Lira's POV

I was adrift from my thoughts and came back to consciousness. I took a gaze at my phone and saw that it was Anthony, my childhood friend and Gamma of the pack.

In everyone's life, there's always a person or group of persons who you have beautiful, remarkable and unforgettable memories with.

Anthony has always been that one person in my life. I was brought up in the Hollow Shade pack. My father was one of the top elders of the pack before his demise.

I could remember vividly how he used to visit Anthony’ s parents back then.

I was very little though, but my memories are sharp enough to bring back those times.

Should I say that I became emotionally attached to Anthony because he was like a friend and brother to me. He was the only child of his parents while I was the only one my parents had.

It was several years later that my mother conceived and gave birth to my younger brother. My mom was not that social type of person.

But I bonded more with my dad because he was always willing and available for me whenever I wanted to go out and pay a visit to Anthony. He never restrained me even though he was not in the mood to go out.

He always ensured that I am happy and satisfied. I was his lucky daughter. My parents waited for fifteen years after their mating before they could bear me. It was really a hard time for them.

People were questioning their unions and even my mother's parents raised an eyebrow because of their condition. They once tried to persuade my mother to break the bond and find another mate.

But my mother refused and stood with her love. Thank goodness, the Moon goddess finally remembered them and gave them a beautiful and lovely daughter called Lira.So, because of the fate and circumstances surrounding my birth, my dad never does anything that will make me sad.

Nevertheless, I didn't capitalize on that opportunity to use it negatively. I was a good daughter all through my childhood. I respected my elders and every member of the pack.

Anthony's parents loved me greatly because they saw me as a blessing from the Moon goddess.

I went to the same primary school with him. We were enrolled into the same secondary school. Everyone at the college saw me as his kid sister. He took care of me.

There was never a time I felt humiliated. He was really great.

Varek was our senior then. But he was close to Anthony.

Anytime Anthony wanted to go and see him I followed him. He always talked about this one friend. I was curious to know him. So, that was how I found out about Varek.

I even got to know that he was a Prince to the Alpha of our pack.

All those thoughts ran through my head. I chuckled a while before I picked his call.

Lira's POV

"Lira, I heard the news. Don't be so disappointed. Varek had to do this as an Alpha. He's the number one personality of the pack.

He needed to ensure the maximum safety of every member. Especially those of high caliber like Ravena.”

"You're absolutely spot on!" I screamed and didn't stress myself to reply to him.

Ten minutes later, the group chat was electrified again.

Ravena had sent some more pictures. It was Varek alone with her, giving her water to drink, checking her temperature and her wrapped bandages as if she were his sick wife.

"Guys, I am sorry for the pandemonium my ordeal has created, especially to Ravena and Varek. It wasn't my intention to spoil the most important day of your lives.

Varek, thank you for being the best Alpha I could ever wish for. You've always made me have a full sense of belonging in this pack. You made me feel like an important person here.”

Most of the group chat members liked and sent heart emojis. Some were even bold in saying they looked like a couple, or they could have been a good pair if the moon goddess allowed it.

Ravena….It was always her that everyone favored and revered. Tears shimmered down my eyes. I felt like I had waited for seven years to realize a mistake. It was time to make the necessary amendments and choose myself.

"Call me."

I dropped a message for Varek. I knew he wouldn't call if I didn't ask him. I sat and waited for a call or even just a response. Fourteen minutes had passed, and still nothing. I was about to stand when my phone suddenly rang.

“Why are you requesting for me to call you? Did something happen, Lira?” I could sense a bit of disgust from his voice.

"Is that all that you have to say?" I retorted, hurt when I could feel his disgust.

"Sorry. My thinking was narrowed. Ravena got hurt. I needed to ensure she would be okay."

“ Exactly! As her night and shining armor. The prince that saved the princess in distress. Alpha Varek.”

“And what's the meaning of all that?”

“To cut all the bullshit. It means we're done! It's over!”

I dropped the call, not a slight chance for him to say anything.

Lira's POV

The welfare of the pack was Varek topmost priority. That leadership duty was bestowed on him the moment he took the title.

He thought I, of all people, understood this because I was my mate and the incoming Luna of Hollow Shade pack.

He sighed and picked his phone. He went straight to WhatsApp to check.

The group chat had countless messages, and he hadn't even been able to check it. When he glanced through, all the messages were from Ravena.

She had been updating the group on her current situation.

Varek clenched his Jaws at the pictures she sent because they're centered around him and her.

Varek was gravely enraged by the one she sent, where she was lying on his lap and he was caressing her hair. His face was ultimately showing concern for her. He was mad.

He ran a hand through his hair. Everything was obviously going out of control. But he didn't seem to blame him self. He thought he shouldn't be blamed

because Ravena needed him.

She was seeking comfort and solace. He couldn't just feign ignorance and abandon her because of the bonding ritual. That I should understand that safety is of great paramount for the pack, that he was the watchdog that has been set over the people.

But still, he couldn't shy away from the guilt. He Called off our mating ritual ceremony all because of Ravena. All he could thought of was the rage inside me.

He thought that he should've treated the matter and handled the situation with top notch discretion.

He should've called me and sought for my consent before proceeding to call off the bonding ritual.Or maybe, an explicit explanation would've made me understand that the bonding ritual meant the whole world to me.

It was not just a charade.

But the damage has been done and he'd to deal with the repercussions that came with it. A knock on the door pulled him off his thoughts.

“Come in, it's open.” he responded.

Anthony came into the room with his characteristic gentle expression.

He waved at him and sat on the opposite sofa to Varek. If there was any ally he could trust in the pack, it was definitely him. Varek could rely on him to help him fix this mess.

“Varek, I had the news.” He spoke with a low tone.

He sighed.

“Yeah man, Lira is mad at me. She's totally pissed off “

Anthony gave him a faint look while leaning his back on the sofa.

“May I Know the reason? Why is she mad at you? All because you were doing your duty as the Alpha of the pack?”

He ran his hand down his wet and slippery face.

“I called off the most important event for her, Anthony. Our bonding ritual for crying out loud. She is justified for being angry and upset.”

Anthony shook his head, skeptical of my flare up.

“Yeah, she's at liberty to be angry and furious at you. You did what was necessary.” Anthony told him.