The Familiar Voice

LORA’S POV

Every turn we took deepened the unease twisting in my chest as we picked our way towards the unfamiliar path. My heart hammered in me that I could hear them, brewing with questions. When the car finally halted before a grand luxury shopping center, glimmering under the light like a palace of pure gold, confusion replaced my fear.

This shopping center was known to be one of the most magnificent places in the pack. I had heard stories about this place, whispered by lowly lives like me. It wasn't just a place to buy things. The shopping center was a temple of wealth, made for people born into power, nobles, royals, Alphas, Lunas, Betas and Gammas. Its tall glass walls reflected luxury itself. Everything about it screamed of the life lowly ones like me could only ever watch from afar.

I had seen it before while running errands for Alpha Alec and his devilish wife, always from a distance, always knowing I didn't belong anywhere near its doors. But today, I was here. And I couldn't understand why. At least, I was damn sure this wasn't where they planned to kill me. Would they really do it here - in a place so beautiful?

My heart thudded against my ribs when Beta Ronan stepped out of the car first and opened the door of the car for me. For a moment, I didn't move. Part of me wanted to stay inside the car, terrified of what fate awaited me outside.

“My lady,” Beta Ronan beckoned at me, his face unreadable. “Please step out,” he said calmly when I hesitated too long.

I swallowed hard, knowing I had no choice. Staying in the car wouldn't save me from what was coming. So, I stepped out of the car, ready to accept my fate, every of my steps felt heavy with dread. I expected to be dragged by the arm, humiliated, maybe even spat on but none of that happened. Everything was strangely calm, and gentle towards me and that alone made my stomach churn in curiosity and a tinge of fear and confusion.

“Where are we going sir?” I demanded, my tone lying between curiosity and dread.

“You can speak casually at me, My lady,” he replied, dodging my question, his tone was very polite but firm. “Follow me, my lady.”

I didn't press further when he didn't answer my question. I followed him inside as I was left with no choice. The staffs of the shopping center bowed as we passed, their eyes and heads lowered. I noticed the hall was empty of customers, so silent as though the whole place had been booked for us alone.

My eyes were fantasizing the large exotic paintings on the wall when Beta Ronan asked suddenly, “Do you see anything you like here ma?”

“Wh….what?” I stammered. I actually understood what he said but the reason he was doing all this was what I didn't understand. Shouldn't I be kneeling in a dungeon right now for deceiving the Lycan king, a man rumoured for his ruthlessness?

“Is this place not to your liking?” he asked again. “Would you prefer another one?”

“No….not at all,” I retorted quickly, shaking my head. “That’s not it. I'm just……confused. Can you please tell me what's happening here?”

He looked at me for a very long time, his gaze streaming from head to toe, studying me in a way that made me shiver.

“You aren't used to this, right?” he asked finally. His words coursed a shock through me. I tried to compose myself, trying to conceal who I was but I could see that my beautiful dress did nothing to hide the fact that I didn't belong here. I could tell Beta already see through me that Alpha Alec and I deceived him.

“See, if you want to kill me,” I muttered, “just do it quickly.” I said with courage despite the fact that I was the one going to bear the consequences of Alpha Alec's action, I was left with no choice but to accept. But the fact that I was finally free from all the hardships and suffering from Alpha Alec's family all this while was a good thing for me.

A small laugh escaped him, “No one is dying today.” Startled by his response, my brows knitted in confusion, unsure if he was mocking me or being serious. Was he not planning to kill me for deceiving his king? What the hell was going on?

“Then what exactly are we doing here?”

“Please, call me Ronan,” he insisted, his voice softening. “As for your question, forgive me if I speak plainly, I don't think what you're wearing now suits a wedding. We're here to choose your dress before presenting you to the Lycan king. You will also be needing a new wardrobe.”

“A new what?” i blurted out, staring at him in surprise. For a few seconds, I couldn't speak. “I……I can’t afford anything here,” I said quickly. Every word came out shaky. Honestly, I had nothing but the clothes on me that Sandra gave me.

“You don’t have to worry about that, madam,” he said. “It’s a gift from His Majesty.”

“A gift?” The words sounded strange in my mouth. A gift? For someone like me? A lowly life like me?

Ronan’s voice explaied further. “Every new concubine receives one on her wedding day.”

The word concubine stung me. My lips trembled, and I lowered my head to hide the shame crawling up in my face. I shouldn’t have hoped for where I didn't belong.

“Please, choose whatever you need, madam,” Ronan said.

I forced a smile on my face. “I don’t even know where to start,” I admitted quietly. “I’d appreciate your help.”

His lips curved slightly. “That’s what I’m here for,” he replied gently.

He motioned for me to go ahead. I walked forward slowly, surrounded by walls of glittering things that didn’t belong to my class. Every direction held something dazzling—jewels, perfume, heels. I tried to keep my face calm, but inside, I was trembling.

“Shall we begin with your wedding dress?” Ronan suggested.

“Yes,” I answered, pretending confidence I didn’t have. My hands felt cold as I followed him. Each step made my heart heavier.

Rows of gowns stretched before me, each one more beautiful than the last. I searched through them silently, pretending to know what I was doing, though I was lost in thought. Everything seemed like a dream to me. Yet deep inside, a quiet need began to grow, a need to look beautiful in front of His Majesty. I hated that thought, but I couldn’t shake it.

As I ran my fingers over the soft fabrics, one gown caught my eye. It looked very dazzling, glowing faintly against the light in the room. I stood frozen, unable to look away.

“Bring us that dress,” Beta Ronan told the staff, noticing where my eyes had lingered.

They took it down carefully and led us toward the fitting room. The place was larger than my entire living space in the basement. The air smelled of roses and new silk. When they placed the gown in my hands, my heart twisted—it was too beautiful, too expensive for someone like me to wear.

“How much is this dress?” I asked quietly.

“Don’t worry about the price,” Ronan replied. “Just try it on.”

With trembling hands, I carried the dress into the changing room. The fabric slid across my skin smoothly. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The gown fit perfectly, hugging my body in ways that felt strange. I looked like someone who belonged to another world.

For a long time, I couldn’t step out. When I finally step out, the room spun with silence. Every eye turned toward me, and I froze under their gaze.

“Is this alright?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“If you’re comfortable, then it’s perfect,” Ronan said, though his tone left me uncertain.

I turned toward the mirror again, searching for something familiar in the reflection. I didn’t find it. This wasn't the former me. “I don’t know,” I admitted.

He spoke again, this time more certain. “It suits you, madam.”

Relief washed through me, and I smiled a bit. “Thank you.”

“Then we’ll take this one,” he told the staff. “Add a few casual dresses, some accessories, and shoes.”

From there, they led me to a salon. Hands moved through my hair, makeup brushes swept across my face. I felt like a doll being prepared for display, while Ronan stood nearby, explaining what to do next.

“After this, we’ll return to the palace,” he said evenly. “You’ll be presented before His Majesty. Remember, you must not raise your head or look at him directly. It’s an abomination for a bride to see the King’s face.”

His words weighed heavy on my chest. I nodded, feeling the air grow colder around me. The closer we got to the palace, the more my pulse quickened in fear.

When the car finally stopped, I lifted my eyes. The palace towered before me, massive, golden and terrifying.

We walked inside, our steps echoing through endless halls. My breath skipped a beat as I reached the throne room. My body trembled, but I kept my head low, just as Ronan had warned. The gravity of his warning pressing hard on me.

“Welcome, little one," I heard it, a deep familiar voice from the Lycan king, cutting through the silence.