Chapter 3
When I opened my eyes again, Lyra stood by the bed, looking at me with tearful eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Yara. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be hurt so badly.”
I stared at her silently.
Had I not shifted my body at the last moment, that knife would have killed me.
Simon held her close: “Silly girl, she’s my shadow guard. This is her duty. You don’t need to blame yourself.”
The wound ached terribly, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.
Lyra sniffled, placing an ornate jar on the table: “Yara, I brought you some healing salve. Make sure to apply it.”
I forced a smile: “Thank you for your concern, future Luna. I’ll be fine.”
As a shadow guard, I’d suffered far worse injuries.
After they left, I couldn’t maintain my composure and fell back asleep.
When I awoke, night had fallen, and a dark figure sat at the edge of my bed.
Recognizing Simon, I tried to rise.
He pushed me back down, his brows furrowed: “Yara, you’ve gotten sloppy.”
I didn’t defend myself.
“I deserve punishment, Alpha.”
The room fell into silence.
After a long while, Simon sighed: “Rest well. You don’t need to report for duty these next few days.”
I acknowledged with a quiet sound.
Decnor
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Chapter 3
Yet strangely, Simon remained seated, showing no intention of leaving, and I had no energy to deal
with him.
Before I knew it, I had drifted off again.
In my dream, I thought I heard a sigh filled with helplessness and compassion.
I figured it must be an illusion–how could the mighty Alpha ever show such emotion for someone
like me?
I slept until midday.
Upon waking, I heard that Simon and Lyra’s mating ceremony had been moved up.
It would happen in two days–the same day I planned to leave.
I also learned that after I was injured, Simon had carried me back himself.
He was always like this–inflicting a wound, then offering a small comfort.
This time, I wouldn’t fall for it again.
I quietly packed my belongings.
There wasn’t much to pack anyway. After more than a decade by his side, my possessions were pitiful–just a few clothes and a silver dagger, nothing more.
The dagger was a gift from Simon when I completed my first mission as a shadow guard.
I had never been without it for ten years.
I stared at it, then silently removed it from my luggage.
If I was making a clean break, it should be complete.
The night before my departure, Lyra unexpectedly came to my
door.
She said she had no close female friends and felt a connection with me, wanting me to attend her during the mating ceremony.
Lyra looked at me with seemingly innocent eyes, but I didn’t miss the flash of malice behind them.
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Chapter 3
At that moment, I finally confirmed that she had deliberately tried to have me killed that day.
She knew about my secret relationship with Simon.
Despite recognizing her scheme, as a subordinate, I had no right to refuse.
With Simon’s approval, I accompanied Lyra back to her pack.
She claimed there weren’t enough rooms and sent me to a damp, cold storage closet.
I spent the night huddled against the firewood, my wound throbbing again.
The next morning, an omega woke me early, ordering me to help Lyra dress and prepare her hair.
She sat while I knelt, and when I accidentally pulled her hair, Lyra turned and slapped me.
“Worthless bitch, you can’t even do this simple task.”
I suppressed my pain: “Sorry future Luna, I deserve punishment.”
Lyra snorted, lifting my chin, her eyes no longer showing any trace of the previous day’s innocence and kindness, replaced only by contempt and disgust.
“I thought after serving Alpha Simon for so long, you’d be better at this sort of thing.”
“Or are you so used to his favor that you don’t take me seriously?”
I lowered my head: “I wouldn’t dare.”
She scoffed dismissively: “Once I become the Luna of the Silver Ridge Pack, you should know what you can and cannot do.”
I smiled silently.
After today, I doubted we would ever meet again.
Seeing my compliance, Lyra didn’t torment me further.
When the time came, I helped her arrived the Pack edge, unexpectedly meeting Simon’s gaze.
He sat proudly on his ceremonial mount, dressed in formal attire. I had imagined this scene
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Chapter 3
countless times, but seeing it in person still pierced my heart.
I forced myself to look away, helping Lyra to her carriage.
She waved away the footstool brought by other wolves, gesturing toward me with her chin.
“You. Kneel.”
I instinctively looked toward Simon.
His lips were pressed tight, but he said nothing.
I understood his meaning.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, I knelt on the ground, bending forward to let Lyra step on my back
to enter the carriage.
She deliberately stepped hard, grinding her heel into my wounded shoulder.
Soon, the scent of blood reached my nose.
The wound had reopened.
Enduring the tearing pain, I followed the procession back to the Silver Ridge Pack, watching Simon and Lyra complete their mating ceremony.
When it was all over, I took my packed bag and left without looking back.
Simon, farewell!
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