Heartbreak and Emotions

LYRA'S POV

With a heavy sense of uncertainty, I ascended the front steps of the Alpha King's mansion. The magnificent structure was nothing compared to the Alpha's manor back in Silvermoon—if that place could even be called home. The white-water fountain did little to calm my nerves as I watched beautiful ladies from every corner of the realm sashay toward the mansion after alighting from expensive cars. Their shiny dresses glimmered in the moonlight, creating a stark contrast to my own appearance.

The rumpled, worn-out dress hanging from my shoulders made me feel diminished, and the jagged soles of my barely clad feet only magnified my shame. I nervously ran a shaky hand through my unwashed hair while the other girls hurried along, excitedly chattering about the King and his brother—or rather, their well-built bodies. To them, ending up with the King's brother was just as desirable as the King himself, as long as it meant increased prosperity for their packs. They dismissed the vicious reputation and disturbing rumours of past wives who had mysteriously vanished. One such rumour claimed that one of these missing women now haunted the King, causing his constant ferocity.

While the ladies were excited to begin the evening's events, I busied myself admiring the statues of half-naked men and paintings of cherubs—a futile attempt to calm my quivering nerves. Troubling thoughts still plagued my mind: What if the King grew infuriated with my appearance and decided to slaughter me? After all, slitting the throats of strangers for the sheer pleasure of it wasn't a foreign concept to him.

After being shoved aside by bulky dresses and sharp-tongued girls, I finally found my way to the grand hall. I snaked around multiple paparazzi, expertly avoiding the photo booth. In my haste to find an empty space, I bumped into another guest.

"Oh my! I am dreadfully sorry. My humble apologies, please forgive me," the stranger's voice came out in a flurry, sounding oddly familiar.

I paused my panicked attempt to clean the stain on my chest and took a second look at the culprit. "Mira?" Relief and confusion flooded my face as I admired her pretty dress. Though not up to the standards of the other girls, it was still far better than mine. "What are you doing here?"

"Lyra!" came her excited shout. "It's good to see you again after..." Mira's voice trailed off while I waved away the heavy memories of rejection with a shrug.

"I see you also got sent off to your death," she said, reaching out to touch my shoulder comfortingly before guiding us to an unoccupied stone bench near the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"What can I say?" I smiled sadly. "Silvermoon has always meant death for me. But why are you here?" I asked again, eager to steer the conversation away from myself. "I thought you had a better fate than mine."

"I wouldn't say better fate," Mira smiled shyly, playing modest to avoid making me feel inferior.

"Are you kidding? You still have a mother who loves you," I pointed out, frowning deeply. If only she knew how willing I was to trade everything just to see my parents once more.

"Yes, but we're destitute and looked down upon by the rest of the pack. Our situations aren't so different."

"True, but they aren't similar either. You're still lucky to have one parent with you."

Mira sighed. "You're right. It was my mother's idea to try this selection process. It might change our luck."

"Aren't you scared of the Alpha King?" I inquired with wide eyes. "Haunting rumours of his brutality have spread throughout the realm."

"I know, but it's better than serving Alpha Luke and his mate. Plus, Freya now lives in the manor, and she's the she-devil herself. Even Luna Delilah can't match Freya's wickedness. If I get chosen, I get to live like a queen and help my mother. She wouldn't have to slave away in the Alpha's kitchen anymore."

It was my turn to sigh—a sigh of understanding. "I refuse to believe the goddess Favors all wolves. She clearly has her Favorites."

"Please, don't talk like that. We've managed to survive these tough years, and I still believe better days are coming." Mira squeezed my hand in encouragement and comfort. In that moment, I knew I had found my first true friend.

"If you end up as queen, don't forget me," I begged, eager to find a solution to my homelessness.

Mira scoffed. "Have you looked around? Why would the King choose me, a lowly omega, over hundreds of pretty she-wolves who are daughters of Alphas and Betas?" She gestured around the room to prove her point.

Just then, a trumpet sounded from the corner, signalling the arrival of the King and his brother. I didn't need a seer to tell me that the taller, regally clad male was the Alpha King. His dominance preceded him as he walked with precision and pride. I watched with a mixture of fear and awe as cameras flashed while he stood before the throne-like chair on the elevated platform. His handsome brother, who shared similar features, stood beside him like a guard—arms folded, gaze focused and alert.

A signal was given, and pin-drop silence fell over the room. I could feel Mira holding her breath while my stomach twisted with nerves.

"I welcome you all to this selection ball," Rockan's deep voice echoed through the room, causing my knees to weaken. "The terms and conditions have already been made known to you beforehand. Whoever gets chosen tonight assumes the position of Alpha Queen with immediate effect. So, good luck." He clapped his palms together, and solemn music resumed.

The ladies began parading themselves according to their ranks and packs. Mira and I, being at the bottom of the hierarchy, waited patiently for our turn. We watched anxiously as Rockan barely spared the others a glance before waving them away in annoyance. A servant stood behind him holding an ornate tray bearing an even more ornate glass, from which Rockan sipped intermittently, his gaze fixed on everything except the beautiful she-wolves lined up before him.

Soon, it became the turn of the lower castes, and I fell into line with Mira behind me.

"Keep your head up and smile. Give it your best shot," she whispered.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded. As we walked forward, I willed my stiff legs to cooperate. However, the moment I entered Rockan's line of sight, I tripped on the tail of my dress, falling face-first onto the spotless floor. The room erupted in laughter, and shame washed over me. Tears of disappointment welled in my eyes, but I blinked them back, determined to stay strong.

I mustn't shed tears before the Alpha King. The last thing I need is to be killed for being too weak for his court.

As Mira helped me up, I heard an unmistakable growl. Or rather, two unmistakable growls.

"Mate."

I froze, head snapping toward the platform to see both Rockan and his brother, Tyris, staring at me as if in a trance. I shook my head; certain I was imagining things. Then, as if to confirm my suspicions, I heard them both again in my mind: "Mate."

No. I shook my head in disbelief, hoping it was some cruel joke. How could I be mated to two brothers?

My heart pounded violently as Rockan stalked toward me, the unmasked part of his face tilting upward in a smirk. I had to stand almost on my tiptoes to meet his eyes—and gods, were they beautiful. The most beautiful pair I had ever seen. In that moment, the rest of the world faded away, and I could see only him. He gently took my small hand in his, pressing my knuckles to his warm lips. His other hand found the small of my back as he led me to the platform, guiding me away from his brother, who stared back at us with pain in his eyes.

"I present to you Lyra, the new Alpha Queen and my destined mate," Rockan announced with authority. "Accord her the respect you accord me. Anyone who goes against her in any way will be put to death."

I looked on in a trance as the room's occupants bowed their heads in acknowledgment of my new status. Mira smiled up at me, giving me a thumbs up. But somewhere deep in my soul, I felt pain, disappointment, and heartbreak—emotions that didn't belong to me. They belonged to Tyris, as did the voice now echoing in my head: "You are mine, Lyra."