Chapter 3: Marked

POV: Lyra Ashbourne

I turned slowly around. I could hear my heart racing and beating so loud he must have been able to hear it.

“I… I was just getting everything ready, Alpha,” I lied, but believably. “I observed the wine had been poured but the least placed back on properly , and I adjusted the cup, I’m sorry for touching your belongings without your permission.””

He didn't say anything for a long while.

“No need to apologize,” Alpha Kael said in a soothing tone.

“Thank you, Alpha.” I said meekly.

He moved into the room before pointing to the open doorway behind him. “Come with me.”

I opened my eyes in a surprised way. “Alpha?”

“Let's go out to dinner first.” He replied.

I just stood there, staring at him.

Dinner?

I thought I would get asked questions. Rather, he was asking me to sit for dinner with him.

I quickly lowered my head again.

“Yes, Alpha.”

I accompanied him down a few hallways, but somehow into a quiet room where there was another beautifully decorated room.

A trio of musicians stood near one corner, serenading soft songs as several dancers gracefully danced over the glistening floor.

The air was peculiar, normal.

Almost peaceful.

A servant pulled out a chair for me.

I sat carefully.

Another servant poured wine into both silver cups.

I was silent, and Alpha Kael noticed.

“It looks like you're on your guard,” he said.

I said, “I have never been in the palace of the king before.”

His face relaxed a little. “That is understandable.”

One maid  started to put various dishes before us. We didn't speak for a moment or two. I was more of a nibbler than a eater.

As the dancers danced around the room with more energy, the musicians started to play a more lively tune. It was easier this time.

I was asked by Alpha Kael to write about my favourite hobbies. I answered shyly.

I asked him what it was like in the palace.

He answered patiently. The more I talked to him, the less he was to be feared. He wasn’t arrogant.

He wasn’t cruel. Even if my answers were rather simple, he listened when I spoke. The time had gone by and I was still not aware.

At some point, the servants stealthily removed the dishes. They all went out of the dining room one after another until we were only two.

This time, there was silence between us, which was different. Comfortable.

Alpha Kael approached her nearer. His gaze was on my eyes. He said softly, “You’ve been gazing at me all evening, haven’t you?”

I turned my head at once, and I looked away. “I’m sorry.”

“Why is it that you're still apologizing?” He asked in a gentle voice.  “Don't be afraid of me.”

His touch was warm.

Gentle.

It was nothing like I'd expected.

Our eyes met.

That night I forgot about sleeping potion for the first time. I couldn't remember my family.

I had no recollection of the reason for my visit to the palace. I couldn't see anything other than the man in front of me.

Gently moved closer, allowing me every opportunity to move out of his way.

I didn’t. He gently kissed my lips. He was careful and slow in the kiss and he didn't want to scare me.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked his voice filled with concern as he broke the kiss.?

A tear dropped from my face again, I shook my head. “No.”

“Then why are you crying?” He asked quietly.

I couldn’t answer.

How can I say that I've never been treated so patiently? How could I tell him that I wasn’t crying because he kissed me… I cried because someone looked at me for a change and treated me like I was important.

I didn't say a word, he just wrapped his arms around me.

I cried and cried, clinging to his chest, letting years of loneliness pour out in silent tears.

I slept in his chambers that night. I opened my world to him, and I let him in, I opened my world to him, literally. Finally, he was sleeping but I couldn't fall asleep.

I brushed my hair back from my neck and felt a very sharp sting and recoiled. “Ah.”

The freshness of what seemed like two little puncture marks was traced by my fingertips.

My breathing caught.

Slowly…

I got out of bed and hastened towards the large mirror across the room.

I looked into my reflection and saw my own face staring back at me.

Just below my neck… A new mating mark lay on my light skin. My eyes widened. My fingers shook as I carefully placed them on it again. My tears filled my eyes.

“…I am the alpha’s mate?” I whispered in utter disbelief.

Chapter Four: Pregnant

POV: Lyra Ashbourne

It was several weeks since the night I spent in the palace.

Not a single day went by without me thinking about it.

Each morning I would wake up and put my hand on the fading mark on my neck and remind myself that it did not matter anymore. It had been gone just a few days since I got home and there was no sign that Alpha Kael had ever claimed me.

At times, I couldn't help but think that it might have been all in my head.

Then I would remember his kindness in his eyes.

The dinner.

Our conversation.

How he had listened when I told him about being a healer.

They were all true memories.

I had no one to talk to, and carried them with me in silence.

As soon as Selene's ankle healed, my parents began to implement the plan they had discussed a few weeks before.

Selene and I switched places.

Without any trouble, Selene went back into the palace and became the woman Alpha Kael selected, whilst I stayed at home with our parents.

I was sweeping the front hallway one day and the front door opened.

Selene's face had a smile  as she stepped in.

Even though it was a warm day, she wore a dark cloak around her shoulders.

When she saw that there were no servants near, she laughed quietly.

“Mother!” she called.

Helena was there in no time at all from the sitting room. “You’ve returned.”

Selene looked around and then pulled off the cloak. It was then that several bulky pouches on her waist were apparent. She loosened one of them and spilled its contents on the table.

The polished wood was covered in gold coins.

The room glittered.

Before I could recover from the shock, she opened another pouch.

This time, necklaces, bracelets with jewels and rings of gold fell on the table.

My eyes widened.

“Selene…” I whispered.

She was smiling proud, looking at me. “What?”

I looked at all the jewelry. “From where did you get all this?”

