"Are you out of your mind, Liora?!"
Sera's voice echoed off the walls of the cabin, her arms thrown in the air in disbelief.
"Those people saw you emerge as the Night Omega," she continued, pacing. "Come on, don't act like you didn't hear those stories when we were kids—the curse, the chaos, the bloodshed."
Liora sat calmly, eyes steady. "Do you believe I'm cursed, Sera?"
Sera froze. Her shoulders stiffened before slowly turning to face her.
"No," she said firmly. "Liora, you know I would do anything for you. I don't care about what you are or who you are. You're my Omega. That's never going to change."
Liora's gaze softened. "Then tell me… in all the books you've read, have any of them ever said what really happened? The full story?"
Sera hesitated, thinking. "Well… not exactly. The version we all know is that the Night Omega was Moonveil's blessing. She was mated to a Lunarion True Blood Alpha, and both packs lived in peace for a time. Then suddenly, she turned against all wolves.
"They say the True Blood Alpha tainted her blood… allied with vampires. And then… she killed her, stabbing her with a dagger, claiming it was the only way to stop her from destroying everyone."
Liora rubbed her temple, frustration building. "That's the story we all grew up with. But were we there? Were any of us there?"
Sera opened her mouth but didn't speak.
"What would the True Blood gain by handing over her fated mate to vampires?" Liora asked softly. "Doesn't that feel... off to you?"
"Well…" Sera frowned. "Why did she kill her then?"
"Maybe things went out of control," Liora whispered. "Maybe something happened between them."
"Why are you talking like this?" Sera snapped. "Did the coma mess with your head? You do know fated mates can't kill each other without dying too…"
She stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"She lived. Moonveil had to kill her. So why didn't the True Blood Alpha die with her? It all points to one thing: she wanted out of the bond. They conspired with the witches and broke it. Then they handed her off to the vampires… because they're the only ones with enough power to sever a fated bond."
Liora's breath hitched. "There's nothing wrong with my head, Sera. I just feel like this feud could actually end… and you're not sure about the story either, are you?"
Sera stared at her.
"So what, Liora? You think you can just walk into Lunarion, say 'hey, let's all be friends' and erase years of war and blood?"
"I'm not defending them," Liora said calmly. "But even you admitted they helped while I was unconscious. That has to mean something."
"We helped too," Sera argued. "It's not like they did it out of friendship. And we would've died if we hadn't fought for ourselves."
She crossed her arms, tension radiating from her.
"That pack is full of beasts. Whatever vision you had while you were out—forget it. This feud existed long before either of us were born."
Liora's eyes burned with quiet determination. "Must it keep going this way, Sera? Forever?"
Sera's jaw clenched. "I don't know where you're heading with this, but I swear, Lunarion will disappoint you. So drop it. You're not going. I'll make sure of it."
Liora took a breath. "Sera… remember that herb you told me about? The one that masks scents? Use it. Help me get there."
Sera's jaw dropped. "Are you serious right now? So nothing I said got into your head?"
"You once told me you'd stand by me no matter what," Liora whispered. "I'm asking you to prove it."
Sera's fists clenched, her mind at war. After a long pause, she exhaled sharply.
"Fine. On one condition."
"Anything you want," Liora said without hesitation.
Sera's eyes narrowed. "I'm coming with you."
Liora didn't miss a beat. "Done."
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zyra lay sprawled on her bed, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as Serena trailed kisses along her neck.
Across the room, Kael stood by the door, arms crossed. Relief swelled in his chest at the sight of his Alpha awake but he didn't show it. The witches had warned them not to trigger any memories. Still… something felt off. Why was she acting so differently towards Serena? Even letting the bitch kiss her neck.
"Kael," Zyra said suddenly, her voice low and teasing. "Don't you think it's time you found a mate?"
He blinked, thrown off by her sudden question.
"I'm just glad the Fated Moon crap is behind me," she continued with a careless shrug. "No mate, no troubles. I've never liked the idea of being bonded anyway."
Kael raised a brow. "I still don't get why you want me here, watching this… mess."
Zyra chuckled softly. "Because you're fun when you're uncomfortable."
Kael sighed, pushing off the wall. "Yeah, I'm done. I'll be outside if you need me."
"Alright," Zyra said with a dismissive wave.
Serena turned to glare at him, a smug smirk on her face as he exited. Then, without missing a beat, she turned back to Zyra and captured her lips in a deep kiss. Zyra responded, letting her fingers drift lazily along Serena's back.
Serena moaned shamelessly, her hands exploring boldly. She pressed closer, heart racing, it was the first time Zyra kissed her with something that looks like love and not just to fulfil pleasure.
But suddenly…Zyra stiffened.
A strange pang hit her chest, sharp and quick. Not pain... just something off. Something wrong.
She pulled back.
"I'm not in the mood anymore," she said quietly, eyes distant.
"What?" Serena blinked. "But… I thought you…."
"Leave," Zyra cut in, her voice colder now. "I'll call you later."
Serena hesitated, staring at her in disbelief. "You're serious?"
Zyra didn't answer.
With a frustrated sigh, Serena bit her lip, adjusted her cloak, and stormed out of the room.
Zyra sat up slowly, staring into the quiet space.
No thoughts. No emotions. Just a growing sense that something was missing.
That… it didn't feel right.
Not with Serena.
Not at all.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liora and Sera grunted as they slipped through a narrow crack in the rocky border wall.
Sera muttered under her breath, "Ugh—seriously, did you gain weight in that coma? Just squeeze in already."
Liora elbowed her lightly. "You're the one who found this rogue trail. Don't complain now."
The two girls crouched low behind a moss-covered boulder. The night was still. The only sound was the faint rustle of wind and distant patrols.
"Alright," Liora whispered, adjusting her cloak. "Stay here while I go find Zyra."
Sera scoffed. "Oh sure, and she'll just leap into your arms? Maybe toss you some flowers and ask to braid your hair?"
Liora didn't laugh. She looked straight ahead, voice quiet but steady. "I just want to talk to her. Maybe I can explain… that not everything was so black and white. I don't remember my mother's death, but she remembers hers. So we are even …Maybe… I finally understand why she's so angry."
Sera groaned, pulling her hood tighter. "Ugh, stop being so soft . That blackout clearly scrambled your brain. And keep your voice down! If they catch us here ,after what happened yesterday, they won't ask questions. They'll kill us first, maybe ask questions later."
"I know," Liora said, calmer now. "Just… please. Stay close."
"I will," Sera muttered, already glancing around for shadows. "Now go, before I change my mind."
Liora crept forward, her footsteps as light as breath. She moved quickly, ducking behind trees .
She got to the same place she got in from... memories flooded in but she shrugged it off.
She carefully climbed until she reached the Alpha's chamber window.
Peering inside, she saw the bed empty.
Heart pounding, she hesitated.
Then….she slipped through the open window.
The room was warm and was only lit by candles . She pulled off the cloak hiding her face and looked around
"What are you doing here?"
The voice behind her froze her in place.