Chapter 004: The savage proposition

Lyra’s POV

I don’t know how long I have been trapped down here.

There was no sun, no time, just cold stone and the endless drip of water somewhere in the dark, it was like the dungeon itself was counting the seconds I would be forgotten.

My gown is nothing but threads now, and my hair was a matted mess.

All because of my mate.

Alpha Kael, my tormentor.

And my sister’s soon-to-be husband.

I bite back a sob. It was not just the betrayal that guts me, it was how much I felt. How much my soul still responded to his, even after everything. I thought fate was supposed to save people like me.

But all it did was rip me open.

I was deep in my thoughts until I heard footsteps. They were steady and unhurried as if whoever was coming was taking their sweet time.

The scent hit me first and my body reacted before my brain did..

The iron door opened wide.

And there he was.

Kael steps inside, backlit by torchlight, showing every inch the Alpha he was known to be.

Towering, controlled and sharp-edged. His black hair is tied back, silver eyes unreadable. I scrambled to my feet, pressing my back to the wall, every muscle in me coiled tight.

This was me trying to protect myself from him.

“What do you want?” I said as my voice sounded weaker than I wanted it to.

He doesn’t answer at first. Just watch me. Like I was something he doesn’t know what to do with.

“Say something,” I snapped, hating how small my voice sounds. “Or did you come to finish breaking me?”

His lips twitched but it was not a smile.

“I waited years for the Moon Goddess to give me a mate,” he said at last, his voice low. “Years wondering who she would be, hoping and preparing.”

He stepped even closer.

“And then it was you.”

The words feel like a slap. I flinched and my back hit the wall.

“You think I asked for this?” I whisper“You think I wanted to be your mate while we're promised to my sister?”

He moved again, slower this time. “Selene is strong, very strategic. The perfect Luna.”

“But not your mate,” I hissed.

“No,” he said, stopping right in front of me.

“You kissed me,” I say, voice cracking. “You touched me. You told me to run—and then you threw me in a cell.”

His eyes flare. “You were going to ruin everything.”

I step forward, anger rising like fire under my skin. “You already ruined me.”

“You are a disappointment, Lyra. Nothing more.” His words cut deep. My unshifted wolf whimpers, and I wanna scream.

“Then why did you do it yesterday?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Why’d you kiss me, touch me, act like I was yours?”

“It was my wolf,” he said, like that excuse. “He took over. I didn’t mean it.”I stare at him, hurt burning in my gut.

“Why did you almost mark me then?”

He snorted as if it was unbelievable.

“Thank the gods my beta saved me from that mistake. Marking you would have been a disgrace.”My tears stop, anger flares hard.

Then I do something stupid, I shove him.

It was weak and didn't even budge. But the second I touch him, everything explodes.

His hands went out and grabbed my wrists and slammed them above my head, pinning me to the wall.

And suddenly it became hard to breathe but from fear, but from the bond.

The cursed pull.

His chest pressed to mine, and I feel his heartbeat, and they were just as wild as mine. His face is inches from mine, eyes locked on my lips.

“I hate you,” I said, even as my body arched toward him.

“Then hate me like this,” he growled and kissed me.

And as expected, it was not soft.

It was punishing, demanding and desperate.

His mouth crashed against mine like a storm, and I met it with everything I have.

My anger, hunger and grief. He tastes like fire and fury, and when his tongue brushed against mine, I freaking moaned.

His hand went to my hip, gripping tight, pulling me closer, like he needed to feel every inch of me to believe I was real.

And then again, I moan into his mouth, my body traitorous. My knees threaten to give way, and still he doesn’t stop.

For a second, I forget the dungeon and betrayal

“This was a mistake,” I said in between kisses.

“No,” He replied. “You are the mistake.”

His reply did the trick, I pulled away and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and spat at his feet.

He laughed and grabbed me again. He kisses me so hard my lip splits, blood trickling down my chin, mixing with the salt of my tears.

I whimpered, trying to push him off, but he was too strong. “You are good for one thing,” he growled against my mouth, his breath hot. “A warm pussy.”The words hit like a punch, and I froze, feeling shame.

Tears leak down my face, not from heartbreak this time but from rage. From the shame of needing someone who keeps choosing someone else.

But this time, I didn't curl up in shame.

I stared at the stone floor with blood in my mouth and pain in my heart..

He may try to hide the bond but I won’t.