CHAPTER 3

Lyra’s POV

He dragged me down the long, dim corridor.

Madam Lucia’s heels clicked sharply against the floor, walking as though she owned the place.

My legs trembled terribly.

I thought they’d give up before we got to our destination.

I couldn't think straight.

The thought of being handed to that hot headed, unpredictable, emotionless, cursed Alpha made my stomach twist.

Not just because he was evil, but because I already had a mate.

The idea of being with someone other than my mate felt absurd.

I’d rather die than choose to be bound to that monster.

But even in pain, my mind screamed for escape.

They Cant give me off if they dont have me right?

Maybe if I bite 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 was 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!” I tried begging her. “I’d do anything.”

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

I was pushed into a room, and the heavy slam of the door made me flinch.

I pounded my fist weakly against the door.

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

After a while of banging with no reply, I slid down to the floor, my cheek pressed against the wall.

Moments later, the door creaked open.

It was one of the oldest pack healers who came in.

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 it and gulped it down. The liquid was so bitter, which made me squeeze my face in disgust.

I took the bowl from his hand and drank the whole contents.

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

What the heck is this? I couldn’t hide my disgust.

I lay 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.

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 overlook them.

“Kch..kch..kch…kch” he made some sounds with his mouth as he shook his head, staring at me dead in the eyes.

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

“Father—“

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

His harsh words were like daggers piercing into my skin, driving deeper and deeper each second.

Every insult tore at me. If I was going to go down, l’d go down saying all I’ve kept buried all these 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 didn’t even look me in the eyes, you never did! You disregarded all my efforts, degraded me, your own flesh and blood! Gave our family name so easily to someone else and my position, I live less than a servant in my own father’s house! You are a disgrace to Fatherhood!”

He let out a deep growl, as the embarrassment in his eyes was 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 didn’t. He dropped his hand and turned to leave, but I wasn’t yet done.

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

I felt a very hard pain in my cheeks. I held my face, still staring at him with nothing but hate in my heart. As 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 overreact?

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

My breath caught.

He bent down to my level, placed his hand on my jaw, lifting my face up gently.

I smiled, his touch was soft, and suiting.

“I knew you would come back,” I said, placing my hand on his.

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

His voice was Deep. Detached. And then, his touch felt cold.

Jenny’s smirk cut through my heart like a blade.

The world stopped.

“Nooo” The word tore from my throat as a scream.

“Dont do this to me, Nicholas, please!” I begged, holding his hand.

He pulled his hand forcefully from mine, walked up to Jenny, and then placed his right hand on her belly, with a bright smile on his face.

My heart shattered.

“Wait….” I whispered. “Are you….?”

“Two,” Jenny simply said.

Darkness swallowed me whole.