Moonlit Chains: The Weight of Love and Lies

That day should have been the most joyous of my life, a moment to cherish, for I had just discovered the miracle of life growing within me—my mate’s child.

But happiness was cruelly stripped away.

My mate, Alpha Killian Salazar, arrived not to celebrate but to escort Lyra Shannon, the pack’s cunning healer and his cherished companion, to my side.

Lyra leaned against him with feigned frailty, her golden waves framing a pale face that concealed the sharp gleam of her emerald eyes.

“Lyra needs your help,” Killian said curtly, his voice devoid of warmth. “She overexerted herself healing a guard after last night’s rogue attack. She’s deteriorating fast. You have to share your energy with her—now.”

My heart faltered. “Killian, I…,” I hesitated, glancing at Lyra. Her lips curved in a subtle, predatory smirk, as though she sensed my vulnerability.

I whispered, trembling, “I can’t. I just found out this morning—I’m pregnant, Killian. Our child… I can’t risk it.”

Killian’s golden eyes darkened, his expression hardening into a cold glare. “Is this your excuse to abandon the pack? Lyra is dying, Sienna!”

His words crushed me. My protests were silenced as he demanded I transfer my energy to Lyra.

Against my will, she drained me, pulling relentlessly at my strength. Though I had no intention of doing it, she took everything, leaving me weak and hollow.

But Lyra’s cruelty did not stop there. She twisted the truth, accusing me of stealing her remaining energy and causing her to suffer a high fever for days.

Killian believed her lies, his anger cutting through me like a blade.

His friend, ever eager to disparage me, added salt to the wound. “She’s jealous of Lyra,” one remarked disdainfully.

“An omega like her can never compare to someone as valuable as Lyra,” another sneered.

Tears burned my eyes as the pack’s scorn weighed heavily on my soul. Even the people I had served mocked me, branding me an ungrateful omega.

That night, as the silver moon cast its pale glow, I made my choice.

Packing my few belongings, I vowed to protect the life growing within me, away from the pain of a pack that never trusted me and a mate who ignored my worth.

When Killian realized my absence, he chased after me, desperation etched into every word. “The days without you have tortured my wolf. Come back to me, Sienna.”

But I stood firm, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to spill. “There is no us anymore, Killian.”

After the accident on the night of Killian's celebration as the Alpha of the Thornwood Pack for two years, I began noticing something strange—something unfamiliar stirring within me.

I, who had rarely fallen ill, found myself battling fevers for days. Even the smell of my favorite herbal tea turned my stomach, and mornings became a dreadful routine of nausea.

My instincts whispered the truth before I could confirm it, but I needed certainty.

The clinic smelled of antiseptic and lavender, a sharp contrast to the storm of emotions I carried within me.

The healer looked at me with kind eyes, her voice calm but firm.

"Congratulations, you’re pregnant, Miss. It’s been a month."

The words echoed in my mind, sending shockwaves through my body. Fear coiled in my chest like a snake.

That was not just any pregnancy; it was the result of a night I could barely wrap my head around—a night I desperately wanted to forget but could not.

It had been the night of Killian’s Alpha ceremony. Amid the celebrations, the air between us had shifted, charged with an undeniable pull neither of us could ignore.

That night, we discovered the mate bond between us, a truth we had both resisted.

Killian had tried to fight it. He had growled, his voice tight as he stood near me in the moonlit corridor outside his chambers.

His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened as if battling an invisible force.

But the bond was too strong, and before either of us could stop it, we gave in to the raw pull of instinct and shared a night of passion.

The next morning, Killian's demeanor turned cold, as though the warmth we had shared was nothing but an illusion.

"Sienna," he said, his tone devoid of emotion, "forget everything that happened last night. Even if we are mates, I will not be with you.

“I already have a girlfriend. I will only marry Lyra, do you understand that?"

I nodded, lowering my head to hide the tears brimming in my eyes.

I was not just an Omega; I was a maid in his residence, a lowly existence in comparison to his grandeur.

How could I expect anything different? Still, the rejection cut deeper than I cared to admit.

