The first thing that I did after Isaac kicked me out of my own house, was not to cry, or scream, or collapse onto the greenish ground.
Such raw, animalistic reactions were for the weak, the naive Elara I had buried beneath the ashes of his memories.
I did not waste any second and headed to meet the head of Elders' Committee-To nullify my mate bond with Isaac and file a case against him–of our child's murder.
"Are you sure about this? Because it's... it's a crime to go against the Beta of the pack, especially when there is no Alpha in the pack. He is second in command right now."
"More importantly, he is your husband, your true mate! Are you really want to do this, Elara?"
"Are you really sure he... he murdered his own child?" I could sense the disbelief in his voice as he questioned my conscience repeatedly.
"I wouldn't be here if I was not sure, Elder Victor." I replied, my voice firm and confident.
"You swore to obey my command in front of my father. It's time to fulfill your duty."
He sighed, "That was when he had announced you his heir. But, everything changed after Lyra's arrival in his life, especially now that she is pregnant with his son."
I narrowed my eyes, waiting for him to continue talking because I knew he was going to.
"But, my loyalty lies with you, Elara. I'll do as you say. However, to nullify your mate bond with Isaac and hold a meeting of elders against him... it will take time."
"How much?" I asked, my voice desperate.
"A week." He replied.
"A week then," I replied before I stood on my heels and walked up to the door of his den.
"Elara..." He called me from behind, "I met your father the day before he died. Do you want to know what we talked about?"
I stayed silent. If I opened my mouth, I would have said something bad about my dead father-for betraying my mother and for bringing a wrench, Lyra, into our lives.
"He never changed his mind." Elder Victor continued, "He wanted to see you rule over the pack as the first ever female Alpha."
My hands clenched so tightly that the nails pieced my palm. I bit my lower lips. Tears streamed down my cheeks. But, I did not turn back. I just walked out.
'He never changed his mind.'
'He wanted to see you rule over the pack.'
His voice echoed through my mind.
It didn't matter what he wanted in his last moment. He had already announced Lyra as his Luna in front of everyone.
And, I had already paid its price with my four babies' life.
No one was going to buy what he told Elder Victor behind the walls.
***
I returned to the house under the cover of the late-night darkness, but the journey back felt longer than the trip to Elder Victor's den under the weight of my father's regret and his wish of seeing me as his heir.
Now that the die was cast—the documents signed, the Elder’s Committee process begun—I had to play the part of the meek, defeated wife for a full week.
I had to live under the same roof as the man who murdered my children and the woman for which it was done.
I let myself in quietly. The house was not as I left it in the morning.I noticed it immediately: a gaudy, floral-scented candle, one Lyra always favored, burning on the antique mahogany console.
It was the first sign that she hadn't waited for morning to claim her space.
I walked to the bedroom.The door was ajar, a sliver of warm, dim light leaking out.
I reached for the handle, intending to push it open, when I heard a soft, unfamiliar sound—a low, rhythmic groan, followed by a woman's breathless giggle.
Isaac and Lyra. Already.
The porcelain mask I had been wearing since the argument cracked, but only on the inside.
No tears, no scream. Just a sudden, paralyzing drop in temperature around my heart.
I pushed the door open, not with a bang, but with a slow, deliberate creak, forcing them to see me.
Isaac was half-dressed, his back to me, leaning over Lyra on our bed. Lyra, sprawled across the silk sheets I had hand-selected, gasped and covered herself with a sheet, her eyes wide with malicious triumph mixed with momentary fear.
Isaac whirled around, his Beta scent clouding the air, a scent now permanently mixed with Lyra’s heavy, sweet perfume.
"Elara..." He whispered, a moment of hesitation flickered through his eyes. Just then, Lyra got up. Seductively wrapping herself in a blanket, she said,
"I was feeling cold. Isaac was just giving me a body massage. I hope you don't misunderstand us, honey."
"Stop calling me honey. I'm not your daughter." I replied coldly, the mask of calmness slowly breaking up with the sight of her.
I turned to look at Isaac. "I didn't know you like giving body massage to other woman... while being naked."
"I was feeling cold. So, he was keeping me warm." Lyra replied quickly.
My eyes, devoid of any warmth, scanned Lyra’s mock-innocent pose and settled on Isaac’s nervous, half-covered form. I didn't need to argue their pathetic lie; I only needed to state the new reality.
"Save your breath. I don't care what you do to each other in this house. Just know this: the stench of your sin ends with you. You will never again do some disgusting act before my eyes, in case it effects the baby."
After throwing out these words, I walked out of the room, slamming the door on Isaac's face who quickly chased after me.
"Elara wait..." He called from behind. But, I did not stop.
