Chapter 2

As Lyra descended the grand staircase, murmurs echoed through the hall.

Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Rhys, carrying an unconscious woman in his strong arms.

But it wasn’t just any woman that captivated her attention.

It was her striking red hair that immediately drew her gaze.

And when those emerald eyes fluttered open, a shiver raced down Lyra ’s spine, freezing her in her tracks.

The resemblance between them was uncanny, mirroring each other in an eerie way.

Lyra ’s heart quickened with fear, for she knew the ancient prophecy had foretold that a she-wolf with red hair and emerald eyes would bring immeasurable wealth and power to the Incarnadine pack.

“R-Rhys,” Lyra stammered as she continued her hesitant steps toward him.

She tried to ignore the growing buzz of conversation among the guests, their whispers filling the hall.

“Who is she?”

Rhys met her gaze, his eyes devoid of emotion, before shifting his attention to the woman in his arms.

Slowly, he placed her gently on her feet now that she was conscious.

“Are you alright? How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice tender and sweet.

It was a voice Lyra had always cherished, a voice reserved only for her.

Hearing it directed at someone else sent a pang of jealousy coursing through her veins. It was unbearable, to say the least.

“Y-yes, I-I apologize for fainting like that. I’m fine now,” the woman replied, her voice tinted with embarrassment as she straightened her white dress. A rosy flush colored her cheeks.

“Rhys, who is she?” Lyra repeated her question, though she already had her suspicions.

Rhys sighed, understanding that she had a right to know.

“Her name is Anya. She’s the daughter of a beta from the silver pack. She’s my mate, the real destined in the prophecy,” the words spilled from his lips, causing Lyra to audibly gasp.

Her eyes widened, her hand clutching at the side of her dress.

The murmurs in the hall grew louder, with whispers floating through the air, questioning the authenticity of the claim.

After all, the Incarnadine pack’s prophecy was known far and wide.

And surely, there could only be one who would fulfill it.

“W-what do you mean she’s the real destined in the prophecy?” Her face turned pale as she stared at the woman before her, her mind racing with disbelief.

“What about me?”

“She’s my fated mate, Lyra. You both have red hair and green eyes, but only one of you can fulfill the prophecy, and it’s clear that it would be Anya.” His words hung in the air, a heavy truth that Lyra struggled to comprehend.

As she watched the two of them, they exchanged a glance filled with an affection that seemed to stretch far beyond their years.

It was as if they had shared a lifetime of memories, and it made Lyra feel like an outsider in her own story.

She had been by Rhys’s side since they were ten years old, their love blossoming at their coming-of-age when they both failed to find their mates.

Now, at twenty-two, they were engaged, their connection seemingly unbreakable.

But at this moment, Lyra couldn’t help but feel like the odd one out.

She clutched the fabric of her dress, a lump forming in her throat, but she forced herself to push her emotions down.

“Then what happens now? You wouldn’t break your promise, would you?” Her voice was small, filled with a tinge of fear.

She was scared that everything she had done to become the perfect Luna for Rhys in the future would be in vain.

Scared that she would lose everything she held dear now that someone else, someone who could potentially hold the key to the prophecy, had arrived.

“I can’t reject her,” he admitted, letting out a deep sigh.

“This engagement needs to be called off. Anya will be the future Luna of our pack.”

Lyra ’s heart sank, but she masked her pain with a brave face.

She had always known the power of destiny, but witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall.

Luna Viola had strictly taught her that a true Luna shouldn’t cry so easily.

No, she would never show any vulnerability to others; she always presented herself as strong.

In the pack,she was known for her resilience and that’s what made everyone believe she would make a great Luna someday.

“Very well,” she stated, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure.

She knew her place, after all. She’s just an orphan, protesting would be futile.

What could she even possibly do? It was dumb of her to believe that Rhys would reject his mate for her, especially since his mate also has red hair and green eyes like what the prophecy foretold.

“If you want to end this engagement, then I won’t stand in your way.”

Since that fateful night, everything had changed.

The once adored Lyra became the target of ridicule and abuse, and it cut deep.

She had experienced far worse when she was passed from pack to pack, but the emotional pain inflicted by those she considered family hurt far more than any physical wound.

Yet, despite the agony, she chose to stay.

She believed it was better than being exiled.

“Good afternoon, Alpha and Luna,” Lyra greeted as she ran into them while on her way to the backyard to do the laundry.

The couple stopped and regarded her, their eyes devoid of sympathy, which pierced her heart.

She had treated them as her own parents, and now she was nothing more than an outsider to them.

It felt unjust.

They were the ones who claimed her as the key to the prophecy, yet they treated her as if she had deceived them.

“The servant’s uniform suits you well,” Luna Viola said, causing Lyra to purse her lips in frustration.

