It was Lyra.
She rushed over to Killian, placing her delicate hands on his chest as though she were the voice of reason.
“Killian, don’t do this,” she pleaded softly, her tone honeyed but laced with manipulation.
“Didn’t I tell you? Sienna and I have already made up. You shouldn’t let your emotions get the better of you and kill her.”
Killian froze for a moment before releasing his grip on my neck.
I coughed, gasping for air as I staggered back, my trembling hands clutching my throat.
Lyra’s expression remained serene, her facade perfectly crafted.
“Good, Killian,” she said sweetly, patting his back. “Calm yourself. It’s not worth it.”
Killian let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, Lyra,” he muttered, his voice laced with guilt.
“I just… I can’t stand the thought of you being in pain because of her. Ever since then, I can’t forgive her. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve punished her already.”
Without hesitation, he pulled Lyra into his arms, turning his back on me as though I did not exist.
“It’s okay, Killian,” Lyra murmured into his chest, her voice soft and forgiving. “It’s normal to feel that way. But you also have to learn to forgive.”
Her words were gentle, angelic even, but the look she shot me over Killian’s shoulder was anything but. Her lips curled into a cruel sneer, her eyes glinting with malice.
My chest burned with anger, my wolf Kaela growling in the back of my mind. “I told you, Sienna. She’s a snake, and this pack is poison.”
I clenched my fists, my gaze locked with Lyra’s, knowing full well her charade would not fool me.
But it did not matter. The longer I stayed in Thornwood, the more suffocating and dangerous it became.
Even Killian—the mate chosen for me by the Moon Goddess—had turned against me, openly admitting he wanted to punish me.
It was not just Lyra who wanted me gone; Killian no longer saw me as anything but a burden.
I had to leave.
“Come, Killian,” Lyra cooed, taking his hand. “It’s time for you to rest. Let me take you to your room.”
With that, they disappeared into his room, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence. My decision was made. I hurried to my room, Kaela urging me on.
“You’ve decided, haven’t you?” Kaela asked.
“Yes,” I whispered as I began packing. “We’re not safe here anymore.”
But just as I reached for the front door, a deafening crack of lightning illuminated the room. The storm outside roared to life, heavy rain pouring down in sheets.
A cold shiver ran down my spine when I heard a whisper behind me. “Where are you going?”
I turned sharply, my heart leaping into my throat. It was Lyra, her smirk sinister as she stepped closer. “Didn’t I tell you I’d kill you, Sienna?”
“Run, Sienna!” Kaela screamed in my mind.
Frightened, I ran from her, pushing through the door and into the storm. The rain drenched me instantly, but I did not care. The only thought in my mind was survival.
I ran into the forest, my breath ragged, the darkness and rain cloaking my escape. Lyra’s threats echoed in my mind, but I refused to let her win. No matter what, I would survive.
The rain and lightning left me disoriented, and as I stumbled blindly through the dark forest, my footing slipped.
I tumbled down a ravine, its depth unknown. When I finally opened my eyes again, I found myself in the middle of nowhere.
Kaela’s voice echoed softly in my mind as soon as I regained consciousness. “You’re awake? Thank the Moon Goddess! I did my best to treat your wounds.”
I sat up slowly, every muscle in my body aching. The rain had stopped, but my clothes clung to me, soaked from the storm. I looked around for my belongings, only to find them gone.
“It seems Lyra isn’t chasing you anymore,” Kaela assured me. “I haven’t sensed any wolves nearby since earlier.”
“Thank you for taking care of me, Kaela,” I whispered, my voice shaky with exhaustion and relief.
But just as I started to collect myself, a sudden unease washed over me. Two shadowy figures emerged, one from the front and another from behind. My heart raced.
“Who are they, Kaela?” I asked, trying to suppress the panic rising in my chest.
“I don’t know,” Kaela replied, her tone as uncertain as my own. “Both of them are masking their scent well. It’s as if they’ve been hiding all along.”
Believing them to be rogues, I forced myself to stand and prepare for a fight. Before I could react further, the figure in front lunged, grabbing me effortlessly.
