My Binding, His Charade

Lyssandra’s POV

I've been away from Shadowvale pack for six years. I work with an international forensic organization and with the same energy,I pursued my second PhD in forensic science.

I had to pare down my schedules and get the consent of the organization I was working with because there was never any free time while working with them. I was enthusiastically looking forward to returning to Shadowvale pack to reunite with my mate– Kellan Zane and ultimately consummate our binding ritual.

I've missed him so much that's why I was striving so we can finally bond.

Kellan Zane was into tech. He left his father's mansion to live on his own.

As I was adorning the future home I will stay with my mate, I uncovered some love letters and a few train tickets that were hidden cautiously at the top of the wardrobe of my supposed mate–Kellan.

Kellan and I have been together for Eight years. Long before I left to pursue my career and further my studies. It was unbelievable that Kellan has been visiting Crimson Moon Pack at least once in a week and it wasn’t to see me.

I arrived early at the place where he had planned to propose to me before we returned to the Shadowvale pack to do the necessary rituals that will seal our binding as mates. Only to see him on one knee, proposing to someone else.

“Eira Cassian, will you be my mate and wife? Immediately you give me your consent, I’ll switch mates without delay!”

His look was brimming with expectations and I couldn’t take another step forward.

Since I was not the one he wanted to spend his life with, I might as well let them have a bliss proposal and binding rituals as mates. But after I left, he searched the five surrounding packs and beyond looking for me!

— —

The arena for the proposal was beautifully adorned. The Lilies were bathed in the warmth of golden lights —cozy and romantic.

Kellan, kneeling with one of his knees, was the dream proposal I craved for.

But it was an irony. The person standing in front of him wasn’t me!

“Eira, do me a favor. Will you be my mate?” Eira was in a world of fantasy. Her mouth was shield with one hand, quivering as she took the beautiful lily flowers with the other.

A glistening gold ring was gilded onto her right finger.

The two cuddled and kissed romantically. Their intimate whispers echoed loudly to my ears by the wind. I subconsciously caressed the diamond ring Kellan sent to me three months ago.

I never complained about the ring.

I did something to prevent it from skidding off. I had wrapped half a loop of gray thread around it to make it well fitted.

The ring fell off from the thread that once clasped it in place, glided off my finger instantaneously and rolled into a culvert.

Just like Kellan, who, after eight years of relationship , decided to break our bond and promises.

A misfitting ring doesn’t need to be recovered, just as a man who has broken my trust and love for him doesn't need to be clung to!

“I just wished your wedding and binding rituals went as planned,Kellan.”

“What do you mean by that?” You're the one I want to marry.”

"Because, I've strategized cautiously to disrupt your wedding! That way, it will prove you're truly in love with me!"

I wobbled by each step I took.

Because I was eager as to what extent Kellan would go to hurt me for Eira's sake.

"You little scamp, it's obvious that you're the only one that could come up with such a wacky concept!"

"Then I better prepare an extra pair of running shoes, so I can run faster when we elope!"

“Are you fully braced up to do this to Lyssandra?”

"Marrying her to keep my promise is already the most I can do. If she can't keep her mate from being scotted away at the altar, she can’t blame me, can she?"

Their mischievous laughter stabbed my heart like a sharp knife.

It was as if my legs ceased to the ground. I couldn't move. Fearing that my sobs might alert them, I covered my mouth gently and walked away.

But halfway along the way, my legs gave out and I found myself instantly on the ground. I came home shattered. I dialed my chief’s number.

"Sir, I've thought about it carefully. I've

decided to join that field team you mentioned."

My chief was thrilled, but also puzzled.

"Didn't you say you were planning to settle down in Shadowvale pack after your marriage? Did your mate consented to a longdistance arrangement? Being apart after marriage can be really tough.

Don't make rash and hasty decisions that will cost you big time. You can take your time.”

I was wiping the scrapes on my bruised knees, each touch sending a sharp pang through me.

