Chapter 9

I thought I'd been clear enough.

But I suppose only the ones being lied to ever see the full picture.

And a cheater always knows exactly what they did.

When I blew out the sacred Embers of Ascension,

the ceremonial hall's moonstone lights flared to life.

And standing right in the center of that glow, side by side, were Kyle and Lyra.

Smiling.

Lyra walked toward me like nothing had happened.

Carrying this massive, hideous statue carved from obsidian.

"Surprise!" she chirped, pushing it into my arms.

"I picked it out just for you! Do you love it?"

At the same time, Kyle dropped to one knee.

Held up the Bonding Amber, eyes overflowing with fake tenderness.

"Selene. Bind your life to mine. Be my mate, forever."

The amber pulsed with light. The whole pack burst into cheers.

One of the Elders shouted from the crowd. "Accept him, child! Say yes!"

I looked down at the statue in my hands.

It was a carving of me. In my wolf form.

The angle she'd chosen caught me right after a fight —

mouth open, gasping for air, eyes completely vacant.

Like a dumb, hollow Omega.