The Promise That Never Saw Daylight

"What on earth is going on?"

"Why did Alpha Ryder visit Isabelle's family and even officially announce that she's pregnant?"

"But Alpha Ryder and Healer Lyra are supposed to have their bonding ceremony any day now."

The chatter outside my office gnawed at my nerves.

My phone buzzed. A coworker had sent a photo.

Ryder's hand rested gently on Isabelle's belly. His gaze was steady and protective. Around them stood the Morrison elders. Their faces were alight with joy.

A message from the coworker popped up in a tone laced with sympathy. "Why is Isabelle pregnant? They look like true mates. Are you okay, Lyra?"

I stared at the photo. Ryder had never looked at me that way. Five years in, he still hadn't formally introduced me to the Blackwood elders.

Whenever I brought up the subject, he'd say, "Your family still needs time to prove itself."

I saw it now for what it was—an excuse.

"I'm fine," I typed back, then tossed my phone aside.

Silverblood burned hotter in my veins, searing every nerve. Pain raked through me. I knew my time was running out. My life was ticking by with every second.

…

The next afternoon, I met a few friends at a cafe. I'd planned to invite them to my bonding ceremony. Instead, all I could do was tell them it was canceled. Their eyes went wide.

One of them blurted, "What? The ceremony's canceled? Why? You were so excited about your bonding ceremony with Ryder. Did you two have a falling out?"

The others crowded closer, and their faces were full of shock and confusion.

I stirred my coffee. "Ryder has more pressing matters to attend to. He has to have a pup with Isabelle. Even if it's through artificial insemination, I can't bring myself to accept it."

My friend frowned. "Isabelle? The she-wolf who says she saved him? But Lyra, you're his mate."

I managed a bitter smile. "So what if we're the Moon Goddess' chosen mates? In Ryder's eyes, the pack will always come before personal feelings."

My mind went back to the rainy night I first met Ryder. Rogues were on my heels, and he'd pulled me back from the brink of death.

From then on, I was deeply in love with this powerful, aloof Alpha.

For five years, I believed our love was unshakable. Only when Isabelle appeared did I realize how fragile my place in his heart was. I couldn't tell anymore whether what I felt for Ryder was gratitude or love.

One of my friends closed a hand over mine. "Lyra… this isn't fair."

I drew my hand back. "Fairness has nothing to do with it. I've stopped caring. Sorry, I'm tired. I'm heading home."

…

It was past 11:00 pm when I dragged myself home. I pushed the door open to find Ryder in the living room, still wearing the dust of the road.

His brows knitted the instant he saw me. His nostrils twitched. He stepped back, disgust turning his voice rough. "You smell of other wolves. Stay back."

I stopped cold. This was my home, and my mate was recoiling because my friends' scent was on me.

"You're worried it'll affect Isabelle?" I asked.

Ryder sounded as if it were only natural. "She's sensitive right now. She can't be exposed to anything that might harm the pup. From now on, tell me before you go out, and shower as soon as you get back."

I took in the angles of his cold profile, and the last warmth in me went out. I'd already become a potential threat in his eyes.

"Understood," I said, turning for the stairs.

"Wait," Ryder called after me. "I need you to do something."

I stopped with my back to him and waited. What would he want me to give up this time for the so-called greater good?

"Call off tomorrow's pre-ceremony photo shoot," Ryder said. His voice echoed through the living room.

I turned to him, keeping my face blank.

I nodded. "Fine. I'll let the photographer know."

He clearly hadn't expected me to agree so readily. He hesitated, as if whatever speech he'd prepped suddenly had nowhere to go.

"Aren't you going to ask why?"

I kept my voice even. "It doesn't matter. You're the one who makes the calls anyway, aren't you?"

Silverblood was making me weaker by the day. I didn't have it in me to argue anymore. I was dying anyway, so what did it matter if we did the photo shoot or not?

Ryder frowned and went on. "I'm not calling the whole thing off. I'm saying… someone else will take your place."