CHAPTER 2 ( Ariana's Return )

The folded paper lay abandoned on the cold marble floor, its foreboding warning reverberating in Lyra's head. The laughing and music from the Blood Moon Gala faded into the background as she gazed out into the darkness.

Her determination had strengthened, but so had her terror. Who was this mysterious individual, and what secret did they claim to know?

Before she could continue, the rustle of footsteps frightened her. She whirled quickly, her golden eyes sharpening. The person standing at the doorway wasn't Jasper, but Ariana.

"Fancy meeting you here, Lyra." Ariana's voice was condescending as she came onto the balcony, the moonlight capturing the glimmer of her sapphire earrings.

Lyra's jaws constricted. "What do you want, Ariana?"

Ariana cocked her head, her crimson lips curled into a mocking smirk. "To speak, of course. After all, both of us care about Jasper. "Don't we?"

Lyra scoffed. "Is that what you are telling yourself? Do you care? Because all I see is someone attempting to break him apart for personal benefit."

Ariana's expression clouded. "Be careful, Lyra. Jasper's feelings for you may have obscured his perception of your weaknesses, but they do not blind me. You are not as innocent as you claim to be."

Lyra's breath tightened. The strange letter came over her thoughts. "Protect your truth".

"What are you insinuating?" Lyra inquired, her voice firm despite the trembling in her palms.

Ariana took another step closer, her blue gaze focusing on Lyra's. "Do you believe you deserve him?" You can run this empire with him, despite your past?"

Lyra's heart hammered. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't I?" Ariana's smile intensified as she leaned forward, her words becoming a whisper. "The moon shows everything, Lyra. How long do you think it will take Jasper to see the real you?

Lyra's rage rose, but before she could respond, Jasper stood at the doorway. His green gaze darted between the two ladies, mistrust wrinkling his brow. "What's going on here?"

Ariana was the first to recover, and her manner changed to one of pretended worry. "I just checked on Lyra. "She seemed upset after your talk."

Lyra scowled at Ariana, choosing her words carefully. "Ariana and I were discussing the future. "That is all."

Jasper's eyes rested on Lyra, his face opaque. "We don't have time for petty arguments tonight." The Silverclaw representatives have asked for both of you. They want to know that our pack is cohesive."

Lyra stiffened. Of course, Ariana would participate in such debates. It was another reminder of how the lady had worked her way back into Jasper's life.

"Then let's not keep them waiting," Ariana remarked calmly, connecting her arm with Jasper's as they turned to depart.

Lyra followed a step behind, her thoughts whirling. As they reentered the big hall, the audience's attention was drawn to them, and the tension between the three was evident.

The meeting with the Silverclaw delegation was quick but heated. Lyra hardly noticed the discourse, her attention split between Jasper's chilly disinterest and Ariana's smug looks.

When the meeting was over, Lyra excused herself, unable to take the weight of the evening any longer.

She withdrew to the estate's calmer hallways, seeking comfort in the shadows. However, her isolation was short-lived.

"Leaving so soon?"

The voice halted her in her tracks. She turned to see Jasper leaning against the wall, his face inscrutable.

"What do you want, Jasper?" she said, tiredness creeping into her voice.

He pushed off the wall and moved closer. "We need to talk."

"We've already talked," Lyra snapped. "You made yourself clear."

Jasper's jaws constricted. "You are my Luna, Lyra. "That has not changed."

Lyra laughed angrily. "Oh?" Because it seems like Ariana is doing all she can to steal my position. "And you're letting her."

His silence was devastating. Lyra shook her head, and her voice broke. "Jasper, I fought for you." For us. But you've already made your decision, right?

Before he could react, a ruckus erupted in the big hall. The sound of screams and smashing glass sent shivers down Lyra's spine.

"What's going on?" She demanded.

Jasper's eyes darkened. "Stay here."

"No," Lyra said firmly. "I'm coming with you."

When they returned to the big hall, they saw it was in pandemonium. A gang of disguised attackers had burst past the estate's fortifications, drawing their firearms and confronting the pack's guardians.

Guests shrieked and fled as the invaders advanced with precision, their aim clearly seen.

"Protect the Alpha!" someone cried, as Jasper sprung into action.

Lyra's pulse raced as she examined the room, her senses telling her that something was wrong. These were not random assailants; they had a purpose.

Amidst the pandemonium, she saw Ariana, who was standing at the edge of the melee with an uncharacteristically serene look. Too calm.

"Ariana!" Lyra shouted out, approaching her.

Ariana turned, her lips twisting into a grin that sent shivers down Lyra's back. "Be cautious, Lyra. "This is not the place for someone as delicate as you."

"What did you do?" Lyra demanded, her voice low and angry.

Ariana smiled wider. Oh, Lyra. You were always eager to blame me. But this? This isn't my doing."

"Then why aren't you afraid?" Lyra fired back.

Before Ariana could react, one of the invaders saw them. He lifted his firearm and aimed right at Lyra.

Time appeared to slow down as the attacker squeezed the gun. But before the pistol was released, Ariana moved Lyra away, and the shot grazed her arm instead.

Lyra watched in astonishment as Ariana staggered and clutched her injured arm. "What are you doing?" she said, her voice shaking.

Ariana grinned despite the discomfort. "Saving you. Don't read too much into that.

The invaders were finally defeated, but the harm had been done. As the invaders were hauled away, their commander said something that caused a ripple throughout the room:

"This is just the beginning!" The moon's treason must not go unpunished!"

Lyra's blood became chilly. Is the moon betraying us? The sentence recalled the warning from the letter she had received.

As the room became silent, Jasper approached, his attention shifting between Lyra and Ariana. "Are you both alright?"

"I'm fine," Ariana said, shrugging off his anxiety. "Just a scratch."

Lyra opened her lips to answer but paused when she spotted a small glimmer of silver under Ariana's ripped sleeve. It was short but distinct—a sliver of a crescent moon tattoo, similar to the one Lyra had on her wrist.

Her heart beat as awareness dawned. Ariana wasn't only vying for Jasper's attention. She was something more. Something harmful.

Lyra focused on Ariana, her thoughts

racing with questions. But one idea stood out above the others: "What does she know about the moon's betrayal?”

To be continued…