She laughed. “What do you think?”

Selene took one of the necklaces and looked at it under the sun. “The royal treasury.”

Mother smiled proudly. “That’s my girl.”

I looked from Mother to Father. They did not appear to be taken aback by either of them. “You knew?” I asked quietly.

Father looked up, and shook his head, unmoved. “Of course.”

I was in disbelief at what I was hearing. “You’ve taken money from Alpha Kael.”

Selene rolled her eyes. “Don't make a big deal of it.”

She threw more coins of gold on the pile. “There is a lot of gold in the treasury, but a few coins are not noticed.”

Mother started organizing the jewellery into beautiful piles. “These will be sold in the southern villages by our merchant.”

Father nodded.

“They won't be connected to us. But we will get the money.”

I glanced around the room.

There was no one really feeling bad. They didn't seem to be in any hurry. They spoke about stealing from the palace as casually as discussing the weather.

Selene perched on the table. “This is just the start, but I need to attend to one small thing…”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Her lips began to curve into a smile. “She is still in my way, the Luna and the alpha’s mother!”

Mother looked at her with interest . “And?”

Selene crossed her arms. “I have already begun to pass on a few whispers to the palace servants.”

My chest tightened. “What sort of rumors?

“That she’s dishonest.” That she mistreats servants. That she's keeping secrets from the Alpha.” She shrugged carelessly. “Whether they are true or not is irrelevant, what matters is that it is working. I just want to create a rift between she and the alpha’s mother. For some reasons that old  woman does not like me.”

I stared at her. “You’re trying to ruin her reputation. Why?”

Selene gave me that look then she smiled.  Should the Alpha’s mother lose her faith in her, she will lose her title.”

She smiled confidently. “When that occurs…I will be the next Luna.”

It was quiet in the room. Mother smiled contentedly. Father chuckled. “Our daughter is a very thoughtful girl.”

I looked at Selene. “You have all you need. Why are you doing this?”

She frowned. “No,” she shook her head. “I don't want to be a concubine, I want the crown”.

I was scared by the resolve in her voice.

It was no longer ambition. It was obsession.

She wasn’t satisfied with deceiving Alpha Kael. Now she wanted to ruin another woman.

A wave of dizziness suddenly washed over me. I pulled myself to the end of the table. The room was a bit slanted. Mother noticed. “What is it now?”

I tried to squeeze a smile out of my face. “I’m… just tired.”

I didn't get a look at him from my dad but I heard his voice .

“Then go rest.”

I nodded. “I will.”

Gradually, I moved away from them. Each step towards the stairs was a burden. My head throbbed. I heard some voices in the background, but they seemed far away.

I put my hand to the wall.

Why did I feel so weak?

It was just as I was about to get to the bottom step, when the darkness creeped into the corners of my vision.

The hallway blurred.

My legs gave way beneath me.

I heard Mother calling my name.

Then…

I felt myself hitting the ground with a thud

When I opened my eyes later, the odor was the first thing that got to me.

Herbs. Medicine. I slowly lifted  my eyes.

The ceiling I saw above my head was not the ceiling of my bedroom.

White curtains were around the bed.

The walls were lined with shelves of bottles.

I knew this place.

The pack hospital.

I blinked a few times and turned my head.

Mother was by the bed.

Father was standing by the window with his arms folded. Selene was at the end of my bed. None of them appeared to be happy. All of them were not smiling. Just looked at me. The cold shivers spread throughout my body.

“Mother?” I asked softly.

None of them responded before Selene suddenly ran down to the bed. She took hold of the front of my dress with both hands.

“You liar!” Selene screamed.

I gasped. “S-Selene?”

Her eyes blazed with rage. “Who is he?”

I gazed at her in bewilderment. What do you mean?

She shook me very hard. Who did you have sex with?

My heart jumped a beat. “My… what?”

Selene’s grip tightened. “Stop pretending!”

“I don’t understand!” I screamed back.

Mother stepped forward. “Selene.”

She softly moved my sister out of bed. I glanced from face to face. Gradually, fear creeped into my heart. “What is happening?”

At first, no one responded. The silence stretched out for so long. Finally… Mother spoke. “After you collapsed, the healer examined  you.”

I waited. Her face was coldly expressionless. “You are pregnant.”

The words rang in my mind.

Pregnant?

I stared at her.

“No…”

Mother's lifted a finger and that shut me up.  “The healer said it, so It's true.”

I lowered my shaking hands.

Pregnant… My stomach tightened. Pictures popped into my head. The palace . The dinner.

The mark.

Alpha Kael.

My mind wandered until I heard my father's voice.

“Who is the man who put you in the family way?”

I looked up.

“I…”

Before I could reply, Selene interrupted. “You shameless woman! What could you do to bring shame on this family? “You have been sneaking around with men and you pretend that nothing is wrong! You’re already worthless! Did you have to be a whore?!”

I shook my head frantically.

“No!”

Mother folded her arms. “Then explain yourself.”

“I…”

Father's voice got rougher. “We’re waiting.”

I started to take irregular breaths. I wanted to remain silent. I didn't want to reveal the secret. However, their eyes never left me. Selene was again pointing at me. Who is he?

My lips trembled. “….The baby’s father…” My voice broke. “…is Alpha Kael.”

The entire room went silent. Selene turned as white as a sheet of paper. Father froze. Mother even ceased to move. For a few long seconds… No one spoke.

Mother then slowly looked at me.

“This child can't live.”