Lyra’s POV.

The hall erupted in cheers and applause, and the sound crashed over me like a wave, drowning out everything else.

I pinched my arm hard, desperate to wake myself from whatever nightmare I had fallen into, but the sharp pain that shot through my skin made me wince.

I wasn't dreaming.

This was real.

Their voices surrounded me, their laughter and excitement twisting painfully inside my chest until it felt as though every person in that hall was celebrating my humiliation right alongside Hayley.

Something inside me finally snapped. Heat surged through my body, burning away the last thread of restraint I had left.

“You monster!”

I lunged toward Hayley, my hand flying through the air, but I never reached her. The guards seized me from behind and dragged me back before my fingers could touch her.

“Let me go!” I screamed, twisting desperately against their grip as tears blurred my vision.

“Lock her up,” Mason ordered.

His voice held no warmth. No hesitation. Nothing that reminded me of the man who had once held my hand and promised that I was enough.

My struggles slowly died.

I lifted my head and looked at him through my tears, searching his face for even a trace of the husband I knew.

He had Mason's face, his voice, his eyes, the same man I had loved for five years.

But the man standing before me was a stranger.

The guards dragged me away as tears finally spilled down my cheeks, while the sound of the celebration continued behind me.

I sat alone in the dark cell, my back pressed against the cold wall. My eyes were swollen from crying, but the ache in my chest was far worse.

Just last night, I had lain in bed with both hands resting over my stomach, dreaming about the life waiting for me.

Now, I was sitting in a dungeon, all because of the man who was supposed to hold me through my pregnancy, reassure me when I was afraid, and welcome our child into the world.

My hand slowly moved to my stomach.

“What am I going to do with you?” I whispered, fighting back another wave of tears. “What kind of world have I brought you into?”

My wolf had been silent since Mason's betrayal, as though she had retreated into the darkness with me. I closed my eyes, still struggling to understand how my entire life had fallen apart in less than twenty-four hours.

The cell door suddenly opened, and several guards stormed inside. Before I could react, two of them hauled me to my feet and dragged me through the corridors toward the throne room.

I was too weak to resist, and their hands dug painfully into my arms with every step.

When the massive doors swung open, one of them shoved me forward. I crashed onto the hard floor, pain shooting through my body as I lifted my head.

Hayley was sitting on my throne beside Mason, a smug smile curving her lips as she looked down at me.

I turned my gaze around the room, taking in the familiar faces of the chiefs who had never wanted me as their Luna. Their eyes followed me without a hint of sympathy.

Then I saw my father, and a rush of hope came so suddenly that I almost forgot the pain. Whatever had happened, surely my father would protect me. I dragged myself toward him, crawling across the cold floor with trembling hands.

“Dad…” My voice cracked as I reached for him. “Please, you have to…”

Before I could finish, his palm struck my cheek so hard that my head snapped to the side. A sharp ringing filled my ears, and I stared up at him in disbelief, my cheek burning from the blow.

“How could you poison your own sister?” he roared. “She was carrying the Alpha’s child, and you caused her to lose it!”

My mind went blank as his words sank in. I slowly turned toward Hayley, who sat beside Mason on my throne, one hand resting over her stomach as tears streamed down her face.

She had lost the baby.

And somehow, they were blaming me.

“I didn’t…” My voice trembled as I shook my head. “I didn't poison her. I didn't even know she had lost the baby.”

The chiefs murmured among themselves, their accusing eyes making it clear they had already decided I was guilty. No one asked what had happened or gave me a chance to defend myself.

I looked at Mason, the man I had once loved more than anything. My lips parted, but when I spoke, my voice was barely a whisper.

“Did you ever love me? Why Hayley?” I asked, keeping my eyes on Mason. “Of all people… why her?”

His expression hardened.

“You have no right to question my actions,” he said coldly. “Why did you kill my child?”

A bitter laugh slipped from my lips. His answer told me everything I needed to know. The Mason I had loved was gone, and whatever remained of him no longer cared whether I lived or died.

I swallowed the ache in my throat and held his gaze.

