Chapter 1

   The End from the Beginning

Lyra's POV

5 years ago.

"Oh God! Are you sure?"

"Just stay still, Lyra, and enjoy this feast on you."

He smiles at me, then pulls my legs wider for more access.

A shudder runs through me, knowing what I’m about to experience. I lick my lips and nod to him, giving him the go-ahead.

He grabs at my butt cheeks, pulls me closer, and buries his face between my legs. His tongue circles my entrance, then slides inside, making me gasp.

This is crazy! My hands are trembling from the overwhelming sensations. He goes from slow licks to the intensity of eating my pussy like his life depends on it. The feeling of his tongue on me is so overwhelming that I reward us both by pushing his teasing mouth deeper into my pussy.

As if the torture wasn't enough, he joins his fingers with his tongue.

When Kael promised tonight was going to be special, I never imagined this kind of special. This was more than anything I ever expected.

Everyone in our pack has always known we were going to be each other’s mates—even my parents. When it was confirmed on my high school prom and birthday, I was elevated, more than happy, even though I still hadn't had my first shift—not even now.

It didn’t happen when I was fourteen like everyone else, and now at eighteen, it’s the same.

It doesn’t make any sense. I’m not an omega by blood. I shouldn’t have any kind of weakness like this. This kind of problem only ever happens to omegas.

I want to be able to strengthen Kael’s powers as his mate, even though he won’t be our next Alpha. His brother is.

I pull his head so I can see his eyes. I expect to find something there—some worry about our situation—but I see nothing. He just looks at me.

Then he stands, positions his straining cock at my aching, wet entrance, and slowly eases himself into me. I marvel at the feel of it.

“It’s only going to hurt a bit. The pleasure comes after, baby. I’ll be as gentle as I can,” he coos, and I nod at his assurance.

It feels good to know he doesn’t see me as unwanted like the rest of the pack. Some have even started questioning my origin. But none of it matters to my Kael. That’s more than enough.

He slides deeper inside me. I can feel his labored breathing on my face—he’s trying hard to go slow. But I know it’s taking a lot out of him.

So I grab his butt and slam his cock into me. I feel the sting of pain as his body stills above mine.

"You were treating me like an egg that could break if not careful. I don’t want you to be careful with me. I love you, and I trust you."

“Damn, Lyra! You know how to make a man come undone at your feet. You’re killing me.”

He leans in to capture my lips and slams into me.

“Oh God!” I moan into his mouth. He pulls out to the tip and slams back in. He stares into my eyes without blinking, without looking away.

“I don’t want to forget the flushed look on your face right now, Lyra. I want to draw it on my heart forever, to remind me of this night.” It feels like a promise.

But maybe… it’s something more. His breath on my face, the feel of his muscles under my palms—it’s intoxicating. It feels good knowing I’m making him feel this way.

His jaw clenches as he drills into me.

“Kael,” I moan his name.

I won’t forget tonight either.

I make a small vow to myself: he’ll be my first and my last.

But something feels off. I don’t want to ask.

He holds my naked ass, pulls out to the hilt again, and slams back into me, driving his cock deep inside my pussy.

“Moan.” Slams. “My.” Slams. “Name.” Slams. “Again.” Slams. “Lyra.”

“Kael…” I shudder, ecstasy taking me high and then pulling me back down. My eyes roll inside my head.

He keeps thrusting, harder and faster, until my body shakes uncontrollably. I love that he’s letting go, giving in completely—fucking me with everything he has—until I cum a third time in the tent he made for us tonight.

“Yes, that’s it, baby,” he groans. “Yes!”

He growls, and then he cums deep inside of me.

The next morning, I wake up and the bed beside me is empty.

I had felt him beside me an hour—or maybe two hours—ago, pulling me into his warmth. Where could he have gone without saying goodbye?

I guess we’ll see at the pack house. He probably had a lot to do and didn’t want to wake me.

I sit up, my eyes landing on a breakfast tray in the corner of the tent. There’s a note. I smile. I was right—he didn’t want to wake me.

“You were sleeping beautifully. I thought it would be a sin to disturb you.

My father sent for me. Come to the house when you wake up.

I’ll have the guards clear everything up.”

I slide into my shorts and top, then drag the tray toward me. I pop a cherry into my mouth. Then a second. Then a third.

I hum as I devour the tray of eggs, bacon, and toast. Just the way I like it. He must’ve remembered I love how their cook makes scrambled eggs.

I’ll reward him with a kiss when I see him.

I’ve made up my mind—I’m going to reject the letter from Stanford. I was scared to tell him about it, but now I know what I want. I’ll apply to a school closer to home. That way, we won’t be thousands of miles apart.

It doesn’t take me long to finish eating and head to the Alpha’s mansion.

I’m almost at the door when my phone pings with a message.

Kael: Don’t come to my house, Lyra. I’ll meet you at yours.

It’s too late to turn back. The guards didn’t stop me, so I open the heavy door and let myself in.

He’s not on the ground floor, so I head upstairs to his room.

“You must be Lyra.”

A small voice stops me by the elevator.

I turn around. “Yes? And who’s asking?”

I know her. She’s been here two or three times. The daughter of Crystal Pack. We’ve never officially met, though.

I guess the alphas have meetings here again today. That must be why Kael had to go.

“Christine.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, extending my hand.

“I guess you could say that.”

She doesn’t take it.

Now that I really look at her, there’s something cold in her eyes—almost like hate. I don’t recall meeting her before now.

“Lyra.”

I turn to the familiar voice behind me. It’s Kael, stepping out of the elevator. His face is unreadable.

My smile falters into confusion.

“What’s going on? I saw your message, but I was already here. We can go to my place together,” I say, moving toward him to greet the Alpha beside him.

Kael’s father has never treated me differently…

But today, he can’t even look me in the eye.

A strong Alpha, the same man who led our pack to countless victories—he can’t meet my gaze.

“I’m sorry, but he’s not going anywhere with you,” Christine cuts in, latching onto Kael’s arm. “He’s mine now. We’re getting married in two days. I can’t believe he didn’t tell you.”

“What is she talking about, Kael?”

I turn to him, desperate for him to say it’s not true. That this is some kind of joke.

“It’s true, Lyra.”

That’s all he says.

No explanation. No shame. Nothing.

So that’s why he didn’t mark me. He knew all this was coming.

“I, Lyra, reject you, Kael…” I begin, but the Alpha’s voice rings through my head.

“This is not the time and place for that.”

“Go, Lyra. I’ll come to your house. You deserve an explanation,” Kael says.

But he hasn’t even tried to let go of her.

“No, please. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

I turn around, heart broken and shattered into a million pieces.