It had been weeks since she had been reduced to the role of a maid, stripped of her status as the future Luna.

It was humiliating, but everyone in the pack seemed to believe it was fitting for an orphan like her.

As much as she didn’t want to accept it, it became clear that the pack had only adored her because they thought she would bring power and wealth.

Now that it was evident she wouldn’t, they revealed their true colors and their disdain for an orphan like her.

No one was on her side, not even Rhys or her best friend,bLorena.

“Oh, right. Rhys wants to speak with you. Go and meet him in his study,” Alpha Aiden added dismissively, glancing at Lyra ’s shoulder before looking away.

Without another word, they passed by her, leaving Lyra to release a deep sigh before making her way to Rhys's study.

As she reached the room, her heart began to race, the sound of giggles and moans filling her ears. She took a deep breath, bit her lip, and closed her eyes before mustering the courage to knock.

“It’s me, Rhys,” she announced, her voice shaky.

“Come in,” he replied, and she hesitantly entered the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, her gaze fell upon Rhys sitting behind his desk with Anya perched on his lap.

It stung, of course, it did, but their lack of a mating bond lessened the blow.

“Alpha said you wanted to talk to me,” Lyra said, her eyes fixed on Rhys, determined not to let her emotions show.

“That’s right. I’ll be attending the Alpha King’s banquet in two months, and Anya will be coming with me. She needs a maid to look after her, so come with us,” Rhys ordered.

Lyra remained silent for a moment, trying to process what he had just asked of her. She had already come to terms with the fact that their relationship was over, that the years they spent together were a sham.

But for him to ask her to be his mate’s personal maid?

It was a cruel blow.

“Anya wanted you to be her personal maid. She felt bad about everything and thought that being the future Luna’s servant would be better than any other position,” Rhys added, and Lyra almost scoffed, but she managed to keep herself composed.

She knew that those who had betrayed her would face their karma soon enough, and that was the only reason she was putting up with the ridiculous treatment she was receiving.

“Alright,” she nodded, causing Rhys to frown.

He was growing annoyed by how she simply accepted everything without complaint.

Even the night he brought Anya to the pack house, Lyra didn’t hesitate to accept the end of their engagement.

She always maintained her composure, and it only fueled his desire to see her crumble.

“I’m really sorry for suddenly showing up and taking your place like this. I know you hate me, but please understand that it was the Moon Goddess’ decision, and I don’t have anything against you. Can we be at least friends?”

Anya asked, her smile sugary sweet.

But Lyra knew better, and she wasn’t about to let Anya have the satisfaction of ridiculing her heart like everyone else had done.

“Of course,” Lyra smiled, irritating Anya in the process.

She felt as though Lyra didn’t see her as a threat or competition at all.

Rhys, too, had noticed the same, which prompted him to cup Anya’s cheek and press his lips to hers in front of Lyra.

She quickly averted her gaze, clenching her fists.

“You’re so kind, Anya. I’m really glad you’re my mate and the future Luna. You don’t know how grateful I am to meet you before I married a fake.” he said, pulling away from the kiss and locking eyes with Lyra , who was seething.

He smirked and caressed Anya’s back while his eyes were on Lyra .

“You can leave now.”

Lyra was about to leave but Rhys spoke again.

“Also.” he said, “You ought to address me properly, a lowly servant like you can’t call me by name anymore.”

“Yes, young master.” Lyra simply bowed and left the study obediently.

As soon as the door closed, she looked up at the high ceiling of the corridor, fighting the urge to scream at the top of her lungs.

Instead, she clenched her fists, doing her best to conceal her anger and pain.

“Hey, fake,” a maid called out, and Lyra turned her head to see a couple of maids approaching her.

“Why are you lingering around the future Alpha’s study? Don’t you have any shame? Do you honestly think a fake like you can still be the future Luna of this pack?”

The maids burst into giggles, but Lyra remained stoic until a sharp slap landed on her cheek, making her jump in surprise.

She instinctively touched her stinging cheek and glanced at the maid, who wore a wide, satisfied smile.

“Cat got your tongue?” the maid taunted.

Lyra let out a sigh, running her fingers through her hair.

She closed her eyes, attempting to calm her rage.

But it was proving difficult, especially with her feisty wolf, Stella, urging her to fight back. And so, she did.

She raised her hand and slapped the maid in return, leaving the others gasping in disbelief.

“W-what do you think you’re doing?” one of them stammered, unable to comprehend how Lyra could ever raise a hand against someone.

“Are you blind? I slapped her back. Do you want a slap too?” Lyra raised an eyebrow, and the maids couldn’t help but fall silent.

They found it peculiar. Lyra was no longer the future Luna,just a maid like them, an orphan with an unknown background.

But for some inexplicable reason, she still possessed an air of power that made them think twice about crossing her again.