Page 13 of The Onyx Covenant

“Lyra Mooncrest.”

I turn slowly, my heart sinking. My mother is in the doorway, arms crossed over her blue ceremonial robes, her expression one of disappointment. Behind her, our house stands taller than others in the village, the heavy stone archway carved with old runes that mark my family’s status as the Alpha’s bloodline.

“Morning,” I say, aiming for innocence.

“Where have you been at this hour?” she asks, though the question is clearly rhetorical. She knows I wasn’t in my bed, as she would have checked. Before I can fabricate an excuse, my father appears behind her, his imposing figure filling the doorway.

Alpha of the Elios pack, he’s not a man who tolerates disobedience, especially from his only child. His white hair is pulled back in the traditional warrior’s braid. His pale blue eyes—so unlike my lavender ones, which I inherited from my mother—narrow as they take in my appearance.

“Inside,” he snaps, the single word carrying all the authority of his position.

I catch a glimpse of Aria slipping away through the gathering crowd, offering me a sympathetic grimace before disappearing. Traitor.

The door closes behind me with finality. Our home is larger than most in Wolfhaven—a sprawling stone structure with multiple rooms and ancient magic humming in its walls. The main room, where we now stand, features a currently cold central hearth, as the summer heat makes fires unnecessary.

“You were told to be ready,” Father says without preamble. “We discussed this last moon. The Royal Wedding is at the capital of Solmane tomorrow. And today, they are holding the United Houses Luncheon.”

Oh. Shit.

Memory rushes back—a conversation I’d deliberately buried because I had no intention of complying. The United Houses Luncheon… a matchmaking circus disguised as diplomacy.

“I thought I made it clear I wasn’t going,” I say, lifting my chin in defiance.

“We’re not going there to marry you off, dear,” Mother cuts in, her voice smooth but laced with warning. “We’re going to pay our respects and meet the other families. That’s all.”

I snort. “Right. Because dragging me to a room full of preening nobles and their desperate heirs just happens to be about respect.”

“We can’t just skip it,” she counters, her smile tight. “Especially with the Beast Prince finding a bride, and tomorrow is his Royal Wedding. The Hunter’s Eclipse is set to only pass over Solmane country during the ceremony. That’s a rare blessing, one we can’t afford to ignore.”

The Hunter’s Eclipse… the last time Lunaterra passed between Avarix and Lyra, blocking the Daughter Sun’s light, its shadow had stretched across Solmane alone then, too. Yet the First Moon’s shadow had been felt across the entire planet.

“We’re expected to be there,” Father adds. “The pack can’t appear weak. This is about more than just you.”

“More than me?” I bark out a laugh. “You mean you’re hoping I can snare some pompous heir to strengthen us against Umbra’s pack. Admit it. I’m the prize.”

Father’s face darkens, but Mother’s silence has me regretting my outburst.

“You should change,” she says instead. “We’re leaving within the hour.”

Father’s jaw tightens. “That’s not a request, Lyra. It was an order. As Alpha, I am required to attend, and as my heir, so are you.”

Mother steps forward, her expression softening. “Lyra, please. This is important.”

A sigh rolls past my lips.

“Get dressed. Pack for three days,” Father states. “The portal from the capital awaits. I’m going to announce it to the village.”

He strides from the room, leaving Mother and me in uncomfortable silence.

“I know you don’t want to go,” she says after a moment. “But our family presence matters.” She gives me a small rub on my arm, and I don’t miss the tightness around her mouth. These social gatherings are painful, and I hate them.

When she’s gone, I rush to my room and sink onto my bed, pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes until spots dance behind my eyelids.

I don’t want to go for one main reason…

Theron will be there.

I’m going to be sick.

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