Rising from Ruin: The Luna's Last Stand

Lyra stood before her father, Alpha Justin, her heart beating fast. “Father, I'm sorry, I know I messed up.” She pleaded. “Lyra, you must marry Alpha Kael ” he declared, his voice firm and determined. Lyra’s eyes widened. “But father, I - I… ” “Shut up Lyra! No arguments,” he interrupted, looking straight into her eyes, his brown-skinned face turned pale as he gazed at her. “Getting pregnant out of wedlock already is a mess.” He sneered. “Get yourself and that useless daughter of yours out of my house!” Lyra’s eyes were filled with tears. “But father,” she said, her expression pitiful. “I’ve apologized a million times. I was only young and naive; this is sixteen years already, why punish me for my sins now?” Her father flashed a cold smile at her. “It's been sixteen years of shame and daily embarrassment on me as the Alpha of this great pack.” Lyra shrugged, soft tears rolling down her eyes. “Bu - but.. Dad…” her voice trembled. “The decision is final, Lyra.” He interrupted. “Alpha Kael only agreed to marry you because of our friendship, and you have no option!” Lyra’s heartbeat got faster. “But father,” she muttered. “Do you even consider what I want? Alpha Kael is a heartless wolf, I can't even consider him a mate.” “And who is asking for your opinion?” he sneered, raising an eyebrow. “This marriage will secure our pack,” he added, pointing his hands towards her. “Alpha Kael is the strongest alpha in this region, your marriage to him is a seal to our alliance.” Lyra’s ice-blue eyes were fixed on the ground. “I don't even love him,” she murmured, her voice low. Her father smiled, stepping closer to her. “He has promised to take care of your daughter, that's something to be grateful for,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders. Just then, Ashley, Lyra’s younger sister, stepped in. “Father, I have prepared the chambers for the visit of Alpha Kael, as you instructed.” She said genuflecting before him, her long curly hair spreading over her back. “You have done well, Ashley,” he said, turning towards her, he flashed her a warm smile. “Go and prepare yourself.” Ashley got up and left. Alpha Justin's eyes snapped to Lyra, who was still standing still before him. “I have informed the pack members and elders about this” he continued, looking straight into her eyes. “You dare not ruin this!” Lyra’s mind raced, she thought of protesting, but she knew better than to defy her father. Her sister, Ashley, was loved and more accepted than her. Her father hated her ever since she got pregnant, and gave birth to her daughter out of wedlock, sixteen years ago. He made her do everything against her will. And now, he is also interfering in her love life. She left her father's chambers in anger, her brown-skinned face radiating with rage and betrayal. She felt like a puppet in the hands of her father. That night, Lyra snuck out of her room, seeking relief in the forest. Letting her wolf run free under the moon and at that moment, she couldn't help but feel free. When Alpha Kael arrived, she was nowhere to be found. Kael, having felt disrespected and humiliated, decided to call off the marriage. “I’ve been disrespected by your daughter, Alpha Justin” he growled, his baby blue eyes sparkling in rage. “I'm calling this marriage off!” he declared, his dark long hair seemed to radiate his fury. “No, please! I beg you. This will be fixed, I promise.” Justin begged, he felt so ashamed of himself. “I'm actually doing you a favor, marrying your defiled daughter.” Kael sneered, his eyes fixed on Alpha Justin. Justin's face fell. “Please, forgive my daughter and the entire pack, I beg you. Let this not bring disunity between our packs.” he pleaded, his expression turning thoughtful. “This will never repeat itself again.” “Well, it won't, because like I said the marriage is off”. Kael said gesturing at his beta to lead the way, his tall imposing stature seemed to display threats as he got up. He left the pack in anger that Lyra could dare disrespect him like that and the only reason he’s letting that slide was because of her father, his friend. After hours of running in the forest, Lyra decided to head back home since the sun was beginning to set. As she entered through the packed gate, she had this feeling that she was in trouble. As she stepped into the living room, she was greeted with a slap by her father. “Where are you coming from?” his voice thundered, his eyes sorely fixed on her radiating his wrath. “I... I - I” she stammered, her hands caressing her left cheek to lessen the pain. “You what?!” he interrupted, his voice loud and firm. “I went for a run, my wolf needed it.” she stuttered, looking at the ground. “Alpha Kael was here earlier today and you were nowhere to be found. I couldn't reach you through the mind-link because you blocked it'' he growled, his eyes blazing with anger. “You knew he would be here, didn't you?” Ava struggled. “But father, why am I the one forced to do things against her will, but Ashley... She does everything she wants.” She asked, her voice cracking. “Do you really hate me that much?” “Well,” he sneered. “Ashley didn't go out there to get pregnant.” “That's a long time ago, Dad; it's sixteen years already,” Lyra said defensively, her expression turning into a sneer. “Lyra, you will pay for your disobedience, ” her father growled. With his hands shaking in anger, he struck her, leaving her wounded and helpless. “You are not to step out of your room until I return from Alpha Kael’s pack to plead on your behalf” he warned. Lyra fell to the ground, crying profusely. She managed to crawl to her room, where she lay on her little cot. Her heart popped up with different questions as she lay on the bed. She thought about how she's been forced to do everything against her will, even down to her love life. Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. “Lyra, It's me, Ashley, I brought some herbs for your wounds,” Ashley said, as she slightly opened the creaky wooden door. “What is it?” Lyra growled, looking at Ashley scornfully. Ashley's eyes narrowed. “I know you are hurt, Lyra, I brought you some herbs,” she said, dropping the herbs by the side of the cot. Lyra’s eyes filled with tears. “Ashley,” She called out. “Why do you always get the love and acceptance from father, leaving me with nothing but rejection and pain?” She asked, narrowing her eyes towards Ashley as she tried to sit up. Ashley flashed a cold smile at her. “Well, I'm sorry, I never realized,” she replied mockingly. Lyra’s eyes snapped to Ashley in anger. “Seeing your face only reminds me of my plight and I can't help but hate you!” she sneered. I hate you!” she declared, her voice loud and firm. Her tone was fierce, it didn't sound like a joke to Ashley, because it wasn't. “Oh dear sister, it's not really my fault that I’m lovable but since you hate me, the feeling is mutual '' Ashley sneered, looking straight into Lyra’s eyes. Before Lyra could reply, her father called her through the mind-link. “Lyra, get down here this instant, your mate is here.'' “The Alpha has granted you a second chance on a condition which you will be told.” Lyra’s heart skipped. “Oh no…” she murmured. “Prepare yourself, dress up, and come out! Your mate awaits.” Justin's voice thundered. Lyra stepped out of her room looking elegant. Even though her face clearly shows her sadness, she still radiated a natural beauty peculiar to her class as an alpha’s daughter. Her red dress, made of soft, sleek leather clung to her slim figure, bringing out her delicate curves. Her movements were slow and calculated, her brown silky strands falling down her back dancing with each step as she approached Alpha Kael. It seemed like her fate had been sealed.