Zyra stormed into her chambers, her boots made stumping sounds. It crushed the floor beneath her with each step she takes. Her palms folded and stiff at her sides, the tension in her muscles gave off the anger and turmoul within her. Kael was right beside her, his golden eyes flickering loud with frustration and disappointment in the Alpha.
"You shouldn't have entertained them for that long," Kael snapped, his voice tight with irritation. "Liora was baiting you, and you let her."
Zyra came to a quick pauswhispering turns her head toward him, silver eyes blazing. "I wasn't entertaining anyone!" she growled. "She—she kissed that Alpha, Kael. Right in front of me. She wanted to make a spectacle of it.
Kael scoffed. "And you? Dragging that Moonveil Alpha out like a rabid beast? You didn't just take the bait—you sank your teeth into it."
Zyra stopped dead in her tracks and spun to face him. "Are you implying I was weak?"
Kael held her gaze, unwavering. "I'm saying you lost sight of what matters. That bond—it's messing with you, and everyone can see it."
Her jaw tensed. She didn't need the reminder. The truth was, every fiber of her being was at war with itself. The mate bond was an ever-tightening noose around her throat, and no amount of distance or rage could sever it.
The memory of Liora's lips against Ciara's skin sent a fresh wave of fury surging through her veins. Her Wolf whimpered at the memory, any intimacy the Omega does with a wolf who is not Zyra, hurts Zyra's wolf and the same will happen to Liora's wolf if Zyra does the same.
Before she could respond to Kael , a guard knocked
she groaned "come in"
"Your mother wishes to speak to you Alpha", the guard bowed and left.
Zyra clenched her fists. Just what she needed—another lecture.
Without a word, she stormed toward the main hall, where Celestine was already waiting, her hazel eyes sharp with disapproval.
"You have no discipline," Celestine said coolly. "No control. And worst of all, no strategy."
Zyra's lip curled. "And what exactly do you expect me to do? Pretend this bond doesn't exist?, you know how it is mother , you have lived for long now, you know what comes with it"
"I expect you to, nevertheless, still act like an Alpha, A true blood for a matter of fact!, control yourself!, this bond is a curse, this is not the first time such bond with moonveil happened."
She looks up fiercely, like she was recalling and Incident , then looks zyra in the eyes her hazel eye piercing into Zyra's silver eyes , she continues "it is a story we all know in this pack including you, our fore fathers a true blood alpha had died in the hands of the Moonveil's because of a curse bond with their true blood omega, the Alpha saved them and us yet they are soo ungrateful, that park can never be grateful for anything, yet they still plot to kill us all and over throw us , we decided to make that pact and stay away from each other's pack which we will continue, for your safety, and the survival of our pack." Celestine snapped.
"So why did you act oblivious for a moment?
She didnt wait for her to answer.
"stop being a reckless pup blinded by an Omega she shouldn't even be thinking about, the bond is not stronger than your will power Zyra, dont you see that Omega didnt waste time in caressing another Alpha, dont you see she is a definition of strategy? , you decided to be stupid", Celestine added again
Zyra exhaled sharply. "I don't want that Omega , I just want the safety of Lunarion, My pack.
"Then prove it."
Celestine turned on her heel and walked deeper into the hall. Zyra followed, her frustration mounting.
"What do you mean, prove it?"
Celestine stopped at a large table, where ancient scrolls and faded maps lay scattered. She tapped her fingers on the wood.
"There is an old way to sever a bond, I and the elders had searched thoroughly and we have found something helpful" she said.
Zyra's pulse quickened.
Celestine's gaze was unreadable as she continued. "A ritual.
Zyra barely hesitated. "Tell me"
Celestine leaned in slightly, her expression calculating. "We need the Omega's hair."
Zyra's brows furrowed. "And how exactly do you expect to get it? Her father will have her locked away after what happened tonight."
Celestine's lips twitched into a knowing smirk. "Oh, he will. But I also know how curious and stubborn she is. She won't stay locked up for long."
Zyra crossed her arms, skeptical. "You have a plan?"
Celestine nodded. "Leave that to me. When the time comes, all you need to do is be ready."
‐‐‐
Liora walked around her room, the walls felt smaller and smaller by the second. Her father's orders rang in her ears, how can she not be allowed to step out of her room at all , restricting her movement because of that stupid Alpha, the bond and the useless moon Goddess.
She turned to Sera. "I can't stay locked in here."
Sera crossed her arms. "Liora, come on—"
"No, Sera." Liora turned to her Beta, voice firm.
Sera hesitated, her brows knitting in concern. "If father feels you should stay in ,please do so ,your father is only trying to protect you."
" Well maybe he is …," Liora said, forcing a small smile.
"Maybe he will change his mind in the morning, so just sleep now. It's late already." Sera said and yawned. "don't do anything reckless."
Liora chuckled lightly, moving toward her bed. "I won't."
Sera gave her one last look before leaving. The moment Sera shut the door, Liora inhaled deeply and exhaled, her smile faded. She climbed into her bed, pulled the sheets over her body, but sleep didn't come so easily. The bond and the Incident was fresh and reoccuring like a constant reminder of Zyra.
Still, tiredness won ,and her restless mind slowly slipped into darkness.
‐‐‐
Celestine sat on a chair, in a dim lit room , a parchment was in front of her as she carefully penned each word. Her hazel eyes narrowed in accomplishment and she wore a devious smirk, knowing exactly how the omega would react to this.
Once she was done writing , she folded the letter neatly and pressed her seal against the wax, carefully closing up the letter . She turned to the figure standing before her, he was her most trusted messenger.
"Make sure you do not get caught," she instructed, her hazel eyes gleaming as she handed the letter to her messenger. "Sneak into the Moonveil Pack, find the True Blood Omega's quarters, and place this beside her bed."
The messenger bowed slightly, taking the letter. "It will be done, my lady."
"Good," Celestine murmured, leaning back. "That omega will never be able to resist."
With a determined nod, the messenger turned, disappearing into the night like a shadow.