She still remembered the day he declared his intent. Cherry blossoms drifted down like pale snow. He stood in that rain of petals, clutching a bundle of her favorite white moon-lilies, his deep voice trembling with nerves. He said he had rehearsed his words countless times, terrified of saying a single wrong thing that might upset her. He said, Lyra, I will love you until the last moon falls and protect you for the rest of my life.
Back then, she was the scent he carried everywhere, the image he kept close to his heart, his den's ward-seal was set to her birth-moon. When he introduced her to his pack brothers, he would say with pride, This is my future mate.
She thought he would be her salvation for the rest of her days.
But the moment Selene appeared, everything changed. His tenderness went to another. His protection went to another. For another's sake, he pushed her into the darkness again and again.
Lyra slid slowly to the cold stone floor. The chill seeped through her thin gown, but the frost was nothing compared to the frozen wasteland in her chest. She covered her face, muffled sobs escaping through her fingers as tears soaked her sleeves.