Lysera’s POV

“What?” Ronan let out a sharp laugh, the sound echoing against the stone walls of the healer’s den. “You are asking me to break our mate bond? Have you lost your mind?”

He stepped away from the door and moved back to my bedside, standing over me.

“Lysera, look at you,” he said, pointing at my wrapped hands, the glowing healing runes, the broken woman lying on the bed. “You are in shock. Your spirit is shaken. You are not thinking clearly. What will you do after this? Tell me. You lost your hands. You lost your gift. Without me, without the Nightreaver and Melvere bloodlines… you will be nothing.”

His words were meant to crush me. To remind me of where I came from. The orphan girl taken in by a pack. The gifted one who rose too high and fell.

But instead of breaking me, they only made my resolve stronger.

“I would rather be nothing than stay bound to a coward,” I said softly.

Ronan’s jaw tightened. “I am not a coward. I am being practical. You cannot survive alone like this. You need care. You need resources for recovery. Do you truly think you can go through a bond severance while learning how to hold a spoon again?”

He leaned closer, his face near mine. “Think about it, Lysera. Truly think. Or go ahead and leave me. Try it. See how far you get without my support.”

He didn’t mean wealth. He meant power.

I looked at him, silence stretching between us like a drawn blade. He expected me to break. He expected tears, pleas, surrender.

When I said nothing, he sighed and straightened, adjusting his sleeves.

“Let’s not speak of this again,” he said, brushing it aside. “You are emotional. It is the herbs. Rest and think about it later. For me.”

Before I could reply, the door opened.

Thara walked in. She wore soft-colored robes and carried a bundle of moon lilies, my least favorite flower.

“Lysera,” she said softly. Her gaze fell on my hands, and she let out a broken sob. “Oh… I am so sorry.”

I turned my face away, staring at the stone wall.

“I know you hate me,” Thara continued, her voice shaking. “I know you hate Thorian. And you have every reason. He… he’s not well, Lysera. He never meant to destroy your life. I will pay for everything. The healing rituals, the recovery. I will sell my belongings. I will do anything. Just… please don’t destroy him.”

“Leave,” I whispered.

“Lysera!” Ronan snapped, his voice sharp. “She’s trying to make peace. Show some mercy.”

“Mercy?” I turned back to them, my eyes burning. “Her brother attacked me, Ronan. And you ask me for mercy?”

“She’s my closest ally,” Ronan said, his voice dropping low. “And she stands here humbling herself. You will listen.”

He moved behind Thara and placed a hand on her shoulder, protective. The sight was clear. The two of them standing together against me.

“Fine,” I said, the word bitter on my tongue. “I am listening.”

“I only want you to understand,” Thara said, wiping her tears. “We can fix this. We can move forward. If you just… if you agree not to bring this before the council, we can deal with Thorian quietly. We can send him to a private healing place. He doesn’t belong in the dungeons, Lysera. He’s family.”

Ronan looked at me, his eyes urging me, reminding me of his warning. You will be nothing.

I needed time. I needed to leave this place. I needed to be careful.

“Alright,” I said, lying. “I will not bring the case.”

Relief filled the room. Ronan’s shoulders relaxed. Thara let out a light laugh and reached to touch my arm.

“Thank you,” she said quickly. “Thank you, Lysera. You are too kind. Truly.”

“We should go,” Ronan said, glancing at the time. “She needs to rest. We will return tomorrow and handle your release.”

“Rest well, Lysera,” Thara added.

They walked out together. I watched through the small gap of the door. As they moved down the corridor, I saw Ronan’s hand slide to her lower back. I saw her lean into him.

I waited until their steps faded.

Then I forced myself to sit up. I used my elbows to move the crystal communicator on the table. It was slow. It was humiliating. But I managed to activate the voice spell.

“Call Alistair Rydell,” I ordered.

The crystal pulsed. Once. Twice.

Alistair Rydell…

The only Alpha in another territory who had ever defeated Ronan before the council. Their rivalry was fierce, almost like war.

“This is Rydell,” a deep voice answered.

“Alpha Rydell,” I said, my voice steady despite the pain. “This is Healer Lysera Nightreaver.”

There was a pause. “Luna Nightreaver? Ronan’s mate? What brings you to me? Is your mate seeking to finalize the pack alliance?”

“No,” I said. “I want to hire you. Attempted murder. Violent assault. Severe injury. Thorian Melvere.”

“Why come to me?” Alistair asked. “Your mate is the strongest speaker in the council. Why seek his rival?”

