Bride to the ruthless Alpha

Lyra’s POV

I scrambled, trying to get everything ready for breakfast. The time was 7:50 Am, everyone must be seated by now.

Today is the day, it’s going to be the happiest day of my entire life!! I squeaked a little as I softly twirled .

“Shit! Where did I drop her flowers?”

I searched each and every corner of the kitchen, but still I couldn’t find the flowers. “I’m certain I dropped them here.” I touched the empty counter, wondering where the flowers were because I had no recollection of taking them out.

I checked the time and it was 8:00 Am already.

“Shit!” I ran out of the kitchen, in search of them. 

It will cost me a whole lot if I don’t find them now.

I ran as though I was being chased.

After some minutes of aggressive searching, I found the flowers. They were scattered on a mini desk in the hallway upstairs. …… weird.

I hurried back to serve her meal quickly as I hummed a small tune that has been stucked in my head as long as I could remember. A few of the maids, and workers looked at me like I had grown two heads, and gossiped as usual but I didn’t care.

I took in a deep breathe, then exhaled. I won't let their negativity get to me today. It's going to be the happiest day of my life, and that all I need to focus on. No one would ruin it for me.

I hurried out of the kitchen with the tray in my hands, heading towards the dinning hall.

I hummed loudly letting the rhythm consume the empty hallway.

I stretched my left hand, trying to reach for the door when a figure stopped me.

My best option was to ignore her, but she won’t let me go so easily.

O boy, here comes the drama.

“I can see you aren’t just dumb but blind as well.” She spat.

I blinked at her, confused, not 

daring to say a thing. I could tell my silence annoyed her.

“Are you now mute? You were there humming and dancing to your stupid self while I was here starving?”

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, bowing my head.

I pushed the door open, holding it for her to enter before closing it.

The others were already eating when I walked in, so I placed the tray in front of her and stepped back to my position.

The aroma in the room was so satisfying. It was a combination of different dishes, expecially stakes.

At the long table sat my stepmother, my step sister- Jenny, my little step brother and my Father. They were together while I stood quietly, pretending not to exist, watching them as they acted like one happy family.

I couldn't help but imagine what having a mom would be like.

Maybe I’d be sitting besides Father instead of standing here, watching his family eat while I starve.

“AHHH!”

Jenny’s scream snapped me out of my thoughts making me flinch. She continuously kept fanning her mouth.

Did she bite her tongue?

“Are you alright?” I asked, stepping forward.

She glared at me as if I poisoned her. “This was what you were up to???”

“What?” I whispered, what’s the matter now?

My stepmother leaned forward, and I envied the worried look she had . “What is it my love?” 

“It’s too spicy! My mouth is on fire, Mom!” Jenny shrieked, fanning her mouth dramatically.

“What?” I murmured again, utterly lost. I hadn’t added any spice at all. I was sure of it.

She grabbed a spoon and tasted it. Her expression changed from worried to enraged.

I was doomed.

“You! She hissed, pointing at one of the guards. “Grab her!”

My eyes widened. “Wait, I didn’t—“

He held me tightly in a way I couldn’t move. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs, wondering what would happen next.

My stepmother picked up the bowl of soup and storm towards me.

“I swear, I didn’t make the soup spicy, I tasted it and it was perfectly fine,” I said, trembling. “I beg of you, Just hear me out, I…uhm…there must be a mix up somewhere.”

I tried to reason with her, but she didn’t listen.

She grabbed my mouth, forcing it open as she shoved the burning soup down my throat.

The content spilled across my face, into my eyes and nose. The heat burning my mouth badly, it truly was extremely spicy.

I tried to shout, but couldn't.

I couldn't breath from both my mouth and nose.

My throat burned from the sting and how spicy it was.

Despite my struggles, he held me tighter.

When he finally let go, I fell to the ground, throwing up. My eyes burned, my lips stung, and my face throbbed. My breathing became difficult, and aggressive. 

I looked towards my father, hoping he would so something, anything at all about this cruelty.

But he didn’t.

My own father didn’t even look at me, but instead, he handed Jenny a glass of water, his voice soft with concern. “Here, drink this.”

Jenny smirked when she caught my gaze.

My stomach twisted.

I could barely see through to the tears as I painfully stumbled out of the room, trying to locate the nearest wash area.

Cold water splashed over my face mixed with tears I couldn’t stop.

When I looked up at the mirror, some part of my face was reddish, pale green eyes stared back at me, filled with pain.