"The wedding is off. Henceforth, I'll be fully devoted to this task!" My chief, who cherished me like his own daughter, got the message that all was not well.

Lyssandra's POV

"Today’s the dropdead date. I’ll etch your name on the list. You can return as soon as possible so we can dive into the work and join the team on the field. Engaging in activities will help you to shift your mind off things."

"Don’t think I’m interfering in your relationship, but over the past six years, it’s always been you visiting Shadowvale pack , while he’s never seen the reason to come to Crimson Moon pack to see you at least once.

That’s a red flag that he doesn't love you as much as you hoped."

"Once you’ve made up your mind, just move on, don't allow the past to tie you down.”

If it weren’t for those train tickets I saw,

I could have unhesitatingly disregarded my chief comment that “he doesn’t love you as much as you hoped.”

I know he has scheduled for himself and he's preoccupied. But I noticed something strange about our communication during weekends,he was always out of reach.

Turns out, he was busy traveling to be with Eira!

For the past six years, I’ve been a coward so stupid and ignorant.

I was desperately squeezing out time from my professional duties and even abandoning my studies just to see him.

Those brief meetings accompanied by the rest I forfeited to observe just to meet and have a good time with him were once the happiest moments of my life.

Yet, my unceasing love, in the face of those train tickets Kellan cherished, had become a joke and fairy tales.

As I made my way to the arena where the proposal will take place, I tried to convince myself that maybe he had traveled to the Dark Wood Alliance Park for a contract.

When I saw him proposing to Eira—the very lady who collaborated with her mom to make my family's life miserable. —it became crystal clear why he hadn’t visited me despite the proximity in distance between us.

Eira had barred him from seeing me, leaving him to weave stories of longing and sorrow to explain his absence.

He knew exactly that I and Eira had a bizarre family background. We were sworn eternal enemies.

My Mother died as a result of what her family did. Something happened and my mother was framed up for it. My mother was a cook for the royal palace. She was extremely good at her job.

Luna was poisoned and the alpha called all the servants to swear with their life. Eira's mom was the chief maid and she accused my mom of the crime. My mom was not shown clemency. She was killed instantly.

I was barely eight when the ugly incident happened.

What baffled me was how life and fate decided to be cruel to me. My father later married her mom’s sister and we became related.

I had imagined countless scenarios over the past six years of our illfated relationship. Kellan might fall for someone else, I thought, but I never in my wildest dreams expected him to settle for Eira.

I never anticipated that he would go so far as to consent to let me be humiliated at the proposal site just to please her.

I immersed myself in a warm bath, the heat gradually stopping my wobbling.

Then, my phone started vibrating and I looked at it. It was a call from Kellan.

I picked it and he spoke loudly,

“Lyssandra, where are you? I’m already at the amusement park!”

I stayed mute.

Kellan was nervous.

“Lyssandra, what’s the matter? Are you angry?”

“Describe your location, I’ll come pick you up right away!”

He remained as attentive and caring as ever, able to pick up on my emotions and offer me solace.

“I’m at home. I don’t want to go to the park again.”

There was an instant silence before he spoke again, still trying to reassure me.

“Alright, I’ll come home right away to be with you.”

He didn’t query my opinion of canceling our meeting.

It wasn’t that his love for me was so deep that he could brushed aside my inclinations.

The notion was crystal clear. He had successfully proposed to Eira Cassian in the precisely beautified and arranged arena.

I was merely his fallback option for when the proposal didn't go as expected.

When Kellan stepped in, I was just coming out of the kitchen.

At the sight of Eira behind him, I couldn’t help but grimace.

“What the hell is she doing here ?” I asked with an angry tone.

Was he so desperate to bring her home just to shame me?

Kellan,looking a bit guilty, caressed his forehead.

“Lyssandra, I ran into Eira at the amusement park and found out that she came to see a friend in our neighborhood.

