Three weeks had passed since Lyra's midnight meeting with Erik. Three weeks of silence. The wedding ceremony had happened under the full moon, just as planned. Lyra had watched from a distance, hidden in the trees, as Erik and Clara stood before the pack. His face had been like stone, giving away nothing.
Now, as morning sickness hit her for the third time that week, Lyra could no longer deny the truth.
"You need to see Madeline," Jade insisted, holding Lyra's hair back as she leaned over a bucket.
"I can't," Lyra wiped her mouth. "If I go to her, the whole pack will know."
"Know what?" Jade asked, though her eyes suggested she already guessed.
Lyra placed a hand on her stomach. The tiny flutters she'd felt before were now unmistakable movements.
"I'm carrying Erik's baby," she whispered.
Jade's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"Positive. We were together before... before everything fell apart."
Jade sat beside her on the small bed. "What will you do?"
"I don't know." Tears filled Lyra's eyes. "He's married to Clara now. He hasn't tried to contact me since that night."
"But he said to give him a month," Jade reminded her.
"Words. Just empty words." Lyra stood up, wincing at the wave of dizziness that hit her. "I need fresh air."
Outside Jade's cabin, the forest was alive with morning sounds. Lyra walked slowly, one hand resting on her growing belly. She wasn't showing much yet, but soon everyone would notice. Soon, she would have to make decisions.
"You shouldn't be walking alone," a male voice said.
Lyra spun around to find Asher standing a few feet away. Tall with dark hair and kind eyes, he was nothing like Erik, yet something about him made her feel safe.
"I'm fine," she said.
"Are you?" Asher stepped closer. "You look pale."
Lyra studied him warily. "Why do you care?"
"Because I was there that night," he admitted. "I saw you with Erik. I heard everything."
Fear shot through her. "Are you spying for Clara?"
"No." Asher's face hardened. "I don't take sides in their games. But I do care about those who get hurt in the crossfire."
Lyra's legs suddenly felt weak. Asher caught her arm before she could fall.
"You need help," he said gently. "Let me take you to Madeline."
"I can't," Lyra protested. "If Clara finds out—"
"Clara is away with the hunting party. She won't be back until tomorrow." Asher's eyes were kind but firm. "The baby needs you healthy."
Lyra froze. "How did you know?"
"My mother was a healer before Madeline. I recognize the signs." He offered his arm. "Please. Trust me."
Something in his steady gaze made Lyra nod. Together, they walked through the forest toward Madeline's cottage.
The old healer showed no surprise when they arrived. "I've been expecting you," she said, ushering Lyra inside. "The bond between true mates creates powerful children."
As Madeline examined her, Lyra asked the question burning in her mind. "What will happen when everyone finds out?"
"That depends on you," Madeline said. "And on Erik."
"Erik has made his choice," Lyra said bitterly.
"Has he?" Madeline raised an eyebrow. "Nothing is as it seems, child. The forced marriage has weakened him. The bond between you calls to him, but the blood oath binds him to Clara."
"What blood oath?" Lyra asked. "Clara mentioned it before, but Erik never explained."
Madeline sighed heavily. "A ritual that binds two wolves together. Breaking it causes great pain, sometimes death."
Horror washed over Lyra. "So he's trapped forever?"
"There are always ways out," Madeline said mysteriously. "But they come with prices."
After the examination, Madeline confirmed what Lyra already knew—she was carrying Erik's child, a strong and healthy baby.
"About four months along," Madeline told her. "The child will be born under the winter moon."
When they left the cottage, Asher was waiting outside. "I'll walk you back," he offered.
Halfway to Jade's cabin, they heard voices ahead—the hunting party had returned early. Among them would be Clara.
"This way," Asher said, pulling Lyra down a hidden path.
They emerged near the old willow tree where she had once met Erik. The memory made her heart ache.
"Thank you," she said to Asher. "For helping me."
"You don't need to thank me." He hesitated, then added, "I'd like to help you more, if you'll let me."
Lyra tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because everyone deserves someone on their side." His eyes were sincere. "And that child deserves protection."
