Chapter 2:Guilty without proof

Lyra couldn't breathe.

The accusation echoed through the grand hall like thunder.

"She threatened me..."

"I ran because of her..."

The silence that followed was worse than any scream.

Hundreds of eyes locked onto Lyra, filled with disbelief, suspicion, and judgment.

Her lips parted.

"No..."

She shook her head slowly.

"She's lying."

Selene cried harder, burying her face in Kael's chest.

"I knew you wouldn't admit it."

"I stayed away for five years because I was terrified."

The room erupted into whispers.

"I always thought Luna Lyra became Luna too quickly."

"Could it be true?"

"Selene was Kael's fated love before she disappeared..."

Lyra's heart pounded.

How could strangers rewrite her entire life in a matter of seconds?

She looked at Kael.

He still hadn't said a word.

Instead, he gently wiped Selene's tears.

That single gesture hurt more than a blade.

"Kael..." Lyra whispered. "Look at me."

Slowly, he turned.

His blue eyes were no longer warm.

They were searching her face as if he were looking for a stranger.

"Tell them," she pleaded. "Tell them you know I would never do something like this."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"I..."

Before he could answer, Selene stumbled and nearly collapsed.

Kael caught her immediately.

"She's exhausted," he said.

The concern in his voice was unmistakable.

Lyra felt invisible.

"I'll have the healer examine her."

He lifted Selene into his arms.

Exactly the way he used to carry Lyra.

A lump formed in Lyra's throat.

"You can't be serious," she whispered.

Kael hesitated.

"I'll come back."

He didn't wait for her reply.

He walked away with Selene in his arms.

The crowd parted for them.

No one moved toward Lyra.

No one asked if she was alright.

No one defended their Luna.

As the doors closed behind Kael, a voice broke the silence.

"It seems our Alpha never forgot his first love."

Laughter followed.

Someone else added,

"Maybe Lyra was only keeping Selene's place warm."

The words struck like arrows.

Lyra's knees almost gave way, but she refused to fall.

Not here.

Not in front of them.

She lifted her chin and walked through the crowd.

People stepped aside—not out of respect, but as though she carried shame with her.

As she reached the hallway, someone grabbed her wrist.

It was Beta Rowan.

For years, he had been like an older brother to her.

"Lyra," he said quietly, "just tell me the truth."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"You too?"

"I want to believe you."

"But..."

That single word shattered something inside her.

"But?"

He looked away.

"Selene has no reason to lie."

Lyra laughed bitterly.

"No reason?"

"She just returned after five years and destroyed my life in five minutes."

"Isn't that reason enough?"

Rowan said nothing.

She pulled her hand away.

"Thank you."

"For showing me exactly where I stand."

She walked away before he could stop her.

Late that night, Lyra sat alone in her chambers.

The room she had once shared with Kael felt painfully empty.

She looked at the framed painting of their mating ceremony.

Five years of memories.

Five years of promises.

Five years of love.

She picked up the frame.

For a long moment, she stared at Kael's smiling face.

Then...

Crash!

The frame shattered against the floor.

At that exact moment, the bedroom door swung open.

Kael stepped inside.

His clothes still carried Selene's scent.

He looked at the broken glass.

Then at Lyra.

"We need to talk."

Lyra folded her arms.

"About your first love..."

Or about the wife you left standing in front of the entire pack?

Kael took a slow breath.

"Selene says she has proof."

Lyra's blood ran cold.

"What proof?"

Kael met her eyes.

"A letter."

"A letter... written in your handwriting."

End of Chapter 2

Cliffhanger: Who forged the letter—and why does it look like Lyra wrote it herself?