“Because he will not stand for me,” I said, staring at my wrapped hands. “He’s protecting them. So I need someone who will not.”

“I see,” Alistair replied. His tone changed, sharp and dangerous. “Well, Luna Nightreaver… I have waited a long time for a chance to bring Ronan down. I will come to you at dawn.”

Two days later, I was released.

A young healer helped me outside where a black carriage waited. Ronan was not there. He had sent a message saying he was occupied with pack matters. Most likely, he was with Thara again.

I didn’t care. I had the documents Alistair prepared hidden in my bag.

As the driver opened the door, my crystal rang. I struggled to answer with my bandaged fingers.

“Luna Lysera!”

It was Kael, Calder’s handler. He was shouting.

“It’s over. Calder is finished.”

“What?” I froze. “Kael, slow down.”

“A memory shard was spread,” he said, panic clear in his voice. “It shows him striking a woman. Using dark powder. It is false, Luna, but no one believes it. The guild cast him out. The royal sponsors abandoned him. Everyone calls him a monster.”

My blood turned cold. My brother was the pride of our bloodline. He would never harm anyone. “That cannot be true.”

“He could not bear it,” Kael cried. “I found him in his chamber. An empty vial of sleeping draught.”

The world stopped.

“He tried to end his life, Luna. He’s in the critical ward.”

Lysera’s POV

“He’s stable, Luna,” One of pack healer, Lucen, said again in calm. “The cleansing ritual worked. Now we wait for him to wake. But…”

“But the world outside will not wait,” I finished for him.

I could see it through the shutters. Carriages, reporters, spies gathering at the healer’s den like hungry crows. My crystal kept buzzing without rest.

Calder Wyndclaw. Monster? Addict? Abuser?

The false memory was flawless. Too flawless. It ruined ten years of his rise in a single night.

I touched Calder’s cold hand with my wrapped fingers. “I will fix this,” I whispered. “I swear.”

I didn’t know how. I was a healer who could no longer use her gift. But I knew one man who could bend the world if he wished. So I returned home.

I walked through the grand hall, the silence heavy around me.

I went straight to his study. The thick wooden doors were slightly open. I raised my hand to push them, ready to beg him to use his power, to silence the rumors, to do anything.

Then I heard his voice.

“It’s done, Thara. Stop crying.”

I froze. My hand stopped in the air.

“Yes, the memory is everywhere,” Ronan said, his tone cold and distant. “No, it cannot be traced back to me. I used an offshore network. Calder is finished. His name is ruined.”

The ground felt unsteady beneath me.

“I had no choice,” Ronan continued, his voice dark. “Lysera went behind me and sought Alistair Rydell. She thought she could defy me. She thought she could bring a case against your brother after I told her to stop. This is her lesson. She needs to understand that every action has a price.”

I could not breathe.

I pushed the door open. It slammed hard against the wall.

Ronan turned in his chair, the crystal still in his hand. His eyes widened for a moment, then turned calm. Not guilty. Just annoyed.

“I will call you later,” he said before ending the call.

“You,” I forced out, my voice breaking. “You did this? You destroyed Calder?”

Ronan stood, smoothing his robes. “I did what was needed.”

“He’s innocent!” I shouted, stepping toward him. “He’s my brother! He tried to end his life, Ronan! He’s lying unconscious because of you! For what? For Thorian? For a drunk who attacked your own mate?”

“For order!” Ronan slammed his hand on the desk. “You disobeyed me, Lysera. I told you to let it go. I told you to stop. But you went to Rydell. You pushed this further. You forced me to act.”

“I forced you to frame him as a drug user?” I let out a broken laugh. “You are a monster. Truly sick.”

“I am protecting my people!”

“I am your people!” I cried. “I am your mate!”

“Thara is my people!” he roared. “I have known her all my life. Her pain is mine. And you… you are acting out of spite. That case would have dragged her name through mud. It would have damaged mine as well. I saved you from making a fool of yourself.”

“By destroying my brother?” I said through clenched teeth. “By pushing him to death?”

I rushed at him. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to tear that calm look from his face with my useless, wrapped hands.

A sharp sound filled the room.

My head snapped to the side. Pain burned across my cheek. I stumbled, grabbing the desk to stay upright.

Silence filled the space.

I touched my cheek slowly. He had struck me.

Ronan… the man who once promised to protect me, had hit me.

Ronan said, his voice low and cold, “That’s what happens when you defy me.”