She heard you were around and insisted on coming with me to apologize formally for what her mother did.”

I watched him coldly, unimpressed by his performance.

“Lyssandra, My mom was in the wrong back then. I’m apologizing on her behalf.

I know nothing I will say can bring your Mom back.

Can you find a place in your heart to forgive us?”

I turned and glare at Kellan, my voice trembling

“So, you think I should forgive them—both mother and daughter?”

The pain of living without my mom as a Kid. The emotional torture I had to pass through and endure all those while. The shame and embarrassment my family faced.

We were mocked, ridiculed and my family were even declared as rogues and sent away from the pack. To cap it all,

the torment of seeing my mother’s belongings reduced to ashes.

This is highly unforgettable and unforgivable.”

I didn’t ask why he fell for Eira. It would have portrayed me as someone too vulnerable.

As I tenaciously awaited his response,

Kellan’s contrition faded away into nothingness.

He walked forward a little and gently opened his mouth to speak.

Lyssandra's POV

“Lyssandra, Eira was just a kid back then. She didn’t understand right from wrong. She’s been remorseful for years about what her mother did.

She has already apologized to you. Why hold onto the past so tightly?”

The betrayal I faced and the shame I have been stigmatized with. Imagine! My dad married Eira's mom's sister after everything this family did to us.

As if her mother's crime wasn't good. They went ahead and deceived my dad. I can't forget this! I can't forgive her. Never!!!

The physical and emotional abuse that threw me into an endless abyss—that's what I call the past.I was even injured then. Refusing to forgive Eira wasn't about being petty.

He persuaded his family and they were the one who took me to the clinic to see a healer back then; he knows better than anyone how deeply I loathe my socalled relative.

Yet, he chose to fall in love with Eira and align himself against me.

When Kellan reached out to take my hand, endeavoring to facilitate reconciliation with Eira, I smacked his hand away.

“Kellan, who gave you the ordersity to ask me to forgive them?” I asked sharply and my fury was consumable.

They killed my mom and went ahead to deceive my father to marry their sister. None of them came to my mom's funeral ceremony.

Kellan gazed at the back of my hand, now red from where I had smacked him and

he grimaced with a scrunching face and wrinkling forehead.

“Lyssandra , I’m just trying to be of help. You’re without a mom now. In Fact, Eira and her family are the only close relatives you have left aside from your dad. Just let it go.

Forgive them

Why hold on to the past and continue to suffer?”

“You need to move forward, don’t you?”

Kellan’s words were meant to be like a succor and solace to me. But the impulsiveness I knew so well was already revealed through his calm demeanor and composed expression.

But there was no longer the familiar tenderness and care in his voice.

I could feel my heart, already wounded, splintered and crumbled to nothing.

The gravity of the pain I felt was so severe, it left me almost speechless.

Eira’s mischievous eyes, brimming with feigned sorrow, held a glint of the same smugness and provocation as before.

“It's okay if it's extremely complicated to forgive me, Lyssandra'l. I’ll keep the guilt until you accept me as your nonbiological family.”

“Vamoose!”

I glided through the hallway tightly to keep myself from shaking too violently.

Kellan l’s impatience was unmistakable.

“Lyssandra, why are you being so dramatic and unreasonable? Nobody is perfect—where has your tolerance gone?” he spoke as his tone elevated slightly.

I was on the verge of commiting suicide as a result of what Eira's mom and her family did. He witnessed all of that.

Once, he'd argue with them on my behalf, even to the point of furious outbursts.

What on earth had driven him to oppose me and start justifying Eira and even her family?

I let the anguish overwhelm my senses and told Kellan, word by word.

“Unless she or her mother dies before my eyes, I will never forgive her!”

Kellan’s forehead was experiencing a rhythmic ache and he was visibly about to lose his temper.

This was the typical expression he had when he raged at Eira's.mom on my behalf.

