Astra's POV
Astra crumpled the note from Damon and tossed it into the flames. The paper burned quickly, turning to ash. She couldn't think about that now. She had to decide what to do about the message.
Pacing back and forth in her new room, Astra tried to make sense of everything. Her sister was living. Damon had betrayed her. And Alaric—her mate—hated her.
"I can't stay here," she mumbled to herself.
She tried the door, expecting it to be locked, but it opened easily. No guards stood outside. Were they really letting her roam free?
Astra slipped into the dark hallway. The castle was quiet except for the odd howl from outside. Most of the pack must be asleep by now.
Determined to find a way out, Astra crept down the hall. She needed to think, to make a plan. Should she meet Damon at midnight tomorrow? Or was it another trap?
As she turned a corner, sounds drifted from a room ahead. One was deep and angry—Alaric. The other was a woman's voice, high and upset.
"—don't care what the mark says!" the woman shouted. "I've been by your side for five years! I should be your Luna!"
Astra stopped, pushing herself against the wall. She recognized that voice—Selene, the beautiful redhead who had challenged her in the great hall.
"The Goddess has decided," Alaric said, his voice cold. "There's nothing either of us can do about it."
"So you're just going to accept some dirty rogue as your mate?" Selene's voice dripped with hate. "After everything we've been through?"
Astra's heart beat. She shouldn't be listening, but she couldn't make herself move.
"I have no choice," Alaric said. "The pack rules are clear. She bears my mark."
"And what about us?" Selene's speech softened, becoming almost a purr. "What about our plans?"
There was a long pause. Astra held her breath.
"Nothing has changed," Alaric finally said, so quietly Astra barely heard him. "She means nothing to me. She's just a tool we need."
A tool? Astra's face burned with shame and anger. She'd known Alaric didn't want her, but hearing him say it hurt more than she'd expected.
"And what about the prophecy?" Selene asked. "Now that both sisters are found—"
"Lyra is handling that," Alaric cut her off. "Once she has what we need from Astra, the problem will solve itself."
Astra's blood ran cold. What did he mean by that? Was he going to help Lyra kill her?
"I still don't understand why you didn't just kill her when you had the chance," Selene said.
"We need her alive until the Blood Moon," Alaric answered. "After that, she's no longer necessary."
Astra backed away slowly, her mind rushing. The Blood Moon was only three days away. Whatever they were planning, she didn't have much time.
As she turned to leave, her foot hit something. A small table wobbled, sending a vase crashing to the floor.
"Who's there?" Alaric roared.
Astra ran. She didn't care about being quiet now. All that mattered was getting away before they caught her.
Footsteps pounded behind her. "Stop her!" Alaric shouted.
Astra darted down a side hallway, then another. She had no idea where she was going, but she needed to hide.
A hand grabbed her arm, yanking her into a dark room. Astra opened her mouth to scream, but another hand covered it.
"Shhh!" a voice whispered. "It's me, Kael."
Astra stopped fighting. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Kael's friendly face.
"What are you doing?" she whispered when he removed his hand.
"Saving you," he said. "If Alaric catches you spying, he'll lock you up again."
They heard footsteps rumbling past their hiding place. Astra held her breath until the sound faded.
"How did you know I was in trouble?" she asked.
"I've been watching you," Kael admitted. "I saw you leave your room and followed to make sure you were safe."
Astra studied his face, trying to decide if she could trust him. After Damon and Lyra, she wasn't sure she could trust anyone.
"Why would you help me?" she asked. "Everyone else in this pack hates me."
Kael's eyes were serious in the darkness. "Not everyone. Some of us know the truth about Alaric."
"What truth?"
"That he's not the true Alpha of this pack. He stole the job after he killed the previous Alpha."
Astra's mouth dropped open. "He killed the Alpha?"
Kael nodded. "He and Lyra planned it together, years ago. But they needed you to finish the prophecy."
"What prophecy?" Astra asked, irritated that everyone kept mentioning it without explaining.
"The prophecy of the Moon Sisters," Kael said. "One sister of light, one of darkness. Together, they have the power to control all werewolves. That's why Alaric kept Lyra hidden while he looked for you."
"But why would they need me if they already had Lyra?"
"The prophecy says both sisters must be present at the Blood Moon rite. That's when the power can be taken." Kael looked at her mate mark. "But only one sister can survive the ritual."
Astra's mind raced. If what Kael said was true, then Lyra and Alaric planned to kill her in three days. That's why Damon had warned her.
"I need to get out of here," she said.
"I can help you," Kael offered. "But not tonight. The full moon is tomorrow, and all the dogs will be restless. They'll catch your smell for sure."
"Then when?"
"After the pack run tomorrow night. Everyone will be tired. That's our best chance."
Astra nodded slowly. It made sense. But could she trust Kael?
"Why are you helping me?" she asked again.
Kael's eyes softened. "Because you're not the only one Alaric has hurt. He killed my father."
Something in his voice made Astra believe him. She reached out and squeezed his hand.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Now you should go back to your room," Kael said. "They'll be looking for you there soon."
Following Kael's directions, Astra made it back to her room without being caught. She slipped inside just as she heard footsteps approaching.
Her door burst open. Alaric stood there, his eyes burning with anger.
"Where were you?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep," Astra said, trying to sound calm. "I was just looking for the kitchen."
Alaric's eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, smelling the air around her.
"You smell like Kael," he growled.
Astra's heart skipped a beat. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't lie to me." Alaric grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. "What did he tell you?"
"Nothing! I haven't seen anyone!"
Alaric studied her face, his blue eyes cold as ice. "Tomorrow night is the full moon. All wolves must join the pack run. Even you."
"I'm not part of your pack," Astra said.
"You are my Luna," Alaric said, his words dangerous. "And you will do as I say."
He freed her arm and walked to the door, but turned back before leaving.
"One more thing. Stay away from Kael. He's not what he seems."
The door slammed behind him. Astra rubbed her arm where he had grabbed her. What did Alaric mean about Kael? Was he warning her, or threatening her?
She went to the window and looked out at the moon, almost full now. Tomorrow night, the pack would run together under its light. And after that, Kael would help her flee.
But as she turned away from the window, Astra noticed something that made her blood freeze. On her pillow lay a single red rose, with a note attached.
With shaking hands, she picked up the note and read: "I know what you heard. Don't trust Kael. He's Lyra's son."
The note wasn't signed, but Astra knew exactly who it was from. Selene.
Astra looked from the note to the rose, her mind spinning. Lyra's son? How was that possible? And why hadn't Kael told her?
Just when she thought she knew who to trust, everything changed again. And the Blood Moon was coming.