LYRA'S POV
The scent of rain and damp earth should have been comforting. It was the scent of home, of the Silvercrest Pack's territory. But tonight, for some reason I couldn't explain, it carried the bitter scent of smoke.
I smoothed the front of my dress: a deep emerald green that brought out my warm hazel eyes, the one Cassian had always said he loved, and smiled at my reflection.
Today was our fifth anniversary. Five years of being his Luna, his mate, and his wife.
And tonight, I was going to give him the best gift of all.
My hand drifted to my stomach, still flat, still holding my secret. I'd known for three weeks, and keeping it from him had been the hardest thing I'd ever done. Every morning I woke up wanting to tell him. Every night I fell asleep with the words burning on my tongue.
But I'd waited. I'd planned. Tonight, after the concert, I'd pull out the ultrasound and watch his face transform with joy.
My wolf, Kiara, stirred inside me, warm and content. ‘He's going to be so happy.’
I know. I could barely contain my excitement. I've been waiting for this moment for weeks.
I grabbed the tickets from my nightstand: front row seats to the Moonlight Serenade, the concert he'd mentioned wanting to see months ago. I'd called in favors, pulled strings, and spent more than I should have. But it was worth it. He was worth it.
“Cassian?” I called, practically floating into his study. “I have something to tell you. Well, two things, actually. But they're surprises, so you have to wait until tonight…”
He didn't look up from his desk. His phone was pressed to his ear, brow furrowed, his free hand waving me off.
“Lyra, you'll have to cancel your plans for tonight. I have to work overnight. The border patrols have been stretched thin. Can't afford to miss hours of work.”
My heart stuttered. “Tonight? But Cassian, it's our…”
“I know what day it is.” His voice was clipped, impatient. “But my duty doesn't stop for anniversaries, Lyra. You should understand that.”
I opened my mouth, closed it. The tickets felt heavy in my hand, the ultrasound burning a hole in my pocket.
“Of course,” I managed. “I understand.”
It's fine, I told myself, forcing a smile. He's busy now, but tonight, when he comes home, we'll celebrate together.
My wolf whimpered softly, but I pushed the disappointment down.
It was fine. Everything was fine until he said his next words.
“And cancel that ridiculous concert ticket.” He finally glanced up at me. “You're the Luna of Silvercrest, not a pup from the Hollow Pines Pack. Concerts are for young, unmated wolves.”
The words stung, but I bit my tongue to hide my pain.The concert has been his favourite topic for weeks, but now it's childish because I want to attend one with him?
“Of course,” I said again, my voice steady. “You're right. Concerts are silly.”
I walked over to his desk, leaned down, and kissed his cheek. “I'll be here when you get home. I have something special planned.”
His eyes flickered with something: irritation, maybe. Or guilt? It was gone before I could name it.
“Fine,” he said, already turning back to his phone. “Whatever you want.”
I left his study with the tickets still clutched in my hand and the ultrasound still hidden in my pocket.
Tonight, I thought, my excitement flickering back to life. Tonight, I'll tell him. And nothing, absolutely nothing, will ruin this moment.
But for now, there's no harm in living life a little.
After he'd left for his patrol, I retrieved the ticket I'd stashed in my journal a few minutes ago. A tiny act of rebellion. A single night to be just Lyra, and not Luna.
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A few miles away from the Eastern Territory of the Silvercrest Pack, the Moonlight Serenade was in full swing, the human band playing a frantic, passionate melody that vibrated in my bones. It was loud, messy, and alive. Everything my life was not.
I stood and watched the writhing bodies, moved my body to my favourite song until the music softened and a spotlight began to dance over the crowd.
“Kiss cam!” the lead singer shouted, and the pack members in the stadium erupted in howls of excitement. “Let's see the lovely couples we have this time.”
The camera panned over couples, each one locking lips with their eyes closed. I could smell the electric thrill of lust in the air.
Then, the screen froze, music stuttered. A deafening silence fell over our section.
Cold dread pooled in my stomach at the sight in front of me.
There, on a screen larger than the pack house, was Cassian.
He wasn't in his patrol gear. He was wearing the dark suit he'd worn to the Alpha Council meeting last week. And his hands were not on a scouting report, they were tangled in the raven hair of a woman I knew better than my own reflection.
Sabrina.
My best friend from the Ashclaw Pack. The one who'd stood beside me as my bridesmaid. The one who had told me, just two days ago, “Oh, I can't go to the concert with you, Lyra. Kieran is taking me out.”
Kieran. The name Cassian had used as a cover for his affair.