CHAPTER 1

Lyra’s POV

The day my mate was meant to claim me, my stepmother forced burning soup down my throat.

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 burned my mouth badly. It wasn’t a false alarm, the soup was extremely spicy.

I couldn't breathe through either my mouth or my nose.

My throat was burning from the sting and the spice.

Despite all my struggles, the guard strongly held me down.

Some portion of the soup got into my eyes, and I screamed, but no sound came out. Instead, the soup burbled.

When she finally released me, I fell to the ground, trying to catch my breath. My eyes burned, my lips stung, and my face throbbed.

I looked towards my father, hoping he would do 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, you will feel much better.”

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 golden eyes stared back at me, filled with pain.

“Come on Lyra, be strong, you will soon be out of here.” I tried encouraging myself.

I cleaned my face with my apron. “I can't wait for him to get me out of this 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 be 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, nor possess some abilities that most wolves possess..

Thank goodness that she was real. Right now she was howling in joy.

The scent led me to the hall, where all the guests were. The room was full.

My family was there, the beta and his family, Jenny’s friends, some council members, and few others.

My face beamed with joy,when my eyes landed on him.

Alpha Nicolas Strange.

My heart stopped.

I still couldn’t believe it. That the moon goddess has 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 for a brief, fleeting second and my heart 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 inside my head.

The pain in my face was replaced by heat rushing to my cheeks as my smile grew wider each second. I took another step closer, but 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 move. I was deeply conflicted by his look.

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 a manner as though I were a stranger?

Suddenly Jenny appeared, all smiles, in a beautiful sky blue dress, hair 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 dreamed of this moment, the day my mate arrives and takes me out of this place, unconditional love, care, protection, but now, everything is slowly falling out of hands.

I couldn’t peel my eyes off them, didnt know what to say, how to react, I just stood there, invisible again.

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

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

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

My world blacked out once I heard that, everything frozen still.

The words struck like a blade slicing through my heart, through every dream I had clung to.

“Wait, what?” My voice came out in a low whisper.

No!

This can't be! I wanted to scream he belonged to me, I wanted to go there and confront him, but seeing the two of them kiss passionately made me freeze.

It felt as though someone had ripped my heart from my chest and crushed it beneath their boot.

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

Zia growled louder, more violently, I could feel her claws scratching at the back of my head, desperate to break free.

I clenched my fist as the pain intensified. My eyes were still glued to them kissing.

They broke off, and he muttered something to Jenny.

‘My mate.’

How could he do this to me? Why always me?

My breathing became ragged, my chest rising and falling with force, my fingers digging holes into my palm.

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 second. My whole body was 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 sobbed. 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 much worse could this day get?

Just then, the door creaked open.