Betrayed by my mate's first love

The night of the Moon Blessing Festival was supposed to be the happiest night of Lyra Ashwood's life.

The pack house shimmered beneath thousands of glowing lanterns, silver ribbons danced in the breeze, and laughter echoed through the grand hall. Every member of the Crimson Moon Pack had gathered to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Alpha Kael and Luna Lyra's mating ceremony.

Five years.

Five years of standing beside Kael through wars, famine, betrayalsband political battles. Five years of loving a man who had once promised her..

"You will always be my first choice."

Lyra smiled as she adjusted the silver crown resting on her dark hair.

Tonight, she believed him.

She walked toward the stage where Kael waited. His sharp jaw, broad shoulders, and piercing blue eyes still stole her breath after all these years.

He reached for her hand.

You look beautiful,he whispered.

She laughed softly.

You've told me that three times already.

I'll spend the rest of my life telling you.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Kael raised a glass.

To my Luna...

Before he could finish—

BOOM!

The grand doors burst open.

A cold wind swept through the hall, extinguishing half the candles.

Everyone turned.

A young woman stood at the entrance, soaked from the rain. Her long black hair clung to her face, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

The room fell silent.

Kael's wine glass slipped from his fingers and shattered on the floor.

His face drained of color.

"No..." he whispered.

"It can't be..."

The woman took one shaky step forward.

"Kael..."

His lips trembled.

"...Selene?"

Gasps spread through the crowd.

Selene.

The Alpha's first love.

The woman everyone believed had died five years ago.

Lyra felt Kael's hand slowly slip from hers.

She looked at him, waiting for him to deny what everyone was thinking.

Instead...

He ran.

Straight past Lyra.

Straight to Selene.

He wrapped his arms around the woman with such desperation that it felt like the entire world had stopped.

Selene buried her face against his chest and sobbed.

I finally found my way back...

Lyra's heart cracked.

Around her, whispers spread like wildfire.

His first love is alive...

Wasn't she supposed to be dead?

What happens to Luna Lyra now?

Kael gently cupped Selene's face.

I searched for you... I never stopped.

Every word struck Lyra like a knife.

Never stopped?

Then what had the last five years meant?

Selene looked past Kael.

Her tear-filled eyes landed on Lyra.

For a brief moment, a strange smile flashed across her lips.

Then she burst into tears again.

Kael... I didn't leave you willingly.

I was forced to.

Kael frowned.

What do you mean?

Selene slowly raised a trembling finger...

And pointed directly at Lyra.

She threatened me.

The hall exploded into shocked murmurs.

Lyra froze.

"What?"

Selene's voice broke with emotion.

She told me that if I didn't disappear... she would make sure I never saw you again.

I had no choice.

I ran because of her.

Silence.

Every eye in the room turned toward Lyra.

Kael looked at his mate.

For the first time in five years...

There was doubt in his eyes.

And Lyra realized that one lie had the power to destroy everything she had built.

End of Chapter 1

Cliffhanger: Will Kael stand by his mate, or will he believe the woman he thought he'd lost forever?