The mate without a wolf

(Lyra’s POV)

For the first time in my life, I woke up actually smiling. It felt strange and weirdly wrong, like happiness was something my body wasn’t used to carrying.

Sunlight slipped through the large windows beside the bed as the scent of pine and smoke surrounded me. His arms rested strongly around my waist, pulling me gently against his cock.

Dylan, my mate. My cheeks turned red instantly at the memory of last night, the ceremony, the way he looked at me when he accepted me in front of everyone, the way he fucked me; even now, it still felt like a dream.

Slowly, I turned my head slightly to look at him. He was still fast asleep.

Without his usual cold and dismissive expression, Dylan looked younger somehow, peaceful. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead while one arm stayed wrapped protectively around me like he was afraid I might disappear if he let go.

No one had ever held me like this before; no one had ever wanted me this close.

I carefully lowered my eyes toward the mark on my arm, expecting the usual shame to crawl through me.

But for once… it didn’t, because he saw it already, and he still accepted me. My throat tightened slightly at that thought.

“Take a picture; it will last longer.” He said before he opened his eyes. Dylan’s voice was rough and groggy  from sleep, amusement clear in his tone.

“You were awake the whole time?”

"Yes, I didn’t want to wake you, so I pretended to sleep,” he admitted with a smile.

I don’t think I had ever seen him smile properly before.

“You scared me,” I muttered under my breath, and then I got up from the bed to get a cup of water to drink.

He made a whistling sound. “Damn gorgeous, your ass is perfect.” I froze and looked at the mirror; I was still naked. I quickly grabbed my clothes from the floor, but they were torn.

“Thank you, baby." Those words sounded weird coming out of my mouth; I just called the freaking Alpha baby.

His eyes stayed on my body for a while  before he got up from the bed and handed me his hoodie to wear. “Put this on before all the men in the pack start imagining themselves in you.”

I quickly put it on and tied my hair in my usual messy bun. “I can get used to seeing you like this every day.” He laughed as he smacked my ass

I couldn’t help but laugh at his silly comment.

“This is the first time I'm hearing you laugh,” he added. “Last night,” he said quietly, brushing his thumb gently across my cheek, “you looked scared to even breathe around me.”

I felt so embarrassed because he wasn’t wrong; people like Dylan Ashford didn’t belong in my world, or maybe I didn’t belong in his.

“I still don’t think any of this was real,” I admitted softly. He looked at my neck, rubbing his hands on the mate mark, before he placed a kiss gently on my lips.

“It’s real.” He smirked; the certainty in his voice made my heart flutter in the best way possible.

Dylan suddenly reached for the bedside table. “I have something for you.”

“What?” I wasn't really expecting anything.

Instead of answering, he placed something small into my hand. A silver necklace with a beautiful moon shaped blue diamond inside it. I instantly stopped breathing.

“It belonged to my mother,” he said quietly. “She wanted my future mate to have it someday.”

“Dylan…” I finally managed to speak.

“You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”

“No,” I said quickly, holding it carefully. “I love it," and I really did, not because it looked expensive but because someone finally looked at me and thought I was worth giving something precious to.

Dylan moved behind me to place the necklace around my neck. His fingers brushed my skin gently, sending warmth through my body again.

When he finished, he kissed my hands. “You’re thinking too much again,” he murmured.

I laughed softly. "You noticed?"

“Of course I did; I've been watching you for years. You do this thing where your forehead wrinkles whenever you're lost in your thoughts.

I instantly touched my forehead. “It does not.” He smirked. “It does.” Dylan looked at my wrist, and his expression suddenly changed.

“Oh my God, what if he saw the mark on my hand and he realized he doesn't want me anymore?” I thought to myself.

“What happened there?” he said, pointing at my wrist; the bruises from Aunt Irene’s grip yesterday had become more visible now.

“Oh,” I said quietly, trying to pull my hand away. “It’s nothing.” I lied

“It's obviously not nothing.” His grip tightened gently before I could hide it. “Your hand is swollen for fuck's sake.”

"Lyra," he had lowered his voice now. “Who did this?” I forced out a small laugh. “It doesn’t really matter.” Dylan lifted my chin with his hands, and for the first time since last night, he looked angry

“You’re my mate now; of course, it matters. Now tell me who did this.” I took a deep breath.

“Okay, remember when you came to my aunt's house for dinner?” He nodded. "Yes, I remember.”

“When I mistakenly poured a drink on you, Aunt Irene did this.”

“But that wasn't your fault.” His fingers brushed softly over my wrist before he placed a gentle kiss against the bruised skin. “I should have stood up for you that day; I'm so sorry.” I nodded

“You’re shaking again,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry, I'm not used to this.”

