Lyric had spent her life being hated. Bullied for her scarred face and hated by everyone—including her own mate—she was always told she was ugly. Her mate only kept her around to gain territory, and the moment he got what he wanted, he rejected her, leaving her broken and alone. Then, she met him. The first man to call her beautiful. The first man to show her what it felt like to be loved. It was only one night, but it changed everything. For Lyric, he was a saint, a savior. For him, she was the only woman that had ever made him cum in bed—a problem he had been battling for years. Lyric thought her life would finally be different, but like everyone else in her life, he lied. And when she found out who he really was, she realized he wasn't just dangerous—he was the kind of man you don't escape from. Lyric wanted to run. She wanted freedom. But she desired to navigate her way and take back her respect, to rise above the ashes. Eventually, she was forced into a dark world she didn't wish to get involved with.
View MoreLYRIC
"You used me!" I sobbed, crying to my mate who just rejected me. "Mating with me was your ladder to power, Roderick! Your Pack climbed the ranks because of me! Now that you've achieved your ambition, you don't need the ugly girl anymore, is that it? But you were willing to mate with me a year ago!"
"Oh, spare me!" Roderick rolled his eyes. "Don't act like you didn't know I'd have left you at some point. Hold on, did you really think I'd have made you the Luna of my Pack? I can barely stand the sight of you, Lyric. How do you expect me to take you to Alpha meetings and present you to others? You are disgusting!"
"But I did not give this scar to myself!" I cried bitterly. "And you promised you'd take me to the best doctors. You didn't do any of that, Roderick! It'd have helped!"
"What? Even your own family doesn't care enough to take you to doctors, and you think I would? Quit, dreaming, Lyric and get out of my Pack!"
Tears blurred my vision. It wasn't the first time I was being called ugly, but it hurt more each time it came from Roderick.
I knew Roderick had no love for me when my family paired me with him a year ago. For a year, we lived like strangers despite being mated. I was still a virgin as he could not even bring himself to touch me.
It wasn't my fault I was ugly. I was burnt with a silver-base branding iron when I was a kid, leaving a huge scar by the side of my face. I still didn't know who was responsible for it, but I've had to grow up with this sting of rejection. Even my own family hated me and were embarrassed by my appearance.
But I thought Roderick would be different. I thought he'd love me. Apparently, in a world where ranks mattered the most to Pack Leaders, deceit was bound to happen.
I glared at him. I'd truly loved this man and wished he'd love me back. But now, I wish he'd suffer for what he did to me.
"You are a monster," I gritted the words. "And I hope you pay for this someday."
He threw back his head and laughed, a hollow sound. "Cursed Lyric, how exactly is that going to happen? I am currently the third most powerful Alpha now. My Pack is up the ranks while your family is beneath me! There is nothing you can do to me anymore. You have always been and will always be worthless!
"Listen, I have rejected you already, and you have accepted. Although, there is one final formality left, but as far as I'm concerned, you're not longer anything to me. So, get your disgusting face out of my pack! This instant, before I have the guards throw you out!" His glare was icy, and before I could respond, he walked out.
.........
After I managed to pull myself together, I left Roderick's Pack and decided to head home—to my father's Pack. I hadn't been home since I moved into Roderick's Pack, and I hoped they'd be willing to take me in.
My family had never really liked me. Everything started falling apart after my mother left—abandoning me when I was four. My father chose a new mate and suddenly didn't have enough time for me. Then, I got my scar and he became even more distant.
The guards let me through the gate, but when I rang the bell of the lounge, my stepsister and her mother opened up. To my surprise, they wouldn't let me in.
"Go back to Roderick and beg him some more, Lyric. There is no room for you here," Nora said after I explained everything to them.
Despite my attempt to get them to to pity me, letting them understand I had nowhere else to go, they ordered the guards to see me out.
They've always taken me to be a disgrace to the family and were happy when I left to Roderick's Pack. Now, they didn't want me back.
.........
