The Xavier I knew back then would’ve never let me leave the pack gathering alone. He would’ve been the one pushing my wheelchair, whispering reassurances into my ear.

But that man was gone.

Ever since Celeste came back, it was like I had disappeared.

She had been gone for ten years, off studying medicine abroad, and when she returned, she was... perfect. Beautiful, accomplished, and full of charm.

Xavier had been polite at first, but then his focus shifted. Slowly, subtly, but enough for me to notice.

“Celeste is so thoughtful,” he'd said one night after dinner. “Did you know she’s planning to open a free clinic for the pack? Incredible.”

I’d smiled tightly, pretending it didn’t bother me. But it was always Celeste this, Celeste that.

And then the excuses started. He was too busy to have dinner with me, but he had time to take Celeste on a tour of the territory. He was too tired to talk to me, but he stayed up late helping Celeste with her late night “projects.”

The shift was slow, but it was undeniable. I wasn’t his priority anymore.

Now, sitting alone in my room, I felt like a fool. How had I not seen it coming?

“Lyra,” I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. “You’re nothing to him now. Just a burden.”

The tears wouldn’t stop. My chest ached, my head throbbed, but the pain in my heart was the worst.

I had given him everything—my love, my trust, my future. And he had given it all to Celeste.

Celeste moved into the mansion not long after the pack gathering. The house that used to be a place of comfort for me now felt suffocating, like a cage I couldn’t escape from. Every room, every hallway, was a reminder of how things had changed, how everything I thought was mine was slipping away.

At first, I tried to ignore it, tried to pretend that everything was fine. I put on a brave face, smiling through my discomfort whenever Xavier or Celeste would come near. But deep down, I was breaking. I could feel it with every breath.

The worst part? Xavier was all about Celeste now. He couldn’t look at me without that cold indifference, but whenever he saw her, his eyes lit up. And it wasn’t just the way he looked at her. It was how he acted around her, the way he made her the center of attention.

And then, just a few weeks after Celeste moved in, the news came that shattered whatever small semblance of hope I had left.

Celeste was pregnant.

The pack was ecstatic.

There were celebrations, toasts, and congratulations. Everyone cheered for Xavier and Celeste, and I was expected to smile and clap along. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw the glass of wine they’d handed me in their faces, but instead, I just stood there, a fake smile plastered on my face, feeling the weight of my failure like a thousand pounds on my chest.

"Isn't it just amazing?" Celeste said, her voice dripping with sweetness as she placed her hand on her stomach. "Xavier and I are going to give the pack the future it deserves."

I could barely swallow the bile that rose in my throat. The future they deserved? What about the future I was promised? What about the dreams I’d built with Xavier? The ones that didn’t include my sister taking everything from me?

I forced myself to stay calm, but as the days passed, it became harder and harder. Celeste would flaunt her pregnancy in front of me like it was some kind of victory. She’d walk around in dresses that showed off her growing belly, constantly touching it and reminding everyone, including me, of what I’d lost.

"How’s your therapy going, Lyra?" she’d ask, her tone feigned concern, but her eyes full of smug satisfaction. “I hope you’re getting better. Wouldn’t want you to miss the baby shower.”

I gritted my teeth and smiled through the pain. "It’s going fine, thank you."

But the truth was, it wasn’t going fine. I was pushing myself harder than I ever had before, in secret. I’d started physical therapy, working on my legs every day when no one was around. The pain was unbearable, but I couldn’t stop. I had to get better, I had to walk again, if only for myself.

I wasn’t going to let Celeste have everything. She could have Xavier’s attention, she could have his child, but I was going to prove that I wasn’t just some broken woman in a wheelchair. I wasn’t useless.

But it was hard. Every time I looked at Xavier, I saw the man who used to be mine—who used to love me—and I knew deep down that those days were gone.

One evening, after dinner, when the house was quiet and I was alone in the living room, I overheard Xavier and Celeste talking in the hallway. Their voices were muffled, but I could still hear the conversation clearly.

“Xavier, I know you’re doing this for the pack, but I want more,” Celeste’s voice was low, but it had that determined edge to it I had heard too many times before.

“I know,” Xavier’s voice came back, distant, almost bored. “We’ve been through this, Celeste.”

“I want to be Luna. I want to be your true mate,” she said, and my heart stopped. “It’s not just about the heir, Xavier. It’s about us, about what we can build together. You need to make me your permanent mate. I’ll be the one standing beside you, leading the pack.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. Was she really asking him that? To make her Luna, to replace me completely? But then again, why was I surprised? I was just the broken wife in a wheelchair.

But then, as if he knew my thoughts, I heard Xavier’s response. "Celeste… Once the baby is born, we'll announce it. You’ll be the new Luna. I’ll make you my official mate."

I froze.

The words hit me harder than anything had before. Official mate. He was planning on marrying her.

