CHAPTER 2

Celia was Mrs. Bloodhowl's niece, so she stayed and enjoyed a nice family dinner with the Bloodhowls.

Alaric, Alpha of the Black Shadow Pack, was frowning. He'd lost his appetite because Lyra, or rather Aurora Stormwolf, his Luna by right, had left with Asher Stormwolf, an influential member of another pack.

She hadn't taken anything with her, nor accepted her $20 million compensation, nor even the villa.

"How could she leave so easily?" wondered Fenrir, Alaric's inner wolf, rumbling in the back of his mind. "She is our fate mate . How dare you let her go?"

Alpha Alaric suppressed a sigh and mentally replied, "She's made her choice. We must respect her decision."

But Fenrir wasn't convinced. "An Alpha doesn't abandon his Luna!"

In the dining room, the mood was tense.

"Where's Lyra? Why isn't she here for dinner?" asked Gaspard Bloodhowl, alpha Alaric's father, surprised.

"We've already signed the divorce papers." Alaric lowered his eyes and replied, "I'll finalize the divorce as soon as possible."

Fenrir growled inwardly, "Are you kidding me, Alaric?! It was a mistake. A Luna is not a companion to be replaced at will."

Gaspard was dumbfounded. "Divorce? Why?!"

"Oh, Gaspard, I told you a long time ago that Alaric and lyra aren't right for each other. It was your father who forced them to marry."

Alaric's stepmother, Rosy Wolfsburg, sighed and continued: "This poor child has suffered for three years. Now that she's ready to let go of Alaric, they could both live their own lives. It's actually a good thing for them. As you know, Alaric has always been in love with Celia."

Fenrir straightened in Alaric's mind, furious. "In love with Celia? She's not our mate! She's not right for our pack!"

Alaric tried to ignore him and continued the conversation.

"Dad, we've signed the divorce papers, and Lyra's already left."

"Wow, I didn't expect that country commoner to have the nerve to leave." Bettina Bloodhowl, alpha Alaric's half-sister, chuckled. "Is she just trying to play the pity card? Is she going to say that our Clan mistreated her?"

Alpha Alaric felt anger rising, but he suppressed it.

Meanwhile, on the banks of the Moon River, Aurora gazed up at the sky as Nymeria, her inner wolf, addressed her.

"Why are you still crying for him? He doesn't deserve our tears."

Aurora took a deep breath. "I know, Nymeria. I know."

Nymeria growled softly. "He'll regret losing you. We're not weak. We'll build our own empire, without him."

Aurora felt a new strength come over her. She looked at her brother Asher, who smiled benevolently, and realized he was right: she deserved more than the alpha Alaric's indifference.

Just then, a black Maybach pulled to the side of the road, attracting their attention.

Alpha Alaric grabbed Celia's hand to help her out of the car. The night was cool, and Celia remained huddled against Alpha Alaric's chest, seeking his warmth.

"Wow, those fireworks are beautiful! Alaric, look!" exclaimed Celia, her eyes shining with innocent joy.

Alaric nodded distractedly, but his mind was elsewhere.

Fenrir, his inner wolf, growled disapprovingly. "She can smile all she wants, but she's not our Luna. You know that as well as I do."

Alaric tried to calm Fenrir: "This isn't the time. Lyra's gone, Fenrir. Celia is what I want."

But Fenrir wasn't convinced. "What you want doesn't matter. A Luna's bond is sacred. You're playing with fire, Alaric."

On the other hand, Alpha Alaric couldn't deny that Celia represented everything he found charming: sweetness, docility, and that captivating innocence. Unlike Lyra, who was... boring.

The last three years with Lyra had been nothing more than a loveless arranged marriage. For Alaric, the only advantage was his obedience. But to him, that had never been enough.

Alaric and Celia headed for the railing where fireworks exploded in the sky, forming the words "Happy Birthday!".

Celia sighed enviously. "Oh, it's someone's birthday! I wonder who's so lucky to receive such a gift."

Alaric's heart clenched. He squinted and clenched his jaw. He knew perfectly well who it was.

"It's Lyra's birthday. Asher prepared this for her, didn't he?" growled Fenrir, amplifying Alaric's frustration.

Suddenly, a soft but firm voice reached the alpha Alaric's ears. A voice he would have recognized in a thousand.

He turned and saw a yacht passing in the distance. On deck stood two familiar figures: Lyra and Asher.

"Huh? Isn't that Lyra? Who's that man standing next to her?" Celia asked innocently.

Alaric could hear nothing more. His face darkened, his veins bulging on his hands as he clung to the railing with excessive force.

Fenrir growled violently. "Look at her, so confident, so free. She's our Luna, and yet you let her go. You're a fool, Alaric."

The yacht docked, and Alaric saw Lyra disembarking, Asher at her side. He stepped forward instinctively, his steps heavy and quick.

"Lyra Darkwood!" he called, his deep voice echoing in the night air.

Lyra stiffened at the sound of his name. Nymeria, her inner wolf, growled softly in her mind. "Ignore him. He doesn't deserve our attention."

Lyra turned around slowly. The dim streetlights illuminated Alaric's face, as handsome and imposing as ever. But this time, her heart didn't falter. She was a different woman now.

"Who is he?" asked Alaric, in an icy voice, his gaze riveted on Asher.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Alpha Alaric, it seems your memory is failing you."

Asher placed a protective arm around Lyra and added with a sarcastic smile, "We've met several times. But it seems you're better at forgetting faces than keeping your commitments."

"Lyra, answer my question," Alpha Alaric demanded, deliberately ignoring Asher.

Lyra crossed her arms, her gaze as sharp as steel. "We're divorced, Alpha Alaric. What I do and who I go with is no longer your concern."

Lyra's black hair swayed in the wind. Her red lips curled into a sneer, but she was correspondingly beautiful. Alaric had never seen her so indomitable and daring.

Alaric was stunned. He couldn't believe the submissive, obedient woman he'd known could talk to him like that.

"This is the Luna I know," Fenrir growled with satisfaction. "She's regained her strength. Maybe all is not lost."

Alaric didn't know why Lyra's words affected him so much.

Celia, who had lost track of the alpha Alaric earlier, eventually caught up with him. She was angry when she saw Alaric with Lyra, so she stomped on her high heels and sprained her ankle considerably.

She fell to the ground and screamed. "Ah! Alaric! My feet hurt so much!

Alaric regained his senses and turned hastily to help Celia up from the floor.

When he turned around, Aurora and Asher had already disappeared.