Chapter 9: Broken Vows

Clara paced her room, the dagger hidden in the folds of her dress. Erik's child. The thought burned like acid in her mind. She had to act quickly.

"Everything ready for tonight?" Eleanor asked, sweeping into the room.

Clara fixed a smile on her face. "Of course, Mother. The celebration will be perfect."

Eleanor studied her daughter's face. "You seem troubled."

"Just wedding nerves," Clara lied smoothly.

"Hmm." Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "And where is your husband?"

"Council business. He'll join us later."

After her mother left, Clara pulled out the dagger again. The silver blade caught the light, its edge razor-sharp. Perfect for dealing with an omega problem.

Lyra walked slowly through the forest, her mind spinning with Erik's revelation. The ritual. The risk. Their baby. She placed a protective hand over her stomach.

"He found you," Asher's voice came from behind her.

Lyra turned. "You waited."

"I said I would." His eyes held concern. "Are you alright?"

"I don't know." Tears threatened to fall. "He wants to break the blood oath, but it could kill him."

Asher's face darkened. "The Cave Ritual? That's madness."

"You know about it?"

"My father attempted it once." Pain flashed across his features. "He didn't survive."

Lyra felt the ground tilt beneath her feet. Asher caught her arm, steadying her.

"He can't do it," she whispered. "I won't let him."

"There might be another way," Asher said hesitantly. "An ancient bond-breaking ceremony my grandmother knew."

Hope flickered in Lyra's chest. "Will you help me find it?"

Asher nodded. "First, we need to get you somewhere safe. Clara's hunting party returned early."

Lyra's blood turned cold. "Did she see me with Erik?"

"I don't know, but we can't risk it." He offered his arm. "Come. My cabin is on the far side of the territory. No one will look for you there."

Erik stood before the pack council, his face impassive as they discussed territory disputes. Inside, his mind raced with thoughts of Lyra and their child. His child. The reality still stunned him.

"Alpha?" Marcus's voice brought him back. "Your thoughts on the northern border issue?"

Erik straightened. "Double the patrols. I want daily reports."

"And what of tonight's celebration?" an elder asked. "The formal announcement of your union?"

Erik's jaw tightened. Three more days until the ritual. Three days of pretending.

"Everything proceeds as planned," he said flatly.

The council members exchanged glances. His lack of enthusiasm was obvious.

As the meeting ended, Marcus held him back. "I saw her with Asher," he said quietly.

Erik's eyes flashed. "What of it?"

"He's been asking questions about the sacred caves," Marcus warned. "People are talking."

"Let them talk." Erik moved toward the door.

"Clara suspects something," Marcus caught his arm. "Be careful, my friend."

Night fell over the pack lands. Torches lined the path to the ceremonial clearing where tables groaned with food and drink. Music filled the air as wolves gathered to celebrate the Alpha's marriage.

Hidden in the shadows, Lyra watched it all, a cloak wrapped around her slender form. She shouldn't have come, but she needed to see it—to know what she was fighting against.

Clara appeared, radiant in a white dress adorned with silver. The pack's females surrounded her, offering congratulations to their new Luna.

"You shouldn't be here," Jade whispered, appearing beside Lyra. "It's too dangerous."

"I had to see," Lyra murmured.

The crowd parted as Erik entered the clearing. His black ceremonial robes emphasized his broad shoulders and the silver Alpha chain around his neck. His face was expressionless, but Lyra felt his pain through their bond.

"Fellow wolves," the pack elder called out. "Tonight we formally celebrate the union of our Alpha Erik to his chosen Luna Clara!"

Cheers erupted. Clara stepped forward, taking Erik's hand. He didn't pull away, but Lyra noticed his fingers remained limp in Clara's grasp.

"Three days," Lyra whispered to herself. "Just three days."

The celebration continued with dancing and drinking. Lyra watched as Erik moved mechanically through the rituals, never once smiling genuinely.

"So touching, isn't it?" a cold voice said behind her.

Lyra spun around to find Eleanor, Clara's mother, standing there.

"Former Luna," Lyra bowed her head respectfully, trying to back away.

"Strange place to watch from," Eleanor commented. "Unless you have a particular interest?"

"I was curious," Lyra said carefully.

Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "Curious about another woman's husband?"

Lyra's heartbeat quickened. "I should go."

"Yes, you should." Eleanor's voice dropped to a whisper. "Far away from here. Before something happens to that precious cargo you're carrying."

Lyra froze. How did she know?

"My daughter will not be humiliated," Eleanor continued. "And no bastard child will threaten her position."

"Is that a threat?" Lyra asked, finding her voice.

"A warning." Eleanor smiled coldly. "Leave by morning, or I can't guarantee your safety."

She walked away, leaving Lyra shaking with fear and anger.

Across the clearing, Erik suddenly stiffened. His eyes scanned the shadows until they found her. Their gazes locked, and his face changed, softening with longing.

Clara noticed. She followed his gaze but saw nothing as Lyra had already slipped deeper into the shadows.

"Is something wrong?" Clara asked sweetly.

"No," Erik replied, but his eyes still searched the darkness.

Clara's smile didn't reach her eyes. "It's time for our announcement."

The drums beat louder as Erik and Clara stepped onto the raised platform. The pack gathered below, expectant faces turned upward.

"My fellow wolves," Erik began, his voice strong despite the war raging inside him. "Tonight we celebrate—"

A sharp cry cut through the night. The crowd parted as Zane dragged someone forward—Asher, bloodied and barely conscious.

"Found this one sneaking around the sacred caves," Zane announced. "With these."

He tossed a bundle onto the ground. Ancient scrolls scattered across the dirt.

Erik's face drained of color. The ritual scrolls.

"Interesting reading," Zane smirked. "About breaking blood oaths."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. Clara's eyes widened with understanding, then narrowed with rage.

"Why would you seek such knowledge?" she demanded of Asher.

Asher, bleeding from a head wound, remained silent.

"Answer your Luna!" Zane kicked him hard.

"Leave him alone!" Lyra couldn't stop herself from rushing forward.

The crowd gasped as she pushed through them, dropping to her knees beside Asher.

Erik took an involuntary step forward, his eyes fixed on Lyra. The movement wasn't lost on Clara.

"Well, well," Clara's voice cut like ice. "Now we understand."

She looked between Erik and Lyra, noting how they gravitated toward each other. Then her eyes dropped to Lyra's stomach, where her cloak had fallen open to reveal the slight swell.

Understanding dawned on her face. "The ritual wasn't just to break our bond," she said slowly. "It was for her. For your bastard."

Shock rippled through the gathering. Erik stood frozen, caught between two worlds.

"Is it true?" an elder demanded. "Would you forsake your Luna for an omega?"

Before Erik could answer, Clara pulled the silver dagger from her dress.

"No Luna has ever been so disrespected," she hissed. "This ends tonight."

She lunged forward, not toward Lyra, but toward Erik—aiming straight for his heart.