Chapter 9

Lyra

Alpha Ace catching me before I hit the stone floor was the only lucky thing that had happened to me today. But in the end, nobody in this place really cared about me. My father only cared about using me to make himself shine.

The heavy air in the grand hall felt thick and unbreathable, suffocating me. And to make things worse, Ace's piercing gaze had never left me, tracking my every move.

“Huff,” I sighed silently to myself, masking my discomfort with a polite nod before excusing myself from the noise.

I walked swiftly out of the hall, desperately searching for a quiet place to lay down the heavy burden of my emotions. I couldn't go back to my room, and I absolutely could not cry out here where anyone could see. My legs naturally led me outside into the cool night. The moonlight was spectacular. It was the first time I had ever been permitted to see it up close, standing directly beneath its silver glow.

A fragile smile touched my lips as I bathed in its beautiful light. Freedom was truly priceless. But for a weak, wolfless child like me, how could I ever hope to achieve it permanently? I had tried talking to my father so many times, but his eyes were completely focused on building political connections. I still wondered what dark promise Alpha Draven had made to my father in order to win my hand in marriage.

“Lady Lyra,” a familiar, deep voice called out from the shadows.

My spine stiffened instantly. Ace, I thought, panic fluttering in my chest. Why was he out here?

“Lady Lyra, are you crying?” he asked, stepping up to stand beside me. His sharp eyes scanned my face intently.

Terrified that he might expose my sorrow to the rest of the pack, I immediately forced the hollow smile back onto my face. I looked up at him, maintaining the bright mask while shaking my head side to side. No.

His face was incredibly defined up close. Once again, as if pulled by an invisible magnetic force, I found my hand moving upward on its own, my fingers reaching out toward the jagged scar cutting through his eyebrow.

Lyra, come back to your senses! I scolded myself, snapping out of the trance. But before I could retreat, his hand shot out, clamping tightly around my wrist.

“You must like my scar very much, Lady Lyra,” he said, his voice dropping low.

My eyes widened in surprise. I didn't understand what he meant by the intensity in his gaze, and since I couldn't exactly ask him to explain, I simply kept my smile plastered on and nodded, Yes.

“You want to know why you…..”

Before he could finish his sentence, my father’s sharp voice cut through the quiet air.

“Lyra!”

My father approached us with quick, aggressive strides. He forced a booming laugh, stepping between us.

“Hahaha! Ace... what are you doing out here with Lyra? She's mute, you know that, right?” His eyes darted between us, trying to read if Ace would reveal whether I could actually speak or not.

“I know,” Ace replied smoothly, a dangerous smirk playing on his lips, “And she also happens to love smiling. You know, looking at her now, I think my brother has an exceptional eye when it comes to women.” His gaze lingered heavily on me, sending a strange shiver down my spine.

“Haha, yes, very true...” My father’s tone turned clipped, his hospitality vanishing as he reached out and grabbed my hand firmly. “But if you would excuse us, I would like to take Lyra with me now.”

“Sure,” Ace replied, stepping back into the shadows.

I followed my father submissively, our footsteps echoing along the cold hallways until we entered a private, vacant room. The moment we crossed the threshold, he slammed the heavy wooden door shut and turned the lock.

The second he turned to face me, the truth burst out of my throat. “He slapped me, then locked me up for two years!” I cried out.

“I already know about that,” my father stated calmly, his voice flat. He didn't even blink. “In fact, I was the one who told him to lock you up in the first place. But what I don't know...” He began to walk slowly toward me, his hands clenching into tight fists as a venomous hatred filled his eyes. “...is when exactly you were allowed to start talking again.”

My breath hitched. He knew all along. I stood frozen in place, bracing my body for whatever punishment was coming, though deep down I knew he wouldn't physically strike me.

“I clearly said that you are not allowed to talk, didn't I?” he shouted, the sheer force of his voice making me flinch in terror.

He lunged forward, gripping my jaw tightly in his hands and forcing my face upward so my eyes had no choice but to lock onto his harsh glare.

“You know I love you, right, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice dripping with a sickening sweetness.

I gulped, my vision blurring as I nodded frantically against his grip.

“If you open your mouth, these people will instantly hate you,” he whispered harshly. “Do you want to be treated like a common slave?”

I shook my head, tears threatening to spill.

“No, right? This world has no mercy for wolfless people, Lyra. You are only exempt from that cruelty because of your beauty. So do not say a single word, and do not interrupt Draven's affairs. Do you understand me?” he demanded, finally releasing his painful grip on my face.

Then, as if he hadn't just severely threatened me, a bright, fake smile broke across his face.

“You are crying,” he observed, his tone completely shifting.

I immediately used my hands to wipe away the tears , terrified of the consequences.

“Now, smile. Just like I taught you,” he commanded coldly, leaning in closer. “Let me see the smile.”

Swallowing the lump of misery in my throat, I forced the muscles in my face to stretch, flashing him the bright, perfect smile he demanded.

“Good. Thank the goddess your eyes aren't puffy,” he murmured, patting my shoulder. “I even heard Draven let you out of your quarters, but I think I should tell him to revoke that privilege, since you clearly can't behave…..”

Panicking at the thought of losing the sun, I reached out and clutched his coat, forcing my smile wider while nodding my head frantically in a silent, desperate plea.

“Okay, okay, I was just kidding,” he chuckled, though his eyes remained dead serious. “But hear me clearly, Lyra. If you destroy my plans... you will be locked inside darkness forever.” He turned on his heel and walked away, the click of the lock signaling his departure.

My knees gave out, and I fell softly to the floor. I clamped my hands over my face, firmly holding back whatever tears remained, If my eyes became puffy, I would be locked away again.

Maybe father just wants the best for me, right? I desperately assured myself, trying to soothe the agony in my chest. The world is wicked, and this is his only twisted way of protecting me.

Numbing my mind to the pain, I stood up, smoothed down my celestial black gown, and walked back into the ceremony with the exact same perfect smile plastered on my face.

“Lady Lyra,” Selena called out the moment I stepped back into the ballroom.

I suppressed a shudder and slowly walked toward her.

“Everyone, this is her. The new Luna,” Selena announced proudly, introducing me to a circle of high-ranking women. I could tell by their expensive jewels and arrogant postures that they held high status in the pack, and from the cold, calculating way they looked at me, I knew there was trouble.

“So, what secrets do you use to make yourself this beautiful?” one of them asked, tilting her head before the entire group burst into cruel laughter. Caught in the center of their mockery, I couldn't express a single shred of anger. I could only stand there and smile.

“Why would you even ask her that?” another woman mocked, covering her mouth.

“She’s completely mute, you all,” Selena hissed, a vicious glint in her eyes. “Even otherworldly beauty comes with a heavy price.” They all laughed in unison, their voices echoing off the stone walls.

Yes, I thought bitterly, beauty really does come with a price but mine is a curse.

“Lyra!” Ace’s voice suddenly shattered the air, a booming, panicked shout that cut through the music of the hall.

I snapped my head around toward the sound. A maid was charging directly toward me through the crowd, her eyes wide with malice, holding a jagged, shattered piece of glass tightly in her hands.

Is this the end for me? I thought, time slowing down as the weapon closed in.