I froze. The words hit me harder than anything had before. Official mate. He was planning on marrying her. He was planning to replace me—make her the Luna.

The tears welled up in my eyes, but I forced them back. I couldn’t let them see how much this hurt. But as the conversation continued, the crushing reality settled in.

I wanted to scream, to confront him, but I couldn’t. What could I say? The truth was, he had already made his decision. He had already moved on.

I pushed my wheelchair toward the window, looking out at the pack house where I had once felt so at home, so loved. Now, it was just a reminder of everything I was losing.

This was it.

The door to my room opened slowly, and I turned, half-expecting Xavier. But instead, it was Celeste standing there, a smug grin on her face.

“You heard everything, didn’t you?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. What was there to say?

Her smile widened. “Don’t worry, Lyra. You’ll always be remembered as the one who helped us get here. But now, it’s my time. Get used to it.”

With that, she walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

That evening, Xavier and Celeste dressed to the nines, preparing for some fancy family dinner I wasn’t invited to. Of course, why would I be? I was just the discarded Luna now, left to sit in my wheelchair like an afterthought.

As they walked out the door, Xavier didn’t even glance back at me. Celeste, on the other hand, threw me a sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Don’t wait up, Lyra,” her voice laced with mockery.

The house was quiet once they were gone, I sat alone in the living room, staring at the flickering flames in the fireplace.

That night, I must have dozed off in the living room while drinking my tea. When I opened my eyes, I was startled to find myself at the top of the grand staircase, still in my wheelchair.

My heart raced as I tried to process how I’d gotten there. I didn’t remember anyone moving me.

That’s when I noticed her—a maid I didn’t recognize, standing just behind me. She was young, with a blank expression that sent a chill down my spine.

“Did you bring me here?” I asked, my voice unsteady.

She didn’t respond, just tilted her head slightly, as if amused by my confusion. Suddenly, her lips curved into a small, cold smile. “It’s time, Miss Lyra.”

Before I could react, she stepped behind me and shoved the wheelchair forward.

“Wait—no!” I screamed, my hands fumbling for the wheels, trying desperately to stop.

But it was too late.

The world spun as the chair tipped forward, and I was thrown down the stairs. Each step slammed into me, pain exploding across my body. I hit the ground hard, the air knocked out of my lungs. Everything was a blur—pain, fear, and the deafening sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

I lay there, motionless, convinced this was the end. But then, as I stared at the ceiling, something strange happened. A warmth spread through me, starting in my chest and flowing outward. It wasn’t just comforting—it was powerful.

The pain faded almost instantly, replaced by a strange tingling sensation. I blinked in disbelief as I lifted my hand, watching it move effortlessly. Slowly, I sat up. My body felt... different. Stronger. I pushed myself up, fully expecting my legs to buckle beneath me.

But they didn’t.

I stood, my heart racing as I stared down at my perfectly steady legs. For a moment, I just stood there, overwhelmed by the impossible reality.

The sound of hurried footsteps snapped me out of my shock. I quickly dropped to my knees, pretending to struggle. The maid appeared at the top of the stairs, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“You’re... still alive?” she whispered, her voice shaking.

I groaned, clutching my side and pretending to be in pain. “Help me,” I rasped, playing the part of the injured woman she expected to see.

She didn’t move. Instead, she backed away, her face pale with fear. I watched as she disappeared down the hall, clearly panicked.

The next morning, I overheard Celeste in the study, her voice sharp and furious. I wheeled myself closer, staying just outside the door, listening.

“You were supposed to finish her!” Celeste snapped. “How does someone survive a fall like that? You said you’d take care of it.”

The maid’s voice trembled as she replied, “I don’t know what happened, Miss Celeste. I swear, she should’ve been—”

“Enough!” Celeste hissed. “Get out of my sight. You’re done here.”

A moment later, I heard the maid scurry out, her sobs echoing down the hall. I sat there, frozen, as the reality of it all sank in. Celeste had planned this. She had hired someone to kill me, and she wasn’t even trying to hide it.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I wanted to burst into that room, to scream at her, to tell her I knew everything. But I didn’t. Not yet. Instead, I turned my wheelchair and quietly left, keeping my expression neutral when I passed the staff.

Let her think I was still weak, still broken. Let her believe she had the upper hand. Because now, I had something she didn’t: the element of surprise.

I’d spent the last few days testing my newfound powers in secret. Every night, when the house was quiet and everyone was asleep, I would lock myself in the small room adjacent to my bedroom.

I’d start with small cuts on my arms, watching in awe as they closed up in seconds. Then I moved to objects, like broken glass, focusing on piecing them back together.

It wasn’t just healing—it was renewal. The energy coursing through me felt limitless, as if I’d been given a second chance at life. And this time, I wasn’t going to let anyone take it away.

The day of the celebration came quickly. Xavier and Celeste were throwing a grand party to announce her pregnancy. The pack house was filled with laughter, cheers, and the clinking of glasses.

