Chapter 2

2

After choosing my weapons, I went to the Sacred Moon Pool for one last soak.

As soon as I stepped inside, I saw a scene that made my stomach turn.

Seraphina was sitting in my private spring, wearing nothing but a translucent silk wrap.

Xander was kneeling at the edge, feeding her moon-berries and smiling.

To anyone else, they looked like the perfect couple.

I marched forward and kicked the tray of fruit into the water.

"This is my private sanctuary. Get out. Now."

Seraphina shrieked and submerged herself in the water, tears springing to her eyes.

"Xander, I'm scared..."

Xander snapped. He stood up and towered over me, his eyes flashing with Alpha dominance.

"Lyra, you are being a tyrant!"

"Seraphina was wounded by the Shadow Creepers while saving me. Why shouldn't she use the pool?"

I didn't back down. "Shut up. I told you the engagement is off. We are nothing to each other."

He let out a scoff of pure arrogance.

"For a thousand years, every time a woman looked at me, you threw a tantrum. I'm used to your little games, Lyra."

"But Seraphina is different. I won't allow you to disrespect her."

"If you want this marriage to happen, apologize to her right now."

The logic was so twisted it was almost funny.

"Apologize? For kicking trespassers out of my own home? I'll take this to the High Council if I have to."

"Lyra! Enough! I've already agreed to marry you. Don't make this bigger than it is."

"You want to break the engagement? Not without my consent. And I'm telling you now―no."

He pulled Seraphina out of the water, wrapped her in his own cloak, and walked away.

Looking at his retreating back, a sense of dread settled in my gut.

I had seen a flash of something dark and desperate in his eyes.

If the wedding didn't happen, he was going to take what he wanted by force.

I couldn't wait three days. I had to leave immediately.

I spoke to my father and took a hundred elite guards toward the Southern Ridge that night.

My parents and the pack elders came to see me off at the main gate.

My mother held my hand, tears in her eyes, reluctant to let me go.

Of course, Xander had to show up to make a scene.

He blocked my path, his face a mask of fake concern. "Lyra, it's too dangerous. Wait until after the wedding, and I'll go with you."

I pulled my hand back. "I said it's over."

He talked right over me. "I know you're mad about Seraphina. But she saved my life. I have a debt to pay."

"Lyra, would you really want to marry a man who abandons his savior?"

The surrounding elders whispered. They all knew of my long obsession with Xander.

They thought I was just being a jealous, difficult princess.

"Be good, Lyra. I don't want you getting hurt. Stay home."