“No. The real question is…” I paused, my chest tightening as I forced the words out. “…did I even know you were fucking my sister?”

Silence fell over the room.

I let my gaze sweep across the stunned faces before returning to Mason. “Why would I kill her child when I'm carrying one of my own?”

Gasps rippled through the room.

Mason shot to his feet, the coldness in his eyes replaced by shock. His gaze dropped briefly to my stomach before returning to my face.

The old me would have clung to that look, desperate to believe some part of my husband still cared. But something inside me had already changed. I no longer wanted his concern, and after what he had done, I didn't want him anywhere near my child.

Beside him, Hayley's eyes darted between us. The confidence she had worn so easily moments ago vanished, replaced by unmistakable fear.

“Liar!” my father shouted from behind me. “Don't fall for her trick! She's only saying this to gain your pity.”

I lowered my gaze, my mind racing. What had my father been promised? What could he possibly gain from helping them destroy me? Why was protecting one child worth sacrificing another?

“The royal physician will examine you,” Mason finally said, his voice once again cold and distant. “Until then, I will not pass judgment. But you will remain in the dungeon until your fate has been decided.”

A bitter smile touched my lips. How foolish I had been to think that learning I was carrying his child would make him soften toward me.

I didn't wait for the guards to drag me away. I pushed myself to my feet and gave everyone in the room one last look before quietly following them.

Back in the dungeon, I couldn't stop thinking about Hayley. I had never shared a real sisterly bond with her.

She had always seen me as the sister who had everything she believed should have been hers, my luck, my love, my place beside Mason.

The door was suddenly shoved open, and a guard thrust a cup of water into my hands. I reached for it with trembling fingers. My stomach had been aching for a while, but I had tried to ignore it, hoping it was only hunger and exhaustion.

I drank it in one desperate gulp, but the moment I lowered the cup, my stomach twisted violently. I doubled over as I vomited, my body shaking with the force of it.

My breath caught when I saw streaks of blood.

My hand flew to my stomach. “My baby…”

Panic surged through me as the dungeon began to spin. I reached for the wall, but my fingers slipped against the cold stone while darkness crept into the edges of my vision.

“Moon Goddess…” I whispered, pressing a trembling hand against my stomach. “If you're still listening… please. I haven't even had the chance to meet my baby yet.”

My eyelids grew heavier as my strength drained away. “Please… don't take my baby.”

Darkness swallowed everything.

Lyra's POV

“Nooo! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!” I jolted awake with a scream, shooting upright in bed. My chest heaved as I dragged in one breath after another. Sweat soaked my clothes, and my hands trembled against the sheets. I stared around my room, my heart pounding against my ribs. The familiar curtains, furniture, and decorations were all exactly where they should be.

I was in my room. But how? A cold shiver ran down my spine. Was this what the afterlife looked like? Or was I dreaming?

The door flew open, and my ladies-in-waiting rushed inside with Esther right behind them. Fear flashed across their faces as they hurried toward me.

“My lady!” Esther reached me first and pulled me into her arms.

“Esther…” My voice broke as I clung to her. “Please, help me. I don’t want to die. I can’t lose my baby either.” I pressed a trembling hand against my stomach, tears spilling down my cheeks. Esther suddenly pulled back, her brows drawing together.

“Which baby, my lady?” I froze.

“My baby…” I whispered, staring at her in confusion. “Remember?” My hand remained pressed against my stomach as I searched her face for any sign that she understood. Instead, Esther's worried expression only deepened. She slowly turned toward the other women and gave them a silent signal to leave. One by one, my ladies-in-waiting hurried out.

“What’s wrong, my lady?” Esther asked softly. She took my trembling hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You shouldn’t let your inability to have a child affect you this deeply.” I stared at her, my lips parting in disbelief.

“No.” I shook my head quickly. “You don’t understand. I’m pregnant. I am!” My voice rose with desperation. “You know about it. We went to the royal physician together. We had the test done. The nurse brought the results straight to my chamber.” The words tumbled from my mouth, faster and faster. I could barely breathe between them. “I saw the result. You saw it too. You were there!” Esther’s eyes filled with tears. She tightened her grip on my hand and shook her head slowly.

