THE ALPHA'S UNWANTED MATE

Chapter 19: Family Secrets

The tent flap opened.

Lyra walked in alone.

"I can help you," she said. "But first, you need to know the truth about your brother."

Damien stood up slowly. Silver still burned under his skin.

"What truth?" he growled.

Lyra looked at Aria, then at Leo. "That he wasn't the one who killed our parents."

Aria's breath caught. "What?"

"The council lied," Lyra whispered. "They did it. To frame him. To take the pack."

Outside, the howls stopped. Silence.

Then a voice boomed. "OPEN THE TENT. BY ORDER OF THE COUNCIL."

Lyra turned to them. "You have 10 minutes to decide. Trust me, or die with him."

Damien pulled Aria and Leo behind him.

"Why should we trust you?" he asked.

"Because I'm your sister," Lyra said. "And I'm the only one who can get you out alive."

Aria stared at her. "You expect us to believe you? After everything you said?"

"I lied to protect you," Lyra snapped. "If I showed my hand too early, the council would kill all of us."

Leo peeked from behind Damien. "Are you really daddy's sister?"

Lyra's face softened for one second. "Yes. I used to carry you when you were a baby."

A loud bang hit the tent.

"5 MINUTES!" the voice shouted.

Damien looked at Aria. His eyes were asking her.

Aria took a deep breath. "We have no choice," she whispered.

"Good," Lyra said. She pulled out a small vial. "Drink this. All of you. It'll hide your scent from the council wolves."

Damien took it first. "If you betray us..."

"I won't," Lyra said. "Mom made me promise to protect you. Even from myself."

They drank it. It tasted like ash and winter.

"Now," Lyra said, pulling the tent flap open a crack. "Run. Don't look back."

Outside, 20 wolves stood in a circle. And in the middle of them... the 12 members of the council.

"Go," Lyra whispered. She pointed to a gap in the trees behind the tent. "The river is that way. Follow it."

Damien grabbed Aria's hand. Leo clung to Aria's leg.

"What about you?" Aria asked Lyra.

Lyra smiled sadly. "Someone has to hold them off."

"No," Damien said. "We're family."

"Exactly," Lyra said. "Which is why I’m staying."

Before they could argue, an arrow of light shot over their heads.

"THEY'RE ESCAPING!" someone yelled.

"RUN!" Lyra shouted.

They ran. Through the trees, through the cold, with the sound of howls behind them.

Damien carried Leo. Aria ran beside him.

And behind them, Lyra stood alone in front of the tent.

Facing the council.

For her family.

**THE END OF CHAPTER 19**

**TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 20: THE ESCAPE**