Chapter 003: The savage betrayal

Lyra’s POV

I 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 okay ever again.

But she didn't need to know that.

The world around me was blurry, I knew where I was going, I wanted to go to him, it was like something in my soul was tied to him.

The main hall burst open in front of me like a dream I didn’t want to see.

And there they were.

Alpha Kael stood tall on the elevated platform, surrounded by Elders and high-ranking pack members. His cloak flowed behind him, his silver eyes shining under the rising sun.

He looked calm, collected and regal.

And Selene looked ethereal with her lips curved in that composed smile she always wore when she knew people were watching. She looked every inch the Luna she was about to become.

Her hand was in his.

Their fingers laced, but I knew the lie.

I was his mate, I was the once the moon goddess destined to be with him.

Not her!

The pack cheered around them, it was very loud, raised arms and pack members roared with joy.

It was indeed a celebration, their celebration.

I couldn’t move or breathe. The pulse in my neck pounded so hard I thought I might pass out. The mark on my neck was hurting me like it knew it had been ignored. Like it was screaming louder than I could.

Then my voice ripped through the silence.

“Stop!”

It was raw, shattered and loud enough to cut through the whole commotion.

Every head turned to face me and now I didn't know what to do now that I had gotten everyone's attention.

The crowd gasped, maybe it was as they took in my whole appearance, wild hair, torn gown barely clinging to my chest.

But what hurt me was the way I saw the way they looked at me—like a stain on the ceremony.

Like filth.

I wanted to tell them how he kissed me, touched me, and claimed me first.

But my throat closed up and the words died in my mouth.

I couldn't even utter a single word.

Kael's gaze met mine, but it was cold now and the hunger and want from last night was gone.

“Take her to the dungeon,” he barked.

My world froze.

Two guards broke from the crowd. They were too fast. Their rough hands grabbed my hands. I thrashed, kicked, tried to wrench away, but they didn’t care. They weren’t listening.

“Kael!” I screamed. “You can't do this !”

But he didn’t even flinch.

My eyes found Selene’s—my sister, my blood, my anchor.

“Selene, please,” I begged, barely able to speak through the tears choking me. “You know I’m not lying.”

Her gaze didn’t waver. Her hand stayed glued in Kael’s, I didn't even get a word or a flicker of emotions from her.

Just silence.

“Selene!” I sobbed, but she didn’t answer. Didn’t move. Didn’t even blink.

She had already chosen her side, but bless convinced that I could get my sister to do the right thing.

I looked at her again, she wasn't a bad person, she was my sister, my rock, so I pleaded, “Please, Selene, you know you are not his mate! Don’t lie!”

My voice broke as tears were streaming down my eyes, I was practically begging her to save me, to admit the truth. She stood there, hand still in Kael’s, her face blank, not a flinch, not a word. She didn’t save me, just watched as they hauled me away.

Her silence hurt me more than anything, but Kael's betrayal shattered me.

The guards dragged me away as the crowd watched and whispered.

Some faces twisted in confusion. Some in pity. Most in disgust.

The dungeon door opened and they threw me in without ceremony. I stumbled, slammed against the damp stone wall, and collapsed.

When the door went shut I finally screamed.

Screamed until my throat burned, until I couldn’t tell whether the wetness on my cheeks was from tears or the filth dripping from the stone ceiling. My body curled in on because of how cold I was.

He chose her.

I pressed my hand to the burning spot on my neck, half-hoping I could scrub the hickey off, erase it, tear it free. But it stayed.

It throbbed.

After he almost marked me, he sent me to the freakin dungeon.

What happened to the man who was all over me yesterday?

And my wolf was the weak, broken thing and the first time I felt her was yesterday, and not under her pain, not because of what he did but because she still wanted him.

She wanted the male who threw us away like trash.

I wanted to hate her.

I wanted to hate him.

But all I could do was curl tighter against the cold and wonder:

What happens when a mate rejects fate?

And what happens to the one left behind?