A MATE FOR A CURSED LYCAN

Lyra’s POV

Suddenly, Mason’s laughter echoed from the opposite end of the hall. My body went still. A woman’s laughter followed, and I knew that voice immediately. Hayley. Their footsteps grew louder as they came closer. I quickly slipped into a corner and pressed myself against the wall, holding my breath. A part of me wanted to step out and confront them. But no. They needed to believe I knew nothing about what they were doing.

“I can’t wait for us to announce the pregnancy,” Hayley said, her voice filled with excitement. “Then I won’t have to hide in the pack anymore. I can finally move in with you.” My eyes dropped to her stomach. I froze. Her belly was round and unmistakably pregnant. My fingers curled against the wall. That couldn’t be right. In my past life, Hayley didn’t have a bump and I thought she only framed me for killing her child. I had been wrong about everything.

My mind raced as I watched her gently rub her bump. Had the Moon Goddess taken my child from me in my past life, only to give Hayley a child in this one?

My chest tightened. I bit down hard on my lip, forcing myself to stay silent as they walked closer. How could the same fate that had taken my child away now be giving her everything I had lost? Mason suddenly stopped. He turned to Hayley and took both her hands, his fingers tightening around hers as they faced each other.

“I have never forgotten the promise I made to you and your father,” he said. “I will raise you both up. History will remember your name as the woman who gave this pack hope and restored its Alpha status with the heir you carry.”

My heart had already been breaking, piece by piece, but those words destroyed my soul. Hayley had not forced Mason into this. He wanted her. He had chosen her.

“What about Lyra?” Hayley asked. My heart slammed against my ribs. I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

“That should be the least of your worries, my lady,” Mason replied calmly. “I know how to get rid of her. She is a nobody. She won't stand in our way.” I stared at him from my hiding place. A nobody.

That was what I was to him now. Not his wife. Not the woman who had stood beside him through everything. Just an obstacle he could remove whenever he wanted. Hayley lowered her gaze to her stomach and rubbed her bump.

“I have lost enough in my life because of my unlucky sister. I don't want her bad energy anywhere near my baby. What if she kills my baby the way she killed our mother?” A bitter, painful smile tugged at my lips. There it was again. The same accusation I had carried for years. Our mother had died giving birth to me. And Hayley had never let me forget it. I had spent my whole life carrying that guilt. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall.

“I promise you, she’ll be gone within seconds of the pregnancy announcement. She won’t even be alive to hear your baby’s first heartbeat.” Mason leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Hayley’s forehead. His eyes held the same warmth I had once believed was meant for me.

Yet he stood there, promising to take my life for my sister without a second thought. Like I was nothing more than an animal waiting to be slaughtered. Not once did he hesitate. Not once did he question whether he could really do it. Something inside me went cold. He had never loved me.

“Marrying Lyra was one of the biggest mistakes of my life,” Mason continued. “And I will correct that mistake. My child won't have to suffer because of it.” My teeth sank into my arm as I fought to keep the sob trapped in my throat. I knew Mason didn't love me. I had accepted that. But knowing it was one thing. Hearing him speak about me like I was a mistake he needed to erase was something else entirely. Every time I saw how deeply he hated me, it hurt all over again.

“Come. Let me take you to your room,” Mason said. “I have a meeting with the chiefs, and your father will also be given an appointment today.” Before Hayley could answer, he scooped her into his arms. She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. Their laughter followed them down the hall. I stayed hidden until their footsteps faded completely. Then my legs gave out. I slid down the wall and hit the floor, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them. Mason's words played over and over in my head.

She'll be gone.

Marrying Lyra was a mistake.

I will correct that mistake.

Each sentence cut deeper than the last. A sharp ache spread through my head, growing with every passing second. But even the pain couldn't stop the tears. They came freely now, soaking my cheeks as I buried my face against my knees and finally let myself break.

I had thought Hayley was the one who poisoned me in my past life. But after hearing Mason promise to kill me, something changed. I no longer cared who had actually tried to take my life back then. Maybe it was Hayley. Maybe it wasn't. It didn't matter anymore. All I knew was that they both wanted me dead.

I quickly wiped my tears and forced myself to stand. My legs trembled beneath me, but I refused to stay on that floor. I dragged myself back to my room, each step feeling heavier than the last. When I opened the door, Esther's worried face immediately came into view.

“My lady, what happened?” She hurried toward me and caught my arm before I could stumble. She guided me to the bed and helped me sit. “I thought you would be here,” she said, her voice filled with concern. “I came to deliver your herbs, but I couldn't find you.” I said nothing. Esther stared at me for a moment before kneeling in front of me.

“Please, talk to me. Something is clearly wrong.” Her eyes searched my face. “Why are you hiding it from me? Don't you trust me?” My throat tightened. I finally looked at her and forced my lips into a small smile.

“If there is anything I appreciate in this life, it is your loyalty and the love you've shown me.” Her brows pulled together in confusion. I looked away before she could see the tears gathering in my eyes. “Life isn't always fair to good people,” I whispered. “Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to do the right thing, you still end up being the one who suffers.” A tear slipped down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away, but another followed. “I've made my decision. All I ask is that you support me,” I continued softly. “Please don't question me, even if you don't understand why I'm doing this.” My voice trembled.

“I promise I will explain if given the chance to.” I paused. “Until then…” I swallowed hard. “Please trust me.”

“Does this have something to do with what happened in the woods? Should I call the Alpha?” Esther asked. I turned to her with a sharp frown.

“Didn't I tell you not to question me?” My voice came out harsher than I intended. Esther immediately lowered her gaze.

“I'm sorry, my lady,” she whispered. I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady myself.

“I need to end this all at once,” I said quietly. My eyes drifted to the calendar on the wall. “Tomorrow, when you come with my dress for the Moon Goddess Festival, bring the sharpest knife from the kitchen.” Esther hesitated.

“Okay, my lady,” she finally said, dragging the words out before turning toward the door. I watched her leave without another word. Once the door closed, I slowly walked toward the balcony. Cool air brushed against my face, carrying the faint scent of flowers from the garden below. For the first time in days, I felt strangely calm. Maybe because I had finally made my choice. Tomorrow might be the last day I ever saw. And somehow, I wasn't afraid.

I knew what awaited me if I carried out my plan. I knew I could be executed for killing the King. But I no longer cared. What was there left for me to lose?

If tomorrow was the end of my life, then so be it. At least I would leave this world knowing Mason and Hayley would not get to live happily after destroying me. For the first time, the thought of death didn't frighten me. It felt like the only thing I still had control over.