15
Over the next few days, we worked out every detail. If Celeste wanted to take my place, she’d have to face me head–on.
The day of the wedding arrived faster than I expected. As I stood in front of the mirror, pulling my hood up to hide my face, I took a deep breath.
“This is it,” I whispered.
Zephyr placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You’re not alone, Lyra.”
The moment I stepped into the grand hall, I felt every eye snap toward me. Zephyr was by my side, his presence steadying me, even as the weight of what I was about to do threatened to crush me.
The wedding was in full swing. Xavier stood at the altar, looking every bit the smug alpha in his tailored suit. And there she was–me. Or at least, my body Celeste wore a flowing white gown, her lips curved in a victorious smirk as
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Banished and Betrayed, But She Walked Again–And Rejected Him
if she’d already won.
“Stop the ceremony!” I shouted, my voice ringing out loud and clear.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Celeste’s smirk faltered, but only for a moment. Then she plastered on a fake,
confused smile.
“What is the meaning of this?” she asked sweetly, playing the role to perfection.
I threw back my hood, revealing my face. “Don’t play dumb, Celeste. You know exactly who I am.”
The crowd erupted in murmurs, confusion spreading like wildfire.
“Look at her!” I pointed at my own body standing by the altar. “That’s not me. That’s my sister, Celeste. She stole
my body and my power!”
Laughter broke out from some of the pack members. “She’s lost it,” someone muttered.
“Desperate and jealous,” another chimed in.
Celeste’s lips curved back into a smile, but I could see the tension in her eyes. “I don’t know what game you’re
playing, but everyone here knows I’m Lyra. You’re just some crazy bitch!”
“Really?” I challenged. “If you’re me, then use the healing power.”
Her confidence flickered, but she quickly masked it. “Gladly.”
The crowd watched as she approached a warrior with a fresh gash on his arm. Celeste raised her hand over the
wound, her face contorted in concentration.
Nothing happened.
She tried again, sweat beading on her forehead, but the gash remained. Whispers filled the room as doubt crept into the pack’s minds.
“See?” I said, stepping forward. “The healing power doesn’t work because it’s not hers. My body may have been stolen, but the soul is the key. The power only obeys me.”
Celeste’s expression twisted into fury. “Lies! You’re just trying to ruin my happiness!”
Before she could say more, Xavier stepped forward, his face calm, almost bored. “Enough.”
I froze, his sudden calm unnerving me. “Xavier, you know the truth. Stop this madness.”
He smiled, and it sent chills down my spine. “Of course I know. I’ve known all along.”
The room fell silent.
“What?” Celeste and I said in unison.
Xavier shrugged, stepping closer. “Do you think I care which one of you is in that body? All I want is that damn renewal power. I want it badly.”
My blood ran cold.
“The mate bond,” he continued smoothly. “It’s the perfect conduit. Once you’re mine again–whether it’s you, Lyra, or your sister–it won’t matter. I’ll transfer the power to myself. Make myself invincible.”
“You’re insane,” I spat, my hands trembling with rage.
Celeste’s face twisted in horror. “You- You used me?”
Xavier turned to her, his expression cold. “Don’t act so surprised. You thought you were playing me, but I’ve been ten steps ahead of you this whole time.”
Celeste snapped, lunging at him. “You bastard!”
Her facade crumbled in front of everyone, her true nature spilling out in a torrent of fury. “I did everything for you!
I stole her body, her power, everything–for you!”
The crowd gasped, their disbelief turning to disgust.
“You’re nothing but a greedy, selfish fraud!” Celeste screamed, her voice breaking.
“And you’re pathetic,” Xavier shot back, his voice low and menacing. “You think I didn’t find out that the heir you
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Banished and Betrayed. But She Walked Again–And Rejected Him
aborted wasn’t even mine? Fucking whore!”
It was chaos, but amidst the shouting and accusations, I found my strength. This was my moment. “Enough!” I roared, my voice laced with power. “This ends now.”
The air exploded with chaos. Xavier’s pack charged, their growls filling the hall like a storm, but before they could reach us, Zephyr’s hidden warriors burst through the doors.
Zephyr’s roar cut through the noise, commanding his fighters with precision. “Protect Lyra at all costs!”
I barely had time to process before a wolf lunged at me. Zephyr was faster, his massive form colliding with the attacker, sending them crashing into a pillar. He turned to me, his eyes blazing. “Stay close to me!”
But I couldn’t just hide. Not this time.
I dodged another wolf, my heart pounding as I focused on the chaotic battlefield. Then I saw her–Celeste, in my body, standing on the altar with that smug grin, her hands glowing faintly. She was using my power, but it wasn’t right. It was wild, unstable.
She lifted her hand, and a shockwave blasted outward, throwing wolves to the ground. The glow flickered erratically, her control slipping.
“Celeste, stop!” I shouted, but she just laughed.
“Why? This is exactly what you wanted, isn’t it?” she sneered. “To see me fail? Well, guess what, Lyra? I don’t care anymore. If I go down, I’m taking everyone with me!”
Her hands glowed brighter, and the energy pulsed dangerously.
I felt a wave of panic. If she kept this up, she could hurt everyone–including herself.
Meanwhile, Xavier was cutting through the chaos, his eyes locked on me like a predator stalking prey. He wasn’t even fighting anyone else. His focus was solely on me.
“Lyra!”
He lunged at me, his hand reaching for my throat, but before he could touch me, Zephyr intercepted him. They collided like two storms, the impact shaking the ground.
“Stay away from her!” Zephyr roared, slamming Xavier into the ground.