“My lady…” Her voice cracked. “No such thing happened.” I felt the blood drain from my face. “You’re not pregnant.”

Her face told me she wasn't joking. I slowly pulled my hands from hers and looked away. My eyes drifted around the room until they landed on the calendar hanging on the wall.

My breath caught as I stared at the calendar. One week until the Moon Goddess Festival.

My mind raced as I counted the days, and slowly, the truth began to sink in.

I wasn't dreaming.

I had returned to the past.

I had been given a second chance.

What was the point of being reborn at the expense of my own child? I bite my lips hard trying to hold back my tears.

Why moon goddess? Why?

A sharp ache spread through my chest. I pressed my palm against my heart, trying to calm the pain, but it only grew stronger.

I forced myself out of bed, grabbed a coat and draped it over my shoulders. I needed to clear my head.

“My lady, where are you going…”

“I'm going for a run. I just need to clear my head,” I said before Esther could finish.

“But you can't leave dressed like that. You don't look well,” she said worriedly. I gave her a small, tired smile.

“I'll be fine.” I didn't wait for her reply. I walked out of the room and headed toward the exit of the pack house.

The moment I stepped outside, I felt eyes following me. I couldn't bear their whispers, their curious looks, or the thought of facing anyone who had once watched me suffer. I needed somewhere no one could find me.

I ran deeper into the woods, the cold air cutting against my skin. But the faster I ran, the tighter the pain in my chest became. Then the memories came rushing back. My pregnancy. The kiss. Their laughter. My death. Each memory flashed through my mind like a cruel nightmare.

“Nooooooo!” I suddenly stopped and screamed, my voice echoing through the silent woods. Whatever strength I had left finally broke. Tears poured down my face as I stumbled forward and collapsed onto the cold ground. I curled into myself, pressing my hands against my chest as sobs tore through me.

I wiped my tears and clenched my fists. They had to pay for what they had done to me. There had to be a way to break them, just as they had broken me. A sudden rustle came from the trees. My head snapped toward the sound, but there was no one there. Only swaying branches. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. Then my eyes caught a strange mark carved into one of the trees. My heart dropped. Fuck. I knew that mark. I was in Lycan territory.

How had I wandered this far? I had been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't even realized I had crossed into enemy lands. I scrambled to my feet and quickly wiped the tears from my face.

I closed my eyes and reached for my wolf, expecting to feel her familiar presence.

Nothing.

No answering growl. No warmth. Not even the faintest stir of consciousness.

My heart began to race.

“Come on. Not now.”

I reached for her again, harder this time, but the silence remained.

With no time to figure out what was wrong, I decided to rely on my own strength. I turned and ran. I hadn't gone far when I heard heavy footsteps pounding behind me. Whatever had been watching me had finally revealed itself. I glanced over my shoulder.

A Lycan. My blood ran cold. There was no way I could outrun one of them.

But I refused to give up. I pushed my legs harder, forcing myself to run faster. My lungs burned, and branches scratched against my arms as I tore through the woods.

My foot landed on a slick stone and slipped out from under me.

“Ah!”

I crashed to the ground, my head striking something hard enough to send a burst of pain through my skull.

A scream tore from my throat. I grabbed the back of my head, blinking rapidly as the world spun around me. Then I felt a heavy presence above me. My breath caught.

I slowly opened my eyes, but everything was blurred. A dark figure hovered over me, blocking out the light. I could feel his warm breath against my face. A low growl rumbled through his chest.

“Mate.”

Draven's POV

I sat alone in my throne room, staring at the calendar across the room. One week. One week until the full moon, and another night of misery.

Every month, as the full moon approached, the same dread settled over me. It was the price of a choice I had made years ago, one that had given me power, strength, and immortality while taking something from me that could never be returned.

I was feared by every supernatural species. My name alone was enough to make even the strongest tremble. Yet none of them knew the weight I carried inside my chest. The throne room doors suddenly opened.

Mark, my Beta, stepped inside. Worry written all over his face. I let out a low hiss and turned my gaze away. He had failed again. For years, every full moon had brought me the same disappointing news.

