Lyra ran until her legs burned. Tears blurred her vision as she stumbled through the forest, branches scratching her arms. The word "complicated" echoed in her mind like a cruel joke. How could Erik do this to her? After everything they had shared?
She finally collapsed by a stream, her chest heaving with sobs. The cool water reflected the moon overhead, reminding her of all those nights spent with Erik under its glow. Had it all been lies?
"Lyra!" A voice called from behind her.
She turned to see Jade rushing toward her, worry etched on her face.
"Everyone's looking for you," Jade said, kneeling beside her friend. "What happened?"
Lyra wiped her tears. "Erik is marrying Clara. It was all just a game to him."
Jade's eyes widened. "That can't be right. The way he looks at you—"
"I saw Clara wearing his pendant," Lyra cut in. "The truth was right in front of me. I was just too blind to see it."
Jade helped Lyra to her feet. "Come stay with me tonight. You shouldn't be alone."
Back at Jade's small cabin, Lyra curled up on a woven blanket, feeling empty inside. The bond still hummed in her chest, but now it felt like a wound that wouldn't heal.
"He'll come for you," Jade said softly. "If what Madeline says about true mates is real—"
"Don't," Lyra whispered. "Please, just don't."
That night, Lyra dreamed of Erik. In her dream, he stood before her, trying to speak, but no sound came out. Behind him, shadows formed into figures that pulled him away. She woke with a start, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach.
Five days passed with no sign of Erik. Lyra stayed with Jade, helping with chores to keep her mind busy. But each sunset brought fresh pain as she remembered their meetings under the willow tree.
On the sixth day, news spread through the territory—Erik had officially announced his engagement to Clara. The ceremony would take place in eight days, under the full moon.
"I have to leave," Lyra told Jade that evening. "I can't stay and watch him marry her."
Jade squeezed her hand. "Where will you go?"
"I don't know. Somewhere far. Somewhere he can't find me."
The next morning, Lyra gathered supplies for her journey. As she packed a small bag, a knock came at the door. Her heart leaped, thinking it might be Erik, but instead, she found Marcus standing there.
"He wants to see you," Marcus said without greeting.
Lyra turned away. "I have nothing to say to him."
"Lyra, please. He can't come himself—there are guards watching his every move."
She hesitated. "Why should I believe anything now?"
Marcus stepped closer. "Because I've known Erik my whole life, and I've never seen him like this. He's trapped, Lyra."
Something in his voice made her pause. "Trapped how?"
"His father threatened to hunt you down if Erik didn't agree to marry Clara. He's sacrificing his happiness to protect you."
The words hit Lyra like a physical blow. Could it be true?
"If you want the full story, meet me at the old oak tree at midnight," Marcus said, then left before she could respond.
Lyra paced Jade's cabin for hours, torn between her hurt and her need to know the truth. When midnight approached, she slipped out into the darkness.
The old oak tree stood at the edge of the territory, massive and ancient. Lyra approached cautiously, scanning the shadows for movement.
"You came." Erik stepped out from behind the tree, his face haggard with exhaustion.
Seeing him made Lyra's heart both soar and break. "Marcus said you wanted to talk."
"I wanted to explain," Erik said, keeping his distance as if afraid to come closer. "Everything I told you was true, Lyra. Every word, every promise."
"Then why are you marrying her?" Lyra demanded.
Erik's shoulders slumped. "My father made a deal with Adrian's pack. The marriage secures an alliance that will protect our territory from the hunters. If I refuse..."
"What? What happens if you refuse?"
"He'll kill you," Erik said simply. "And he'll make me watch."
Lyra felt the blood drain from her face. "He wouldn't..."
"He would. He already tried once." Erik ran a hand through his hair. "Clara's mother caught us meeting. She told my father everything."
"So you gave Clara your pendant," Lyra said quietly.
Erik looked confused. "What? No, I would never—" Understanding dawned on his face. "She took it from my room. Lyra, I swear, I never gave it to her."
Hope flickered in Lyra's chest, but doubt still lingered. "Even if that's true, you're still marrying her."
"To keep you safe," Erik insisted, taking a step toward her. "Once the ceremony happens, you need to leave the territory. Go somewhere far away where they can't find you."
"You want me to run away? While you play husband to Clara?" Anger sparked in Lyra's voice.
"I want you to live!" Erik's eyes flashed with emotion. "I'll find a way out of this, I promise. But I need time."
Lyra shook her head, tears welling up again. "More promises. That's all we have, Erik. Promises that keep breaking."
Erik closed the distance between them, taking her hands in his. The bond flared at his touch, warm and insistent. "Feel this," he whispered. "This can't lie. This is real."
For a moment, Lyra allowed herself to believe him. She leaned into his chest, breathing in his scent, letting the bond wash over her.
"One month," Erik murmured against her hair. "Give me one month after the ceremony. I'll find a way for us to be together."
Lyra wanted to believe him. More than anything, she wanted to trust that there was still hope.
A twig snapped in the distance. Erik tensed.
"Someone's coming," he whispered urgently. "Go, now."
Lyra hesitated. "Erik—"
"I love you," he said fiercely. "Remember that, no matter what happens."
She fled into the trees just as voices approached. From her hiding spot, she watched as Zane and two guards found Erik.
"Your father's looking for you," Zane said, his voice carrying through the night. "Time to return to your bride."
Erik's face hardened into a mask. "Lead the way, cousin."
As they marched Erik back toward the main house, Lyra placed a hand on her stomach. A tiny flutter answered her touch.
"I'll give him one month," she whispered to the little life inside her. "But after that, we make our own path."
What Lyra didn't see was the figure watching from the shadows—Clara, her eyes cold with fury as she clutched Erik's pendant in her fist.
"Enjoy your little moment," Clara whispered. "The ceremony will bind him to me forever, and not even true mates can break a blood oath."
In her other hand, she held a small vial—not the potion to break bonds, but something far worse. Something that would ensure Lyra would never interfere again.
Behind Clara, another shadow moved silently. Asher, Gavin's younger brother, had seen and heard everything. His eyes followed Lyra as she disappeared into the forest, a decision forming in his mind. If Erik couldn't protect her, perhaps he could.