“Lyssandra! What brought about this transformation in you?How did you become so disillusioned after just six years? If you can’t find it in yourself to forgive her mom, then at least apologize to Eira! I can’t bear the idea of people ridiculing my mate and fiance for being a bitter, vindictive woman!

“Your mother's demise was so painful I know but don't bear grudges and pour out your anger and fury on an innocent lady.

Her mother made a grave mistake, but she didn't deserve to die. It's not her fault that your dad has to marry her mom's sister. Please! Don't blame all your misfortune on Eira.”

He practically spat out the word

“didn't deserve to die” through gritted teeth.

The disgust that flashed across his face was clear to me. So, the person who swore to protect me for life was now clearly fed up with me.

At the end, all my misfortune and pain had become the sword he used to wound me, leaving me scarred and broken once more.

Once, the man who would feel heartache and tear up at the mention of my nightmares and pains no longer held me close and promised.

“Eira, as long as I’m here, no one or monster can hurt you!”

He had once used his charming love and care to pull me out of the abyssof emotional trauma and torture I was once in. But now, he was the one who had shoved me back in.

For Elara’s sake, he referred to me as a monster!

Trembling uncontrollably, I could no longer glide to the hallway and staggered backward.

Kellan hastily steadied me, only to see that my knee was swollen. I had sustained an injury.

He immediately squatted to inspect the injury.

“How did you hurt your knee so badly?”

“Forget it. If you won’t apologize, I’ll do it for you, but you mustn’t be so disrespectful in the future.”

I forced my hand away with all my strength, my face was gloomy as I pointed toward the door.

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

Kellan, acknowledging my defenselessness, attempted to pacify me with an affectionate embrace.

But Eira, tears shimmering down her cheek, bowed deeply and said.

“Lyssandra, I’m leaving now. Please, don’t torment yourself over this.”

As she turned to leave, she spun too quickly, crashing into the doorframe and falling sideways.

Kellan, in a split moment, released me and rushed to catch her. They both tumbled out into the hallway together.

Despite everything, Eira’s head still struck the doorframe, instantly turning red with a hint of blood seeping out.

Kellan jumped to his feet, lifting her as he quickly rushed towards the elevator.

Lyssandra's POV

“Eira, does it hurt so much? I’m taking you to see a doctor instantly!”

The doorway finally fell silent.

My heart sank to the depths.

After eight years of knowing each other and ten years of love, we had reached this point of disconnection.

I took out my phone and booked a ticket for the day of the wedding.

With just barely 3 days left, it was just enough time to clear the slate from everything that has to do with the past.

Kellan was right; Life is in phases. One must look forward. From this moment, I would detach all ties with the joys and sorrows of the past!

— —

I threw away and burnt some of the wedding supplies I had conscientiously bought and prepared.

This house, which was never truly mine, was now devoid of any trace of me.

In the end, only the tickets I had cautiously preserved as a diary of love remained.

With a moment of reluctance, I threw each one into the rising and glowing flames of fire.

Each consumed by the flames depicted an integral part of me that loved Kellan.

When the burning finally collapsed, only a pile of ashes and acrid smoke remained.

It was just like the love I had given over these eight years.

The following morning, the scent of a sumptuous breakfast woke me up.

“Kellan, hurry up and get ready. I’ve already prepared breakfast.”

“You can proceed to eat. Enjoy your meal. I’ll take breakfast to Eira, you don’t have to.”

“Okay.”

Kella muted , his hand holding the thermal container.

"You don't have to scold yourself, Eira doesn’t accuse you."

"When you're done having breakfast, let's pick out a new engagement ring for the wedding.

The stackable one had some problems and won’t arrive in time for the wedding day."

"Okay."

He enjoyed playing the role, so I would just go along with it.

Perhaps sensing my lack of euphoria, Kellan hastily brought out the first aid kit and applied medication to my bruised knee.

“Lyssandra, we've known each other for quite long. We've been in love for years. Everything I’ve done is for your good. I don’t want us to have a wedding where you have partial or no family present.”

