Chapter 2

Lyra's POV

My heart dropped into my stomach.

That voice... Six years, and I'd never forgotten it.

Seraphina and I both froze, turning toward the entrance. A massive figure stormed into the hall—even after six years, I'd never mistake that face.

Marcus. My bastard ex-boyfriend.

"Marcus! MARCUS!" Seraphina immediately started wailing. "She attacked me! This crazy bitch just went psycho for no reason!"

I watched Marcus stride toward us, four bear clan guards in black uniforms trailing behind. Six years had made him bigger, more imposing. Success looked good on him—expensive furs screaming status and power.

But those eyes? Still cold as ice, just like when he dumped me.

"Separate them NOW!" Marcus barked.

The guards moved in fast, roughly yanking Seraphina and me apart. Two of them grabbed me, twisting my arms behind my back until I couldn't move.

Marcus helped Seraphina to her feet, checking the red marks on her face. "You okay, baby?"

"I'm fine, but Marcus, you HAVE to do something about her!" Seraphina pointed at me like I was diseased. "This fucking warrior is completely insane! And she's trying to steal OUR wedding dress!"

That's when Marcus finally looked at me. When our eyes met, I saw anger first, then shock, then something else—something complicated.

"Lyra? What the hell are you doing here?"

Six years ago, Marcus and I were lovers at the warrior academy. After graduation, he needed serious startup cash for his business, and I was just a broke new warrior. So I sold my grandfather's precious combat medals and gave him every penny I had. The asshole dumped me without a second thought and ran to some snake clan princess willing to bankroll him.

"It's a free country. I can go wherever the hell I want," I said flatly.

Marcus studied me. "You've... changed."

Yeah, I'd changed. The naive girl who'd do anything for love died six years ago.

"People change, Marcus." I paused, letting sarcasm drip into my voice. "Especially when someone they trusted screws them over."

Seraphina picked up on the tension between us immediately, her snake eyes narrowing dangerously. "Marcus, how exactly do you know this worthless bitch?"

"We used to... know each other." Marcus's voice went stiff.

Used to know each other? That's how he was gonna sum up four fucking years together?

"Lyra." Marcus switched to his business voice. "I don't know why you and Seraphina got into it, but you need to leave. Now. I'll cover whatever this costs."

"Think you can just throw money at this?" I laughed bitterly.

"Money talks louder than anything else." Marcus pulled out his checkbook. "What's it gonna cost me? I'll pay double."

The crowd gasped. Double? This designer dress was worth at least a hundred thousand gold coins!

But I shook my head. "No."

Marcus's face darkened. "Triple."

"No."

"FIVE TIMES!" His voice turned razor-sharp. "Lyra, don't fucking try me."

Hearing those words brought it all back. Six years ago, that night in the rain when he lost his shit on me: "Lyra, don't fucking try me! You're just some nobody warrior. I need a woman who can actually help me succeed, not dead weight like you!"

"Marcus, you haven't changed one bit." I stared him down, mockery dripping from every word. "Still think your dirty money can buy everything—including people's dignity."

"Six years ago?" Seraphina shrieked. "Marcus, what the FUCK is your history with this cunt?"

Marcus's expression went arctic. "Old news. Lyra, last chance—you giving up this goddamn dress or not?"

"Hell no."

"Fine." Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. "You wanna do this the hard way? Have it your way then."

He turned to his guards. "Get this bitch on her knees."