Chapter 10:
LYRA
Jeanette smirked as she adjusted her blouse, clearly unbothered by my presence. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms to stop myself from shaking.
Ragnulf stepped forward, his tone now calm, as though explaining something trivial. “Lyra, listen. I’ve been thinking about taking Jeanette as a breeder.”
The air left my lungs in a rush. “A breeder?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes,” he said, as if the word itself was harmless. “But you are my Luna. If you‘ re against the idea, I will dismiss it.”
My hand moved before I even thought about it.
The sharp crack of my palm against his cheek made the silence in the room even
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sharper.
Gasps echoed around us, but I didn’t care. My palm stung, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.
“You disgust me,” I spat, my voice trembling with rage. “You stand here, humiliating me in front of our pack and then you think you can make it better by offering me a choice? As if I should be grateful?!”
Ragnulf‘ s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond. Jeanette’s smirk grew wider, her confidence feeding off my pain.
I turned to face the room, my eyes burning with unshed tears. “And all of you, I said, my voice.rising. “Standing here, watching, whispering behind my back. You‘ ve all known, haven‘ t you? Known what a fool I’ve been, thinking I was his Luna. Thinking I MATTERED!”
The words tumbled out before I could stop them. My chest heaved, the tears.
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threatening to spill over. But I refused to break here–not in front of them.
I turned back to Ragnulf, my voice cold. now, no longer trembling. “You want her? Take her. I, Lyra, reject you, Ragnulf, as my Alpha and my mate!”
A fiery wave of pain surged through me and I ground my teeth in endurance, refusing to give in to the pain.
A stunned silence followed my words, but I wasn’t finished. I faced Jeanette, a bitter smile twisting my lips. “Congratulations, Jeanette. You‘ ve won. Enjoy your prize.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out of the tavern, my steps steady even as my heart shattered with every stride.
About half an hour later, the grand gates of Ragnulf’s mansion loomed ahead, but I didn’t stop to take in the sight.
A carriage stood waiting at the front steps, its black frame glinting in the pale light.
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My servants had done as instructed, which
was to pack and load the carriage with my belongings.
Thea, my personal maid, waited as I climbed in. Her face pale and her hands. nervously wringing the fabric of her apron.
“Can I come with you, my Lady?”
“No,” I said firmly, adjusting my skirts as I sat down. “You don‘ t have to follow me,
Thea.”
Her voice cracked as she stepped closer. “But, my lady, I want to come. You‘ ve always treated me kindly, and I don‘ t want to leave you alone.”
I looked at her then, really looked. She had been with me for years, loyal to a fault.
I reached for one of the many bags of gold I had taken from Ragnulf‘ s loot. The weight of the coins clinked softly as I handed her the small but hefty pouch.
“Thea,” I said, my voice softer now. “Take this. It’s more than enough to start
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a new life. You‘ ve served me well, and for that, I’m grateful but I can’t take you with me.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she accepted the pouch. “My lady, I-”
I raised a hand, silencing her. “You are free now, Thea. Go. Live for yourself.”
She hesitated but finally nodded, bowing deeply. “Thank you, my lady. May the Moon bless your path.”
With that, I closed the door to the carriage and the driver snapped the reins, causing
the wheels to creak into motion.
As the estate disappeared behind me, I felt a strange mix of sorrow and relief.
I was finally free, but my freedom came at
a cost.
If I hadn’t been given a second chance by the Goddess, Jeanette and Ragnulf would have gotten away with my murder. So what I am doing is the right thing.
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Two hours passed before I saw Bette standing on the edge of the road, her silhouette barely visible in the early morning light. She clutched a small bundle in her arms, the rest of her belongings tied into a single satchel at her feet.
I ordered the driver to stop, and the carriage slowed to a halt. The door creaked open, and I leaned out. “Bette.”
She looked up, her face
her face lighting with relief. “Lyra.”
She climbed in, settling across from me as the carriage jerked back into motion. I glanced at the satchel she’d tucked beside her and frowned.
“Is that all?” I asked, gesturing to the meager pile.
Bette gave a small shrug, her smile faint. “That’s all I have. Where are we going, Lyra?”
I turned to the horizon, where the first streaks of sunlight began to paint the sky
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with warm hues of gold and pink.
“Everywhere,” I said, my voice steady. “We’re going to see the world.”
Bette’s lips parted in a soft gasp, her eyes wide with wonder. “The world?”
“Yes,” I said with a small smile. “We‘ 11 start fresh. New lands, new people, new lives. No one will know us, and no one will
control us.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a weight lift from my chest and I looked forward to what the future held for me.
