Lyra’s POV
I was aware of the impending pressure to marry Maximus, but the speed of this development caught me off guard.
“Mother, what's the meaning behind Maximus's announcement for the next full moon?” I confronted her, interrupting a conversation with a servant.
She signalled the servant to leave, and without directly addressing my question, she took a seat at the dining table.
“We needed to expedite matters, dear,” she replied, evading eye contact.
“And you couldn't have informed me?” I retorted sharply.
“Well…” She began to explain, but I cut her off.
“Whose decision is this?” I demanded, searching her face for the truth. The silence spoke volumes, and I knew the answer.
“It's Maximus, isn't it?” I pressed, not waiting for confirmation before storming away.
Arriving at my father's office, anger fueled my every step. I couldn't bring myself to knock I barged in.
"Why was I kept in the dark about next week's schedule, Father?" He sat, absorbed in paperwork.
"I've conveyed the crucial details," he replied, not bothering to meet my gaze.
"I'm not a commodity to be sold. The least you could do is keep me informed about these changes. It's my life we're discussing here," I pleaded, restraining my frustration.
"What difference would it make?" he questioned, finally looking at me. I was left speechless.
"We'll have friends come over to celebrate. The sooner you compose yourself, the better!" he added.
Speechless, I exited his office. Whether informed or not, it seemed inconsequential.
Back in my room, I quietly sobbed, attempting to envision what my life would become with Maximus.
In a matter of days, preparations unfolded, transforming the occasion into a grand event.
My mother, persistent in her efforts, coerced me into shopping for the event, my compliance was reluctant but inevitable.
As the event loomed just two days away, I stood on the balcony, observing the servants work tirelessly below.
"Should I just fall from here?" I pondered silently.
"Maybe I should end it all," a darker thought surfaced.
"You coward," my wolf scolded.
"I'm not a coward!" I defended.
With that, my wolf retreated to the recesses of my head. Despite the problems she was right, why sacrifice myself for someone who wouldn't flinch?
A day before the ceremony, a wave of additional guests flooded in.
My father's mansion, vast with numerous rooms, accommodated his close friends within its expansive walls.
Standing outside to welcome his friends, Maximus arrived, and the sight of him only intensified my disgust.
"Welcome," my mother greeted warmly, and I reluctantly echoed her sentiments.
"You're to address me properly," he demanded, maintaining a stern expression and locking eyes with me. I nodded, my disappointment palpable as I held his gaze.
"Huh?" he challenged me to repeat myself. I rolled my eyes.
"Welcome, Alpha Maximus," I said mockingly.
"Kids these days," he scoffed, shooting me a disdainful look before stepping inside.
"Kids? This individual is just eight years older than me," I muttered angrily.
"Mind your tongue," my mother warned. Rolling my eyes, I continued to fake a smile, welcoming the remaining guests.
During dinner in our grand banquet hall, I wore a flowery flare gown paired with sandals. My father occupied the largest chair, overseeing the gathering.
Maximus sat to his right, dressed in a white shirt and jeans, accompanied by his Gamma and Beta, followed by the remaining guests.
On my father's left were my mother, my brother, our Gamma, and the others in succession.
The banquet commenced smoothly, with guests chatting and enjoying their meals. I, however, remained quiet, eating slowly.
My father and Maximus delved into a conversation that grated on my nerves.
"By the end of the year, I should have more slaves than any other Alpha known," Lycaon boasted, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
"Servants, you mean?" My father clarified, raising an eyebrow.
"That wasn't a mistake. I said, slaves. From the weak packs I've raided and will continue to until I have a large empire," he responded, his tone dripping with disrespect that unsettled the atmosphere.
"Eww! As if that's an achievement," I scoffed, my gaze fixed on my food.
"Say what now?" Lycaon glared at me.
"Huh?" I feigned innocence, pushing back against his arrogance.
"As my Luna, you must not forget your place..."
"I'm not yet your Luna!" I interrupted defiantly. Anger surged, and he slammed the table, getting the attention of everyone in the room.
"You do not speak while I'm speaking! I'm the absolute authority here" he declared, rising and storming away with a prideful arrogance that left me taken aback.
