Bound by Blood and Moonlight

Chapter 2

“Maybe she'll marry into the Darkshadow pack. To Alpha Killian."

“What makes you think she'll marry an Alpha?"

“She's the daughter of an Alpha. Do you expect her to marry an Omega?"

Lyra stopped a few steps to the kitchen door. It appeared that she wasn't the only one who got the ‘good’ news yesterday. Besides, it was hopeless asking the help where they got such information from.

The walls have more than just ears in their world. They have fur and fangs.

"What about MoonCrest?”

"Yuck. Haven't you heard? That pack’s bloodline has been tainted with human blood.”

As she stepped into the kitchen, the noise quieted down and the maids who usually greeted her with smiles, now found something fascinating about the tiled floor.

"Uh, my lady, I'll have your breakfast served in a bit.” The head maid, Cindy, spoke.

"I'm not hungry.”

Normally, the family would break their fasts together but ever since their Luna died, the dining table has never been colder. The rest of the maids got back to work in silence.

“What were you saying about Alpha Killian?" She asked as she grabbed an apple, taking a large bite out of it.

"It's nothing really, my lady. Just eh, normal gossip.” Cindy fiddled with the hem of her apron.

“We’re still friends, Cindy."

Cindy turned to look at her, her eyes softening just a bit. Perhaps Lyra hadn't let power or the whispers of marriage, change who she was.

Lyra took another bite out of her apple, the juices rolling over her tongue, exciting her taste buds. It seemed like reality was yet to dawn on her.

"Where's my breakfast?” Gabriel stormed into the kitchen, his voice sharp and brewing with impatience.

The maids paused in their work, heads lowered and hands behind their backs, as if waiting to be punished.

“I'm certain no one is deaf here and you can speak without shouting." Lyra leaned against the counter, taking a slow bite from her apple. “Besides, they're not your slaves. They're here to assist."

He scoffed, moving closer to her. "Assist? I don't know what you're playing at, but treating everyone as equals won't get you anywhere.”

Lyra stood up straighter. “You will speak to me with respect. I'm still your older sister."

“And I'm the next Alpha.”

She froze, the half eaten apple in her hand falling to the floor. The silence swallowed every breath. Not a word was spoken but everything was said.

Gabriel's words had just reminded her of a dream of hers that would never come through. His eyes widened at the realization of what he said.

“I didn't mean–"

Lyra raised her hand up, prompting him to stop talking. The air around her was suddenly getting choked up. She couldn't break down now, at least not when she had an audience.

Pushing past her brother, she walked out of the kitchen door. Her steps were measured at first.

Then faster. Past the dining hall. Past the watching eyes of the domestic staff who quickly looked away.

Until the cold morning air embraced her form. By the time she reached the patio, her composure broke. She bent forward, hands braced on her knees as she released a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Lyra pressed a hand to her chest, trying to ease the tight knot forming there. Her throat felt dry, a sign of the incoming waterworks but she stood up straight, blinking back the burning sensation in her eyes.

Her feet carried her to where her mind had always found peace — the pack training room. It was still early so no one was there. Well, except Eli.

One look at her face was all he needed to know that all wasn't well. “Come here," he opened his arms slightly, unsure about her accepting his invitation.

Lyra didn't think twice before wrapping her arms around his torso. In the past, it would've been absurd to find the Alpha's heir in such a position with someone other than her mate. But that was before her future was taken out of her hands.

She didn't cry nor burst into rants of how unfair everything was to her. No, she couldn't break that easily. Her mother didn't raise an egg.

"You heard, didn't you?”

Eli didn't answer. His silence told her everything she needed to know. She pulled out of his embrace, not because she wanted to but she had to.

“What are you going to do?" Eli asked quietly.

“Not give up easily, that's for sure."

Eli studied her face, searching for hesitation. He found none.

“You can't fight the council alone, Lyra.”

The corner of her lip rose slightly.

“Who said anything about fighting fair?”

A flicker of concern crossed his features. He knew that tone. It was the same one she used right before winning fights she wasn't supposed to survive.

“They'll force it,” he said carefully. “Political unions aren't suggestions.”

“They can try.”

Eli exhaled slowly. “This isn't training. You can't just overpower this.”

Lyra reached for the leather wraps on the bench, her fingers moving with practiced precision as she began winding them around her knuckles.

“They forget something,” she murmured.

“And what's that?”

Her eyes lifted to his.

“They didn't just raise a potential Alpha.”

She pulled the wrap tight. “They raised a weapon.”

For the first time since she walked in, Eli looked unsure. Not of her. Of what she might do next.