But the Moon Goddess had her plans, and she made them clear. The life growing inside me was a testament to the bond Killian tried so hard to deny.

I decided to tell him as he came back home.

However, the days that followed were agonizing. As Killian returned from a mission one evening, he suddenly summoned me for something I did not expect.

Killian demanded that I share my energy with Lyra who was in a dangerous state because she used too much energy to heal the guards.

I repeatedly mind link Killian if I could not do it since I was pregnant with his baby.

But he denied it and sneered, "Sienna, didn't your mother tell you not to waste your gift and help the pack forever? Why are you lying just for the sake of not sharing your healing energy?"

Killian even dared to bring my mother's name so that I would help his girlfriend.

How cruel he was to me. Not only did not care about my pregnancy, he also did not care about my condition.

Instead of compassion, his hand shot out, grabbing mine with a grip so firm it bruised. “If you’re so determined to convince me of your lies, then at least prove you still serve this pack.”

“No. Please, Killian, listen to me!” I struggled, trying to free my hand.

My voice cracked under the weight of desperation. “I’m not lying. Trust me.”

As if that dragging me into danger was not enough, his friends chimed in like vultures circling prey. “How dare a lowly Omega refuse the Alpha’s command?”

“She must be jealous of Lyra,” one said. “Trying to leave her in a weakened state, so she can take her place,” another added, their laughter grating against my ears.

Their words fanned the flames of Killian’s anger. He turned back to me, his jaw tight with fury.

And then he did it—the thing I had always feared but never imagined would happen.

“Sienna, obey me!” Killian’s Alpha command rang in the air like a whip cracking against my soul.

My legs buckled, and I fell to the floor, gasping for air, unable to resist the pull of his authority.

I looked up at him, tears streaming down my face. “Killian, please….” My voice was barely above a whisper, but it did not matter.

Killian ignored my plea, dragging me closer to Lyra, who laid on a chaise, looking pale but still managing a triumphant smirk as he brought my trembling hand to her.

“A little energy won’t kill you,” he said coldly.

The moment my hand touched Lyra, she inhaled sharply, her smirk widening into something predatory.

She did not just take what she needed—she took everything she could, greedily siphoning my strength, as though draining the very life out of me.

I felt my soul slipping away, piece by piece, as Lyra’s grip tightened. My limbs trembled violently, and my vision blurred.

The pain was unbearable, but Killian stood by, watching as if this were just another task I was meant to perform.

“I think that's enough,” Killian finally said, pulling my hand away.

His voice softened as he turned to Lyra. “You’re fine now.”

Lyra nodded weakly, though her smirk still lingered. She looked at me like I was a discarded rag doll, unworthy of even her contempt.

Killian’s gaze returned to me, void of any concern. “Go back to the house and reflect on your actions, Sienna.”

Before I could speak, his friends grabbed me roughly and dragged me out. My knees scraped against the ground, but I did not fight back anymore.

What was the point? My chest burned with anguish, my energy depleted, and my spirit crushed.

I glanced back one last time and saw Killian holding Lyra’s hand, his face etched with worry for her—worry he had never spared for me.

My tears flowed freely, blurring the cruel reality before me.

By the time I reached the Alpha residence, my body was on the verge of collapse. Each step was a battle as my legs wobbled beneath me.

The baby… I could not let anything happen to my child. I had to hold on, for both of us.

I stumbled toward the front door, gripping the doorknob with what little strength I had left.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks. “This must have tortured you so much. Please, baby, fight harder. We can’t stay outside like this.”

With trembling hands, I twisted the knob and pushed the door open. It felt like moving a mountain, but I dragged my body inside.

The last thing I remembered was collapsing onto the living room sofa, clutching my belly as darkness consumed me.

“I’ll protect you,” I whispered weakly before losing consciousness, my heart breaking even in my dreams.

The next day, I was shaken awake by a storm—not of weather, but of Killian's anger.

The sound of the door slamming and his heavy footsteps reverberated through the house before he appeared before me, his face etched with fury.

"Why are you so cruel, Sienna?" His voice thundered, jolting me awake from my drained stupor.

