Chapter 1

Lyra’s POV

Being the daughter of an Alpha is not as great as people think it is. People think it's special but it can be very hard and worst if you're despised.  You have to behave a certain way, you're always in the limelight when most times you just want to be left alone and people expect a lot from you.

I stood by my window in the blue-roofed pack house and watched as decorations were being hung in the pack house. Omegas and other pack members rushed about, chattering while working and some were following the directions of Calantha, the head Omega.

The air was filled with hastiness as they prepared for an event that was still a mystery to me because no one bothered to clue me in on what was happening and I wasn't a bit interested. I was sincerely hoping I wouldn't be involved in any drama today.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loneliness creeping over me, which made me wish I was there amidst them, happy and working alongside them. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that I was fine without others, I still wanted to be a part of them.

I, Lyra Darko, was the daughter of Alpha Owen Darko of the Frostbite Pack. I should receive be love by my father and mother but I don’t. My mother is dead, my stepmom and stepsister despise me. I’m so sure a part of them wish they could get rid of me.

I was always reminded of being a curse because my mother dead after she gave birth to me. My father blamed me as well and I’m always maltreated but I have accepted this life long ago. The pack members weren’t left out of my misery as they turned against me, cursing my very existence. Running away from the pack has always crossed my mind but that would only make me a Rogue.

Rogues were hunted by the werewolves and would always end up as slaves or dead when found. They were believed to be exiled or banished wolves, threat to the pack and possesses lack of control.

From where I stood, I observed Calantha, the head Omega, who summoned me a wave. But I motioned no to her. Calantha frowned at my reluctance to come to her, and she waved more insistently this time.

I ignored her signals and turned towards my bed instead to lie down. I chose to retreat into solitude once more.

I sighed and dragged myself away from the window to sit on my bed. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the sounds of laughter and playful chatter coming from outside my room.

Why couldn’t I belong among them?

The sneers and whispers of the pack calling me an evil child who killed their beloved Luna.

Embracing their rejection marked a turning point in my life, one that forced recognition of my outcast existence within the Frostbite Pack. Despite my attempts to seek solace among others throughout childhood, cruel words branded me as evil at every turn. They deemed me responsible for our dearly beloved Luna, my Mother.

Even other omegas expressed contempt for my appearance, a reminder that pain never truly subsides with time but becomes something easier to bear instead as our scars grow numb through acceptance of what could not be changed despite intense yearning for a better fate.

I could only endure and hope to find my fated mate, who would rescue me from the nightmare I had found myself in. I am very sure he would take me away from these monsters, give me a better life, and help me heal.

While brooding in the silence of my room, my door creaked open, and my Stepmom stood by the door and shouted in her authoritative voice, which echoed throughout the room. Yanking me back to the present, I immediately jolted up. ‘Get dressed,’ he ordered.

“Why, what’s going on outside, if I may ask, Luna?” I answered with my head bowed, staring at the floor. I dared not call her mother ever since the incident with Kaida when we fought. I heard her talking to her minions in the pack garden, “My father said Lyra is a bastard, she has no alpha's blood.” We got dragged to the Luna. She didn’t care to hear my side of the story and sent a resounding slap flying my way, telling me never to call her “Mother,” which still stung today.

Ophelia took a deep breath. "I will condone your behavior for today. I will not let you ruin my mood today for me," she said as she eyed me and still staring down. Looking directly at Ophelia in the eye always got me a stinging slap, and I had learnt the hard way never to look at her whenever she was talking, over the years.

"I want you to dress up and come out to welcome our guests. Your father is receiving some guests and it’s very important things go well," she said enthusiastically as she left and shut the door.

I thought of what to wear as I started flipping through my stack of worn-out clothes. I always got to wear whatever Kaida was tired of wearing, Luna Ophelia never got me new wears. I picked out the manageable one and laid it out on my bed. I quickly rushed to take my bath and came out of the bathroom only to find Calantha by my bed, straightening the gown I had picked out earlier.

“Child, why aren’t you dressed yet? You know your father will be upset if you’re late. Let’s hurry up.” She said, winking her eyes at me playfully.

“When isn’t he ever angry when it comes to me, Calantha?” Saying those words left a bitter taste in my mouth. I walked towards the dresser.

“Why didn’t you come down to help with the preparations?” She asked as she collected the comb, brushing out the knots in my hair.

I turned to her, “No one told me what’s happening and moreover I just wanted to steer clear of any drama today. What’s all the fuss about anyways?” I queried, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

She sighed wearily. “It’s an important meeting, he’s receiving a guest. You should be a part of it.”

“We’re both aware, no one wants me there,” I muttered, my eyes as I tried to blink away the tears that filled my eyes.

“There, all done.” Her eyes softened in pity as she pressed a kiss to my head and moved to the bed, bringing my dress over to me. “Get dressed, dear,” she said as she turned to leave my room.

I knew not to test my Father’s patience. I started wearing the gown and smiled as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I went down the stairs, Kaida, the Beta’s mate and a pack warrior, met me on the stairs. “Permit me to escort you out,” he said, while Kaida scoffed and stomped down the stairs. I’m well aware all omegas despise me, especially Kaida's minions.

“Why can’t you lock yourself up in a closet or something? Do you really had to show your face today?” Kaida sneered at me.

I rolled my eyes at her and muttered to myself, “God, I hate my life. Even the Omegas, who are at the bottom of the food chain, hate me. We are meant to stick together. Why me?”

On getting downstairs, Calantha, the head Omega, twirled me around in amusement and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, you look lovely!” She complimented me.

“In this?” I raised my eyebrows as she nodded. “Yes,” she confirmed, looking at me strangely. “Shut up and take the compliment, will you?”

I found myself dwelling upon memories from those early days when joy defined our lives before darkness arrived with its bitter pill toughened by years of abuse and resentful whispers echoing beyond his walls.

We got to the entrance, I hurried over to where my father, Ophelia and Kaida stood next to Alpha Axel from the Wolfhaven pack and other Alphas I didn’t recognize.

My father, shot me a glare with piercing eyes, his jaw clenched in anger, Ophelia hissed lightly and Kaida smirked but I ignored them and focused my gaze straight ahead at the gate, my mind wondering who the guest was have Alphas awaiting his arrival.