CHAPTER 2

Lyra’s POV

I am a living example of what it means to be an orphan in your own father’s house. I’ve never been treated as family, not for a single day.

My father hated me from the very moment I was born because my mom died giving birth to me, after years of wanting a child.

I was thrilled when I heard of his upcoming wedding, but when the bride and daughter arrived, all hell broke loose.

She gave birth to a healthy baby boy, and I hoped that it would soften his heart, but it didn’t. His hatred only deepened seeing a healthy baby and the mom perfectly fine.

Another reason he despised me was the mark I was born with. A huge dark mark spread across my back. The seer made it worse by telling him that it was a mark of doom, a cursed birthmark.

Unfortunately, he didn’t kill me like he was advised to, but still never took me as his.

I’ve spent the last 19 years trying to please him, trying to prove my worth, trying to get his attention, his love, and care, but despite all I do, despite how hard I tried, my efforts were never acknowledged.

Then the door creaked open. Before I could turn, a cold familiar voice spoke.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here.”

Jenny.

Her tone dripped with venom. “If it isn’t my little stepsister, crying like a child.”

Her heels clicked against the floor, getting closer.

“Do you think I didn’t know?” She whispered. “Do you think I never knew you and Alpha Nicolas were mates?”

My heart skipped. Wait, so she knew?

“I’ve always known. Since the day you two discovered you were mates, he told me. I never thought you would be so naive to think someone of his status, would want a weakling like you, a common omega, if not less.” Her laughter filled the room.

“Why would you, a nobody rule beside him when I’m here? You can't compare yourself with me, for he will pick me over and over again.”

I was so shocked that I couldn’t speak.

“He will reject you soon enough—oh wait” She laughed coldly. “ Hasn’t he?” Then she turned to leave.

She took everything from me, my status, my life! Now my mate?

I wanted to ask her why she hated me, if I wronged her to deserve such treatment, but I just couldn't. I was just there, drowning in agony.

She grabbed my chin and forcefully lifted my face to meet hers.

“If a word about this comes out of your mouth, I will ensure you meet your stupid mother.”

She shoved my face away, dusting her hand as she walked towards the door, but then stopped.

“Oh, before I forget, I hope you liked the soup. My little gift to you. Avoid what’s mine except you want us to get too violent, and that, I can do.” She said with a wide smile and then slammed the door behind her.

Deep down I knew it was all her doing. How far would she go to destroy me?

She succeeded in taking everything from me.

I folded into my knees as tears freely fell from my eyes.

I checked the time, and it was evening already. “Shit! How did I fall asleep?” I quickly got up to change as I ran out of the room.

“Damn, she’s going to kill me,” I mumbled.

I didn’t even get far when I spotted Madam Lucia. With an angry expression.

“Look who finally decided to show her face,” she sneered. “You have been reassigned, you will no longer work in the kitchens.”

“What?” I blinked, confused. “But—’’

A hard slap cracked across my cheek before I could finish.

My hand flew to my face, my skin stinging.

“How dare you interrupt me? Did I permit you to speak?” She barked. I kept my head low, gently shaking it.

“From now on, you’ll be working in the waste quarters.”

My heart dropped. The waste quarters. The one place every servant dreaded— the cold, stinking area where garbage was disposed of and scraps were sorted.

“Please, I’ll do better in the kitchen, I—’’

“Silence!” she yelled. “You should be grateful we’re even letting you breathe under this roof.”

I swallowed my tears and nodded. Talking back only made things worse.

I was scrubbing the floors one unfortunate morning when the door burst open.

Madam Lucia stormed in with an expression I couldn't quite read. She threw something towards me.

The item stopped directly in front of my feet.

It was a very beautiful necklace with stones. Which looked oddly familiar. After having a proper look, then, it hit me.

My stepmother’s prized diamond necklace.

Before I could question why she had it, Jenny walked in.

“What are you doing with my mother's precious necklace?” She demanded.

“I—I no, nothing, it was her, she just threw it.” I stammered. “She brought it,” I said, pointing at Madam Lucia.

Madam Lucias gasped. “Me? Lies! She had it when I walked in. Once she noticed you were coming, she tried to hide it!”

Jenny’s glare darkened as I looked in confusion. “So you’ve decided to steal now, haven’t you?”

She began walking angrily towards me.

“It’s not true!” I pleaded. “Please, I didn’t—“

But before I could finish, a sharp blow struck my face. Then another. My jaw went numb as pain exploded through my cheek.

“No!” I screamed, trying to shield myself. But they didn’t stop.

Desperate, I grabbed the necklace from the ground and flung it blindly. A small yelp followed. I opened my eyes to see Jenny clutching her hand, a thin cut bleeding down her finger.

“You wretch!” She spat, striking me again.

Then, suddenly—a deep, furious growl filled the room.

Father.

I froze, my heart leaping. Maybe, he’d seen enough.

But before I could speak, Jenny ran to him, crying, showing him her hand.

“She attacked me! I only came to check on her, to see if we could get close, but I found Mother’s necklace in her hand. When I questioned her, she attacked me.”

“That’s not what—“

“Silence!” Father’s voice cut through the air. His eyes burned into me, cold and disgusted.

“I’ve had enough of you. Take her to the dungeon,” he ordered.

“Father, please. They framed and attacked me, all I tried to do was protect myself.” He turned his back, gradually walking out.

“Father, please—“

I screamed and struggled when the guards grabbed me.

My Father didn’t even look at me.

How naive I was to think he would do anything in my favor.

The dungeon reeked of damp earth and rot. The air was heavy and cold. They threw me in like garbage and slammed the door.

Jenny stared at me with a wild grin on her face through a section in the middle of the door that was illuminated.

“You’ll stay here until I decide when you’ll be out,” she said smiling. “Enjoy your stay, little sister.”

The little section was then slammed shut, followed by some click sounds.

I was locked in.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

Days passed.

I’ve lost count of how long l’d been locked up. My body ached from the stone cold floor. Sometimes, they threw a small piece of moldy bread, sometimes, nothing. Hunger consumed me until even breathing hurt.

Then, one day, the door creaked open. A torch flickered to life. I squinted my eyes at its brightness.

“Get up,” a familiar voice spoke.

Madam Lucia.

I tried to, but I was so weak.

“Are you deaf now? GET UP!” She shouted. “The Alpha demands your presence.”

A small spark of hope flickered in my chest. Maybe he regretted his decision? Maybe he’d finally realized the truth. “My Father?”

“No you fool, your mate does.”

Wait, Nicolas does? He heard of this and wanted me out?

I held my chest, relieved and happy he still wanted me.

“Does everyone know about us?” I weakly asked.

“You guys are the talk of the whole community right now.” She said.

“Where can I meet Alpha Nicolas? I want to see him before anything please.”

“Alpha Nicolas? You wish.” She said with a scoff. “You’re being offered to Alpha Drax.”

The name made my blood run cold. “Wait what?”

She folded her arms. “You know what happens to all his brides, don’t you?”

I shook my head, tears streaming. “No—no, my father wouldn’t—-“

“Wouldn’t what?” She snapped. “You know everyone has had enough of you. This is the best deal for everyone and the pack.”

“No…please…”

She laughed cruelly. “I bet you won’t last a week.”

Her laughter echoed through the hall.