Chapter 1: The Switch

POV: Lyra Ashbourne

I sat silently in front of the big mirror , watching as my mother lightly combed my hair with tender strokes behind me.

I studied myself, didn't say a word.

This was to be Selene's day.

Rather, I was the one who sat here.

Selene was lying behind me on the headboard of her bed. Her right ankle was bandaged with thick white bandages and she was frustrated when she looked at her right ankle. From the moment I walked into her room she was glaring at me.

Selene let out an annoyed sigh before fixing her eyes on me. “But this is all your fault Lyra, if you hadn't distracted me yesterday I would not have stumbled down those stairs.”

I lowered my gaze down to my lap.

“I know.”

Before shaking her head, Selene snorted. “You know, of course, it doesn't change anything.”

Our mother, Helena Ashbourne, instinctively put her hand on Selene's and squeezed.

Helena beamed at her favorite daughter. “My dear, don't worry, it will pass soon, you just need to rest, let’s listen to the doctor hm?”

Selene frowned. “He said that  I would recover soon, he never said I would attend the selection ceremony.”

“It won't matter,” said Helena quietly. “Lyra will be coming to replace you.”

Selene looked back at me.

“Don't embarrass me,” Selene said. “All the pack members know that I registered for the selection, you will keep your head down, only respond when spoken to, and ensure that no one notices anything unusual.”

I nodded quietly.

“I understand.”

Selene glared at me. “ I will never forgive you if you mess this up somehow.”

Helena set the brush down before I could react, and then she put the silver ribbon in my hair and twisted it around.

“Don't worry,” Helena said, “Selene. Your sister knows her place.”

I finally took a look at Helena in the mirror. She looked cold as ice. “Listen carefully, Lyra.”

“Yes, Mother.” I nodded calmly.

“You're not stressing  today's ceremony for your sake.” She started.  “You’re only replacing your sister because she can't walk, and when the ceremony is over, everything will be back to normal, when Selene is better, she'll get her position back.”

I slowly nodded. “Yes, Mother.”

Helena placed both hands on my shoulders.

“Do not begin to think silly things just because you're going to the Alpha's palace – you are borrowing your sister's name.”

Her words sank into my heart.

Borrowing.

Replacing.

Pretending.

Those words had been my companions for all my life.

Not I was not Lyra in this house.

I was never a daughter enough. The weaker of the twins. The girl who doesn't have a wolf.

Helena walked away from me, before going back to Selene. She softly put a loose strand of blonde behind Selene's ear.

Helena was smiling softly, "My beautiful daughter. “You will be just as you were before the ankle was injured, once the recovery process is complete.”

Selene smiled back. “It will make this family proud.”

I quietly stood from the chair. No one looked at me, No one asked me if I was scared. No one asked, "Do you want to go? No one even wished me luck. It wasn’t surprising.Within the walls of this home, no thoughts of mine had ever mattered.

I made sure to iron the pale blue dress that Mom had selected for Selene. Even though I didn't like the pricey cloth felt under my skin, it  was the most beautiful thing that I ever wore.

Even now…

It wasn’t really mine. All was hers. The dress. The jewelry. The opportunity. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“It’s time.” Father said from the other end of the door.

Selene immediately had Helena help her to wrap the blanket around her legs before she looked to me.

“Don't keep your father waiting.”

I quietly walked toward the door. Selene called out my name just before I went outside. “Lyra.”

I stopped walking. “Yes?”

Selene crossed her arms. “Losing is not an option.”

I did my best to nod. “I won’t forget.”

As soon as I came out of the room, the door closed.

Father was waiting in the hallway. Magnus Ashbourne looked me up and down before giving a satisfied nod. “You’ll do. Come.”

I trailed him through the house  silently and until we came to the front door.

The family carriage was outside. Before pointing to the seat across from him, Father climbed in first. I walked into the room silently. The carriage started to move almost immediately.

We didn't say anything for several minutes.

I tried to calm myself down as the familiar streets went outside my window.

This would be my first time entering the Alpha’s palace.

There was no way I knew what was waiting for me.

Suddenly, Father came out of his silence. “If today is good, all these things will change.”

I looked at him. “What do you mean?”

For the first time that morning, Magnus smiled. “Our family’s future.”

I remained quiet.

Magnus leaned back comfortably.” Think about it, Lyra. As long as Selene becomes Alpha Kael's concubine, our family will be linked to the most powerful Alpha in the Northern Territories.”

He was excited and his eyes glittered.

The payoffs will be great – we'll get land, we'll get influence, we'll get more respect for our name, and we'll be invited by noble families to stand beside us.” His smile widened. “And wealth…,” He rubbed his hands together. There will be more wealth than this family ever had.