By evening, I was seated in a bar, my favorite bar—Faceless Drunk. Over here, they mixed portions strong enough to get a wolf drunk, and you didn't have to worry about being recognized and judged as every customer made use of masks.
It had been my favorite bar for years. If people had to see my face, they'd think I was getting drunk because I was ugly.
"You're too ugly." I'd heard those words too many times, I could recite them in my sleep without missing a beat.
But above all, it was Roderick's betrayal that cut deep. It was even more painful that I could not do anything to him. His Pack was very powerful now, and I was an ugly, rejected girl who didn't even have a family to return to. Nobody could ever want me. What was the point of living?
I emptied the last of my drink and was trying to stand when someone spoke from nowhere: "A refill for the lady, please."
I turned in surprise to find a man taking the seat beside me. The bartender nodded and proceeded to get a refill.
I furrowed my brows in surprise as I looked at the newcomer. I couldn't see his face as he was wearing a mask just like me, but something about the way he appeared told me he was sophisticated.
His suit was a Mason Étoile brand, and his watch was an Aristo Tempus watch. An average Wolf couldn't afford these things.
"You've been coming here to drink alone for some time now," he said, surprising me.
His voice... It was soothing and impossible to ignore.
I lowered my eyes, feeling a little ashamed. How can he even tell? "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Your mask." He tipped his chin toward me. "You've never changed it."
Oh. "That means you also come here a lot."
"I do. It's not quite up to my standard, but it's my favorite place. I like it when I don't get judged by anyone."
The barman returned with my drink. I thanked the newcomer before drinking from my glass.
"From the look of things, you must be troubled. I am, too. So, why don't we make a deal, Miss? Have fun for the night and go our separate ways by morning?"
I looked at him in shock. He was offering a one-night affiar!
"But y—you don't even know me," I muttered shyly.
"I do not need to. It is simply for fun."
There was something about the way he spoke. I could tell he was a man that didn't care about the feelings of others and was only out to get what he wanted.
"Although, I must warn you," he tsked. "It will be a long night. I have... problems finishing on a woman. I never finish. So, like I said, it is simply for the fun of it."
Huh? He could not climax during intimacy? But I heard that was the best part of it. How could he enjoy intimacy if he has never finished on a woman before? The thought of it was sad.
Despite how absurd it sounded, a part of me was tempted. I'd always been curious about intimacy. No one has ever liked me because of my scar, not even my mate—ex-mate.
After much conviction from the newcomer, I gave it a thought.
"Can we keep our masks on?" You'll hate me just like the others if you see how ugly I am.
"Sure." He shrugged. "Your wish is my command, Princess."
Princess? My stomach churned.
Oh, no. He didn't know I looked like a monster. If he knew, he'd run off like the others.
I was tempted to cry. Sometimes, I really did wish I was treated like a 'Princess.'
