Twist of Fate

Lyra's POV "You are shaking." Mia's tone broke the quiet while her hands moved through my hair securing silver clips in the tresses gathered atop my head. I observed her reflection in the mirror, her green eyes attentive, her lips tightened in a line of focus. "I'm okay " I fibbed, compelling my hands to remain steady on the material of my wedding gown. "Deceiver." Her eyes locked with mine in the mirror, a slight grin playing on her lips. "It's completely natural to feel Lyra. You're on the verge of marrying the alpha, in Moonstone. Any woman would be trembling." I wished to explain to her that my shaking hands weren't caused by that. That it wasn't anticipation or anxiety churning my stomach into knots. It was fear. Sheer overwhelming fear that clung to my throat like a strangling rope. However I remained silent. Mia took a step back pleased with her handiwork. "There. Flawless. You resemble a goddess." I gazed at my reflection. The gown was stunning… stitching tracing over white silk that embraced my figure before cascading to the ground. The lace sleeves were fragile nearly see-through. My dark hair was pinned up revealing my neck and collarbones. I looked like the Luna I was meant to be. Yet the woman looking back at me seemed unfamiliar. "Lyra." Mia placed her hand on my shoulder holding it steady. "This is your fate. The Moon Goddess selected Killian for you. You ought to feel glad." "I am joyful " I murmured, the phrase having a flavor. "Then why do you appear as if you're at a funeral?" Before I had the chance to respond three knocks resonated throughout the room. Mia's face changed immediately, her grin disappearing. "Who…" "Lyra." From behind the door came Stefan's voice, quiet and pressing. "I have to talk to you." My heart skipped a beat. Mia's grip on my shoulder grew firmer. "Shes preparing, Stefan " Mia shouted, her voice cutting. "You mustn't be here. It brings misfortune." "Please." His voice faltered a little. " For a brief moment." I caught Mia’s reflection in the mirror. She tilted her head caution evident in her stare.. I couldn’t dismiss him. Not Stefan. "Allow him inside " I whispered. Mia tightened her jaw. "Lyra…" "Please." She let go of my shoulder with a sigh that seemed to fill the entire space. "Alright.. Hurry up." She moved toward the door, flung it open and Stefan was standing there, his chest heaving as if he had been sprinting. His black hair was tousled, his blue eyes untamed as they met mine. He donned his wear, the dark gray suit designated for pack rituals, but his tie hung loosely, his collar undone. He appeared nothing, like the calm beta everyone recognized. He appeared frantic. Mia reluctantly moved aside folding her arms as Stefan came in. "Five minutes " she cautioned, standing close to the door like a guard. Stefan ignored her entirely. His gaze remained fixed on me as he made his way across the room halting inches, from where I stood. Near enough to catch the scent of pine and soil that perpetually surrounded him. "Lyra, " he whispered. "Please don’t go through with this." My fingers tangled in the material of my dress. "Stefan we've discussed this…" "No." His hand moved upward cradling my face, his thumb gliding over my cheekbone. The contact sparked warmth surging through my veins. "We haven’t discussed anything. You’ve only been echoing what others instruct you to say." "That's unjust " I murmured, though my voice trembled. "Isn't that so?" His gaze locked with mine begging. "Say you love him. Look me in the eyes and admit you love Killian. I'll leave this room immediately." My mouth parted. No noise escaped. The words stuck in my throat like splinters of glass. "That's what I believed." Stefan's tone grew deeper and more rough. "You care for me. I'm certain of it. I've sensed it each time you glance my way every moment we're by ourselves. You can't wed him, Lyra. Especially when your feelings are with another." "My heart is irrelevant " I declared, the phrase clawing its way from my throat. "Destiny…" "Damn fate!" The sharp anger in his tone caused me to recoil. Mia stood upright near the doorway, her gaze sharpening. Stefan inhaled deeply, clearly attempting to regain control. "I apologize. I apologize,.... Lyra fate is merely a term people resort to when they lack the courage to decide for themselves." "You fail to grasp…" "Then make me see." His other hand rose, cupping my face gently within his palms. "Make me see why you're on the verge of discarding everything we might share. Why are you moving toward a man who barely knows you? Not truly. Not as I do." Tears welled up in my eyes on the verge of falling and spoiling the makeup Mia had meticulously put on. "Because it's necessary. My family, the pack, everyone is depending on this alliance. Killian is my destined partner. The Moon Goddess…" “Did the Moon Goddess inquire about your desires?" Stefan’s question floated in the air like wisps of smoke. ". Did she simply make the decision, on your behalf?” I didn't have a reply. Stefan’s forehead rested against mine, his breath soft and warm, on my lips. "Join me. At this moment. We can abandon Moonstone. Begin anew. A place where destiny doesn’t control our lives.” "Stefan..." My voice faltered as I said his name. "I love you Lyra." His words slipped out softly like a whispered prayer. "I have cherished you ever since we were kids exploring the woods. Since the moment you tumbled into the river. I rescued you. Since the time you smiled at me and I knew I would move heaven and earth just to see that smile once more." A tear slid down my cheek. Stefan gently wiped it away with his thumb. "Please " he murmured. "Pick me." The space seemed cramped, the atmosphere too heavy, to inhale. I longed to say yes. My God I yearned to say yes more than I had ever desired anything in all my life. However Mia's voice pierced the silence sharply. "That's enough." She moved closer to her stern face. "This is unacceptable Stefan. Lyra has decided. The ceremony begins in under an hour." Stefan’s hands fell away from my face as he spun around to scowl at Mia. "This choice isn’t yours to make.” "No " Mia responded icily. "However, it belongs to Lyra.. She has already completed it." Her gaze turned toward me defiantly. "You haven't you, Lyra?" I glanced between the two—Stefan, his heart exposed and aching in his gaze. Mia, who had stood beside me through it all, always understood what was right. My mouth opened slightly. "I... I am unable to." Stefan stumbled backward as though I had hit him. "I'm sorry " I murmured softly, my words hardly heard. ". I can't flee. This is beyond us. Beyond my desires." A certain look in Stefan's face broke apart. The hope faded from his gaze swapped for a shadowy feeling. "You're wrong about this." "Perhaps " I confessed, new tears streaming down my face. ". It's my decision to take." He gazed at me silently for seconds and I committed every aspect of his face to memory, the sturdy jawline, the blue eyes that had consistently pierced through all the facades I displayed, the manner in which his hair rested on his forehead. He then. Headed for the door. "Stefan hold on…” He lingered at the doorway facing away from me. "If you ever require my help " he murmured, "I will be there. Regardless of what he puts you through. No matter how severe it becomes. Just call out to me. I will arrive." The phrase chilled me to the core. "What do you mean by 'what he does?" However Stefan had already left the door snapping closed behind him with a decisiveness that resonated within me. Mia let out a breath. "Wow. That was intense." She stepped closer, to me her hands quickly coming to my face dabbing at my tears with a handkerchief. "Quit crying. You'll mess up your makeup." "Mia what was he trying to say…" "He's simply distressed, Lyra. Men often utter remarks when they're in pain." She gently wiped my tears with care. "Stefan will move past this.. You'll find happiness with Killian. You'll realize it soon." While Mia was restoring my expression mending the harm Stefan's admission had inflicted my mind remained focused, on the caution embedded in his words. And the cold dread that settled in my stomach like a stone.