CHAPTER 3

Lyra’s POV

I was dragged down the long, dim corridor, madam Lucias walking ahead like she owned the place.

Her heels clicked sharply against the floor with every step she takes.

My heart ponded fast, making my chest ache badly.

My legs trembled terribly I thought they’d give up before we get to our destination.

I couldn't even think straight. The thought of being given to that hot headed, Unpredictable, emotionless, life sucking, cursed Alpha made my stomach twist. Not just because he was evil, but because I already had a mate.

The idea of mating with someone else when the moon Goddess had already chosen for me felt absurd, cruel even.

It was better to die than to be bound to a monster like Drax.

But even in pain, my mind screamed for escape. They Cant give me off if they dont have me right?

Maybe if I bit hard enough on the guard's hand, I could break free. I’d run into the forest, find help, and change my identity. I would start afresh and take charge of my life.

Despite how I longed for freedom, I knew it was far fetched. Who was I fooling? My body is too weak, bruised and drained to do anything.

These men could run faster than I ever could. They’d catch me before I even reached the trees.

I stared at the guard for a long time, and truly I’m nothing close to half his size, which made me kill every plan I had of escaping.

I didn’t know madam Lucia had been talking until I felt a sharp pinch on my arm.

“Hey!” She snapped, glaring over her shoulder.

“If you are thinking about running, forget it.” she paused, lips curling into a cold smile. “Because if you try…” she laughed— a cruel, cutting sound that made my skin crawl.

I already knew what they would do to me.

“Just let me please,” I whispered. “I beg of you!”

Her laughter echoed again, harder this time. “Keep walking,” she ordered the guard, as if my pleading disgusted her.

I was flung into a small room close to the omega’s quarters, the heavy slam of the door made me flinch.

I struggle to my knee using the wall to steady myself as I pounded my fist weakly against the door.

“Open the door! Just let me go, I’ll do anything you want, don’t just give me to him.”

After a while of nonstop, banging, my hands gave out as I slid down to the floor, my cheek pressed against the wall.

I didn’t know how many hours had passed by, but the silence felt deafning. A creaking sound pulled my attention towards the door as it gently opened.

In came one of the oldest pack healers.

He just stood there, staring, with a small clay bowl in his hands. His face was blank, unreadable even but he has never been mean to me.

“Your father sent me,” he muttered. “Here, have this, it will reduce the pain.”

He stretched the bowl towards me, but I didn’t reach for it. “Please… can you help me? I want to talk to my father.”

His expression changed just slightly, but he didn’t answer.

“I’m begging you,” I tried again, my throat tightening. “Please, I really need to talk to him.”

Still nothing….. Just silence.

His hands were still stretched, offering the bowl.

I took the bowl from his had, and drank the content whole.

A strange numbness spread through me. I felt heavy and too tired to move.

What the heck is this?

Despite my weakness, I couldn’t hide my disgust.

I laid down, staring into nothing in particular. My whole life just seems like a gigantic punishment.

If this is the life, the moon goddess destined for me, then maybe I should have died along with my mom instead of leaving or take her place.

Everything I hoped and thought would be, my redemption, had turned into another nightmare.

Why me?

The door creaked open, and my father walked in. I sat upright staring at him. His hatred was clearly visible, but I still tried to over look them.

“Kch..kch..kch…kch” he made some sounds with his mouth as he shaked his head, staring at me in disgust.

“How could the Moon Goddess give me a child like you? He said, his voice sharp enough to cut through bone. “You bring me nothing but pain and embarrassment. You even have her face!”

“Father—“

“Why?” He shouted, stepping closer. “Why where you even born? To ruin this pack? You took everything from me!”

His harsh words were like dagger piercing into my skin, driving deeper and deeper each seconds.

Every insult tore at me. If I was going to go down, l’d go down saying all I’ve kept buried all this years.

“Do you even hear yourself?” I fired back, my voice shaking. “You call yourself an Alpha, but you are nothing more than a heartless beast! You’ve treated me like a curse my entire life! I tried everything possible to please you, to make you proud, to make you accept me, but you never even look me in the eyes, you never did! You disregarded all my efforts, degraded me, your blood! Gave our family name so easily to someone else and my position, I live less than a servant in my own fathers house! You are a disgrace to Fatherhood!”

He let out a deep growl, as the embarrassment in his eyes were replaced with fury. The muscles in his jaw twitch, but I didn’t care anymore.

