Chapter 5 The Luna Who Walked Away

Lyra

The night air was cold against my skin as I roamed around the forest-not quite sure where my legs would take me, but I kept on running as if someone was chasing after me-as if I were sure about the track that I took.

Each step away from Moonfang territory that I had spent my three years, felt heavier. I would be lying if I say that I was about to turn my back easily as if those three years that I stayed there.didn't leave any lingering attachment to me.

It just that, they were the first to easily turn their back on me-or more like because of the incident three years ago-there was none in that pack who showed me warmth.

And for the first time in years, the weight of chains that bind my legs, arms, and neck-was finally broken free as soon as I turn my back without looking back and without regrets.

By the time dawn had appeared across the horizon, my legs were already trembling, my clothes were already torn from the branches along the way, and my hands were numb from the cold. Yet, it made me feel strangely.relief.

'I think I saw a light ahead. Just keep on going,' my wolf murmured softly in my mind.

I nodded weakly and didn't plan to stop walking despite the trembling of my legs.

Though, I feel helpless about my situation. I didn't bring anything with me. I forgot to take my phone either. I have no plan, no money.I don't know how to start from the start either.

After hours of walking, the trees finally thinned, and I finally saw a buzzling place.

Ravenfall City.

A neutral ground that lay between the territories of several packs. I took a deep breath, watching as the city was buzzingly even early in the morning. I could hear the roaring of the engines, the towering buildings that scraped at the clouds-totally different from what I imagined. It seemed that a lot had changed during these three years.

I never thought that I would end up reaching here.

All my life, I've been staying in Moonfang territory and never got the chance to properly see what the outside look like.

I adjusted the hood over my head, masking my scent with the herbal suppressant I carried for emergencies-and it was a good thing that I asked the healer about this before, otherwise, if every wolf within a mile would know who I was-the disgraced Luna of Moonfang-I don't know if I could start a peaceful life over.

Kyle's last words still hunt me.

I clenched my fist and took a deep breath.

I will never crawl back to him.even if I die.

I followed my instincts and also from what I remembered and it finally lead me to a familiar place.

The small apartment complex was exactly as I remembered-cracked walls, flickering hallway lights, and the faint scent of detergent. It seemed that this was the only one that remains even after three years.

I stared at the door, hesitating before knocking on the door.

It opened halfway. A familiar scent washed over me-comforting and laced with worry when her gaze fell on me.

"Lyra?"

A bitter smile appeared on my lips as I nodded my head. "Hm. I.I don't have a place to stay anymore."

I saw her paused for a brief second before her eyes widened. "Moon above, what the hell happened to you?!"

I was about to open my mouth to answer when she grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside. I stumbled into the warmth of her tiny apartment-the scent of bread and coffee lingering in the air-and finally let myself breathe and lower my guard down.

"You didn't tell me your sister was coming," Mira's husband, Damon, appeared from the kitchen and his eyes narrowing.

"She just arrived," I heard my sister said softly while her hand still hovering near me.

Damon crossed his arms. "I heard what happened, Lyra. You shouldn't be here. The Moonfang pack won't jus ignore your disappearance. If they track you-"

"She's my sister," Mira snapped, her voice were trembling. "Besides, this is a neutral city."

His lips curved into a bitter smirk. "Neutral doesn't mean safe. You know how big the connections of the Moonfang and if they knew, what would happen to us? And feeding another mouth isn't cheap. Especially one that used to live in luxury."

The sting of his words made my throat tighten. But, he was right. If I stayed with them, given at how the Moonfang hates me-I might implicate them.

Mira turned to me, her eyes gentle yet weary. "Don't listen to him, Lyra. You can stay. I'll take care of everything."

I smiled faintly, though it hurt. "Thank you, Mira. Please don't let me cause you to argue. I won't stay long. I just need time-to find work, maybe somewhere to live."

~

The next morning, I borrowed one of Mira's old coats and wandered through the city streets. Job boards flickered on digital screens-waitresses, cleaners, pack couriers.but it wasn't what I wanted to do.

I keep on walking until I reached a street lined with glass buildings and luxury cards. A music sign gleamed faintly on one window.

'We are hiring! Feel free to walked in and give your best shot!'

Music. That word alone made my heart tremble. I hadn't sung since the night everything was taken from me, but the thought of making a living using my voice still made me hesitate. Music alone left a lot of nightmares for me, and I'm not sure if I could perform well in that area I used to love.

Beside that poster was another hiring sign.

'Howl Entertainment Corporation is recruiting assistants and staff. Discretion required.'

My fingers trembled as I read the description. It wasn't just an ordinary company-it was owned by Alpha Zane of the Silvercrest Pack, one of the most powerful in the Council.

An assistant position didn't sound so bad. Maybe I should give it a try.

I skimmed through the rest of the description, then decided to head straight to their building.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. As soon as I stepped my foot in, the receptionist looked up.

"Application?"

I nodded and accepted the fill-out form she handed me. I filled out everything carefully-address, age, qualifications-until my pen stilled at the line marked surname.

My fingers tightened around the pen.

Moonfang.

The surname felt heavy even in thought, as if writing it down would pull me back into a life I had already walked away from. That name no longer felt like mine-it was a brand, a reminder of chains I was still struggling to break.

I hesitated only for a moment before crossing the invisible line in my mind. I didn't need permission. I didn't need papers to tell me who I was becoming.

Slowly, deliberately, I wrote Lyra Vale.

The name looked unfamiliar. yet strangely right. Not officially recognized, not yet acknowledged by law or pack-but it was a quiet declaration. A promise to myself that I would no longer live as someone else's possession.

I handed the form back before doubt could creep in. Anyway, everything would be over this afternoon. Once Kyle signed the document, I'd reclaim my own name.

"Mr. Zane's secretary will call you," the receptionist said. "If you're chosen."

"Thank you," I sofly whispered before I turned to leave and I could even hear the loud thump of my heart.

For the first time again in years, I felt a spark of purpose.

~

And later that afternoon while waiting for the call, I went to the Pack Council Bureau to file a bond-severance request.

While waiting for the officer who was scanning the file, I saw him frown.

"Is there something wrong, officer? Did he sign it?" I asked, hopeful.

He look up at me and shook his head. "Alpha Kyle of Moonfang hasn't signed the approval. Without it, the bond between you remains active."

I froze. "He.refused to sign?"

"I called and according to his assistant, he's away on an international pack alliance mission. You'll have to wait for his return to request the bond-severance again."

My nails dug into my palm. Did he plan this? The question echoed relentlessly in my mind. Kyle knew-he had to know-that I wanted the bond broken. And yet, instead of refusing outright, he vanished.

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. Of course. This was his answer.

I couldn't understand his motives at first, but the more I thought about it, the clearer it became. This wasn't negligence or coincidence-it was revenge.

Kyle would never trust me again, nor would he ever pass up such a legitimate opportunity to punish me.

As long as the bond remained, he could keep his hold on me without saying a word.

The thought made my chest ache. He intended to consume my entire life, little by little, never granting me freedom-only reminding me that I was still his.

"A. Are you okay?"

I snapped back to reality and hurriedly thanked the officer before I left. When I stepped outside, the rain had already poured down.

It soaked my coat within seconds, but I didn't move.

Or rather, I couldn't move at all-none of this was up to me.