004

LYRA

“Let go of me,” I yelled trying to break free, but the guard didn’t flinch for a second as he dropped me on the cold marble floor.

“Ugh!” I yelped in pain as my body collided with the ground. I raised my face to meet his gaze.

There he was.

Alpha Ian, seated on his throne with a wicked grin on his face. 

Beside him was Lady Catherine's daughter, Annabel who had a knowing smirk on her face. 

I stood up from the ground, my eyes blazing with anger, “Why did you force me here?!” I demanded.

Ian chuckled, his expression darkening. “I see you’ve grown wings overnight,” He drawled, “Rumor has it that you’re already spreading your legs wide open for a stranger… a commoner”.

“Is that where this courage is coming from?” He added, his voice laced with mockery. 

My breath hitched as I forced myself to stay calm. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction that his words were hurting me.

“What I do in this pack is none of your business, Alpha” I retorted, “I can choose to sleep with anyone I wish to,” I added not trying to deny his claims.

“Dirty Slut!” He spat. “You have no shame!” 

 I swallowed hard, forcing a smile on my face, “And why are you so bothered? Did you call me here to discuss my sex life because I might as well lecture you.” 

His face was already burning with fury and I knew I had hit a nerve.

“You would never talk to me like that ever again!” He snarled. 

“Then tell me why I’m here?”

Silence. 

I stood still, not breaking eye contact with him and after what felt like minutes he finally spoke up.

“The Lycan king is visiting for the first time, tomorrow.”

I scrunched my face in confusion, “And how does that concern me?”

Annabel, who had been quiet, suddenly snapped, “Stop speaking to my fiancé in that tone, Lyra.” 

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her. 

Alpha Ian continued, “I don’t want you near this palace when he is here, I don’t want him finding out that we were ever mates.”

I forced a smile on my face, “That shouldn’t be a problem, Alpha. Will that be all?” 

He scoffed, “You know, I’m curious. What changed?” He asked, “You used to be so pathetic, now you challenge me with your words?”

“I just started learning how to find my voice.”

He clenched his jaw, “Who is he?”

“Who?”

“The commoner. The one who took you in.”

“With all due respect, were you keeping tabs on me?” I crossed my arms, “Don’t you have better issues to worry about?”

Annabel voiced out, “This is your last warning, Lyra!” She shouted, and I resisted the urge to tell her to shut her mouth.

Ian continued, “Since this is the Lycan King's first visit... I can’t risk him finding out about you. You’ll be locked up in the dungeon from now until the end of tomorrow”.

I froze

What?

Lo…lock me up? 

“That’s not possible. I have never indulged in your activities and so there’s no need to lock me.”

“I’m afraid this is not up for discussion,” He replied with a smirk on his face, “You should see it as part of your punishment for ever being my mate.”

No.

This was wrong! 

My eyes scanned the palace...guards were everywhere, no room to escape. 

And then I turned back to face him, “Why? Why do you hate me so much?” I asked, my voice rising, “What have I ever done to you to deserve all this?”

He let out a low bitter chuckle, “You still don’t know? That’s pathetic,” He answered, his voice cold and detached, “I wish you had died alongside your parents.” 

I stumbled backwards, the words echoing in my ears. 

A sharp cold pain spread through my chest. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my force steady. “You really hate me that much?”

“Hate? No. This is justice,” His eyes locked on mine, “They are murderers! Traitors! And since they decided to end their lives, you get to serve their punishment”.

“They didn’t do it,” I managed to say, my voice low. “My parents weren’t murderers… They were wrongfully accused, and they didn’t commit suicide, they were killed.” I stammered painfully.

“Enough! You irritate me,” He replied as his face twisted in disgust. “You will be taken to the dungeon and that’s final!” He added, with a tone of finality.

The guards grabbed me again, locking my wrist with handcuffs. I took one last glance at Ian…one day, he would learn the truth and wound pay for every single thing he had done.

And just as they began to drag me away, a deep commanding voice echoed through the room.

“LET. HER. GO!”

The voice was commanding. Powerful. A blissful aura swept through the room.

The guards froze.

Alpha Ian's eyes widened in shock.

Annabel gasped.

One by one, they dropped to their knees. 

Ian lowered his head, “We weren’t expecting you so early, Lycan Damon.”

Damon?

My breath hitched…

It couldn’t be... I turned sharply, my heart racing.

 It was him. 

My SAVIOR

Standing tall, his ocean blue eyes locked on mine and on impulse... I ran straight into his arms.