Before Lyra could respond, a twig snapped nearby. They both turned to see Erik standing at the edge of the clearing, his eyes locked on them. Behind him, Marcus stood watch.
"Erik," Lyra whispered, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach.
For a moment, nobody moved. Erik's gaze traveled from Lyra's face to Asher, then back to Lyra. Something flickered in his expression—pain, jealousy, longing.
"I need to speak with Lyra," he said finally. "Alone."
Asher straightened. "That's her choice."
Erik's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Lyra touched Asher's arm. "It's okay. I'll be fine."
Asher nodded reluctantly. "I'll wait for you at the crossroads," he told her, then walked away, passing Erik with a meaningful look.
When they were alone, Erik stepped closer. "Who is he to you?"
"A friend," Lyra said. "One of the few I have left."
Erik flinched at her tone. "I couldn't come sooner. They've been watching me constantly."
"Why are you here now?" Lyra asked.
"Because I made a promise. One month, remember?" He reached for her hand, but Lyra stepped back.
"Things have changed," she said.
Erik's eyes darkened. "The bond hasn't. I feel you every day, Lyra. Even with the blood oath, I feel you."
"And Clara? Do you feel her too?"
Pain crossed his face. "The oath binds us, but it's not the same. It's like comparing a chain to a lifeline."
Lyra wanted to believe him. The bond between them hummed with his nearness, urging her to trust. But fear held her back.
"I found a way out," Erik said suddenly. "There's an old ritual that can break the blood oath."
Hope flickered in Lyra's chest. "What ritual?"
"It requires a journey to the sacred caves beyond our territory. Madeline knows the way." His eyes burned with determination. "Three days from now, I can slip away. Clara is visiting her mother's pack."
"And then what?" Lyra asked. "We run away together?"
"If that's what you want." Erik stepped closer, and this time Lyra didn't back away. "All I know is I can't live like this anymore, bound to someone I don't love while my true mate suffers."
The baby chose that moment to kick, strong enough that Lyra gasped. Erik's eyes widened.
"Lyra?" His voice was barely audible. "Are you—"
"Yes," she whispered, watching his face carefully. "I'm carrying your child."
Erik stood frozen, shock written across his features. Then, slowly, he reached out a trembling hand toward her stomach.
"May I?" he asked.
Lyra nodded, holding her breath as his warm palm pressed against the small swell of her belly. Almost immediately, the baby kicked again, as if recognizing its father's touch.
Erik's eyes filled with tears. "A baby," he breathed. "Our baby."
The wonder in his voice broke something inside Lyra. Suddenly, all her fears poured out. "I was so scared to tell you. After the wedding, when you didn't come... I thought you'd forgotten us."
"Never," Erik said fiercely, pulling her into his arms. "You and this child are everything to me."
For a moment, Lyra allowed herself to believe in happiness again. But then she remembered Madeline's warning about the blood oath.
"The ritual," she said urgently. "Is it dangerous?"
Erik hesitated. "Madeline says there's a risk."
"What kind of risk?"
"If it fails, the backlash could kill me." His eyes held hers steadily. "But I'm willing to take that chance."
Fear gripped Lyra's heart. "No, there has to be another way."
"There isn't." Erik cupped her face. "I won't let my child grow up without knowing I fought for them—for you."
In the distance, a horn sounded—the Alpha's call.
"I have to go," Erik said reluctantly. "Three days, Lyra. Meet me here at midnight."
He kissed her once, deeply, then disappeared into the trees.
Lyra stood alone, her emotions swirling between hope and terror. One hand rested on her stomach, feeling the life within.
"We'll find another way," she whispered to her baby.
What she didn't know was that Clara had returned from the hunt early. And from her hiding place behind the great oak, she had heard everything.
Clara's face twisted with rage as she clutched a small dagger. "A child," she hissed. "The little omega whore is carrying his heir."
She slipped away silently, her mind racing with dark plans. Erik would never complete that ritual. And Lyra would never see the winter moon.