I blinked, my head spinning as I struggled to comprehend his words. My body was too weak to sit up, but Killian had no patience for my frailty. He grabbed my arm and yanked me into a sitting position on the sofa.

"Killian… what are you talking about?" My voice was hoarse, barely audible.

He glared at me, his hands trembling with rage as he leaned closer.

"Lyra," he spat, "all night long, she vomited blood. She said you didn’t treat her—you stole her energy instead."

I stared at him, stunned. "What? That’s not true." I protested, but my words seemed to bounce off him like raindrops against stone.

"She told me everything," Killian continued, his voice dripping with venom. "She said you drained her energy instead of helping her. The healers have been working all night to save her, and this is what you’ve done?"

His accusations stabbed at my already wounded heart. I could barely lift my head to meet his eyes, but I forced myself to speak.

"Killian, that’s a lie. I gave her my energy—nearly all of it. She drained me to the point I could hardly make it back here."

"Stop making excuses!" Killian roared, grabbing the front of my shirt and pulling me closer.

His eyes bore into mine, filled with mistrust and fury. "You’ve changed, Sienna. Ever since you found out we’re mates, you’ve been trying to sabotage her. Are you jealous of her?"

My breath hitched, tears stinging my eyes. "Jealous?" I whispered, shaking my head.

"Killian, I swear on the Moon Goddess herself, I never meant her harm. I’ve done everything I could for her, even at the expense of my own life and our pup’s life!"

His grip tightened, his growl low and threatening.

"Don’t you dare lie to me. If her condition worsens, you’ll pay for this, Sienna. Mark my words," he said coldly before slamming the door behind him.

I sat there, trembling, tears streaming down my face as his words echoed in my mind. The man who was supposed to be my mate, my protector, had become my greatest tormentor.

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. "What should we do now?" I whispered to the life growing inside me. "How do we survive when the one who should love us the most has turned his back on us?"

Kaela, my wolf, broke the silence in my mind, her voice sharp and resolute. “Sienna, didn’t I tell you from the start that staying in Thornwood was pointless?”

Her words cut deep because I knew she was right. Killian, my socalled mate, had never truly seen me. Kaela resented him for it, despising how he had treated us.

“Leave the Pack,” she urged again, “You deserve happiness, Sienna, not this.”

I had considered it—letting Killian go, allowing him to live his life with Lyra, and freeing myself from this endless heartache. But the moment I discovered I was carrying his child, everything changed.

“I can’t,” I whispered to Kaela, my voice trembling. “I won’t let my child grow up without a father... not like I did.”

Kaela’s frustration simmered, but she softened at my plea. “Fine,” she relented, “but don’t expect him to change, Sienna. You have me, always.”

Her words brought a flicker of comfort, but it was not enough to drown out the growing despair.

Days passed, each one blending into the next, my condition worsening as I struggled to keep up with the weight of my responsibilities.

One evening, after an exhausting day spent tending to the house, I finally sat down, hoping for a moment of rest.

But before I could even catch my breath, Killian’s voice invaded my mind through the pack’s mind link.

“Sienna, you should be grateful Lyra’s condition is improving. As an apology, you’ll cook her a grand feast tonight.

“We’re celebrating her recovery at my residence, and you will also apologize to her in person. We’ll arrive at seven.”

The link went silent, leaving me staring into the emptiness of the room. I glanced at the clock—it was already five.

Two hours to prepare a feast?

Kaela growled in my mind, her voice sharp and laced with frustration. "Sienna, do you hear yourself? You’re putting yourself and the pup at risk for him and her again. How much more can your body take?"

I ignored her, my heart heavy but determined. Killian’s command left me with no choice, and I could not afford his anger again.

My hands trembled as I gathered ingredients from the pantry, calculating how much I could prepare in two hours.

"I have to do this, Kaela," I whispered to her in my thoughts. "For the sake of keeping the peace. For the pup."

Kaela huffed but stayed silent, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.

I worked tirelessly, ignoring the ache in my body and the overwhelming fatigue that came with giving Lyra my energy.

