VOWS FOR VENGEANCE

s as she handed Lyra a small vial of rose-scented

," she murmured, uncorking the vial. The oil was faint but soothing, calming

not to. You're the Beta's daughter, Lyra. And tonight..." She let the words lin

ne. She'd dreamed of this night a million times since she was a kid and heard the legends of the

oked down at her reflection in the cracked mirror. The dark hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, framing he

eaking the silence. "Or... you know, hopefully

g her head. "Thanks,

or you." Nia winked, a mischievous gleam lighting her dark eyes. "Now, come

iliar stone walls felt different tonight, more alive, humming with the murmurs of the pa

was assembled in a wide circle beneath the full moon's glow. Bonfires crackled at

ty lacing the words. She felt their eyes on her, a hundred pairs of cu

ed for one face in

ll and commanding, his broad shoulders framed by the moonlight. Lyra's pulse quickened as she

is. His expression gentled, just a little, his mo

chest. This was it. She could feel it, the pull betwe

er trance. Turning, she saw her father, Eldric, there, his warm

lean into the warmth of her father's hand on her shoulder for a

rs. She could feel Desmond's gaze-lock down upon her with that now-familiar intensity, his e

e surge of anticipation, the swell of pride for the pack. She stood tall, her chin l

a wicked glint in her blue eyes, as with languorous ease, she strolled across to Desmond. She came

er ears. Desmond's eyes darted to Isabell

dly enough for everyone to hear. "I th

to Desmond for an answer, for reassurance of some sort. He

people held their breath

note final in the tone. "

It was it. She moved a step forward, but he d

Desmond declared, his voice f

exploded- a wave of shock rolled through the crowd. She felt the comforting touch

smirk of victory and taunt. Lyra could feel the laughte

-look at her-and find the mistake in what he had done. But his eyes were cold, distant as if

heart breaking, literally, at the sight of his reaching for Isabella's

't the look she'd hoped for. No he

pered, his words barely audible to

d, his hand falling again on her shoulder, but this time the warmt

d, the whispers dissolving into the night. She did not remember how she made it to her room

e had ever believed in was gone, leaving only an aching emptiness. She felt the

t time in her life, L