I turned to my father, seeking support, but he avoided my eyes. The others, seemingly unfazed, continued their conversations as if no one noticed his disrespect.
"Hmmph," I stood up, the tension lingering in the air, and walked away from the lavish dinner, retreating to my room.
Disappointment overwhelmed me. This was our territory. My father, an Alpha I'd always perceived as strong, revealed a vulnerability I had never seen before.
Maximus claimed absolute authority, yet no one dared to challenge him. Why were they all so afraid? I pondered these thoughts as I lay in bed.
The following day, I opted to stay in my room to avoid further distressing incidents. My brother, concerned, checked in on me, providing a company amid the brewing storm.
In the evening, servants arrived to dress me for the full moon ceremony. I adorned a black gown with a daring thigh-high slit, my hair meticulously styled.
At the climax of the event, Maximus, adorned in black and gold, seized the opportunity to address the gathering.
After an unnecessarily prolonged speech, he finally made the awaited announcement.
"I, Maximus Orion, the Alpha of Fable pack, take Lyra Sabastian of Wildfire pack as my mate and Luna," he declared, sparking applause and jubilation from the crowd.
Desperation clung to me, this could not be my destiny as I prayed for the goddess to intervene, but deep down, I knew I was the only one who could save myself.
The crowd hushed, awaiting my response. Reluctantly, I approached him, facing the expectant onlookers.
His gaze, filled with repulsive arrogance and lust, met mine. Summoning all my courage, I spoke firmly.
"I, Lyra Sabastian of Wildfire pack, reject you, Maximus Orion of Fable pack, as my mate,".
My words echoed through the crowd, sending shockwaves not only through them but through myself as well.
Lyra’s POV As I transitioned into my wolf form and darted into the woods, contemplation seized my thoughts. Every onlooker cast a glance filled with shock and disdain, except for my brother, whose expression reflected satisfaction, yearning for nothing but my happiness. My wolf, too, echoed my fear, tearing through the woods with swift urgency, disturbing dry leaves and snapping sticks in the obscurity of the night. She halted before the mountain standing resolute, a forbidden boundary I dared to cross. Resuming control, I shifted back, fixing my gaze on the formidable peak. Moments lingered in contemplation. The heat at home was oppressive, and escaping seemed a tempting choice. What's the worst that could happen? I preferred confronting the unknown beyond the mountain to facing Maximus and my father. Returning to my human form, my wolf skillfully ascended the mountain, and after what felt like an eternity, we emerged on the other side, greeted by dense woods. "Are you sure a
George’s POV I watched her devour the food swiftly. For someone of her stature, her appetite surprised me. Thousands of questions danced in my mind, eager to escape my lips. The tales of werewolves, once dismissed as mere myths, unfolded before my disbelieving eyes. In her, I beheld a beauty so rare, a beauty that transcended mere humanity. Her charm, a potent blend of beauty and a captivating physique, left me momentarily breathless. She caught my gaze, and embarrassment washed over me, prompting me to clear my throat quickly. "I must be quite the chef," I remarked, a swell of pride in my voice. She responded with a cool dismissal. "No, I'm just hungry." A sting of sarcasm laced her words, a trait I found oddly adorable. "Thank you," she murmured. Smiling, I blurted. "I'd gladly cook for you for the rest of my life." However, my attempt at charm was met with a scornful glance. "Hmmph," she exclaimed. She prepared to leave, but I impulsively halted her. "Wait!" "Have you
Lyra’s POV As my wolf neared the cottage, I observed George in a state of panic outside. Taking charge, I shifted. Surprisingly, he hurried towards me and enveloped me in an embrace. “Mate,” resonated my wolf's voice. “But he's human, how is that possible?” I inquired, yet silence met my question, not that her silence was an unfamiliar response. Against all odds, it seemed we were descending into something inexplicable. “You do realize I'm undressed, right?” were the words that escaped my lips. "Oh! I apologize," he muttered, turning away and swiftly taking off his shirt, his gaze avoiding mine. I pondered why he was making such a fuss. We were right in front of the house, and I intended to step inside and grab a dress. Encountering him shirtless again was nearly unbearable. He resembled a perfect Greek god. "Where did you go?" he inquired. "I went for a run with my wolf," I replied nonchalantly. "Lyra, no one can see your wolf. No one must know you're a werewolf," he cau