“Common Lyra, be strong, you will soon be out of here.” I tried to encourage myself, but I wasn't strong enough. I bursted out in fresh tears again. 

I cleaned my face with my apron, wishing he was hear already. “I can't wait for him to get me out of the hellhole called home.” I whispered to myself. I truly can't wait to be claimed.

After calming down, I went back to doing my chores. I needed to round up on time, to avoid further punishments.

But then

A scent hit me.

Sweet. Warm. Irresistible.

My heart leapt. “Yes!” I gasped. “He’s here.”

‘Go fast! Mate is here!’ My wolf urged me to go meet him, her voice bubbling with excitement.

I increased my pace, following the direction of the scent, my whole body screamed with excitement.

I am not a full wolf like the others, and my condition is very rare. I have my wolf yes, but I'm unable to change or possess some abilities that most wolfs possessed.

But thank goodness she was real, and right now she was howling in joy.

The scent led me to the guest area. The room was full.

My family were there, the beta and his family, Jenny’s friends, some council members and few others with my mate and some of his council. 

My face beamed with joy my my eyes landed on him. “Wow, all this for me?”

Alpha Nicolas Strange.

My heart stopped.

I couldn’t still believe the moon goddess really chosen him for me! MEE!?

The world around me faded.

And all I could see was him. He truly came back for me as promised.

My breath caught when those stormy gray eyes met mine.

Recognition flashed there for a brief, fleeting second and my hear soared.

This was it. My mate. He came as promised. Finally I’ll be out of here.

Before I could stop myself, my feet moved.

‘Mate,' my wolf whispered softly in my head.

The pain in my face was replaced by heat rushing to my cheeks as my smile grew each seconds. I took another step closer, and his expression changed.

The warmth in his eyes turned cold. The softness disappeared, replaced by something I couldn’t quite name— disappointment? Anger? 

I froze.

Should I keep walking towards him? Or should I stop?

‘Go to him,’ my wolf urged again. But I couldn’t.

He had told me before to keep our bond a secret, that he’d come for me the next meeting he was to have with my father.

Why is he looking at me in such manner as though I was a stranger.

Suddenly Jenny appeared, all smiles, in a beautiful sky blue dress, her hair and make up perfectly done, she looked elegant as always.

She ran to Nicolas, wrapping her hands around him, like they belonged to each other.

Surprisingly he didn’t pull away.

He looked at her and smiled. The same smile that once made my heart race, ached. That should be me, not her.

Anger and jealousy slowly built inside me. I have never felt this possessive over anything in my life.

My wolf growled, furious, desperate to come out and tear Jenny away from him, but we both knew she couldn’t. Even if she could, we’d be dead before we made a move.

For years, I’d dreamer of this moment, the day my mate arrives and take me out of this place, unconditional love, care, protection, but now, everything is slowly falling out of hands.

But instead, I just stood there, invisible again.

“Then it’s settled.” My father said shaking my mates hand. “The ceremony shall be held on the next full moon.”

Five days from now is the full moon. Wait, what ceremony is my father talking about?

Little hope built in my chest, maybe it’s mine?

I couldn’t get my eyes off my mate and Jenny. She was extremely too close for my liking.

“Jenny will make a good Luna.” My father spoke.

My world blacked out once I heard that, everything froze still “Wait, what?” My voice came out louder than I imagined. All eyes fell on me, but I didn't care. 

No!

This can't be! I wanted to scream he belonged to me, I wanted to go there and confront him, but seeing how both of them looked me in the eye, and kissed passionately made my heart shatter.

My hopes, courage, everything has been taken away from me.

Not able to watch the display anymore, I did the only thing reasonable.

I ran.

His scent was everywhere, bittersweet and unbearable.

Once I reached my closet sized room, I slammed the door, letting my tears fall freely.

I sank to the cold floor, curling my arms tight around my knees.

The ache in my chest grew heavier each seconds. My whole body trembling as silent sobs tore through me.

How could he do this to me? How could something that was meant to save me hurt me this much?” .

“Am I going to die here?” I whispered. “Helpless and alone?”

Everything replayed in my head.

My mouth began to shiver as I sob. I clutched my chest, as the pain became unbearable.

‘Zia’ I mentally called out to my wolf. ‘I don't know if I can take it anymore. This… This hurts too much!’

I cried out to her, but there was no response. The silence inside me was louder than any scream.

How worse could this day get?

Just then, the door creaked open.