I sat in my wheelchair at the far corner of the hall, invisible to most of the crowd. Nobody offered me a drink, a greeting, or even a glance. Not that it mattered. I was too busy listening.

From my spot, I caught snippets of their conversation.

“She’s still here, I hate seeing my sister in the same house. My baby doesn't like it,” Celeste smirks with annoyance.

“Not for long,” Xavier replied curtly. “After the ceremony, I’ll announce her relocation. We can’t keep her around—it’s too embarrassing for the pack. Especially now.”

Relocation. He meant banishment. Ha!

My grip on the armrest tightened, my nails digging into the fabric. The man who had once begged me to marry him, who had crossed oceans for me, was now planning to throw me away like garbage.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Not yet. Not until the perfect moment.

The ceremony began, with Xavier standing proudly beside Celeste. She wore a flowing white dress, her hand resting on her barely visible baby bump. The pack clapped and cheered as Xavier announced, “Tonight, we celebrate the future of this pack. My mate, Celeste, and I are thrilled to bring new life and strength to our family.”

Strength. What a joke.

As the crowd erupted into applause, I decided it was time. I wheeled myself closer to the center of the room, the noise gradually quieting as people noticed me. I caught Evelyn’s eye—her face twisted in disgust, like I was a disgrace to her perfect world. She shot a quick glance at Xavier, then back at me, silently questioning why he hadn’t removed me yet.

I didn’t flinch. I met her glare, refusing to be crushed by it. This was my moment, not hers.

“What is she doing?” someone murmured.

“She shouldn’t be here,” another said.

Ignoring them, I stopped just a few feet from Xavier and Celeste. For a moment, I let the silence stretch, the tension thick in the air. Then, slowly, I stood.

Gasps rippled through the room.

“She’s walking!”

“How is this possible?”

I let them murmur, watching the shock spread across Xavier’s face. Celeste’s smug smile vanished in an instant.

“I suppose congratulations are in order,” I said coolly over the stunned crowd. “But before you toast to your new future, let me share mine.”

“Lyra,” Xavier said, stepping toward me, his eyes wide with confusion. “How—how are you—?”

I smirked, tilting my head. “What’s the matter, Xavier? Surprised that I didn’t stay broken for your convenience?”

His expression shifted, the confusion replaced by something sharper—something greedy. “Is this... a new power? How did you heal? Can you do it for others?”

And there it was. He wasn’t chasing after me because he cared. He wanted my power.

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Of course. It’s always about what I can do for you, isn’t it?”

“Lyra, that’s not—”

“Don’t,” I cut him off, my voice steady but full of fury. “I’m done being used. I’m done being humiliated.” I straightened, letting every ounce of my newfound strength shine through. “I, Lyra Nightshade, reject you, Xavier, as my mate and Alpha.”

The gasps from the crowd were immediate, followed by a heavy, stunned silence.

“You can’t do this!” Xavier growled, stepping toward me, his voice desperate now. “You’re my mate—”

“No, Xavier,” I said, my voice cold as ice. I reached up, gripping the mark on my neck—the symbol of our bond—and with a surge of will, I clawed through it. Pain seared through me, but I didn’t flinch. “Not anymore.”

I ripped off the ring he had placed on my finger and let it fall to the ground. It clinked against the floor, echoing through the room.

I glanced at Celeste, who stood frozen, her face pale and furious. “Congratulations on being the new Luna. You’ll need all the luck you can get.”

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the hall.

The last thing I heard was Xavier shouting my name, but I didn’t look back.

I had planned this for weeks. My suitcase had been packed and hidden in the back of my closet long before today. The moment I walked out of that ceremony, I headed straight for my room, grabbed my bag, and didn’t look back.

When I reached the train station, the cool evening air hit my face. It felt... freeing.

For the first time in forever, I felt like I could breathe. I bought a one-way ticket to the farthest destination listed on the board and sat down on a bench to wait.

That’s when the texts started.

My phone buzzed relentlessly, one message after another popping up on the screen. They were all from Xavier.

“Come back to the pack. Now.”

“You’re making a mistake.”

“Lyra, stop being childish and return home.”

“Don’t make me come after you.”

“You’ll regret this if you don’t come back.”

The texts kept coming, one after another. My jaw clenched as I scrolled through them. Empty threats, desperate pleas. None of it mattered anymore.

Without thinking twice, I stood up, walked to the edge of the platform, and tossed my phone onto the train tracks. A second later, the train roared past, crushing it into nothing.

I let out a deep breath. Watching that phone get destroyed felt like watching my chains break.

When the train doors opened, I boarded without hesitation, my suitcase in tow. I found a seat by the window and sank into it, staring out at the station as it blurred into the distance.

For the first time in years, I felt lighter. I didn’t know where this journey would take me, but I knew one thing for sure: I was finally free.