Chapter 2

2.

I'm a werewolf who grew up in the human world. Survived on my own for over twenty years. Never felt like I belonged anywhere. Never wanted to merge into any pack. I thought I didn't need anyone.

Damian found me in an underground bar in a human city. He was hunting a rogue. Wrong place, wrong territory. He took one look at me and said: It's you or no one.

Later, he saved me from a pack of rebel wolves. Took multiple silver arrows through the chest. Collapsed in the rain.

I stayed by his side for three days. On the fourth, I found his Beta. Take him back to your territory. He needs treatment.

That was my first step into pure werewolf society.

I guarded his bed. Transferred his wounds into my own body. I was born with that. I absorb and neutralize any toxin.

Seven days later, he opened his eyes. The first thing he did was mark me. His one and only fated mate. His Luna.

For five years, he cherished me to the bone. Everyone said Alpha Damian loved his Luna with everything he had.

Then Clara came back.

Clara, the girl who grew up beside him. Captured during a territorial conflict two years ago. Missing. Presumed dead.

The day she was recovered, I saw something in Damian's eyes I'd never seen before. Right after that, he got "hit" by a toxin during a hunt.

He forgot me. Remembered her. Not only doted on her like a madman―he was preparing a grand bonding ceremony.

I took our mate token to him. Begged him to remember me. He shattered it on the ground.

"Stop looking so pathetic, Lyra. Clara went through hell. The only one I love is Clara."

To destroy any hope I had left, he poured that bowl of poison into my throat with his own hands. Silver powder. Wolfsbane.

But now I know the truth.

Jenna came back weeping. Her face full of helplessness. And heartbreak.

"I failed… I couldn't bring the Alpha. He said… he said your illness is an act. Told you to stop playing these games."

She stopped. Her throat moved.

"He also said… even if you really do die from this, don't disturb him. He's accompanying Clara to the northern hunting grounds. To see the northern lights."

I opened my eyes. Weak.

This territory is bathed in moonlight year-round. There are no northern lights.

Jenna explained. Damian deployed his elite guard to project an aurora illusion over the hunting grounds with magical devices. To please Clara.

To sustain the display, patrols along the hunting grounds perimeter had been gutted. Elderly guards had collapsed from back-to-back shifts.

"Hah."

A soft laugh. No warmth.

The door slammed open.

Damian stood at the threshold. His face dark as the sky before a blizzard.

"Lyra, have you lost your mind? You dared to poison Clara."

Instinctively, I opened my mouth to deny it. His hand clamped around my wrist.

"Don't bother lying. Who else in this entire territory would be jealous of Clara?"

"If anything happens to her, I will not let you walk away from it."

He dragged me straight to the Alpha's residence. Pointed at the bed where Clara lay. Eyes shut. Lips tinged blue.

"She's been poisoned. You neutralize toxins. Transfer it out of her. Now."

I froze for half a second. Then I laughed. Cold.

"Damian. You claim to have forgotten me completely. So how do you remember I can detoxify?"

His eyes stuttered. Something unnatural flickered across his face. Then the impatience was back.

"Someone mentioned it. Stop wasting words. You're the one who poisoned her. Saving her is the least you owe."

My fingers curled into fists.

Full moon tonight. My old wound was tearing me apart. There was nothing left inside me. And he wanted me to save her.

"Damian. It's the full moon. Do you really not remember what this night means?"

He stiffened. A crease formed between his brows. A flicker of hesitation.