He walked closer, standing over me. There was no regret in his eyes. Only control.

“I told you to stop. So will you stop now? Or must I destroy something else you care about?”

I looked up at him through tears. And I finally saw the truth.

There was never love here. I was only something he owned. And now, I was broken.

But Calder… Calder was still lying in that bed. If this continued, he would wake up to nothing.

“Fix it,” I whispered.

“What was that?” Ronan asked, pretending not to hear.

“Fix it,” I said again, my voice shaking. “Clear his name. Show the truth. Please. I will do anything.”

Ronan smiled. It was slow and cruel. He leaned back against the desk, folding his arms.

“Then beg.”

I stared at him. “What?”

“You heard me,” he said softly. “Beg. Show me that you understand who holds the power. Show me you will not fight anymore.”

My pride burned inside me. Every part of me wanted to refuse. But Calder’s pale face filled my mind.

Slowly, painfully, I lowered my head.

“Please,” I whispered. “Please, Alpha Ronan Nightreaver. Save my brother. I am begging you.”

Ronan watched me for a long moment, enjoying every second. Then his expression softened, hiding the monster beneath.

“Good,” he said quietly.

He reached out and touched the cheek he had struck. I flinched, but I stayed still.

“I am sorry it came to this,” he said, his voice full of false care. “I will handle it. By tomorrow, the memory will be exposed as false. Calder will be seen as a victim. His name will rise again.”

I nodded, staring at the floor.

“Now,” Ronan said, clapping his hands lightly. “Let’s move on. How about we go out together? Just the two of us. To fix things. To start again. Agree?”

He looked at me, waiting.

“Yes,” I said quietly.

“Go change,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Wear something red. You look best in red.”

I left the study. I climbed the stairs. I entered our chamber.

I didn’t cry. I had no tears left.

I went to the wardrobe and took out a red dress. But before putting it on, I sat on the floor and took out a hidden crystal.

I called Alistair.

“Delay the case,” I said, my voice empty. I looked at my reflection. The mark on my cheek was already darkening. “Prepare something else for me. At once.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“My bond severance,” I said. “Write it. No reconciliation. Betrayal. Infidelity. Violence.”

“I like the sound of that,” Alistair replied.

“And Alistair?”

“Yes?”

I took a slow breath. “If you truly want to bring Ronan Nightreaver down,” I said, my voice cold, “then take me as your mate.”

Lysera’s POV

“Lysera?”

I jerked awake in the hard chair beside the bed. Calder was looking at me, his blue eyes still weak but clear.

“Calder!” I gasped, rushing to him. I wanted to hold his hand, but the bandages around mine stopped me. Instead, I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to his arm.

“You are awake. Thank the Moon.”

He tried to sit up, wincing. “What happened? I remember… the memory. The sleeping draught.”

“It’s gone,” I said quickly, my voice firm. “All of it is gone, Calder. It was a false memory. A crafted illusion. The guild released a statement this morning. The guards confirmed it. You are a victim, not a criminal. The people support you again. They’re already calling your name with pride.”

Calder let out a shaky breath. He closed his eyes, a tear slipping down his cheek. “I thought it was over, Lysera. I cannot… I cannot lose this. My name, my work… it is all I have.”

“I know,” I whispered, brushing his hair gently. “I promise you, Calder. I swear on my life. It will not happen again. No one will ever harm you again, brother.”

The next morning, I returned home.

The manor was quiet. Ronan was at the council hall. I walked into the library and locked the door. From the back of a hidden chest, I took out an old communication crystal, one that could not be traced.

I called a number I had not used in years.

“Kaizen,” I said when the line opened.

“Luna Lysera,” the warm, steady voice of our old steward answered. He had served my parents, then me, until Ronan suggested replacing him with younger staff. But Kaizen had never truly left me. “It has been a long time.”

“I need your help, Kaizen,” I said without delay. “I need you to search. I want everything on the Melvere bloodline. Thorian, Thara, their parents. Debts, secrets, illegal trades. And I want everything linking Ronan to them. Gold transfers, land deeds, messages. Everything.”

“It will be done, Luna. Are you well?”

“No,” I said, touching the fading bruise on my cheek. “But I will be.”

For the next seven days, I played my role.

I became the perfect mate. I wore the gowns Ronan liked. I poured his drink when he returned. I smiled when he touched me, even when my skin felt cold. I asked about his day. I acted as if nothing had happened.

