark, against the silk of my wedding gown, intense and commanding.

I complied, pulling my mouth into a grin until my cheeks throbbed until the smile appeared forced. Around us other pack members lifted their glasses, their faces glowing with wine and festivity. A person chuckled excessively. Music rose from the corner where musicians performed tunes I had heard at every pack gathering since youth.

Everything appeared flawless.

Everything seemed off.

"That’s an improvement." Killian bent closer, his breath grazing my ear. To any onlooker it would seem tender, affectionate. Yet his following words sent a chill through me. "You appeared as if you were at a funeral while exchanging vows. Don’t humiliate me again."

My grin wavered briefly before I steadied it again. "Sorry. I was simply anxious."

"Nervous." He said the word deliberately as if savoring it. His golden eyes scanned my face examining me as though I were a riddle he needed to decipher. "Is it about becoming Luna?. Is it something different?"

"Regarding Luna " I responded hastily. Far too hastily.

His hold on my waist grew firmer. Not painful, yet sufficient to signal who was in control now. "Good. You're mine now Lyra. The Moon Goddess herself has linked us. That cannot be undone."

The manner in which he uttered *mine* caused a knot to form in my stomach.

"Killian!" An older man shouted from the side of the room, his aged face lined with happiness. "Come here we have to raise a glass to Luna!"

Killian's face changed immediately, the intensity softening into inviting warmth. "Certainly!" He let go of me yet not without giving my hand a squeeze that left my bones throbbing. "Remain here. Welcome our visitors. Act as the ideal Luna."

After that he vanished, engulfed by the throng of fans who gathered around him like insects drawn to a light.

I remained still, my hand pulsating my chest constricted with a feeling I couldn't identify.

"Lyra." Mia showed up beside me emerging from the crowd holding two champagne flutes. She handed me one. "Have a drink. You seem like you might pass out."

The champagne felt chilly and sharp on my palate. I sipped eagerly embracing the sting.

"You should calm down " Mia remarked, her eyes studying my expression. "Everyones watching you. They want to see their Luna shining with joy not appearing as if she's being taken to the slaughterhouse."

"I'm okay, " I said quietly, though my voice sounded empty.

Mia's face relaxed. She gently moved a stray curl away, from my ear a motion motherly. "I understand this feels intense.. You chose wisely. Killian is an alpha. He will watch over you."

I wished to trust her. I wished to trust that the discomfort twisting in my stomach was merely -wedding nerves, simply the normal anxiety of starting a new chapter.

However Stefan's words repeatedly resonated in my thoughts. *You're committing an error.*

"I need some air, " I declared abruptly, pushing my champagne glass away from Mia. " For a brief moment."

"Lyra…"

However I was already in motion weaving through the throng toward the doors that opened onto the balcony. Nobody halted me. Everyone was too intoxicated, joyful, too absorbed in the festivity to see Luna quietly leaving.

The evening breeze struck my face like a slap, chilly and fresh following the heavy air, inside the hall. I clutched the stone railing tightly, my knuckles turning pale as I drew in breaths.

The woods extended ahead of me shadowy and infinite. Within those trees wolves roamed unrestricted unencumbered, by destiny, obligation or promises they had no desire to uphold.

I was jealous of them.

"Running away already?"

I twirled quickly, my heart pounding fiercely against my chest.

Stefan stepped out of the darkness by the doorframe, his suit jacket missing. His white shirt loosened at the neck. He appeared untidy, unruly, in a manner completely unlike the calm beta I had encountered before.

"I believed you had gone, " I murmured.

"I tried." His laughter was rough and resentful. "Got as far as the border of pack land before I knew I couldn’t go through with it. Couldn’t walk away without..." He faltered, his jaw clenching. "Without catching sight of you again."

"Stefan, please don't…"

"Don't what?" He stepped nearer. I caught the scent of alcohol on his breath. "Don't reveal the truth to you? Don't make you remember that three hours earlier you were weeping in my embrace?"