“To what?” I swallowed hard.

“Someone actually caring about me.” Then he carried me on his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You better get used to it,” he said, as he placed kisses on my neck. I stood up before his kisses would lead to us having sex again.

"Anyways, I need to get water.”

"Okay, be quick; who knows, maybe we can squeeze one more round.” I glanced back at him in disbelief. He wants more after last night. Crazy.

“What?

“Lyraaa!”

"Okay, maybe a quickie?” he shouted again. I laughed and shut the door before everybody in the house would hear him.

“Lyraaa!” Still smiling, I walked down the hallway with Dylan’s oversized hoodie practically swallowing my body; his cologne was still on it.

For once, I wasn’t scared of tomorrow. I have a mate now, not just any mate. Dylan Ashford, the fucking Alpha.

I touched the necklace around my neck softly and smiled to myself again. The moment I reached the bottom of the stairs, there they were.

Aurora stood in the middle of the living room, hugging her mom; Uncle Patrick looked at me with disgust, and Andre and Andrew were doing something with their phones.

And judging by the expression on Aunt Irene’s face, they had been waiting for me.

Aurora's eyes were fixed on the mark on my neck; her expression changed completely.

“Well,” she said bitterly, “looks like the little bitch finally got lucky.” My aunt folded her arms tightly. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

I finally gathered the courage to speak. “Ashamed?”

“Why would I be ashamed?”

Aurora laughed softly. “Oh, please, Lyra. Stop acting innocent.” Her eyes moved all over my body again. “You really slept with him.”

“Of course, she did,” Uncle Patrick muttered coldly from the couch. “That’s probably how she trapped him.”

“You seduced him,” Aurora snapped. “That has to be the only way Dylan actually agreed to this.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?” She laughed.

“Oh, please, Lyra. Everyone knows the Moon Goddess made a mistake.”

“I mean, you’re embarrassing him already,” my aunt added. “Walking around wearing his clothes like a slut.” My fingers tightened slightly around the sleeves of Dylan’s hoodie.

“I am his mate.”

Aurora’s expression darkened instantly. “No,” she corrected sharply. “You’re just the mistake fate accidentally tied to him.”

Aurora stepped closer slowly, lowering her voice. “Do you really think someone like Dylan Ashford would stay interested in you for long?”

I swallowed hard. “He accepted me.”

“Out of responsibility, bitch," she replied immediately. “Not love.”

“That's not true,” I said, battling the tears that were already gathering in my eyes, and then suddenly the entire room went silent. Andrew and Andre dropped their phones and stood up straight.

Dylan.

Aurora immediately straightened her posture, making sure her breasts looked bigger, while my aunt stepped back slowly.

Dylan’s arm wrapped around my waist from behind before pulling me gently against his chest. His lips brushed lightly against the side of my head.

“Why did you come to my house this morning just to make noise, Aurora?” Aurora’s face went white. “Who let them into my house without my permission?" he asked the guards.

“They insisted that they left something here,”  One of the guards replied, “ What do you want, Aurora?"

“We just came to take our darling cousin home," she answered quickly with her fake smile.

“And why would you do that? Did you not hear that she is my mate?” “You know,” he said calmly, “I’m getting really tired of hearing people disrespect Lyra.”

“We didn't disrespect her," Aunt Irene replied.

“Shut up; I heard everything  you said and did." He growled, glaring at her as if he wanted to kill her right on the spot. Dylan looked down at me before gently fixing the sleeve that had fallen off my shoulder.

"Anyways, she’ll be staying with me from now on,” he continued casually.

“Wait! What?” Aurora looked like someone had slapped her across the face.

“You can’t be serious.”

“That bitch can’t even shift,” she snapped suddenly. “How is she supposed to become Luna?”

“You haven’t told her yet? Have you?” The room went silent; Dylan’s grip around my waist tightened.

“Tell me what?" I looked at Dylan, but he looked me in the eye and gave me a reassuring smile before speaking again.

“She’s my mate,” he said coldly. “That’s all anyone here needs to know, and you will treat her with respect.”

Aurora laughed softly, but it sounded forced now. "Wow, Alpha, your wish is my command.”

“Can I at least hug my cousin goodbye?" she said as she walked towards me; she stared at me for a while before she pulled me in for a hug.

“Enjoy this while it lasts, Lyra; trust me, it won't," she whispered in my ear.

“What's that supposed  to mean?” I snapped, “You took what was rightfully mine; now you'll have to bear the consequences." ” Then she turned her back to leave.

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