“You mentioned not finding a maid of honor? I’ve taken the liberty of asking Eira to be your maid of honor.”

“Okay.”

Kella spoke with discretion but when he saw my hasty contentment, disbelief filled his eyes.

He then took my hand and pressed a warm, caressing kiss on it.

After delivering breakfast to Eira, he didn’t return.

As I scrubbed my palms with fervor, his call came in.

“Lyssandra, finish eating and come downstairs . I’ll be waiting in the car for you.”

When I came down, I headed towards the car. I instinctively opened the front passenger door, only to find Eira already occupying it.

Without uttering a word, I took a seat in the back.

Kellan glanced at me a few times and seemed quite pleased with my understanding and reservation.

“Lyssandra, Eira is into interior decorations and she designs jewelry. She's a professional. With her here, she’ll definitely help you pick out a ring you’ll love.”

I just used gestures and body language to respond. I closed my eyes, pretending to rest.

When I unconsciously opened my eyes, I saw Kellan gently pinching Eira’s cheek.

In the rearview mirror, our eyes met and he quickly started to explain.

“Eira had something on her face, so I was just helping her wipe it off.”

I closed my eyes again and kept them shut until we arrived.

As we stepped into the jewelry gallery, the luxuries of jewelry found inside were beautiful and magnificent.

The customer's service representative saluted us. Eira, who was standing close to Kellan, with great passion and energy.

“How may I be of assistance to you today sir? Are you looking for something unique and gorgeous for your loved one?”

Eira and Kellan went rosy.

Ansel expeditiously pulled me closer.

“Why are you so drifted afar off? Come over and pick out a ring!”

The customer's service representative rosied deeply and quickly brought out the rings for me to make a choice from.

But Eira barged in and took the lead, inspecting each one with a critical eye.

“This is too small”

“This one’s color isn’t right and catchy.”

–– —

None of the other rings measured up when compared to the one Eira was holding.

The customer's service representative gazed at me, visibly uncertain of how to proceed.

Eira, however, pretended as if she hadn’t noticed and ultimately chose a rather unadorned ring.

“Lyssandra, let’s go for this one for now. It’ll work for the wedding. I’ll design a better one for you later,” she said.

The customer's service representative, clearly uncertain and uncomfortable, awkwardly praised Eira for her “classic” taste.

Eira, with a hint of pride, thrust her hand in front of me.

“It's obviously magnificent . It’s customdesigned by my fiancé.”

Kellan stood calmly beside her, staring at how she flaunted the ring without stopping her or showing any sign of discomfort.

His smile, however, seemed to bloom with the spring breeze.

“Then we'll definitely go with the one Eira picked!” he said.

Skipping even the fit assessment process, Kellan paid for the ring at the spot.

He took out the ring and, with an empty stare , slid it onto my finger.

The process was not formal—There was no kneeling, no roses, or even a proposal.

This time, the ring was small, barely fitting.

I knew, without a doubt, that Eira deliberately did this.

As a professional designer, Eira could accurately gauge the ring size at a glance.

Such a significant mistake was impossible.

I didn’t bother pointing it out and simply removed the ring.

The customer's service representative kindly suggested that I choose a different style, but I turned it down.

“Let’s just buy this one and get it over with. No need to make it more complicated.”

Kellan, hearing this, was explicitly dissatisfied. It was obvious from his tone.

Lyssandra's POV

“If you’re not happy with it, we don’t have to buy it. Eira can help you get a unique one later,” he offered.

I shook my head faintly and declined.

“No, this one is fine. Am okay with it.”

Eira, however, looked deeply pertinent, her eyes brimming with tears once again.

“Lyssandra, I’m going straight to the studio to work on the design. I’ll make sure you have a perfect and unforgettable wedding!”

With that, she zoomed off.

No matter how much Kellan screamed after her, she didn’t look back.