“Why are you leaving the packhouse at night, Sienna?”
The familiar voice sent a chill through me. It was Killian. His eyes burned with anger as he tightened his grip.
“If Lyra hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have found you.”
Then his gaze shifted behind me, and he called out, “I know you’re there. Stop hiding and come out already.”
I turned, my curiosity and fear mounting as I tried to see who Killian was addressing.
Kaela’s voice returned, a mix of confusion and recognition. “Sienna, this presence feels strangely familiar. But it can’t be Lyra… can it?”
Killian moved slightly in front of me, as if to shield me. My mind raced. Why was he protecting me when he had wanted to punish me mere hours ago?
The figure stepped forward, raising a hand in a gesture of peace. “Calm down. I’m not here to fight. I was patrolling and caught the scent of someone unfamiliar in my territory.”
His voice was steady, authoritative. “After all, this is Silverfang Pack land, Alpha Killian.”
Killian exhaled sharply, clearly recognizing the man. “We apologize for intruding on your territory, Alpha Caden. We’ll leave at once.”
But as I looked up at the man Killian had addressed, our eyes locked—and time seemed to stop.
A strange warmth spread through me, stronger than anything I had ever felt with Killian.
Kaela’s voice burst into my mind, more elated than the night she recognized Killian as my mate. “Mate, Sienna! He’s our mate.”
My breath hitched. A mate bond… again?
Caden’s piercing gaze lingered on me, his voice firm yet curious as he addressed Killian. “But the girl behind you doesn’t seem to share the same sentiment as you, Alpha Killian.”
Killian stiffened but quickly recovered. “No, of course not. I came here to catch her. I apologize for stepping onto your territory without permission.”
Caden’s expression remained unreadable as he shifted his attention from Killian back to me. “Did you really wander into my territory by accident?”
Killian stepped forward hastily. “Of course, she did. If….”
“I was asking her, Alpha,” Caden interrupted, his voice sharp and commanding. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere.”
Kaela’s voice echoed in my mind, urging me. “This is your chance, Sienna. Leave Thornwood. Leave Killian and Lyra. It’s time to be free.”
Swallowing hard, I summoned the courage to speak.
“I came here seeking Alpha Caden’s permission to join the Silverfang Pack,” I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “But Alpha Killian caught me before I could explain myself.”
Caden’s lips curved into a smile, one that was both reassuring and knowing.
Killian, on the other hand, froze in shock before grabbing my shoulders with disbelief etched on his face. “What are you saying, Sienna? Are you out of your mind?”
I pulled away from his grip and met his eyes with determination. “No, Killian. I’ve made up my mind. I’m breaking free from you. Let’s sever our bond.”
Killian’s hand darted to grip my wrist tightly, his voice rising with desperation. “No! Your mother entrusted you to me. I won’t let you go. We’re going back, Sienna.”
Before I could respond, Caden stepped closer, his presence commanding. He placed his hand on my other arm, his tone unwavering. “Alpha Killian, she’s on my territory now. It’s my decision whether she stays or leaves.”
Killian’s jaw clenched as he turned to Caden. “This is a misunderstanding, Alpha Caden. She’s my mate. We’ve been having some… trouble, and she’s only joking about leaving for the Silverfang Pack.”
Caden’s brows furrowed slightly before his calm voice broke the tension.
“Your mate?” His eyes flickered to mine, and his next words sent a jolt through the air. “But she’s my mate. And I can prove it.”
Killian’s face twisted in denial. “That’s impossible!”
Taking a deep breath, I decided to deliver the final blow.
“Killian, I lied when I said I felt the mate bond between us. The truth is… I’ve never been your mate.”
It was a lie, of course. I had felt the bond ever since that fateful night.
But Killian had never valued it, never valued me. Why should I cling to something he had disregarded?
Kaela was right. That was my chance to escape Killian and Lyra’s torment.
Even if I did not understand how I could feel a mate bond with Caden, an Alpha from another pack, it did not matter.
“I am Alpha Caden’s mate,” I declared boldly. “And I’m transferring to his pack!”
