Lyra's gaze fell on the repaired bracelet. Then it drifted slowly to Fenris's face—to the mask of false concern he wore. A bitter, broken smile twisted her lips, tugging at her wounds until her whole body trembled with pain. "Fenris. Do you remember what you used to say? That you'd protect me forever. That you'd never let anything hurt me."
Something dimmed in Fenris's eyes, as if the words had stirred some distant memory. His lips parted, like he wanted to say something.
But before he could speak, Lyra suddenly sat bolt upright. She gathered every ounce of strength left in her body and slapped him across the face with everything she had. The sound cracked through the quiet room like a gunshot.
"Get out!" The scream tore from her throat, raw with devastation and despair. "The biggest regret of my entire life is meeting you. Being your Intended Mate!"
Fenris froze where he sat, stunned. His cheek burned. Confusion clouded his eyes. He stayed motionless for several seconds, then something seemed to click into place. His expression smoothed out, and when he spoke again, his voice carried a note of weary resignation: "I know you're angry right now. Your emotions are running high. The healer said you need rest. Calm down first. I'll come see you in a few days."
He stood and turned to leave. At the door, he paused. Looked back at her. His tone was light, almost casual—but threaded with something cold beneath, a hint of Alpha dominance seeping through. "Oh, and that thing you just said? I don't want to hear it again. If I do... I might start to believe you mean it."
He walked out without another glance, pulling the door shut behind him.
Silence flooded the room. Lyra collapsed back onto the bed, clutching the blanket to her chest. The sobs she'd been holding back finally broke free—wrenching, devastating, yet muffled because she didn't dare cry too loud, afraid of tearing her wounds open again. Tears soaked into the pillowcase, mixing with the blood that hadn't dried, bitter and hopeless.
Seven days passed before Lyra encountered Fenris again in the healer's den. Perhaps sensing that his favoritism had been too blatant, he'd made a point of bringing Selene with him, claiming he wanted her to offer a proper apology.