“I tried. I discreetly checked every woman for the mark, both young and old,” he said quietly, staring at his feet. I had given my Beta a description of the woman I was searching for, and since I couldn’t see her myself, he was the only one I could rely on to find her.

“That’s what you say every fucking time!” I roared. My fist slammed against my thigh. The sound echoed through the throne room, but Mark didn’t flinch. He had grown used to my anger.

“It seems being my Beta has become too much for you.” I leaned forward, my voice turning cold. “You can’t even carry out a simple task properly anymore.”

“My lord.” Mark immediately dropped to one knee, his head bowed.

“Yes, I didn’t support your reason for doing this from the beginning,” he said carefully. “But I am bound by your orders. I’m trying my best to get this done.” His words were calm. I looked away, my jaw tightening.

Mark had always been good with words. His father had been the same, as had the generations before him. I had watched his family grow old and die, only for their sons to take their fathers’ place beside my throne. Yet I remained unchanged.

“Try harder,” I ordered coldly. “Or I might lose my patience and forget the promise I made to your father.” I glanced at him, letting my voice drop to a dangerous whisper. “And slit your throat.” Mark knew I wasn't joking. “Enough of that. Let’s go hunting.” I smiled faintly. “I’m craving blood.” The best way to clear this mood was to hunt, watch my prey frightened for their lives and die by my hands. He bowed, a smile appearing on his face. Mark had long since grown used to my unpredictable moods.

I rose from my throne and walked toward the doors, with Mark following close behind.

The moment I stepped into the corridor, everyone around us dropped to their knees, their heads bowing as I passed.

“My lord, may I speak freely?” Mark asked as we walked inside the woods. I gave him a small nod.

“When you find her, how will you know she’s the one?” I frowned.

“You see the world in black and white,” he said carefully. “You don't even have a heart beat, so how will you know when it skips at the sight of her? You’ve lost your sense of smell, so how will you recognize her scent? And if two women happen to fit the description you gave me, how will you know which one is your mate?” A smile slowly spread across my face.

“I don’t know how,” I said with a shrug. “But I believe whoever placed this curse on me must have a plan.” I laughed, and Mark joined me. But his question had stirred something inside me. “I just need to find her and make sure she does what she is meant to do.”

Mark’s smile disappeared. He knew exactly what I meant. He had never liked it, but he also knew we both had no power to change it. Suddenly, a faint sound came from the trees. I stopped.

“Do you hear that?” I whispered. Mark tilted his head and listened. A moment later, he nodded.

“I smell a wolf, my lord.” Excitement sparked in his eyes. A grin slowly spread across my face.

“What perfect timing.” I turned toward the direction of the sound. “Let’s teach that intruder a lesson.” I started walking toward the noise, anticipation quickening my steps.

Mark and I split up, moving in opposite directions to make sure the wolf had nowhere to escape.

Then I saw her.

A slow, sinister smile spread across my face. She was small, alone, and clearly terrified.

Prey.

She had no idea what had found her.

She must have sensed me because she suddenly turned in my direction.

I ducked behind a tree before she could see me.

I peeked around the trunk.

She was standing now, her entire body trembling. Her eyes darted from one side to another, repeatedly returning to the spot where I was hiding.

Then she ran. I watched her for a moment, confused. Why hadn't she shifted? Was she even a wolf? Could she be human?

Wolf or human, it didn’t matter. She had crossed into my territory, and trespassers didn’t leave alive. I stepped out from behind the tree and chased after her.

She ran as fast as she could, but fear made her movements clumsy. Suddenly, her foot caught on something, and she crashed to the ground. I was on her before she could recover. I pinned her beneath me, ready to finish the hunt.

Then I heard it, and my entire body went still.

A heartbeat echoed beneath me, followed by another, steady and unmistakable. My breath caught. For years, I had heard nothing but silence where a mate’s presence should have stirred something inside me. Yet now, one sound was enough to awaken something I thought had died long ago.

I stared down at the woman beneath me, disbelief slowly giving way to realization.

She was here.

The woman I had spent years searching for.

My mate.

“Mate!”