JARIS"She's better than she was a month ago. So, with more care, she'll get better," Doctor Meredith finished her analysis of Greta.Looking through the window, I watched Greta's sleeping form on the bed. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. I wish she were just the same whenever she was awake."Thank you, Meredith. Don't forget to keep me posted. All the time.""Definitely, your Highness."I left the ward to join Lyric in the car."How's she?""Getting better, I hope."I started the car. Lyric's hand was on mine before I could move the wheel."She'll be fine, Jaris. The most important thing is that we saved her. We'll get her the prosthetic hands when she's fit to use them. We'll make sure she's properly cared for... She'll get better."I took a deep breath, my head falling back to the seat.Honestly, I didn't know how to feel better. Greta was too messed up in the head. Her sanity had been completely crushed by the cruelty she suffered for eight years. I knew they didn't
ONE WEEK LATER LYRICMy pulse hammered like a warning bell, ringing through my ears.My hands were clammy with sweat. It didn't matter how many times I wiped them on my dress.I didn't think I'd have a reason to be this scared again. Perhaps 'scared' wasn't the right word to use. You could say I was the most nervous I've ever been.I stood at the doorway, my eyes on Jaris, who was seated on the bed with the kids. I didn't know why he insisted on going ahead with this. I tried to convince him we could keep the truth from the kids for now and reveal it to them when they come of age."I don't want to overwhelm them at this tender age." That was my excuse.But deep down, I knew that was a lie. I wanted the kids to know. I was just scared they might have a hard time accepting me as their mother.I've been rejected so many times that I now fear my own kids might do the same. What if they never see me past someone they considered a friend? What if they prefer Marta to be their mother?Go
LYRICGreta was taken to the hospital in the Capital under a different identity. Jaris ensured the people that would have access to her were very limited, and even the few that did, although being people he trusted, didn't know who Greta was or why she was brought in that state. Jaris was sure news of her release wouldn't get to Caden.I couldn't get over the state she'd be found in. I had been too shocked at first to believe that was human, let alone Jaris' mate. How could Caden have been so evil? So heartless?And Marta? An entire family kept her locked up like some rat. These people had grandchildren!The girl was messed up in the head. I couldn't begin to imagine the mental and physical torture she must've had to put up with. Killing the Monroes wasn't enough for me. Caden was the bigger monster here and now more than ever, I wanted to bring him to the ground.I came up with a plan. It was a huge risk, but for the first time, I didn't mind dying. If I get to take Caden down
Light vanished from her eyes. Her lips moved but didn't make a sound. She must've realized how much of a fuck up she just made.Oh, Marta. How the hell did I not see this?I shook my head at her, my disappointment bleeding through."Jace was right. You were never pregnant.""Jaris..."I pulled back, just enough to hit her in the face. Her head reeled to the side as blood instantly stained her lips."You've lost the privilege to ever call my name." I gripped her jaw. "You give it another try, you'll lose your tongue."I pushed her away as if it were filth. Then, I turned to Lyric, whose face was covered with both guilt and unease.She already told me the truth in the car about Marta threatening to expose Xyla when she discovered she was their mother. I just didn't know how to forgive the fact that she lied about the twins from the scan being dead.It all made sense—the kids' strange attachment to her, the scan image Kael had found in her room, why she'd risk her life to come watch the
JARIS I didn't think I'd seen Marta pale so quickly. I watched as the last shred of hope slowly dissipated from her eyes, replaced by a strange kind of fear.If there was one thing Marta Monroe feared losing the most, it was herself.Lyric locked her eyes on me, asking for the go-ahead. I gave it."Okay," she nodded, then turned to Marta.Her hand gripped her wrist again. Her nails sank deep."I know where she is!"A terrified shriek ripped the silence, only for it to be stitched back together by an unnerving stillness., broken only by Marta's ragged breaths.Something snapped in my chest. Something old. I realized it was the tiny shred of respect I once had for her."You're right," I could hear her loud intake of breath. "I helped Caden. G—Greta has been with me."I said nothing. Only stared.The silence stretched, saying more than words could. It became unbearable, and she broke down in tears."I'm sorry. I just wanted you out of the way. Caden... Caden told me we could work to
LYRICI nodded reluctantly. Goodness, how do I say this?"I'm waiting, Lyric. Who is it?"I glanced out the window, taking a deep breath.Honestly, I was tired of keeping secrets from him. They've never ended well.He didn't even know his brother and I were fated. Wouldn't it be best if he heard it from me rather than hear it from the vile mouth of Caden?Maybe I could tell him after telling him about Marta."It's Marta," I revealed the first truth. "At least, I think it's her. Corey said she's the one that's been supplying Caden with information."The betrayed look on his face bruised me. To him, Marta was the mother of his kids. She was his grand Luna and someone he had been with the longest. This was worse than a betrayal.It took him some time to process the shock and speak again. "I should've suspected. She and Caden...had some sort of friendship back then," his brows drew taut.He sighed. "How do we confirm she knows where Greta is?""There's one way quick method I know of.
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