“Lyssandra, what’s the matter with you? It’s just a ring—why are you making a big deal out of nothing ?”

I was flabbergasted.

“What am I making a fuss about?”

He glared at me, gritted his teeth together and pulled me out of the store.

“I have a client to see. We can take the wedding photos later.”

“Or, you could take your lone photograph first and I’ll have the designers Photoshop my suit onto them for the wedding.”

“Okay.”

Kellan’s explanations got caught in his throat.

He looked at me for a long moment before gently embracing me.

“Lyssandra, I promise, once I’m done with work, I’ll take you on a honeymoon trip and we can do a travelthemed bridal photoshoot.”

To me, his dismissive promise of a honeymoon felt like an embarrassment.

He had no time to visit me , but he had ample time to accompany Eira to the mountains far outside Shadowvale to see the penguins and to the icy plains of the mountains to watch the northern lights.

Seeing his location and profile picture hurrying towards Eira’s Interior decoration studio, I went back into the store and returned the ring to the customer's service representative.

As I expected, Kellan didn’t return home for that day.

He was accompanying Eira to the beach for their wedding photos.

And indeed, he had someone photoshop our faces onto their wedding pictures.

Resolute to avoid the wedding, he’ll probably only come back for my mom's death anniversaries.

I went to the cemetery with bouquets of orchids and pansies to pay her a visit.

I also added the caretaker on the chatterbox to manage things in the future.

“I’ll cover the management fees for my mom from now on. Just refuse any payments from Mr. Kellan Zane.”

The caretaker was dumbfounded after checking the system.

"Miss Rowena, the management fees for your mom's grave have been overdue for three months. We've tried contacting the family, but the phone has been unreachable."

Realizing that I had lost my initial contact after traveling to Crimson Moon pack. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated with myself.

Kellan no longer cares about me; how could he not remember my deceased mother?

I paid the outstanding fees and also made an advance payment for five years, then left feeling betrayed.

But just as I was walking out of the cemetery, I heard a voice I’d never forget in this lifetime.

“Kellan, it’s impressive that you remember today is Eira auntie's memorial day! If the old woman knew you came to keep her company for a drink, she’d probably be floating up from the grave.”

I turned around stiffly and saw Kellan, flanked by Eira, her mother and her sister climbing the steps.

“Auntie, this is what I should be doing.”

“Don’t be silly, call me ‘Mom’ in a few days!”

Kellan chuckled heartily and, without hesitation, called her "Mom."

With tears building up in my eyes, I quietly went to meet my friends.

I hit the nail on the head and told them that the proposal and wedding was canceled.

They were dumbfounded. They exchanged glances and then cautiously asked me,

“Lyssandra, you already k

now?” I was puzzled why they also knew.

In a moment of fury, they pulled out photos of Kellan and Eira together at the clinic for their premarital checkup.

Lyssandra, we obliged your decision to attend the wedding. I’d love to see what a wedding without a bride looks like—Eira showing up to steal the wedding will be a huge joke!”

Their words stirred up hope and liveliness in me. It made me somewhat look forward to it.

The day before the binding ritual and wedding, Kellan returned with a pair of brandnew running sneakers.

I asked him gently, “Aren’t you the one who hates running sneakers?”

He was speechless for a moment, then patted my head.

He chuckled and said, “Tomorrow, I’ll need to run fast with the bride on my back!”

He wasn't referring to me. That I was aware of.

The amusement and smiles that suddenly appeared on his face wasn’t because of me either.

It seems that spotlighting me in a wedding larceny to prove his love for Eira will give him unrivaled fulfillment.

The next day, I walked around the wedding venue.

Enormous placards and larger format posters had magnified every trace of photoediting on the wedding pictures.

I pulled out a pair of scissors, extracted my bright and youthful appearance and then took a cab to the train station.

When the train was filled. They gave a signal of its departure.

As we started the journey,I tried switching off my phone. At the moment Kellan's calls started flooding in.