Chapter Two: Weak and Fragile

The atmosphere of the ceremony became quiet as his words vibrated in the air, his aura frigid and final, making the pack be in an era of pin drop silence.

Lyra heart and world crumbled at each syllable of his words. His words were too piercing, it was as if she's been stabbed right in the chest mercilessly and unforgiving, her mind was blank, she couldn't process what was happening. She winced silently in pain.

The next words that he said ruined everything, her daydreams, her hopes, and liberty.

“You're an Omega, weak and fragile, you're a slave, good for nothing.” Kael said, his words cold and final.

“I need a strong Luna to stand by my side not a flimsy one, this pack needs strength, not weakness.” Kael continued.

Lyra felt her heart had broken beyond repair, she wanted to escape, but her body was fixed, she couldn't move, she felt like the ground should open and swallow her, it was really humiliating.

“Do you all agree with me?” He asked, killing every epitome of kindness in his words.

Lyra was expecting someone to refute, someone to stand up for her, but no one did, they all agreed to his words.

“Yes, Alpha, you're completely right, she can't be our Luna.”

“I agree, she can't fight in times of war.”

“It will be a shame to our reputation, if we make a slave our Luna.”

“Since the pack agree, I guess I'm not making a mistake rejecting Lyra.” Kael finalized.

It seemed like time stopped and every gasp, heartbeat, and motion made had paused. Lyra was captured by a moment of genuine rejection.

He walked away nonchalantly, never caring about her feelings, she was a nobody, a complete nullity.

The whole pack watched the scene, some with pity, many with disdain. Everything she hoped for we're shattered by only one sentence. The feeling of being rejected was painful, like been punched in the gut. Their whispers were so loud they were ear-piercing, she tried to cover her ears from the rumbling and noise, but she couldn't. Everything felt so real, yet she thought it was a dream.

“Why, Why did he reject me? How could the Moon Goddess mate me with someone so heartless and cruel.” She screamed these words out in her heart in agony. All her desires were washed away like it were thrown into the river.

Lyra hugged her knees, sobbing quietly, the weight of rejection weighed heavy like a brick on her shoulders.

No one stood up for her, no one cared. She was done for, her mate rejected her, the pack also did, “Why is my life revolving around rejections?” Lyra questioned.

She held herself tight walking away from the ceremony with disgrace and shame, each step she took was like moving barefooted on broken glass. The echoes of their whispers slicing her into two.

Though she was leaving, the whisper behind became very loud and piercing.

“Oh please, she didn't think as an Omega, she will become our Luna right?”

“Worthless, she's an Omega, she shouldn't think that high.”

“What a pity, rejected and lonely.”

“I apologize for Lyra's misbehavior, I'll discipline her soon after, so she'll never think so high again.” I hear Diana say to her friends.

“You need to make sure the pack guards whip her at least fifty strokes, she's so stupid, can't she see that I, Natasha, is the most suitable wolf for the Alpha.” Natasha said out loud, letting her words ring in Lyra's ears.

Their words were deep-rooted and suffocating. She couldn't believe her ears.

Finally, Lyra was able to leave the hall when she heard her name.

“Lyra.” she stiffened.

Her heart fluttered, her mind swirling, surging before the pain within jerked it down.

For a moment, she thought it was him, Kael. “He came back for me.” She said in heart. “Maybe he regretted his actions and wants me back.”

A flash of gladness filled her soul. With expectancy, she turned, only to find out its Liam, the Beta of the pack.

He didn't wear his usual smug look, instead he was carrying a poker face.

Lyra breathed heavily, clenching her fists out of disappointment.

“I guess you've come to mock me right” She asked, summoning all the courage she could gather.

He hesitated before speaking: “No, not at all, I just wanted to warn you.” he paused, breathing quickly. “Are you alright?”

A bitter laugh escaped her mouth. “Really, warn me or just to stab an open injury and I can't believe you're asking me that question.”

Liam rumpled his hair, glimpsing at those who were nearby. “It's best if you leave Lyra, this pack won't be safe for you anymore.” He advised his voice hush and calm.

“I mean, you won't be treated nicely anymore.” Liam said, sounding serious.

Anger boiling within Lyra, flaring the numbness in her heart.

“Treated nicely, uhh, I've never been treated nicely in this pack.” She glared. “My mate just rejected me, ripping me apart in the presence of everyone, of course I'm aware how vicious this pack is.” Lyra said, feeling a fresh pain of how humiliating the feeling of rejection was.

As Liam opened his mouth to respond, then another voice interrupted.

“Look who we have here, the rejected Omega, Lyra.”

Lyra froze due to shock.

Aaron. His ugly, domineering sneer made her blood hot. Just because he's the most respected warrior, made him have this stupid ego. “I hate him so much, he always feels like he's a god or something significant.” She thought.

“I can't believe you're still in this pack, Lyra.” He mocked, wearing his usual smirk. “I thought you should have run away with your tail in between your legs. Useless” Aaron mocked. I knew his presence was just a way to mock me.

The others joined in mockingly laughing.

“You're useless and pathetic, don't you have shame because if you did, you wouldn't be here roaming about like a spirit which lost its coffin.” Aaron abused, not minding his words.

“You have no rank, no mate, no future.” His smirk broadened. “You're nothing Lyra, no one likes you, you have no reason to be here.”

Rage slice through Lyra, extreme and merciless. She despised the fact that he was right. They already excluded her from the pack, but she refused to let them break her. She wouldn't shed tears in their presence, it will only give them more reasons to mock her.

Lyra raised her chin up, forcing the words from her mouth bravely. “Oh yeah, thanks for all the insults, I truly appreciate.”

Their Laughter seized. The pleasure in Aaron's eyes glared into something gloomy.

“You! This shabby thing, how dare you say that to me.”

“Shut up Aaron” Liam roared.

“She's still a member of this pack, mind your words.” Liam said, which was shockingly surprising.

“Just for now.” Aaron grumbled.