Lyra ran through the dark bush, her heart pounding in her chest. The midnight air was cold against her face as she ducked under trees and jumped over fallen logs. She had slipped away from the event without anyone noticing—or so she thought.
The old oak tree was just ahead, its massive form looming in the darkness. As she got closer, she slowed down and caught her breath. What if this was a trap? What if Dorian wasn't really trying to help her?
A twig snapped behind her. Lyra spun around, ready to fight.
"Easy there," a familiar voice said. "It's just me."
Dorian stepped out from behind a tree, his hands raised to show he meant no harm. In the moonlight, Lyra could see his friendly smile—the same smile she remembered from when they were kids.
"Dorian," she whispered, relief washing over her. "You actually came."
"Of course I did. I've been waiting for this moment for ten years." He moved closer, studying her face like he couldn't believe she was real. "Everyone thought you were dead, Lyra."
"Dead?" The word hit her like a slap. "Why would they think that?"
"After you ran away, your father told everyone you had drowned in the river—just like Elara." Dorian's eyes were sad. "But here you are, and here she is too. It doesn't make sense."
Lyra's mind raced. Her father had lied about her death? Why would he do that?
"My father is alive?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Is he here?"
Dorian nodded. "He's been living on the edge of pack territory. He never believed you were dead. He's been searching for you for years."
Tears stung Lyra's eyes. All this time, she thought her father hated her for Elara's death. But he'd been looking for her?
"Take me to him," she said firmly.
"Not yet." Dorian grabbed her arm. "We need to talk first. There's so much you don't know, Lyra."
They sat on a fallen log under the old oak tree. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, making strange shadows on the ground.
"Tell me everything," Lyra commanded.
Dorian took a deep breath. "After you left, things got bad. Your father was broken by losing both his daughters. Then Narek's father died, and Narek became Alpha at just eighteen."
"So young," Lyra whispered.
"Narek was strong but untested. His older brother Garrick thought he should be Alpha instead. There was almost a civil war in the pack."
Lyra listened carefully. This explained some of Narek's coldness—he had been fighting for his place from the beginning.
"Then about a year ago," Dorian continued, "rumors started spreading about a prophecy. Something about twin Lunas and a great power that would save or destroy the pack." He looked at Lyra thoughtfully. "That's when Elara suddenly reappeared."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat. "She just showed up one day?"
"Yes. Out of nowhere. She claimed she had been rescued from the river by rogues who raised her. Everyone was shocked, especially Narek." Dorian's voice dropped to a whisper. "They had a connection right away. It was like they were made for each other."
The pain in Lyra's chest was sharp and sudden. She tried not to show it.
"And now I've shown up with a mate mark matching hers," Lyra said sadly. "No wonder everyone hates me."
"Not everyone," Dorian said, taking her hand. "I never forgot you, Lyra. You were my best friend."
His touch was warm and reassuring. For a moment, Lyra felt safe—something she hadn't felt in years.
"What about my father?" she asked. "Why is he hiding at the edge of pack territory?"
Dorian looked uncomfortable. "After Elara came back, your father started asking questions. He didn't believe her story. He thought—"
A sharp voice cut through the darkness. "Well, well. What do we have here?"
Lyra and Dorian jumped to their feet. Selene stood a few yards away, her dark hair shining in the moonlight, her eyes cold and calculating.
"The killer Luna sneaking around in the middle of the night," Selene said with a cruel smile. "And with a traitor, no less."
"I'm not a killer," Lyra said through hard teeth.
"That's not what I heard." Selene moved closer, circling them like an animal. "I heard you pushed your sister into the river when you were children. Jealous of daddy's favorite, weren't you?"
Rage boiled inside Lyra. Her hands clenched into fists.
"Back off, Selene," Dorian warned, stepping between them. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't I?" Selene laughed. "Dorian, you should be more careful who you associate with. The Alpha wouldn't be happy to know you're out here with his unwanted mate." She spat the last words like they tasted bad.
"What do you want?" Lyra asked.
"Just keeping an eye on pack security," Selene said innocently. "As the Beta's daughter, it's my duty to report any suspicious activity." Her eyes gleamed with malice. "Like a Luna sneaking out to meet another man."
Lyra felt cold all over. If Selene told Narek about this meeting, he might think she was cheating him.
"It's not what you think," Dorian said quickly. "We're old friends catching up."
"Old friends?" Selene raised an eyebrow. "How interesting. Did you know, Lyra, that your old friend here was engaged to your sister before you came back?"
The words hit Lyra like a physical blow. She turned to Dorian, hurt and confusion in her eyes.
"Is that true?" she whispered.
Dorian's face was pale. "I can explain—"
"He and Elara were to be mated next month," Selene continued, clearly enjoying Lyra's pain. "Until you showed up with your mate mark and ruined everything. Now Elara is with Narek, and poor Dorian is left with nothing."
Lyra felt sick. Was this why Dorian had reached out to her? Was he just using her to get back at Elara and Narek?
"That's enough, Selene," a deep voice ordered.
All three of them turned to see a tall figure step out from the darkness. Lyra's heart stopped as she recognized him instantly, despite the years that had passed.
"Father?" she gasped.
The man's eyes—so much like her own—filled with tears as he looked at her.
"My daughter," he said, his voice breaking. "I've found you at last."
Before Lyra could move toward him, a howl split the night—the Alpha's call, demanding her return. At the same moment, something crashed through the underbrush behind them. Narek burst into the clearing, his eyes glowing with anger as he took in the scene before him.
"What is the meaning of this?" he growled, his gaze moving from Lyra to Dorian to Selene, and finally landing on Lyra's father. His face darkened with rage. "You!"
Lyra's father stepped in front of her protectively. "She has a right to know the truth, Narek. About everything."
"What truth?" Lyra asked, looking between her father and her mate.
But before anyone could answer, another figure emerged at the edge of the clearing.
"Hello, little sister," Elara said sweetly. "I see you've been busy making friends." She moved to stand beside Narek, putting a possessive hand on his arm. "Unfortunately, I can't let this reunion continue."
Elara raised her hand, and to Lyra's horror, blue fire danced across her sister's fingers.
"Run!" her father yelled, pushing Lyra hard.
As she stumbled backward, the last thing Lyra saw was her father lunging toward Elara as blue flames filled the clearing.