Rejected by my Mate, Claimed by the Lycan King

He Married Someone Else The first thing Lyra saw after walking out of prison wasn't freedom. It was white roses. Dozens of them decorated the road leading into Silverfang Pack. Fresh petals covered the ground, and ribbons fluttered from wooden poles swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. For a moment, she simply stood there, squinting against the sunlight. It's been three years... Three years behind cold stone walls where every day looked exactly the same. She had almost forgotten how warm the sun felt on her skin. A guard tossed a worn leather bag at her feet. "Your belongings." He said. The bag was so light it barely made a sound. Inside the bag was one faded dress, an old pendant, and a pair of shoes with cracked soles. That was everything she owned now. The iron gate behind her slammed shut with a heavy clang. The sound echoed through the valley, but she didn't turn around. There was nothing left behind those walls worth looking at. Lyra bent to pick up her bag, brushing the dust from it before slipping the strap over her shoulder. She took one slow breath. "I'm finally going home." She. Muttered to herself. The words came out as little more than a whisper, and a smile tugged at her lips despite everything. Rowan had promised. The memory returned as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. "Wait for me," he had said through the prison bars, as his forehead rested against hers. "Three years will pass before we know it. I'll be the first person you see when you come home." She had believed him, she still did. That promise had carried her through every lonely night, every bruise from prison fights, every whispered insult from wolves who called her a murderer. Because Rowan knew the truth, he knew she wasn't guilty. She had only confessed to protect him. One day, she had told herself, it would all make sense." One day, they'd start over. The sound of distant music pulled her from her thoughts. Drums, laughter, and cheering. Her brows lifted. Silverfang wasn't exactly known for throwing celebrations. Maybe it's Rowan throwing her a surprise welcome party. Curious, she followed the sound down the winding road. The closer she got, the more decorated everything became. Lanterns hung from ancient oak trees, children ran through the streets wearing flower crowns, even the old bakery she'd passed every morning as a child had ribbons tied around its windows, an elderly woman hurried past carrying a basket of white lilies. She glanced at Lyra, and recognition flickered in her eyes, then her face went pale. Without saying a word, she hurried away, and Lyra frowned. That was... strange. Another familiar face appeared across the street. It was one of the pack warriors. He looked straight at her, and his mouth fell open. But before she could even wave at him, he quickly turned around and disappeared into the crowd. Thus time a knot formed in her stomach. Why was everyone acting like they'd seen a ghost? She looked down at herself. Well... She probably did look terrible. Her once chestnut hair had grown long and uneven, reaching past her waist. The prison uniforms had done little to protect her from the harsh weather, leaving her skin slightly tanned and rougher than before. Still... It was only for today. Once Rowan saw her... Everything would be okay. Wouldn't it? The music grew louder, and the people streamed toward the centre of the pack with excitement buzzing through the air. "Move faster!" "The ceremony's about to begin!" "I heard Alpha Rowan spared no expense!" "I can't wait to see the bride!" Hesring this, Lyra slowed. The bride? Her heartbeat skipped. No... It couldn't be. Maybe another warrior was getting married, and Silverfang held weddings all the time. It didn't have to mean... She stopped herself. "Don't be ridiculous, Rowan would never... He promised." She said to herself She quickened her pace, but the crowd grew thicker, making it difficult to see ahead. As she tried to force her way into the crowd, someone bumped into her shoulder. "Oh, sorry." The young woman looked up so see it was Lyra, and her apology died on her lips. Her eyes widened. "L-Lyra?" Several nearby wolves turned at the sound of the name. And all of a sudden, conversations stopped. One by one, faces turned toward her. Silence spread through the street like ripples across still water. Lyra forced a smile. "It's been a while." Dhe said But no one smiled back. Instead, some looked away, while others whispered behind their hands. But as tiny their whispers were, she caught fragments. "...thought she died..." "...why is she here today..." "...does Alpha know..." At hearing these, the unease in her chest grew heavier. Something wasn't right. She pushed through the crowd before anyone could stop her. As the pack square finally came into view, her steps slowed, then stopped completely. A grand platform had been built beneath the sacred Moon Tree, with thousands of white roses surrounding it. Silver banners danced in the breeze. The elders stood in ceremonial robes. Pack warriors lined both sides of the aisle. At the centre... A man stood in formal black. Tall, broad shoulders, and dark hair that caught the sunlight. Even from a distance, she recognised him instantly. It was Rowan. A laugh escaped her lips. It was almost embarrassing how relieved she felt. "So that's why..." He wasn't waiting outside the prison because he was here... preparing for some official welcome ceremony. She started walking again, weaving through the crowd. Her smile returned, and every step felt lighter. She imagined the surprise on his face. Maybe he'd be angry she hadn't written more letters. Maybe he'd scold her for looking so thin. Then he'd hug her. Everything would finally be over. Bur just before she could get to him, someone stepped onto the platform. A woman in a flowing white gown. Graceful, elegant, with a golden hair pinned beneath a delicate silver crown. It was Selene. Now Lyra's smile disappeared, and her feet refused to move. No. Selene walked down the aisle with flowers in her hands. The crowd erupted into applause. Rowan turned toward her. His expression softened into a smile Lyra hadn't seen in years. Not once, not during prison visits, not even in his letters. That smile was meant only for the woman walking toward him. The world around Lyra blurred. Her ears rang. No... No... This wasn't happening. Selene reached Rowan and he took her hands. The High Elder opened an ancient book. "We gather beneath the blessing of the Moon Goddess..." he said Lyra stumbled forward. Every instinct screamed that there had been some mistake. "Rowan!" Her voice cracked through the square. Then, the applause stopped instantly. Hundreds of heads turned. Even Rowan froze. The colour drained from his face. Both Rowan and Lyra's eyes met across the crowd. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Disbelief flashed across his features. Then something else... Panic. Selene slowly looked over her shoulder, and the shock on her face lasted only a second, and then her expression changed into perfect concern. She clutched Rowan's arm. "Lyra...?" She spoke the name so softly that anyone watching would think she was simply stunned to see her cousin alive. Only Lyra noticed the tiny flicker in her eyes. It was not a surprise, it was pure calculation. The crowd began whispering again. "She came back..." "Today's of all days..." "Does she know?" "No one told her?" Lyra looked from Rowan...to Selene...to the wedding decorations surrounding them. Understanding hit her all at once like a blade sliding between her ribs. Nobody had expected her release today, nobody had gone to meet her, nobody had even thought to tell her. Because everyone believed she would still be behind bars... while Rowan married another woman. She stared at the man she'd spent three years waiting for. The man she'd sacrificed everything to protect. The man who had promised to wait. Her lips parted, but no words came out. But Rowan finally found his voice. His brows drew together as though seeing her there was the last thing he'd ever imagined. "Lyra..." A long, suffocating silence settled over the square. Then, before the eyes of the entire pack, Rowan asked the question that shattered what remained of her hope. "Why are you here?"