Chapter Two: The Unseen Bond

Lyra's POV

“Today," the old man announced. “We honour the agreement between the Iron Claw pack and the Crimson's Fang pack, to give out Lyra Thorne as treaty for peace to forever reign between both packs"

My heart thumped faster, being a treaty was no worse than being a slave.

Although everything registered as a dream to me until, I was dressed in a simple gray linen gown, standing in the center of the council room.

Nothing like the first daughter of the pack and more like a servant.

“At least she won't embarrass us looking like she belongs to the pack" Celeste had laughed off when she saw me.

My hands were sweaty and clasped tightly in front of me to stop it from shaking.

Alpha Victor Thorne sat at the head of the council table, dressed in formal black, the silver emblem of the pack sigil gleamed on his chest.

He looked powerful to his subjects as always.

Untouchable.

Respected.

No one would think he was controlled by his second wife like a puppet to a string.

He wouldn't look at me. Not even once, and it made my chest ache at the thought that I believed he wouldn't allow this to happen, that my father would see me and call off whatever madness this was.

But I was wrong.

Even now that his daughter stood in front of the entire council like merchandise, he still didn't move.

I forced myself to breathe slowly.

It couldn't get any worse than this.

My gaze darted towards Lydia, she sat beside my father with an elegant and composed posture.

Meanwhile, Celeste and Calvin stood just behind her chair, watching me with barely concealed amusement as Celeste flaunted her expensive fitted dress.

I lowered my head in accordance to the pack’s tradition of the law of exchange where the buyer wasn't allowed to see the wolf he or she was buying until the deal had been finalized to enable trust.

And today, it meant that the Alpha king of Crimson Fang pack would stand somewhere behind the heavy curtain that hung at the far end of the council hall.

“We welcome the Alpha of Crimson Fang, Alpha Vander Clegane!"

The room suddenly fell silent and for a moment, nothing except the small noises from the Alpha's arrival happened.

And almost immediately, an inexplicable sensation crawled up my spine. I sensed a shift in the air as it suddenly became heavy and tense.

A scent.

A sweet scent filled my nostrils, it was unlike anything I had ever come across. It was a lovely mix of honey and pine.

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, reacting more than it ever did. Then came an undeniable pull that forced me to gaze up at the curtains.

My pulse raced as a voice echoed in my head.

‘Mate.’

No…

It couldn't be.

My breathing came in short and sharp as my fingers curled around the fabric of my dress, crumpling it.

I tried to stay still and composed but what were the odds that someone from Crimson Fang pack was my mate?

The beta? One of the guards that escorted the Alpha King?

I had spent years believing I would never have one, my stepmother made it obvious that her children would all get a mate and I would be left out as always.

Probably, my wolf was making a mistake, maybe all the pressure I felt made it flare up.

Yet the bond wrapped around me like an invincible chain, tugging me towards one of the hidden figures on the other side of the hall.

Maybe I was wrong, maybe the moon goddess had finally shown me mercy and maybe if I was indeed mated to someone from the Crimson Fang pack, the Alpha would let me go.

Before I could think again of how to recompose myself, a deep voice suddenly broke the silence.

“I want your treaty released."

The voice was low and commanding, igniting hope in my chest.

Gasps spread amongst the council members as they all looked confused.

My heart soared.

Maybe my mate had recognized me?

My head lifted instinctively towards the curtain, making sure this wasn't a dream and then he stepped out of the curtain.

From where I stood, I looked up to the Alpha of Crimson pack.

He stood apart from everyone else.

Gold cloak and broad shoulders, his inky dark hair and huge arms.

His straight nose and piercing grey eyes that locked onto mine.

The pull became stronger and I realized.

My mate was the Alpha??

I froze.

Never in a million dreams did I think I would be mated to an Alpha.

My knees weakened.

"This is abominable and not how the arrangements work, your highness" the council spokesman said immediately as confusion filled the room.

"You brought me here to purchase a servant,” he said slowly. " Yet you bring forward a girl who belongs beside an Alpha" he said coldly, yet authoritatively.

The councilor spokesman opened his mouth but Alpha Vander cut him off sharply

“I will not have my mate treated like property!"

My heart fluttered at the mention of the word ‘mate’, the thought of him acknowledging me made warmth flood my chest so suddenly that it almost hurt.

“This is impossible," my step mother rose from her seat with confusion and anger flaring in her eyes. “The moon goddess would never be cruel enough to bind a cursed child to a prestigious Alpha. She has definitely bewitched his highness"

“And you speak for… the moon goddess?” He asked calmly but with sarcasm filling his tone.

Lydia scoffed but nervously rubbed her palms together, no one had ever spoken to her in such a manner.

“No"

“Good, so your opinion on this will not be recognized,” he said.

"But your highness, you cannot marry Lyra when all she has ever brought with her is bad luck" Celeste protested.

"Father, say something.” Calvin said.

It was obvious that both my step siblings had prepared for this and the idea of having the Alpha pick me was sickening to their bones.

My father turned towards Alpha Vander. "Alpha Vander…”

"With due respect Alpha Victor. I shall still acknowledge the reason this meeting was put together.”

Silence dwelled between the both of them until my father nodded once.

"As promised, Lyra is yours to do with as you please”

"Father!?” Celeste stomped while Lydia stood, barely containing anger boiling from within her.

“Very well, Alpha Victor. And if peace is what you require, then it is done but as for the Luna of my pack" turning his gaze back at me with a smile on his face.

"She's coming home, with me.”

The sound of home played like music to my ears.

I couldn't believe it.

A day before, I was scrubbing the kitchen floors and now, I was the Luna of Crimson Fang pack.