KAEL’S POV
After Rowan excused himself to speak with Lyra, I turned to Elias.
“I heard Alpha Cassian is also here in Moonveil,” I said carefully.
Elias snarled, his expression darkening.
“I don’t want to talk about that worthless piece of shit.
Not after what he did to my daughter.”
I nodded slowly.
“I understand how you feel.
And I mean no disrespect to Moonveil, but Silvercrest will soon realize something is wrong if Cassian stays here much longer.
I’m sure at least one of his people knows where he came.
It could lead to war.”
“Then we give them war,” Elias growled.
“You think I’m scared of a pack like Silvercrest?”
I shook my head.
“I’d advise against it.
As much as I’d love to see Cassian’s head roll, I don’t want anything disrupting my plans for the wedding.”
Elias stared at me, his eyes narrowing as he weighed his options.
I could almost see the protective father in him battling the practical Alpha.
His jaw tightened, and his fingers drummed against the armrest.
“What would you advise?” he finally asked.
“Hand him over to me.
Let me handle it quietly.
Whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility.”
Elias blinked.
“And why would you want to take that risk?”
I smiled slowly.
“I know we don’t have your blessing yet.
I know you probably have your doubts about me.
But the second Lyra became my wife, Moonveil’s burdens became mine.”
Elias stared at me for a long moment.
Then a slow smile spread across his face.
“I guess it’s fate, isn’t it?” he said.
“My Lyra is marrying the same man she was once supposed to marry.”
I dropped my head, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.
If only she knew.
Then the realization hit me.
I raised my head.
“So you’re saying…?”
Elias nodded.
“You have my blessing.” He laughed.
“But I can’t speak for Rowan.
You’ll have to win him over yourself.”
I nodded.
“I will.
Thank you, Alpha Elias.”
He stood, smoothing down his jacket.
“I have a meeting to attend.
I’ll have the guards bring Cassian to you.”
I stood and shook his hand.
“I’ll make the proper arrangements and have the invitation sent.”
Elias nodded.
“Have a safe trip back.
Give my regards to your family.”
Ten minutes later, two guards dragged Cassian in and dropped him into the chair across from me.
They bowed and left.
Cassian raised his head, his eyes widening when he saw me.
“Kael?” He blinked.
“You… what the fuck are you doing here?”
I stood slowly and moved to sit across from him.
“I should ask you the same question, Cassian.
What the hell are you doing in my in-laws’ house?”
“In-laws?” He barked out a laugh.
“I can see you’re even sicker in the head than I thought.”
I turned the ring around my finger, my voice dropping.
“Cassian, I made one thing clear five years ago.
Whatever you did…
you were not to make her cry.”
He leaned forward with a hiss.
“You’re still not over Lyra?
It’s been five years, Kael.
She doesn’t give a fuck about you.
She gave up everything for me.
She left her family to be with me.
And you think she’d ever look your way?”
I didn’t respond.
He stood, emboldened by my silence.
“You’re just a dying man with deep pockets.
You’re going to die alone, Kael.
The sooner you accept that, the better.”
He turned to leave.
But he didn’t make it two steps.
I had him against the wall, my hand wrapped around his throat.
“Get the fuck off me!” He clawed at my grip, his eyes bulging.
“Listen to me carefully,” I said, my voice low and cold.
“You’re going to do exactly three things for me.”
“Go to hell…”
“First,” I continued calmly, “you’ll reject Lyra as your mate.
I want the bond severed completely.”
He laughed, but I tightened my grip until his smile faltered.
“Second,” I continued, “an invitation will be sent to you.
You’ll go back to your pack now and attend my wedding with your mistress when the time comes.
You’ll watch Lyra become my wife.
You’ll watch her be happy.
And you’ll do it with a fucking smile on your face.”
“Your…
your wife?” He choked out.
“She would never marry you.
She’d never…”
“Third, after the wedding, you’ll never set foot in Moonveil again.
You’ll stay away from my wife.
If you don’t, I’ll kill you—slowly and painfully—and make sure everyone in the territory knows exactly why.”
He wheezed, his hands clawing uselessly at my arm.
“She would never choose you…”
I tightened my grip and slammed him back against the wall.
“Say it,” I growled.
“Say you understand.”
Just then, the door down the hallway burst open.
“Kael!”
Lyra’s voice cut through the room.
I glanced over my shoulder to see her running toward me, Rowan right behind her, clearly amused.
“Let him go, please!” Lyra grabbed my arm.
I held my ground, keeping Cassian pinned against the wall.
“I will,” I said calmly.
“But first, you’ll have to tell him whose wife you are.”
Rowan laughed from behind her.
Lyra turned sharply.
“Is any of this funny?” she demanded.
“Oh, it is.” Rowan grinned.
“I live for moments like this.”
Lyra hissed and turned back to me.
“Kael, listen.
You promised me.
You promised to stay calm…”
“Trust me, Mrs.
Hart,” I cut in.
“If I wasn’t being calm, he’d be dead.”
Her eyes widened.
“Now say it.” My voice was firm.
“Whose wife are you?”
She turned to Cassian, her jaw tight.
“I’m Alpha Kael’s wife.
Lyra Aurelia Hart.”
A satisfied smile tugged at my lips.
“Remind me, baby.
Whose bed did you sleep in last night?”
“Kael…”
I tightened my hand around his neck.
“Yours,” she said quickly.
“Yours, Kael.
I spent the night with you.
In your bed.”
“On whose chest?” I pressed.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
“Lyra, I’m waiting.” I turned to her.
“Yours,” Lyra answered.
“I woke up on Kael’s chest this morning.”
“Good girl.” I released Cassian.
He hit the floor, coughing violently.
His hands flew to his neck, rubbing the red marks I’d left behind.
If looks could kill, I’d be dead before the sickness took my life.
“Now,” I said, crouching down to his level.
“Do it.”
“What are you…” Lyra started.
Cassian looked up at me, his eyes filled with hatred.
But there was something else there too—the one thing I saw in every eye that dared to challenge me.
Fear.
“I, Cassian Voss,” he began, his voice hoarse, “reject you, Lyra Ravenwood, as my fated mate.
I release you from our bond completely and forever.
You are free of me.”
Lyra dropped to her knees, clutching her chest.
A strangled sound escaped her lips, somewhere between a gasp and a sob.
The color drained from her face.
“Lyra!” Rowan leaned forward.
But I was faster.
I caught her as she swayed, wrapping my arms around her.
“Lyra,” I said, my voice low and urgent.
“You have to…”
“I accept it,” she whispered.
Her eyes rolled back, and she passed out in my arms.