Chapter 5: Whispering

LYRA’S POV

“Ow!” 

The pain from the rejection was searing and it immediately brought me to my knees, my hand clutching my chest.

“I don’t care if Callia goes to the Alpha King’s palace, Lyra.” Rowan said, smirking as he gazed down at me. “She’ll come back to me when it’s over. No one could take her from me—not even the Alpha King.”

Callia giggled beside him, looping her arm through his. She leaned down just enough so that I could see her mocking smile.

“Your scheming will never work, Lyra. Rowan and I will be together forever.” she whispered and then placed a kiss on his cheek before she burst out laughing.

I couldn't even respond, not when I was it felt like I was being gutted out. I turned to my father. Surely, he would defend me, stand up for his daughter.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he looked away. 

How disappointing.

“You two aren’t even mates, are you?” I said, forcing the words through the lump in my throat. “What if Callia finds her true mate at the royal palace? Who knows? I never thought you two would betray me like this either.”

Rowan and Callia instantly stiffened, their smiles vanishing as they stared at me with fury in their eyes.

Good. Let them be angry. Their pain was the only thing that brought me the tiniest bit of comfort. I wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

How could they hurt me like that and just go live happily ever after? It’s not fair.

And I’ll make sure they pay for it.

The pain of a broken mate bond still burned through every part of me. My limbs screamed in protest as I pushed myself up from the floor. I walked over to my mother and she wrapped her arm around me. 

“Let’s go, baby,” she whispered, “I'll take you to the healer and then we need to pack. You have to leave for the Alpha King’s palace soon.”

I couldn't wait to leave. Everything I had ever known here was gone and brought me pain. 

The next morning, I stood at the entrance as my mother bade farewell to me. 

My mother placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, then pulled me into a hug. “Be strong, my love,” she whispered, “No matter what happens, remember who you are.”

I nodded, “I will mum.” 

My father stepped forward, “Take care, Lyra.” He said, “And please find it in you to forgive Callia…and look after her.” 

I turned to look at Callia, who was kissing Rowan goodbye. 

I frowned as disgust curled in my stomach, “You want me to look after her?” I whispered. “After everything she’s done?”

My father said nothing.

I shook my head. “Unbelievable.”

Without another word, I turned away and left, entering into the car. 

By evening, we arrived at the Alpha King’s palace. It was beyond grand and insanely luxurious. 

A head maid approached us immediately. “This way,” she instructed. We followed her and she led us into a banquet hall. The room was filled with women, all dressed in exquisite gowns discussing amongst themselves in small groups. 

Callia barely hesitated before slipping into one of them. She’d always been good at that—using that warm, fake smile to charm her way into people’s good graces. I’d never adapted as quickly as she did. And honestly, staring at a room full of girls waiting to be chosen like prizes, I had no desire to join in.

But it didn’t take long for me to realize my mistake.

The moment Callie started chatting with the others, their attention began to drift—straight toward me. One by one, the girls turned to look, their expressions full of scorn and barely-concealed amusement.

Then, the whispering began.

“Oh? She’s the bastard daughter, isn’t she?” one of them murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.

“Then that means she doesn’t even belong here,” another added with a soft chuckle. “She is not pure blood.”

My fists clenched at my sides. Stupid Callie had switched our identities—letting everyone believe I was the bastard daughter of our Alpha father, her lowborn half-sister.

She was playing her game well, I see. Her plan was to isolate me here, just as she had back home.

I won't let that happen.

I walked forward towards them. “Excuse me? Are you ladies—”

Before I could finish, the girls suddenly turned away. 

I narrowed my eyes. “I know what you're doing, Callia.” 

She smiled before linking arms with one of the noble girls beside her. “Come on girls, let’s find better company.”

And just like that, they all turned and walked away. 

Just then, the heavy doors opened and Beta Edmund stepped in. 

“The Alpha King sends his regrets, ladies” he announced. “Due to pressing matters, the King will not be attending tonight. If you are tired, you are free to return to your chambers.”

I took a steady breath. The Alpha King wasn’t here tonight. That meant I had one more evening before I had to face him.

The crowd quickly dispersed and I turned toward the exit, realizing I had no idea where my room was. I knew my room number, but the palace hallways all looked identical. I sighed and began wandering through halls, hoping to stumble upon the right door.

That was when I caught it.

A scent. 

My wolf stirred immediately as the sweet scent curled around me like invisible hands. 

My feet moved before I could think and I turned a corner and found a slightly open door. The scent was definitely coming from here and it was so strong, it made my knees feel weak.

I pushed it open and gasped. 

There, lounging on the sofa, was a man, entirely naked and pleasuring himself! 

I should have looked away but I couldn’t. His body was sculpted to perfection and his inky black hair laid in loose waves over his forehead. 

He groaned quietly, his head tilted back and lips parted as he stroked himself. But then suddenly, as if sensing my presence, his head snapped forward and his golden eyes locked onto mine.

I froze, “I….I am sorry for barging and I—”

A cold, dangerous smile slowly curled across his lips. “Lost, little wolf?”