Embarrassment surged within me. "That's unjust."

"This isn't right at all!" His voice escalated, reverberating over the balcony. "You wed him, Lyra. You remained there. Vow yourself to a man you have no affection for, for while I…" He broke off suddenly, his hands tightening into fists at his sides.

"While you do what?" I murmured gently despite being aware of the response.

"As I remained at the rear witnessing my heart being torn from my chest." The intense agony, in his tone, brought tears to my eyes. "Have you ever experienced that? Seeing the woman you adore turn into someone ?"

"Stefan, I'm so sorry…"

"I’m not interested in your apologies." He stood directly before me now near enough to notice the specks in his blue eyes the way his pupils had expanded. "I need you to hear me. Truly hear."

I gave a nod to utter a word because of the lump in my throat.

Stefan looked back, towards the door then softened his tone. "Killian isn’t exactly as you believe him to be. There are aspects of him that I’ve witnessed…"

"What things?" I asked sharply, feeling my heartbeat race.

He has a temper. A genuine one, not alpha dominance. I've witnessed him lose control during training injuring wolves enough that they required healers. He consistently apologizes afterward, always attributing it to stress or the full moon. " Stefan's gaze locked onto mine. "There is something within him, Lyra. Something malicious."

A chill coursed through my veins. "Why are you revealing this to me at this moment? Why kept silent until now?"

"I did my best!" Exasperation seeped into his tone. ". You refused to pay attention. You and all the others kept discussing fate and destiny and the Moon Goddess's decree. Nobody was willing to accept that the flawless alpha could be a beast."

“Stefan." The sound emerged from, behind, calm and lethal in tone.

We both stood still.

Killian remained by the entrance, his towering figure casting a shadow, over the light spilling from the reception area. Although his face was obscured I sensed the anger emanating from him in strong pulses.

"Alpha " Stefan spoke cautiously, moving away from me. "I was only…"

"What " Killian advanced with a stealthy elegance, his golden eyes fixed on Stefan. "Simply murmuring to my partner, in the shadows? Merely being near enough to brush against her?"

"I said hastily, my voice trembling, 'We were just talking. That's everything.'"

Killian's eyes shifted towards me. The chill within them caused me to recoil. "Were you?" He then faced Stefan again. "Speak beta. What was your conversation about?"

Stefan tightened his jaw. "It's nothing that involves you."

Wrong answer.

Killian acted swiftly so I hardly caught it. One second he was near the door. The next his hand was clutching Stefan's neck forcing him back onto the stone wall.

"Killian!" I yelled, springing ahead.

"All matters regarding my partner affect me." Killian spoke quietly with a threat, in his tone unlike the alpha within. "Especially when my beta believes he can impose on my wedding night."

Stefan's cheeks flushed crimson, his fingers gripping desperately at Killian's wrist. "Release... Me..."

"Cut it out!" I seized Killian's arm attempting to pull him. "You're causing him pain!"

For an instant Killian stayed still. His muscles tensed under my touch, his breathing labored. Then gradually he let go of Stefan, who slumped against the wall panting.

Killian faced me. The change was immediate. The fury vanished from his expression, replaced by worry. "Lyra forgive me. I let my anger get the better of me." His hands cradled my face softly too soft given what I had just seen. ". Having another man, near you especially on our wedding night... It made me furious."

"I get it " I murmured softly as there was nothing to add.

His thumb brushed across my cheek. "Step inside. Our visitors are here." He looked at Stefan, who was still trying to recover. "Stefan I believe it's better if you go. You've obviously had a lot of alcohol."

Stefan’s gaze caught mine past Killian’s shoulder and within it I perceived a caution, a request, a farewell.

He then stood up straight, fixed his collar and left without saying anything.

Killians arm wrapped around my waist drawing me nearer. "Let's return to the celebration, my love."

While guiding me to the door he held firm enough to leave marks. I came to the realization that Stefan had been correct.

I had made a mistake.

And now, I was trapped.