Chapter 1: My Harsh Reality

Lyra’s POV

"Father, I implore you, I cannot imagine marrying him," I pleaded earnestly, facing my father who remained resolute in the garden.

"Lyra, you will marry him," he replied calmly, yet an underlying severity marked his tone.

"He is not my destined mate. I'll recognize my mate when our eyes meet," I retorted with conviction.

"Do you believe someone else would be more suitable? Maximus is among the most wealthy and powerful Alphas, not to mention he is handsome”.

“I am bestowing upon you a considerable favour," he added, his anger palpable.

"A favour? Father, as the Alpha's daughter, I possess beauty, courage, and distinction," I disputed, my voice almost trembling with emotion.

"You are to heed my every command unquestioningly!" he declared emphatically.

Feeling tears welling up, I turned away, walking back to the house.

At twenty years old, my father sought to trade me to this imperious Alpha, and the weight of his decision pressed heavily upon me.

"What's troubling you, darling?" My mother inquired as soon as I entered the house, embracing me tightly upon recognizing my distress.

"Come, darling," she led me to my room, and we settled on the couch near my bed.

"I understand this is challenging, but it's for the best," she comforted me, delicately tucking away a strand of loose hair from my face.

"Mother, I don't have any admiration for him. I know he's not the one meant for me," I confessed with teary eyes.

"As you live your married life, feelings will grow, and love may blossom," she reassured, gently patting my face.

"The goddess has a mate for everyone. Why compel me into a relationship that isn't ordained?" I questioned, almost in a whisper.

"Honey, your father is ageing, and we face numerous oppositions. We need powerful allies, and who better than Maximus?" she posed rhetorically.

"Are you trading your only daughter for alliances?" I asked, wiping away my tears.

"You know what? I'll leave you to calm down and think carefully," my mother said before exiting the room.

The weight of sadness intensifies as I reflect on Maximus, a beast I've encountered before.

After he eliminated his formidable uncle, the former Alpha of the Fable pack. Everyone yearns for his favour and the support of his formidable werewolf army.

I won't succumb to my father's selfish motives, forcing me into a union with a man I find repulsive. Despite being 20, I am steadfast in my belief that my true mate awaits me somewhere.

Declining the invitation to join the family for dinner, I remained in my room, lost in contemplation throughout the day.

Nightfall brought no sleep. I tossed and turned, unable to find solace until the early hours when exhaustion finally claimed me.

Awakening to a pounding migraine, likely a consequence of both hunger and the relentless barrage of thoughts, I knew I needed relief. I decided I'd shift into my wolf form and embark on a run, a restorative remedy for us werewolves.

"You need food, not a run," my wolf's voice resonated in my head.

"Thanks for the timely advice, where were you last night when I needed calming words?" I retorted sharply.

My wolf groaned, retreating to the back of my head. Confronting my reflection in the mirror, I realized the disarray I had.

Even in my disorderly state, I remained the epitome of beauty within the pack. Tall and possessing an alluring figure, I gathered my long white hair into a hasty bun.

Ignoring the concerned faces of my parents and brother, I ventured outside, escaping to the solace of the woods.

Inhaling the earthy scent, surrounded by the symphony of chirping birds, I marvelled at the perfection of nature. Dropping the clothes meant for the transformation back, I grappled with my reality.

Despite being the most beautiful, I couldn't partake in the mind-link communication among the pack members. My parents had tirelessly sought a solution, but the only voice I could hear in my mind was that of my wolf.

Misunderstood by others in the pack, they perceived me as distant and prideful. Unaware that my silence was born of the inability to hear their thoughts, and not ignore them.

Shifting into my wolf form, I relinquished control, allowing my white and formidable wolf to guide us through the woods. Both she and my mother's wolf were the only pure white ones in the pack.

We ventured far, disregarding the unspoken rule not to go close to the mountains. Captivated by the breathtaking sight, I shifted back, gazing at the expansive mountains that marked the edge of our world.

Taking a moment to absorb the scenery, I shifted once again, letting my wolf take charge as we raced back home.

Exhausted, I headed straight to the bathroom for a refreshing shower before changing into comfortable clothes, seeking solace in the embrace of my bed.

A sudden knock shattered the peace, jolting me back to reality. Opening my eyes, I found my younger brother, Damian, entering with a tray in hand.

"You could at least wait for me to let you in before barging into my room," I quipped, sitting up.

"You haven't eaten since yesterday," he remarked, placing the food on my bed.

"How sweet of you to notice," I responded sarcastically.

"Don't be so upset, Lyra," he urged.

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one being sold off," I sighed unethusiastically. He began to whine, knowing I will fall for it.

"Argh! You win. You know I can't resist that," I conceded, my weariness softened by Damian's persistence. I ate the food methodically while he sat there, his eyes fixed on me.

Despite being four years my junior, his concern often made him seem like the older sibling. As I chewed, he casually dropped a bombshell.

"The next full moon ceremony is next week," I responded with a nonchalant nod.

"What about it?" I asked, mouth still occupied.

"Maximus will officially announce you as his mate during the ceremony," he revealed, his words delivered in a low tone that hung in the air.

At that moment, the shock of his revelation caused me to involuntarily spit out the food, my heart pounding against my chest.

"You… said what?" I stammered, the weight of the impending announcement settling heavily on my shoulders.