Chapter 3 THE MARRIED

~Nyra

"What?" I exclaimed, glaring at her in shock.

None of this made sense to me anymore.

"H–how?" I blinked multiple times at her. "You're a human and he's a werewolf. Not just any kind, but a Lycan-and the King, too."

She folded her arms and waited for me to finish ranting.

"You're not of the same status or species. He's not even in your league. Where did you even meet him? When did you fall in love? When did you get married?" I screamed.

Mother smiled. "I told you I still had charm, but you never believed me. I'm not that old, Nyra. I gave birth to you. I know my worth-even as a human. No man can resist me. Not even a Lycan King."

I parted my lips, baffled by the fact that she chose now, of all times, to brag.

"Mom, do you even realize what you're walking into? It means you're automatically his Luna, and that pulls you into his world of supernatural beings. Do you think the other werewolves here will welcome a human Luna?"

She sighed. "You worry too much. The werewolves here respect their king. They won't dare do anything that could anger me. And since we're in love, they'll accept me."

I scoffed at the word. "In love? Mom, I've never seen you interested in a man before. Sometimes I wonder how you even charmed my father-may his soul rest in peace."

She waved me off. "Believe what you want. It won't change the fact that I'm already married, and we're moving in with him immediately."

"We?" I shrieked.

"Shut up. Don't scream at your mother!" she snapped. "I'm doing this for us. How long do you plan on running from Eryndor? Aren't you tired of moving from place to place? We can't keep doing this forever. Eventually, they'll catch up to us."

I released a shaky breath, an involuntary shiver running down my spine. I was no longer just afraid of Eryndor- but also the triplets I'd encountered the night before.

"Mom, it's not safe here. I didn't escape those vampires on my own. Some werewolves showed up-and they wanted to claim me." I paused, giving her the most terrified look I could muster. "I've never been so scared in my life. They were worse than Eryndor, and they promised they'd come back for me."

Mother clenched her jaw before sighing-something we both did when we were overwhelmed.

"The fact that they let you go means they don't intend to hurt you... Besides, once we move in with Reid, he'll make sure no one lays a hand on you. He's ready to accept you as his daughter, Nyra."

I swallowed hard. "But Mom, we don't know what we're walking into. You're tying us to Blood Hollow with this marriage. Once we move in, there's no going back."

"Don't you want to feel protected for once? Don't you want to sleep peacefully at night?" she pressed.

"I'm scared, Mom. I don't want to be trapped again..."

She hugged me then. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the protection you deserved as a child. But I promise this is the best path for us. Reid will protect us from Eryndor. We can finally stop running."

In the end, I gave in. I had to go with the flow and let her handle things this time.

By evening, a luxurious black car came to pick us up.

Cars were almost extinct now, and only the elite had access to them. Never in my life did I think I'd ride in one-until now.

"I told you things would get better, didn't I?" Mom said, wiggling her brows.

A man stepped out and bowed. "I am Kelvin. I will be your driver to the Thornevale Estate. Please, allow me to carry your luggage."

For the first time in my life, a man of higher status was speaking to me with respect. It felt like a dream.

"Mom, pinch me."

"You're not dreaming, Nyra. It's real." She smiled at Kelvin. "Our luggage is over there."

She pointed to the door where we had stacked everything. He nodded and lifted them two at a time.

I blinked as he loaded our bags and opened the car door.

It wasn't until we started driving that everything truly hit me. I began trembling-a strange mix of fear, nerves, and excitement swirling inside me.

I stayed silent the entire ride, gasping only when Thornevale Estate came into view. My breath caught. My nerves spiked.

"We're here," Mom whispered as the enormous mansion emerged from the trees.

It sat on vast land, surrounded by beautiful landscape-and yet, it gave off an unsettling feeling. I couldn't shake the sense of dread.

Kelvin parked in front of the grand entrance, where a tall man stood flanked by maids and guards.

"Reid!" Mom called as we stepped out.

"Lyora, my beloved. I almost thought you wouldn't come," he said, his voice heavy with authority.

"Why would I stay away from you? You're my husband now. You're stuck with me," she giggled.

Reid turned to me. "You must be Nyra. I've heard a lot about you from your mother. You're just as beautiful as she said."

He took my hand and kissed the back of my palm. "It's an honor to have you as a daughter."

I widened my eyes. Mom wasn't lying-he was really ready to accept me.

"Nyra, meet my sons- Sylver, Cassian, and Rylan," he said, stepping aside. "Boys, come out and welcome your new sister."

My breath caught in my throat. My mother had forgotten to mention one very important detail.

He had children.

And those "children"...

Were the exact triplets I'd run into last night.

"What a small world..." the green-eyed one whispered.

My blood ran cold. My mind blanked out. The world tilted beneath me.

I had walked right into the hands of the monsters I thought I'd escaped.

"Nyra? Are you okay?" Mom's voice came from somewhere distant.

My legs gave out beneath me. I started to fall-

And just before darkness claimed me, I felt warm arms catch me.

The last thing I saw were glowing green eyes.

And the last thing I heard-

"Welcome into my territory, sister..."