The Promise That Never Saw Daylight

I kept my voice even and met Ryder's eyes. "Check the security cameras. You'll see what actually happened."

Ryder scooped Isabelle up, worry blotting out everything else. "Not now! We've got to get her to the healers now!"

The healers rushed over and whisked her into the emergency room.

I stood in the hallway, watching Ryder pace outside the door.

He made call after call, calling in every top healer he could reach. I'd never heard that kind of panic in his voice.

Three hours later, a healer finally stepped out. "The pup's safe, but the mother needs strict bed rest."

Ryder let out a long breath and turned to me. Anger flared in his eyes again. His voice went cold. "Care to explain now? Why did you push Isabelle?"

"I didn't push her. She—"

"Enough!" Ryder snapped, cutting me off. "Spare me the excuses. Isabelle's carrying a pup. As Luna, you should be protecting her, instead of hurting her!"

I looked at him, the one who once swore he'd lay down his life for me. Now his eyes held nothing but suspicion and reproach.

"You don't trust me."

Ryder's voice grew colder. "The facts are right in front of us. What else do you want me to believe? Lyra, I'm disappointed in you."

"Then let's end this."

Ryder went still, as if he'd misheard. "What did you just say?"

"Let's end this," I said, my voice still steady. "If you think I'd harm an expectant mother, if you don't trust me, then there's no reason for us to go on."

Ryder frowned. "What are you even saying? Our bonding ceremony is tomorrow. And you want to break our bond now?"

I sneered. "Bonding ceremony? You mean the one you didn't lift a finger to plan, the one you told me to keep it simple and left me to handle alone?"

Ryder's expression tightened. "Lyra, I know you're emotional over Isabelle, but—"

"I'm not emotional." I cut him off. "I'm clear-headed. I know you care more for Isabelle and her pup than for me. And I know that, to you, I'm dispensable."

Ryder bellowed, "You're being unreasonable! As the Alpha's mate, you should see the bigger picture!"

I let out a mirthless laugh. "The bigger picture? So the 'big picture' means I'm expected to accept my mate fathering a pup with another she-wolf?"

Ryder was left speechless.

Then his phone rang. It was Isabelle.

He shot me a look before answering. "Isabelle, how do you feel? Don't be afraid. I'm on my way. Alright, get some rest. I'll stay with you."

After he ended the call, he said, "Isabelle needs someone to look after her. I'm going to stay with her."

"Just go," I said.

"The ceremony will still be held tomorrow. Don't worry about it."

When I didn't answer, Ryder frowned. He studied me for a beat and said, "Don't be late."

Then, he turned and left without looking back.

I stayed in the empty hallway, listening until his footsteps were gone.

…

Back home, I went to the calendar and picked up a pen.

"I reject you, Ryder Blackwood," I said into the empty room.

Then, I slashed a line through the date circled in red.

…

At dawn, I dragged my suitcases out of the house I'd called home for five years and caught a flight to the town on the coast.

Meanwhile, Ryder, who was unaware, was on his way to the bonding ceremony.

The church stood empty. He waited at the altar for ten minutes, then another ten, until a full hour had passed. Growing restless, he was about to go to the pack elders for answers.

The Chief Elder stepped forward. His face was grave. "Alpha Ryder, there's something you need to know."

"What is it? Where's Lyra? Why isn't she here yet?" Ryder asked. His voice was rough with impatience.

The elder's voice was grave. "The bonding ceremony was canceled two weeks ago. Lyra sent word by messenger. She rejected the mate bond."

Ryder went white. "She canceled the ceremony? That's impossible!"

"Her exact words were, 'I reject you, Ryder Blackwood.'"

Ryder stood in the empty church. His voice cut through the silence. "What? No way!"

Outside, hundreds of guests crowded the doors. A low murmur was building as they waited for an explanation.

Bluemoon Group executives exchanged uneasy looks. No one spoke up.

Elena was there too. She alone knew the truth. Remembering what I'd been through, she decided Ryder needed to hear exactly how wrong he was.

She stepped right up to him. Her voice was tight with fury. "She got a terminal diagnosis last month. She's dying, and you had no idea! You're too wrapped up in another she-wolf and her pup!

"You're unfit to be Lyra's mate. No wonder she rejected you!"

Elena's words hit hard, and pity threaded through each one.

Upon hearing I was dying, Ryder stilled. The floor fell away beneath him.