“And now, you are selling me off to someone you wouldn’t give any of your people to?!” I stared directly into his eyes and spoke. “I, Lyra HALE, CURSE THE DAY THE MOON GODDESS MADE YOU MY FATHER!” He raised his hand to hit me, but didnt. He dropped his hand and turned to leave, but I wasn’t done yet.

“Mother must be turning in her grave, regretting her decision of ever being your mate!”

I felt a very hard pain on my cheeks. I held my face, still staring at him with nothing but hate in my heart. A metallic taste filled my mouth.

I spat out, only to see blood.

“I hate you.” I murmured.

He didn’t spare any glances, he walked out and banged the door behind him.

I couldn’t help but cry. Did I over react?

The door opened once more, Jenny walked in, hands in hands with Nicolas.

My breath caught.

"You know, our mating ceremony is just two days from now. Too bad you won't be available to attend it my darling sister." Jenny said with a smirk.

“I, Nicholas Voss, the Alpha of the Silverfang Pack, rejects you, Lyra Hale of the Bloodmoon pack, as my mate.”

His voice was cold. Detached. Jenny’s smirk cut through my heart like a blade.

The world stopped.

“No…” The word tore from my throat as a scream.

“No!” I couldn’t breathe, everything became blurry, and then darkness took over.

When I woke up, I felt nothing. My body was numb. It was as though life was drained from me.

The door creaked, and madam Lucia entered, carrying a wooden box. Another maid followed.

She looked at me lying helplessly on the floor and chuckled.

“We are here to get you ready,” she flatly said. “Get up. You stink.”

I made no attempt to move, I just laid there, lost the will to do anything.

They grabbed my hand, and dragged me to the washroom. Cold water splashed over my body, making my teeth’s chatter uncontrollably, as the iciness of the water stung my skin, but they didn’t care.

I sat as they roughly scrubbed me.

Finally when they were done, she threw a dress and me.

“Put it on. Alpha Drax will be here any moment.”

I stared at the dress in front of me. It was one of Jenny’s old gowns, but it was truly beautiful.

I felt sick putting it on, I didn’t want to, let alone dress up for a terrible man.

Tears roll down my cheeks as I reluctantly wore the dress, with broken heart.

They roughly handled my hair, and tied it so tightly that my scalp hurts. They applied light makeup on my face, and did everything to make me look presentable and also to hide the bruises. I just sat there letting them do their thing.

Seeing myself in the mirror surprised me. I couldn’t believe it was me. I looked flawless as though I was well taken care of.

“Let’s go,” madam Lucia said coldly.

My knees still trembling as I follow them through the hall. The closer we got, the noiser it became.

We finally got to the hall, my presence drew unwanted attention my way, making me feel extremely uncomfortable. The place was buzzing with activities, they were all preparing for Alpha Drax arrival.

Jenny was giving orders to the omegas, and when she saw me, she exchanged some unknowing look with madam Lucia, as she took me to the corner of the hall.

My eyes went to Alpha Nicolas who was talking to some people.

Why was it that the rejection affected me and not him? Did his wolf not feel the pain of rejection? Or was it because I never rejected him? My eyes became watery once more, but I refused to let them out, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of watching me break in front of everyone.

My Father was busy with other councils, and the Gamma. The beta was no where to be seen.

Jenny walked to stand beside my stepmother, glowing with satisfaction.

 Nichola’s and my eyes finally met. His eyes widened when he noticed it was me.

He gently placed his drink down, taking a step forward. Immediately, Jenny pulled him back.

I looked towards my step mom and back at them, wondering how she got to him so fast.

Seeing his expression, and an annoyed Jenny, gave me a little sense of satisfaction.

Then Suddenly, the doors opened, making the hall as quiet and cold as a graveyard.

The Beta walked in, but he wasn’t alone, he was with Alpha Drax.

The most handsome, yet terrifying man l’d ever seen, towering at over six feet tall. His physique gave off raw power, and his presence a chilling aura.

His hair as black as coal, a well shaped angular face with golden eyes that made him even stand out more. His presence was drawing, enchanting, yet dangerous. It was giving wolf in sheep clothing.

When our eyes met, a gasp escaped my lips, and I could feel heat rushing up my cheeks.

I didn’t understand if it was fear or something else, but my heart skipped a beat.