002

LYRA

My head went blank in shock and I didn’t even realize I was staring at him with my mouth agape. 

How could it be? 

I swallowed hard when I saw Alpha Ian’s expression. He took a step back, his eyes not leaving mine, “You're…my mate?” he asked, in disbelief. 

I nodded slowly, unsure of what to reply,

“Impossible!” He retorted loudly, “Unacceptable!”

I was speechless, it felt like I was poured with another bucket of water. 

My body shivered in humiliation. My chest tightened, and before I could say something, his voice sounded again. 

“This low-life omega is my mate?,” he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “I won’t accept this. Never!” He continued and when I looked around, I could see a crowd forming.

My heart sank. 

Rejected. Once again. 

I looked up and saw the guards closed in around me, their faces cold and unforgiving. “You shouldn't have touched the alpha,” one of them growled.

I dragged myself backward as I managed to stand up, my eyes fixed on the alpha's scornful face. I knew I had to get out of there before things got worse.

Then he scowled, “Why the fuck are you looking at me in that way? Are you happy about this? Is this funny to you?”

I wasn’t looking at him in any way. If anything I was exhausted for another drama. 

But he didn't stop there, as if he was enjoying humiliating me, “What did you think? That I will accept you? A traitor's daughter? Never! A cursed and dirty filth like you can never be my Luna”. His lips curled up in a mocking smile as he glared at me disgustingly.

The murmurs and cheers grew louder. 

My lips pressed together, his words stinging, but I composed myself, “Then reject me already,” I said, my voice low and firm. “Just say the words and end this.”

The faster he did it, the better for me.

A smirk curled on his lips, “Seems like someone already accepted her fate,” He said, and they all laughed loudly, “People, the moon goddess must have made a mistake because there’s no possible way, this filth could be my mate.” 

I breathed in, awaiting the words, he turned to face me, his eyes burning with intensity,

“I, Alpha Ian of the moon crest pack, reject you, Lyra as my mate and want nothing to do with you now or ever!”

And that was it, I felt a sharp pain in my heart and I gasped and slowly dropped to my knees as the burning ache spread through my body.

It hurt. More than I thought it would. But I forced myself to stand tall, as I raised my head to meet his gaze, “I accept your rejection, Alpha Ian” I said, my voice loud and clear.

I saw a glimmer of shock in his face for a second, he wasn’t expecting me to accept it, so easily. The pain doubled, and I clutched my chest, trying my best to not scream. 

I made to stand up when he spoke up again, “That’s not all”.

I froze.

What? 

“You should be punished for being my mate and thinking I’ll accept you”.

The people cheered and jeered if agreeing with him. 

My eyes widened as I looked at him in confusion, “How is that my fault?!”

“Your punishment will be related to you as soon as possible” He smirked before walking out, leaving me in pain as I watched his back. 

Was this right?

This was unfair beyond all levels! 

The whispers and laughter returned. 

“Such a pity, cursed child.”

“She deserves it,”

“The moon goddess must be punishing her for her parents' crime.”

“It would have been better if she never came into this world.”

 Cursed.

The word echoed a million times in my ears. That was what they used to justify their cruelty towards me.

But none of them knew me. They knew nothing about me, only gossip and old grudges they had against my family.

I was treated like a plague that would contaminate them for no absolute reason.

Tears threatened to fall, but I didn’t let it. I wasn’t going to cry in front of them and give them the satisfaction that they were hurting me. 

I looked around scanning their faces…Disgust, sympathy, indifference, coldness, and anger. Not even a single ounce of kindness. 

My heart went cold. 

I felt empty, what was I even fighting for?

Their acceptance? Their kindness? Their sympathy? 

There was no one worth fighting for, no family, no mate, no future. Just endless humiliation and pain. 

And I knew exactly how to end it. 

I watched as the crowd dispersed, their laughter and whispers fading into the distance. 

I tried to stand up, but my body failed me. Before I could hit the ground again, strong arms steadied me.

I froze.

Did someone just…..help me?

I looked up to meet an ocean blue eyes staring at me... it wasn’t anything like the rest, it was softer and had something I couldn’t quite place... concern?

I removed my arms gently from his grip, “Why are you helping me?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper, “Don’t you fear being ridiculed?”

He hesitated for a moment before speaking up, his voice low and calm, “Just because they treat you like this doesn’t mean I’ll."

I blinked rapidly, stunned by his words, 

No one in this pack has ever said those words to me. 

“Who are you?”

“Who I am doesn’t matter now. What matters now is getting you home. You need to freshen up and eat,  you seem very exhausted,”

I froze once again. 

Was this real? 

Someone was actually caring about me or perhaps the moon goddess sent an angel to me?

“Let me take you home,” He added when I said nothing.

Home….

The word stung. 

I swallowed hard, raising my face to look at him, “I have no home,” I muttered, my voice barely a whisper, “I sleep outside,” his expression softened as he looked at me in disbelief.

“Thank you for not being like others,” I added and turned to leave when he held my hands,

“Then come home with me,”

I froze for the third time today as I tried to digest his words.

 I didn’t know him. 

I couldn’t trust him. 

I scanned him, from head to toe. 

He looked…magnificent. Too composed, and so why was he helping me? Was he even a member of this pack? 

He cleared his throat and I looked up at him to meet his gaze, “You really attract attention here.”

I looked around to see people lurking around. I had to make a decision and I had to do it fast. 

For all I knew this man could actually be dangerous or even a killer. I can’t just follow him like that, “No…” I was still saying when he interrupted me

“Let’s go.” He said quietly, “Right now, you need food and rest,” 

He spoke as if it was already decided. As if I was his responsibility.

I heaved a deep breath. It’s not like I had anywhere to go, “Fine, I’ll go with you but just so you know, I’m not sleeping with you!”

He chuckled, “I have no interest in taking advantage of you, Miss. I just want to help.”

The way he said it…seemed so calm and genuine.

I inhaled deeply, “Let’s go,”

He reached out for my hands, but I hesitated, “The pack members will make mockery of you if they see us holding hands,”

“Do you want me to carry you instead?”

“No!” I responded immediately, making him chuckle. 

“Then stop worrying about them. The earlier you realize that I don’t give a damn about what they think, the better,”

And just like that, he intertwined our hands as he led the way. 

I could feel the hateful glares on us already, and the whispers that would soon be the talk of town.

But for once in my life, I didn’t want to care.

Because, walking down the street, with his warm hands wrapped around mine…I felt safe, cared for and most especially... Alive.

This man…whoever he was, had just saved me without even knowing it.