Lyra’s POV I was taken aback by my father's harsh words, his departure leaving behind a void devoid of remorse. "Don't worry, sister," Damian consoled. "He's just angry. I'm sure he'll come around." "Where's mother?" I managed to ask through the turmoil of emotions. "She must be inside. Let's go to her," Damian suggested in his presence, a reassuring hand on my shoulder. As we entered, my eyes sought out my mother, and I rushed to her, seeking solace in her embrace. However, her response was not as warm as I had hoped. "Sit, Lyra," she said calmly, her voice carrying a weight of disappointment. "Damian, could you give us some space?" she requested. He nodded understandingly and retreated, leaving us alone in her chambers. "I'm so sorry, Mother," I pleaded, my words heavy with regret. "I didn't mean to bring you shame. Please forgive me.” "Hmm," was her only response. "Father said some hurtful words to me. Please, help me plead on my behalf," I pressed on, desperate for
Lra’s POV My journey stretched on longer than before, each step weighed down by the burden of sadness that clung to me like a cloak. When I finally shifted back, I found myself shivering in the cold, the thin dress Damian had included in the bag offering little protection against the biting wind. Despite my exhaustion, sleep eluded me until the early hours of the morning, when sheer weariness finally overcame the ache in my heart. When I awoke, hunger gnawed at me. With trembling hands, I reached into the bag and retrieved some fruits, devouring them hungrily before pressing on. As night fell once more, I found myself alone in the darkness of the woods, the eerie silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. The next morning, weary and famished, I finally reached George's doorstep and knocked. He opened the door, my face drawn and distressed. Without a word, he enfolded me in a warm embrace. "You look so pale. Are you okay?" he asked, concern
Lyra's POVThe next morning, as the sun cast its gentle glow through the windows of the cottage, George approached me with a look of determination in his eyes."I have something important to discuss with you," he announced, his voice tinged with a hint of nervousness.I nodded, eager to hear what he had to say, though my heart fluttered with anticipation."You see, I'm a businessman," George began, his words carefully chosen. "And while I sought refuge in this secluded cottage to escape the chaos of the city, it's time for me to return."My breath caught in my throat. "So, I get to stay here, right?" I asked, trying to mask the disappointment that threatened to surface. But George shook his head, his gaze unwavering."No, I want you to come with me. I can't bear the thought of leaving you alone in this secluded place."A rush of warmth flooded my chest at his words, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection f
Lyra’s POVEntering the city, the uproar of sounds assaulted my heightened senses, causing my nose to bleed.The relentless sound of vehicle horns, machinery whirring, angry drivers, children's voices, and a lot of other noises overwhelmed me.The mixture of scents, from people, dogs, food, and countless other odours, only added to my disorientation."Are you okay?" George's voice cut through the chaos, his concern evident in both his tone and his eyes."I will be. Let's get to your place," I managed to reply.He handed me his handkerchief to contain the flow of blood from my nose, and with a sense of urgency, he navigated through the congested streets. Each passing moment felt like an eternity until finally, we arrived at his residence.Thankfully his house was situated in a calm neighborhood, a stark contrast to the chaotic streets we had just passed. As the driver opened the gates, my eyes widened in awe at
Lyra's POV Before evening, George had arranged for a cage for my parrot. As we sat down for dinner in the elegant dining room, the ambience was disrupted when I reached for the cutlery. To my horror, the silver utensils burned my skin, emitting a sizzling sound upon contact. I flinched, dropping them immediately. “What's wrong?” George's voice was filled with concern as he noticed my distress. “I believe these are pure silver,” I whispered, my hand throbbing from the burn. George swiftly fetched the first aid kit, tending to my injured hand with a gentle touch. “I'm sorry,” he apologized, but I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. It was I who should have been apologizing for causing him undue stress. After bandaging my hand, George instructed the maids to replace all the silverware in the kitchen with golden ones before the next morning. Despite their confusion, they nodded and left to fulfil his request. “I'm sorry,” I murmured, feeling the weight of my abnormality. “Don't