5. Shattered Chances

Lyra

His body was so close to mine that I could barely think.

The heat from him rolled off in waves as he loomed over me, his hands braced on the wall beside my head. The music from the Luna choosing ceremony party was just a faint thrum in the background now, as though the world had narrowed down to this moment, to this one man whose heart I had shattered long ago and now wanted to heal.

“What do you want from me, Lyra?” Killian growled, his voice low and sharp like broken glass ready to cut into my soul.

I met his eyes, my heart racing. “I want to be your Luna, alpha”

He flinched.

For a heartbeat, I thought he would say something, anything, but instead, he laughed. Bitter and hollow and then shook his head.

“No,” he said, backing away from me, shaking his head. “No, you don’t.”

“Killian~~ I…”

“Don’t,” he cut in, his voice rising. “Don’t say my name like that. Like it means something to you now. Where was that when you turned your back on me? When you chose ‘him’ over me? When you humillated me?”

“I made a mistake,” I said, for the lack of a better phrase because the truth hurt.

I was such an idiot to let go to a man like Killian who would die for me for an arse.

“You made a choice, Lyra” he snapped. “You looked at me, your given mate, and said I wasn’t enough. You didn’t even hesitate to hurt me. You didn't hesitate to call me names and….”

My throat tightened. I was an idiot and I didn't know how to put it into words for Killian to see how sorry I was. I was under a spell and I had died because of it.

“I… I was scared. Damon… he… he said things about you. Things I… I thought…”

“I don’t care what he said!” Killian thundered. “You believed him. You didn't give me a chance! You wanted to believe him. And you threw me away like I meant nothing!”

Each word was like a blade. I stood frozen, my fingers trembling at my sides. My heart was bleeding from the pain I could see in his eyes.

“I begged you,” he said quieter now, pain etched in every syllable. “I begged you to give us a chance. I would have moved mountains for you. And you told me you wanted someone else.”

“I didn’t know… I swear I didn't know. I thought…”

“No. You did know but you didn’t care.”

Silence fell between us. I swallowed the tears burning at the back of my throat.

He looked at me one last time, fury and heartbreak warring in his gaze. 

“Stay away from me, Lyra. I won’t let you play with me again. Not now, not ever again. I gave you my heart but you trampled on it and your chances are all used up.”

Then he was gone.

Just like that.

Gone again. Bitter. Unforgiving.

I slid down the wall, hugging my knees to my chest as the echo of his footsteps faded. The cold stone against my back was nothing compared to the chill in my chest.

I stayed there, long after the wind picked up, long after the laughter and music inside the mansion faded into the night.

I didn’t know how much time had passed before I heard footsteps coming my way.

Not Killian.

No.

Damon.

“Lyra,” he said softly, voice dripping with false concern. “There you are. I have been looking everywhere for you.”

I stood, jaw clenched. “Go away, Damon.”

He approached, hands in his pockets. “Come on. We had something once, didn’t we? You loved me. I know you still do.”

“I was blind,” I said flatly. “And you were a lie.”

His eyes darkened. “You are still bitter. I understand. But I can forgive you. I can forgive and take you back, Lyra. I still love you.”

I stepped back. “I don’t want your forgiveness.”

“Why not?” He smiled coldly. “Is it because you have run back to the man you rejected like a coward? Do you think Killian wants you now? After everything? He's an alpha and he would never want you after what you did.”

“That’s none of your business.”

He reached for me, fast and sudden. His fingers gripped my arms, hard.

“I made a mistake letting you go,” he whispered, leaning close. “I think you still want me.”

“I don’t.”

He tried to kiss me.

And my wolf, my very soul, recoiled.

“No!”

I kicked him in the chest. Hard.

To my shock, he flew backward across the yard and slammed into a tree with a crash that shook the branches.

I stood panting, my limbs trembling, my blood pulsing with something ancient and powerful.

That wasn’t normal strength.

That was… something more.

“What the hell?” Damon groaned, crawling to his feet.

Then, from the path behind us, came the sound of hurried footsteps.

Selene.

Of course.

The perfect friend. The smiling serpent.

“What’s going on here?” She asked sharply, her eyes bouncing from me to Damon and back again.

“She…” Damon staggered forward. “She attacked me!”

Selene’s eyes widened. “You what?!”

I shook my head. “He tried to kiss me. I told him no. He didn’t listen.”

“You kicked him into a tree!” She snapped.

“I had to defend myself!”

“Or maybe you are just angry because Killian doesn’t want you,” Selene hissed. “So now you are lashing out at everyone.”

I stared at her.

So this was it.

No more masks.

No more fake friendship.

Damon stood behind her, smirking like the snake he was.

And Selene, my supposed best friend, stood in front of me, fire in her eyes… not for my pain, but for his.

The wind rustled through the trees as I stood alone in the dark.

And for the first time, I realized…

If I wanted to win back Killian…

I would have to fight not just for him…

But against everyone who never believed I deserved him. Against everyone who didn't want us together because the power we both would wield.

This was the beginning.

I would win him back.