My vision blurred as I chopped vegetables and marinated meat, but I forced myself to keep going.

The clock ticked mercilessly, each minute feeling like a weight pressing down on me.

By the time the food was ready, I was drenched in sweat, my hands barely steady enough to arrange the dishes on the table.

At exactly 7 o’clock, Killian arrived, his arm around Lyra as they walked in like royalty.

Their friends also came to live up the party.

"Lyra, if you're still feeling any headaches, don't push yourself," one of her friends said with concern.

Another chimed in, "Yes, we want to celebrate your recovery, but we don't want you to tire yourself out."

Lyra’s soft voice carried over the chatter. "I’m actually bored of staying in bed all the time, so this celebration makes me really happy."

"Of course, it’s your boyfriend’s idea," one of them added with a teasing tone.

"There's no one more romantic than Killian in this pack," Lyra said sweetly, her eyes shining as she turned toward him.

Killian pulled out a chair for her like a perfect gentleman, his smile warm. "Thank you, honey," Lyra cooed.

"Anything for you," Killian replied, his voice soft and affectionate. He leaned down to peel shrimp for her with such care it felt like a dagger twisting in my chest. "What do you want to eat first?"

Their intimate display only heightened the chatter at the table, drowning out any small hope I had of catching Killian's attention.

Exhausted, I tried to mindlink him. ‘Killian, may I take a rest now?’

Before I got a response, one of his friends interrupted. "Hey, Sienna, can you make an omelet for me?"

And so, it continued. One dish after another was requested, piling up endlessly. Each request kept me tied to the kitchen until it was nearly 9 p.m.

My body ached, my energy was drained, and I felt like I could collapse at any moment.

When I finally stepped out to deliver a drink to Lyra, my trembling hands betrayed me. The glass slipped, spilling its contents near her lap.

"Are you doing this on purpose?" one of her friends barked at me, their tone accusatory.

But Lyra, ever the picture of false kindness, waved them off with a gentle smile. "It’s okay, guys. I’m fine."

She turned to me with mock sincerity. "I know you didn’t mean it, Sienna."

Another friend chimed in, loud enough for the whole room to hear, "See? Even after Sienna endangered her life, Lyra is still so gracious."

I bit my lip, holding back tears, but Killian cut through the noise.

"Sienna," he said, his voice cold and commanding, "lend your clothes to Lyra and take her to change. Didn't you say you had something you wanted to talk to Lyra about?"

I froze under his gaze, suddenly remembering his earlier demand for me to apologize to her. My throat felt dry, but I nodded silently.

"Come this way, Lyra," I said quietly, leading her out of the room while suppressing the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

Once we reached my room, her mask of innocence crumbled. The words that slipped from her lips, dripping with venom, sent shivers down my spine.

"I know you’re his mate," Lyra said, her voice calm but laced with malice. "Killian himself assured me I had nothing to worry about. But now, hearing the heartbeat in your stomach... I think it’s time I started worrying, don’t you, Sienna?"

I froze. My arms instinctively cradled my stomach as if I could shield my child from her hatred. Lyra's smirk deepened, her tone sharpening like a blade.

"Are you afraid I’ll kill your baby, Sienna?" she asked, stepping closer.

Her words cut through the air like a predator cornering its prey. She moved toward me, her gaze fierce, forcing me back until I hit the wardrobe behind me.

"Well," she continued, her voice cold and calculating, "maybe you’re right to be afraid. Unfortunately, a few days ago, Killian grabbed your hand before I could finish the job."

My eyes widened in shock. Lyra’s confession was like a knife plunging into my chest. She had not drained my energy to heal herself—she had done it to harm my baby.

As a healer, Lyra must have known I was pregnant from the moment she touched me. She had planned to kill my child from the start.

"Lyra," I whispered, my voice trembling, "if you want Killian, you can have him. But please, don’t hurt my baby."

Her laugh was cold and empty. "Killian? I don’t want him, Sienna. He’s already mine. He’s always been mine. You’re the one who keeps getting in the way."

Her words were sharp with truth. It was true.