“See?” Ronan said one evening, pressing his lips to my neck as I arranged flowers, using my arms more than my hands. “This is better. No conflict. Just us.”

“Yes, Ronan,” I said smoothly. “Much better.”

“Good,” he replied. “Because I have something planned. Dinner tonight as a small celebration.”

“Celebration?”

“For us,” he said with a smile. “For moving forward.”

I wore the black silk gown he chose. I put on the diamond earrings he gave me. I looked like a prize.

When we entered the private dining room, my body went cold.

We were not alone.

Sitting at the table, holding a glass of red wine, was Thorian Melvere.

His arm rested in a sling, clearly for sympathy. He looked strong. Proud. He smiled when he saw me, his gaze slow and uncomfortable.

“Lysera,” he said lazily. “It has been a while.”

I stiffened and looked at Ronan. “You invited him?”

“We’re ending this conflict,” Ronan said, guiding me to sit. “Thara will join us soon. We will be one family again, Lysera. Peaceful.”

I sat down. I had no choice.

Dinner was torture. Thorian made crude remarks. Ronan laughed. They spoke of old memories while I stared at my plate, cutting my food with slow, painful effort.

“Excuse me,” I said during the meal. “I need to step away.”

I walked into the hallway, my heart racing. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm myself. I dried my skin and turned to leave.

Thorian stood in the doorway. He had locked it.

“You think you are above everyone, do you?” he said, stepping closer. His breath smelled of wine. “Acting like you didn’thing wrong after trying to ruin me. I only reacted because of you. It was for my sister.”

“Move,” I said quietly.

“Or what?” he laughed. “You will fight me with those broken hands?”

He rushed forward. He pushed me against the stone counter, his weight trapping me. His hand grabbed at my dress, tearing the fabric.

“No!” I cried. “Let me go!”

I could not use my hands. I could not push him away. I drove my knee upward into him.

He groaned but didn’t release me. He was too heavy. His mouth pressed against my neck. “You need to learn your place.”

“Ronan!” I screamed. “Help!”

The door shook. Then it opened.

It was not Ronan. It was Thara.

“Thorian!” she cried.

She ran toward us and grabbed his arm. “Stop! What are you doing?”

Thorian shoved her away in his anger.

Thara fell back. Her hip struck the edge of the stone counter with a sickening sound. She collapsed, crying out in pain.

Ronan appeared moments later. He looked at the scene. Me, shaken and pressed against the counter. Thorian standing there. Thara on the ground in pain.

He didn’t look at me. He ran to Thara.

“Thara!” he said, dropping to his knees. “Are you alright?”

“She pushed me!” Thara cried, pointing at me. “Lysera pushed me! She has lost her mind!”

“What?” I said in shock. “No! Thorian tried to force himself on me! She tried to stop him and he pushed her!”

Ronan looked at me. His eyes were filled with anger. He didn’t believe me.

“You…” he said slowly. “You bring nothing but harm.”

“Ronan, listen to me—”

“Leave my sight!” he roared. He lifted Thara into his arms, panic clear on his face. “Call the carriage! We’re going to the healer’s den now!”

They left me there.

My hands were throbbing. During the struggle, I had struck them against the stone. Fresh blood soaked through the bandages.

I took a carriage to the same healer’s den. I entered quietly, keeping my head down. A healer changed my bandages, shaking her head at the damage. Once she finished, I slipped away toward the private chambers.

I saw Ronan standing outside a room. He was speaking to a healer. I stayed hidden in a shadowed corner.

“Is she alright?” Ronan asked. His voice shook. I had never heard him like that.

“She has a light head injury,” the healer said. “But the scan is good. The heartbeat is strong. The pup is safe, Alpha Nightreaver.”

“Thank the Moon,” Ronan breathed, leaning against the wall. “And the gender? Can you tell?”

“Yes,” the healer said with a small smile. “It is a boy.”

“A boy,” Ronan whispered. “My pup. My heir.”

The healer walked away. Ronan pulled out his crystal.

“It is me,” he said quietly. “This situation cannot continue. Lysera is out of control. She almost killed my pup tonight.”

He paused, listening.

“No, I cannot simply break the bond. She knows too much. And with her brother’s influence… no. We need something final.”

My heart pounded hard in my chest.

“I will convince her to travel with me,” he said calmly. “Then I will end her life. Make it seem like an accident on the way to the sky port. A broken carriage. And do the same to Calder. I don’t want him asking questions after she’s gone. Everything will be clean.”