001

LYRA

“Get your filthy hands off my daughter's body,” I heard a woman shout as she ran to take her daughter from me.

My brow furrowed, “I’m sorry, she missed a step, and so I thought to help her up” I explained, my voice trying to keep my voice steady.

“No one asked for your help!” She spat the words, glaring at me in disdain. “Cursed child,” she added before walking off with her daughter.

I stood frozen, my eyes dazed, the sting of her words lingering, and my body shook with hidden humiliation and pain. 

I pressed my lips to hide my pain, though I am not surprised. Years of rejection and scorn had taught me to expect this, but it still hurt. Every day came with a reminder of how much I was hated.

Today was supposed to be different, though—It was my birthday. 

I had woken up early, hoping that somehow, my day would be better than the last, but as the hours dragged on, I realized that it was just another day of pain and rejection, just like any other day. 

“Lyra!” I turned my back to see lady Catherine coming towards me with some men, her eyes blazing with anger.  

I stood still on the spot looking at nothing in particular, until I heard her voice again. “Darn it!” I knew why she was here, and my heart sank. I took off, not daring to turn back. 

Well, ‘Happy birthday to me’ 

“Get that thief for me!” She barked, and I could hear hurried steps behind me as I increased my pace.

While I ran, I struggled to keep my distance. Right at the moment of turning, I stumbled and fell. Jolts of pain spread around my body.

“Ugh!” I groaned in pain as I struggled to stand, but it was just the beginning. Lady Catherine and her men stared daggers at me.

“Raise her up!” She ordered her men and in no time I was dragged up. Her face twisted in anger as her hands landed on my face, causing a stinging pain on my cheek. I endured and staggered.

She smirked, “You thought you could run away?” She spat as tears streamed down my face. “Where is my money?”

Ignoring my pain, I swallowed hard, “P…please ma, I still need some time” I stammered, hoping she would show mercy. I continued, “Getting a job has been difficult for me and if you could give me a little more time, I’ll raise the money” I added, my voice breaking.

Her expression darkened and she raised her hand again. I flinched, as I’d wanted to escape the blow. 

 In failure, I felt it, and this time around the slap sent me falling to the ground, 

She looked at me irritatedly then yelled, “How is that supposed to be my business? Every day, you come up with your silly stories.” Her voice was loud, and I could feel people’s gaze on us.

This was supposed to be my late mother’s best friend, yet she treated me worse than any other person in this pack. 

“Please, I’m pleading for a little grace, if not for anything, for the relationship you shared with my mother,” 

She paused for a moment and I could see a flicker of an emotion on her face, was it guilt? 

No! It vanished quickly and was replaced with a cold demeanor,

 “Don’t you dare bring that dead mother of yours into this conversation!” She snapped, her voice laced with anger, “Your mother paraded herself around this pack like a queen. And now, look at her daughter begging like a pauper,”

So this was the real reason behind all this?

A hidden jealousy and animosity? 

“I have been lenient with you for two months now but that ends today,” She added.

“And it’s also been two months since my parents died. They owe you not me and that’s why I’m asking for time, to—”

“Oh shut it! Your parents may be dead, but their debt is very much alive—and as far as you’re breathing, you will pay!” She cut in sharply, before turning to the men she had brought, “Search her, any money she has, bring it out” She ordered her men and they began searching my bag.

No, I couldn’t let them take it away from me. 

I have been saving for days so I can treat myself to something special for my birthday.

I went down on my knees immediately, “P … .please ma, I haven’t eaten in a week and this is the only money I have” I said, my voice cracking, as tears threatened to spill.

“Let those disgusting hands not touch me!” She snarled, her voice cold and laced with disgust.

They collected all the money in my bag and handed it to her, I watched as she counted the money, her face devoid of any emotion, 

“What is this?” She asked, raising the money in the air, “This can’t even cover one—quarter of what your wretched parents owe,”

“Yes I’m aware. That’s why I’m pleading that you let me have this, I’ll find a way to raise your money before the end of this week,”

“You must think you have honey in that stinky mouth of yours,” She started to say, her voice laced with disgust, “Boys deal with this filthy omega!” She commanded and all the color drained out of my face as I scrambled backwards in a bid to escape. 

They grabbed me, pouncing on top of me like a wild animal. I tried to struggle, but they were hefty, and my strength was no match for them.

I felt so weak, my body heavy as blows and slaps landed on my weak body. My body wanted to run, but I couldn’t. 

I wasn’t strong enough and the only thing I felt was…PAIN.

It wasn’t just the beating that hurt—it was the fact that I was receiving this ill-treatment from someone that my parents had considered family.

I could recall those times my parents repeatedly assisted lady Catherine financially, but now that they are dead, she has made it her life mission to frustrate and bully me all because of a little token she claimed they owed her. 

“Pl…. Please, someone…. Help me!” I screamed but no one cared to help, instead they passed as if nothing was happening.

I begged like a sinner wanting mercy. I felt hopeless as my body grew weaker from the beatings. 

A few people turned and even stopped, their eyes filled with something... pity?

But no one stepped forward.

They saw. 

They heard.

Yet, they did nothing because it was happening to Lyra—the traitor’s daughter.

After minutes of severe beating, my face was already bruised, my eyes bloody and swollen, my body aching. My body lay still on the floor looking up at the sky in a daze as I struggled to breathe.

 Lady Catherine’s voice cut through the haze, “I will give you a week like you requested, get me my money or the repercussions will be far worse” She roared and walked over me. 

Then suddenly, a bucket of ice-cold water splashed over me, making the pain sting. I shivered, my teeth chattering, as the water soaked through my clothes.

“Leave my sight this instant! Or perhaps you want hot water on your body” She commanded, and I managed to stand up, staggering as I walked out.

What did I do to deserve all this pain?

Why did my parents leave me in this pack to endure all this? They should have taken me! 

I could feel myself shaking as I walked out, my eyes fixed on the ground. 

My wet clothes clung to my body, making me shiver. And I didn't notice the alpha walking past me until my clothes touched his.

Suddenly, strong hands grasped my shoulders, pushing me backward. “Watch out!” one of the guards growled.

I stumbled backward as I fell to the ground in pain, but I’d barely registered the pain when an intoxicating scent wrapped around me. 

I lifted my head and saw him.

My breath hitched as our eyes locked, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body.

And then the word slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it, “Mate”.