Killian and I were nothing more than an Alpha and Omega who grew up together because my mother worked for his family. There had been no bond between us—until the Moon Goddess decided we were mates.

But Lyra and Killian? They had been lovers for four years before the bond changed everything.

Lyra leaned in closer, her sneer deepening. "Now you realize you have nothing, Sienna. Nothing but that baby."

"No," I said, summoning courage from the fragile hope inside me. "Take whatever you want—everything, anything—just don’t harm my child."

Lyra tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as if considering my plea. "Fine," she said after a pause.

Her smile returned, wicked and full of menace. "If that’s the case, I want you to leave this world."

My heart stopped. She moved closer, her presence suffocating. My hands trembled at my sides, bracing for her next move.

But instead of attacking, Lyra reached into my closet, yanked out one of my dresses, and turned toward the door.

"I’ll change in the bathroom," she said casually, as if her threat had never been spoken.

I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat. The room felt colder, heavier, with her absence.

Kaela stirred in my mind, her voice tense. "I’ve told you, Sienna. We need to leave this pack before it’s too late."

I shook my head, trying to reassure both her and myself. "No, Killian won’t let her kill me. He wouldn’t let that happen... I’m sure of it."

But as I heard Lyra’s voice in the dining room again, my doubts resurfaced.

"Why isn’t Sienna with you?" Killian asked.

Lyra’s tone was soft, coated in false sweetness. "She said she was tired and wanted to rest. That’s fine, though. Everything is clear now."

Killian sighed, his voice warm with gratitude. "That’s good. Thank you for forgiving her, Lyra."

Her laughter followed, light and airy, while I stood trembling in my locked room, clutching my stomach and praying for my child’s safety.

The night stretched on as their laughter and chatter filled the house.

Despite retreating to my room, peace eluded me. I could not rest, knowing Lyra might come barging in at any moment.

Thankfully, the night passed without incident.

When morning arrived, I decided to head to the market since the groceries were nearly gone after the previous night's party.

Fate, however, had other plans. Among the bustling crowd, I saw her—Lyra.

My heart sank, but her behavior piqued my curiosity. She looked unusually cautious, her eyes scanning her surroundings like she was hiding something.

Moments later, she met a man, and together, they slipped into a quiet alley behind the market.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I followed at a safe distance.

What I witnessed left me frozen. The man pulled Lyra into his arms, his lips claiming hers with an intensity that spoke of passion, not innocence. She melted into his embrace, clinging to him as though they were lovers.

At first, I thought the man might be Killian, but as I studied him more closely, it became clear he was not. His build, his posture—everything about him was different.

Kaela’s voice sneered in my mind, "Is she cheating on Killian?"

Watching them grow even more intimate, Kaela’s suspicions felt like the truth.

My heart churned with unease as I turned to leave. Anxiety settled in my chest, growing heavier with every step I took back home.

‘If she already has another man, then why does she still want Killian?’ The thought clawed at me.

She had gone so far as to threaten my life and the life of my unborn child—all because I was Killian’s mate. Her actions made no sense, and the strangeness of it all left me restless.

When Killian returned that evening, I wasted no time. “Killian,” I began, “I saw something at the market this morning. Lyra was with another man. They were….”

“Stop.” His voice cut through my words like a whip. His gaze darkened as he narrowed his eyes at me. “Sienna, don’t start with your lies again. You’re just jealous of Lyra.”

My heart sank. “You really never trust me, Killian?”

“How dare you call me by my name?” he snapped, his tone laced with fury. “I am your Alpha, Sienna!”

My frustration boiled over. “You said I changed after the mate bond, but the truth is, you’re the one who’s changed. You’ve been different ever since you became Alpha, taking over for your father.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Killian’s expression twisted in rage, and in an instant, he lunged at me, his hands wrapping around my neck.

“What did you say?” he growled, his grip tightening. “Are you accusing me now? Do you think I’d act this way if you hadn’t endangered Lyra from the start, Sienna?”

His words crushed me as much as his hands did. I struggled to breathe, tears stinging my eyes, when suddenly the door creaked open.

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!”