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.

He never looked at me with love, never called me daughter, even the least of naming me, he couldn’t.

Hearing of his up coming wedding with a single mother of one, made my heart burst with joy. I thought things would change for the better, I’d have a mother and sister, and wouldn't be lonly anymore.

But when they arrived, all hell broke lose.

And when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, I hoped that would soften his heart, it didn’t. His hatred only deepened.

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 of my life, trying to please him, trying to prove my worth, trying to get his attention, his love, 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 dripled with venom. “If it isn’t my little step sister, crying like a child.”

I didn’t bother raising my head, I kept it down, my body trembling. My wolf was still silent. It was just an empty void inside me now.

Her heels clicked against the floor, getting closer.

“Did you think I never knew?” She whispered. “You thought I never knew you and Alpha Nicolas were mates?”

My heart skipped. Wait, so she knew?

My head shot up a little, my eyes stinging from the tears.

“I’ve always known. Since the day you two discovered you were mates, he told me himself.

So naive of you to think he wants a weakling like you? An omega? A nobody to rule beside him. 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. “Has he?”

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. My face stung from her touch, I tried to move back, but her grip was hard. The more I tried to pull back, the intense the pain got. 

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

She shoved my face away in disgust.

She turned to leave, but then stopped.

“Oh, before I forget, hope you liked my little gift earlier? Did it taste nice?" I just stared at her, not knowing how to react.  "No need to answer, I bet it did.” She said with a wide smile, and then slammed the door shut behind her.

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

She succeeded in taking everything from me, along with my hopes and dreams.

I folded into my knees as tears freely fell form my eyes. From the stories I’ve heard, mates are supposed to be protective, caring, loving, but sadly, Nicholas wasn't. His betrayal hurts worse than every punishment I'd ever received, every insult I'd ever endured.

And then everything turned black.

I woke up to see it was evening time 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 her standing with a wicked scrowl on her face. Her cold eyes scanned me from head to toe.

I walked to where she was with my head down.

“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 give you permission to speak?” She barked. I kept my head low, gently shaking it.

None of the maids dare look madam Lucia eye to eye, she doesn't take it easy on any of us, most especially me. She has been the head mate since I was born.

Some says she is who she is because she is mateless. Is this how I would become one day?

“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 scarps 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.

The following day blurred into one long nightmare.

Jenny made my life hell, accusing me of things I never did, and my dad believed all she said. 

I was at my appointed work place that unfortunate morning, trying to clean up when the door bursted 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 step mother’s most prized diamond necklace.

Before I could question why she had it, Jenny walked in. As if this whole thing was planned.

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

“I—it wasnt me!” 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. “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 grabbbed 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, just 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—“

But two rough strong hands grabbed me on both sides, dragging me out. I screamed and struggled, but it was useless.

He didn’t even look at me.

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

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 illuminated light.

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

The little section was then slammed shut, followed by some click sounds. I was locked in, and darkness swallowed me whole.

Two days passed, My body ached from the stone floor. The only meal I had since I've been locked was a small piece of moldy bread. Hunger consumed me until even breathing hurt.

The only company I had were the rats scurrying through the walls.

On the third day, the door creaked open. A torch flickered to life. I squinted my eyes due to 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.”

I blinked weakly. “He—he wants to see me?”

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

But madam Lucia’s smirk killed that hope instantly.

“No you fool, your mate does.”

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

I held my chest, relived and happy he still wanted me. I felt so guilty for not trusting him. Maybe his closeness with Jenny was just him trying to get information from her.

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

“You guys are the talk of the whole community right now.” She said, lifting my spirit up. This is the first time she spoke with calmness. It felt weird but I’ll take it. Finally things are turning around.

“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.”

My heart ponded painfully. Everyone knew who Alpha Drax was—the cursed Alpha, the monster who killed for pleasure.

“No…please…”

“Shut up!” She barked.

When I tried to stand, I stumbled, too weak to balance. She grabbed my arm and yanked me up roughly.

“You pathetic girl,” she spat, flinging me towards the door.

A guard caught me before I fell. Madam Lucia leaned closer and whispered, her breath hot on my ear.

“Do you really think you could ever compete with lady Jenny? Even your own father knows your existence is a stain. He’s doing you a favour—selling you off to Alpha Drax.”

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

Her laughter echoed through the hall as the guard dragged me away.