I studied him and his eyes.

Not once had he mentioned Selene’s happiness. He never had spoken of Alpha Kael's personality. Never had he thought that any daughter would want to become a concubine.

All he cared about…

Our family would receive, was what our family would gain.

It was then that Father looked at me. “Now you know why this is a special day today?”

I answered honestly. “I understand.”

He nodded his head in satisfaction. “Good.”

The remainder of the trip was silent. Then the carriage slowed down and finally stopped. We were surrounded by the palace gates which loomed high overhead. After Father, I went outside. The palace was as unlike anything I had ever seen as it was. The buildings were tall and white and stood out in the distance. The entrance was surrounded by beautiful gardens. A dozen Royal Guards stood in perfect silence wearing their shining armor. Everything looked grand. All of this reminded me that I didn't belong here.

Father slipped the sleeve of my dress before his final words. “Listen carefully.”

I looked at him.

You are standing here because Selene can't. You're not to draw undue attention.” Father warned.

“I understand.” Said to me softly, "Come,"

“Do not forget, whose place you're borrowing.” My father said sternly.

“I won’t.” I replied.

Magnus gave a short nod. “Good.” Ignoring him, he turned around and walked back towards the carriage.

I saw him go away. He never wished me good fortune.

He didn't smile at me at all. The carriage was out of sight, past the palace gates, in no time at all.

I stood alone. I walked toward the entrance, taking a slow breath, I mustered my courage. The big doors were opened by the guards. I was shocked for a second when I walked in. The main hall was a magnificent room.

The ceiling was high, and there were chandeliers with crystals hanging from it. Long, red carpets covered the smooth marble floor. The hall was filled with noble young ladies from all over the Northern Territories, each wearing a beautiful gown with gold and silver embroidery.

The room was filled with laughter. Small groups whispered excitedly amongst themselves. I lowered my head down quietly. Compared to them…

I felt invisible.

I walked towards the back of the crowd, thinking no one will be looking at me. Suddenly, a loud voice resounded throughout the hall.

“His Alpha Majesty has arrived!”

The room instantly fell silent. Every conversation stopped. All of the noble ladies stood up straight. My heartbeat started beating out of my chest.

I slowly lifted my head.

The big doors on the front of the hall opened.

Alpha Kael Draven appeared.

He was even more formidable than the tales told.

His broad shoulders were clad in a dark ceremonial cloak with embroidered silver thread, and he walked with great confidence. His black hair was combed tidily and his piercing blue eyes moved quietly and authoritatively across the room.

No one dared speak. No one dared move. He was enough to make all speak in hushed tones. Several elders and royal officials walked behind him, but I had my eyes on the Alpha.

He started to make his way down the line of candidates. He went to each young woman in turn. He questioned with simplicity.

Their names.

Their families.

Their talents.

Then he moved on.

Alpha Kael came towards my end of the hall and I lowered my gaze.

Please…

Don’t notice me.

His footsteps stopped. I slowly looked up.

His blue eyes were looking into mine. He didn't quickly turn his head away, for some reason.

Instead, he studied at me quietly. One of the palace officials pulled out a scroll.

“Selene Ashbourne,” said the official.

My heart skipped. I pushed myself to get up and stand up before them.

Alpha Kael was staring straight into my eyes. “What's your name?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “My name is Selene Ashbourne.” It was a bitter lie.

With a single nod, Alpha Kael made his point. “Which family are you from?”

“I'm  Magnus Ashbourne's daughter, the gamma, my  Alpha.”

He kept his eyes on me. “What are your abilities?”

I maintained my composure. “My course of study has been etiquette, herbal medicine and household management.”

He didn't say anything for a few seconds before asking one last question. “Are you here willingly?”

I clutched at the dress's cloth with my hands.

For a second… I wanted to say to him the truth. I wanted to let him know that I was not Selene. That I wasn’t here willingly . Because that I came only because my family called.

Rather, I lowered my eyes.

“Yes, my  Alpha.”

Alpha Kael studied my face for another quiet moment before giving a single nod. “Okay.”

He continued walking. The ceremony went ahead as he asked the remaining candidates questions.

The time passed slowly. The more I waited, the more my heart was pounding. Lastly, Alpha Kael came to a halt at the middle of the hall.

Everyone in the room was waiting. The palace was as silent as a mouse. Slowly, Alpha Kael turned his attention to the group of women before him, but his gaze stopped on me once more.

Then he spoke softly and calmly. “ I have made my choice.”

The room was silent.

Alpha Kael was staring at me.

“Selene Ashbourne… will become my concubine.”