The Rejected Luna: Savage Awakening

Lyra’s POV I froze mid-step as a sharp smell but me hut of nowhere, the three trays balanced in my hands swaying dangerously as I wrinkled my nose and glanced around the hall. The scent was unmistakable even though it was buried beneath the usual smells of roasted meats, polished wood, perfume,but this one was different, it was stronger and wilder. “Mira,” I whispered, barely turning my head as I adjusted the top tray with my shoulder, “do you smell that?” She blinked at me looking confused, her arms full of folded linens. “Smell what?” I inhaled again, slower this time, trying to find it but it was gone. Or maybe it was never there. Maybe I was just tired. Or going mad. Either was possible. “Nothing,” I muttered, shaking it off as I forced myself forward again. “Forget it.” I walked through the crowd trying not to look like a total disaster with three trays stacked high. “Careful,” Mira warned from behind me “I got it.” I said. I made it two more steps before my foot caug

Lyra’s POVI didn’t know when I started moving it where I was even moving to in particular.All I knew was that I wasn't in control of my entire body, one heartbeat I was lying there and the next, I was on my feet, staggering into the corridor.My legs moved on instinct, barefoot against the cold floor, that shredded gown barely hanging on my skin from a night I couldn’t stop reliving. Kael’s mouth and his hot breath on my neck. The way he said mine like he wanted me, I was the mate he chose in the dark or night and then Selene was the mate he chose in daylight.I heard Mira's voice but I didn’t stop moving, I just couldn’t. I couldn’t breathe in that room. I couldn't stay with the ghost of his touch pressed against me while the lie of his engagement rang in my ears.Behind me, Mira spoke again. “Lyra! Where are you going? Wait!”I didn’t turn, I just slept moving, her footsteps followed me. “Lyra, your dress! You can't go out like this , are you okay?”No. I wasn’t. I would never be

LyraThey said what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but that was a LIE! What doesn't kill you makes you wish you were dead.And right now I wanted to die!Sometimes… The only thing keeping me from falling apart was my memories, I didn't even know why I was still alive, there was nothing to live for.All my life I had hoped and prayed for my mate to take me out of this place, or maybe when my sister became Luna I wouldn't suffer the humiliation I did.But that wasn't the case, my two hopes were completely shattered leaving me with nothing.I held my memories tight, like it was a tiny bit of sunlight in a dark place. When the cold bites deep and my stomach hurt from hunger, and my body shakes from weakness—I go back there.To that day, the first time I felt safe.FLASHBACK – Crescent Moon Pack, Age 12It was the Harvest Moon Festival.The courtyard was alive with laughter and music, the older wolves dancing, the pack warriors sparring in circles. But I wasn’t allowed near any of t