Chapter Three: The Wrong Alpha.

Lyra's POV

The journey to the Crimson Fang pack was silent.

I sat in the back of the large black carriage, my hands folded in my lap as excitement filled me from inside out.

Alpha Vander had taken the carriage that rode behind mine, though it didn't seem like he wasn't sitting with me when all I could feel was the bond pulsing in my chest.

I had never imagined having a mate, those were fantasies that Lydia had for Celeste that too someone as powerful as an Alpha King.

My fingers tightened.

What if he saw me and regretted it?

What if…

My head lifted slowly as the carriage slowed towards the iron gates.

Crimson Fang.

The gates opened slowly, revealing a massive pack territory beyond that caught my breath.

The rumors were lies, the pack was enormous than they told.

Some buildings stood across the lands, their dark walls carved with ancient symbols. Large training grounds stretched across open spaces, creating enough room for wolf warriors to fight and train in both human and wolf form.

Everything looked powerful.

This wasn't just a pack, this was a kingdom and I was going to be Luna of it all.

“All hail our Luna, all hail"

I could hear the cheering from outside as the carriage rolled forward through the gates.

My heart fluttered.

The carriage finally stopped in front of a massive stone mansion, the building was bigger than all other buildings.

The pack house.

One of the warriors opened the door and I stepped out slowly, before I could even take in the sight around me, two women approached quickly.

Both were dressed in elegant uniforms

" Miss,” one of them said gently.

Miss?

I blinked.

No one had ever addressed me in that way before.

" The Alpha has ordered that you be prepared,” the woman continued.

Prepared?

“For what?" I asked calmly.

" For your meeting with him.” She replied.

A smile crept up my face but they didn't give me time to ask more questions.

The women led me quickly inside the pack house.

And the interior was more breathtaking.

High ceilings and golden chandeliers.

Polished woods and everything I never thought could be so beautiful.

But they didn't stop.

They guided me down long hallways and finally into a large bathing room.

I glanced at the large marble tub and back at them.

“For… me?” I asked uncertainly.

The maids smiled "Yes, Miss”

Before I could protest, they began gently removing the dust and travel stains from my dress.

Warm water washed over my skin and soft oils scented the air.

They brushed my hair slowly, untangling the long dark strands with patience.

I felt overwhelmed, it was the first time someone had taken care of her and shown her so much kindness.

After the bath, they dressed me in something new, a cream coloured dress that hugged my waist and flowed gracefully to the floor.

And when they finished, one of the maids stepped back with a satisfied smile.

"You look lovely, Miss.”

I turned to the mirror behind me and I could barely recognize myself either.

I was indeed…. Beautiful.

My chest warmed slightly.

Maybe things really were changing.

Maybe the moon goddess had finally wanted me to have a better life.

The maids led me upstairs afterwards, cornering towards a hallway that was quieter, more private than the rest of the house.

“This is the Alpha's chambers," one of the maids explained softly. “His highness will meet you there"

I nodded nervously as I opened the door and stepped inside.

His room was more enormous than my sister's room and my father's room put together, larger windows that overlooked the forest outside, massive bed with Crimson sheets.

This was clearly Alpha's chambers, her mates chambers.

My heart pounded more at the thought of seeing him up close, of having him touch me and mark me as his like the stories I had heard.

I waited, my fingers twisting together nervously as the minutes passed, not long after I had started running my hand through valuable items, the door opened again.

I turned quickly as a taller man stepped inside

The same man I recognized from the council back at home.

My mate.

Those broad shoulders and dark messy hair, those grey eyes, though they looked darker now, like they were more intense than they were the first time.

He had sharp features that carried the unmistakable authority of an Alpha.

Though I wasn't feeling the exact same pull towards him, I shrugged it off the second his eyes swept over me.

I bowed.

“Your highness"

“Well," he said casually, his voice deeper than before “this is disappointing" his eyes scammed over me.

I arched my brow in confusion.

“Your highness…?"

“Your dress looks nice on you..” he stepped forward, scanning his own room “from what I've heard you've probably never worn anything like it"

I frowned, believing I heard someone else . "What…

He scoffed cruelly as he stepped closer.

I stepped back instinctively, this man was surely different from the man I had met back at home, the man who looked up at me and demanded my release.

I studied him and his hair was less neater than it had been and his eyes were indeed darker but there was no mistaking it, he was Alpha Vander.

The exact same one I was about to be sold to.

“You should leave this pack, Miss , you don't belong here”

I tried to get a grasp of whatever was happening but his cold expression and dismissive tone didn't seem like he had time for that.

“But… we're mates,” I said. "You brought me to your pack, you clothed…

"Those things are clearly out of pity…. but Mates?” He laughed. "I'm sure you knew deep down that there must have been a mistake." Alpha Vander stopped in front of me, his eyes cold.

“No," I whispered, my chest already tightening

“Yes." His voice hardened. “besides, I know who you are now, just a desperate unfortunate daughter clinging to anyone who shows her the slightest affection"

I shook my head at the harsh words thrown at me.

“No, there was a bond, a pull, I saw the way you looked at me.." reaching for his hand but he immediately slapped it away, making me flinch.

" How gullible you are….. you really think an unwanted child sold for a slave would be the Luna of Crimson pack? Then you must have lost your senses the moment you were birthed”

"Vander.." my voice broke as I called out.

“Call me that again and I will have your tongue chopped away from your mouth.” He warned and then circled me slowly “Look at you.. No power, no inheritance, a weak wolf.. you're barely worthy of standing in this room"

I fell silent, barely able to feel my body from the shock.

" But I can fix that” he looked directly into my eyes, his dark blue eye bore into mine as he spoke.

“I, Vander Clegane of the Crimson Fang royal bloodline…”

I felt my knees weaken.

"...reject you.”

Tears burned my eyes, I didn't know how rejection worked but I felt like a knife had been stuck to my chest and it had been twisted.

Why give me hope and take it, why make me believe I had a chance at life and then crush that belief.

Alpha Vander watched me calmly, I understood what he wanted.

" I…” my voice trembled as I spoke. " I Lyra Thorne accept your rejection”

“Good."

I wiped the tears from my face quickly. There was nothing left for me here, I swallowed as I dragged my feet towards the door but stopped when I thought of something.

“Did you really not feel anything?"

I turned my head to him and his expression didn't waver, not even for a moment.

"No."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reached for the door knob and twisted.

I had myself to blame, to think my miserable life was going to change in a day, to think my life was a fantasy.

He didn't stop me as I walked past the hallways and castle doors.

No one cared as I walked past the guards, I felt rejected, discarded.

I had no choice now but to go back to the place I seldomly call home.

Back to my misery.