The lycan king's Greatest Regret

I used to believe the Moon Goddess had written my love story before I was even bor How foolish. The morning of my twenty-first birthday began with rain. Soft droplets tapped against the tiny window of my attic room, their steady rhythm almost gentle enough to lull me back to sleep. For a few precious seconds, I forgot what day it was. Then my wolf stirred. Today. Her voice echoed weakly inside my mind, carrying a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. Today was the day I would finally meet my mate. Or rather... The day everyone expected Alpha Ronan Ashcroft to publicly acknowledge the bond we had quietly shared since we were teenagers. My heart fluttered despite the knot in my stomach. Ronan had asked me to trust him. "Just a little longer, Lyra," he'd whispered only three nights ago while brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Once I become Alpha, no one can tell me who I can love." I'd believed him. I always believed him. A loud knock rattled my bedroom door. "Get up." Mara's sharp voice sliced through the silence. "The ceremony starts in two hours. The banquet hall still isn't cleaned." I swallowed the disappointment that settled in my chest. No "Happy Birthday." No smile. Nothing. "Yes, Luna." Footsteps faded down the hallway. I climbed out of bed, ignoring the cold floor beneath my feet. My room was barely large enough for the narrow bed, an aging wardrobe, and a cracked mirror hanging crooked on the wall. Not exactly where the woman destined to become Luna should have been living. I stared at my reflection. Plain silver hair. Gray eyes. A face too tired for someone who had just turned twenty-one. "You look terrified," I whispered. My wolf huffed. You smell terrified. Despite myself, I laughed. "Thanks." You're welcome. She always knew how to make me smile. Even on days like today. ... By sunrise the packhouse buzzed with excitement. Servants hurried through the halls carrying flowers and silver trays while warriors polished their ceremonial armor. The Alpha's succession only happened once every generation. Every neighboring pack had sent representatives. Even members of the High Council were attending. I balanced three baskets of fresh bread as I hurried toward the banquet hall. "Watch where you're going." A shoulder slammed into mine. The baskets slipped from my hands. Bread scattered across the polished floor. Laughter erupted. I looked up to find Iris Voss staring down at me in a sapphire-blue gown that probably cost more than everything I owned. She smiled sweetly. It never reached her eyes. "Oh," she sighed dramatically. "I didn't see you." A lie. She'd looked directly at me before walking into me. "I'm sorry," I murmured, kneeling to gather the bread. "You should be." She crouched beside me, pretending to help. Instead, she leaned close enough that only I could hear. "Enjoy today." My fingers froze. "Because tomorrow..." Her smile widened. "...you won't matter anymore." Before I could ask what she meant, she stood gracefully. "Such clumsy hands." She walked away. The warriors following behind her laughed. None of them offered to help. One by one they stepped around me. As if I wasn't even there. My wolf whimpered. Something feels wrong. "I know." I just didn't know what. ... By noon, the Great Hall overflowed with wolves. The stone chamber glittered beneath crystal chandeliers while banners from every allied pack hung proudly from the towering walls. At the far end stood the Alpha's throne. Beside it... The Luna's seat. Empty. Waiting. I stood near the back with the servants. Exactly where Mara had ordered me to remain. Ronan entered wearing black ceremonial robes embroidered with silver thread. The room erupted in applause. He looked every bit the Alpha he had dreamed of becoming. Strong. Confident. Handsome. For a single heartbeat... His eyes found mine. A thousand memories flashed between us. Secret smiles. Late-night meetings beneath the moon. Promises whispered against my skin. He loved me. Didn't he? Then... He looked away. My smile faltered. A strange chill crawled across my spine. The High Elder rose. "Today," his voice echoed through the chamber, "we witness the beginning of a new reign." Every wolf fell silent. My heart hammered so loudly I could barely hear the next words. "Step forward, Alpha Ronan Ashcroft." Ronan obeyed. "The Moon Goddess has blessed you with leadership." The Elder lifted an ancient silver crown. "Who will stand beside you as Luna?" This was it. The moment I'd waited years for. My wolf trembled with anticipation. I held my breath. Ronan's lips parted. Then he turned... Not toward me. Toward Iris. "I choose Iris Voss." The world stopped. My heartbeat vanished. No... No. This wasn't right. He was supposed to— Iris walked gracefully to his side. The crowd burst into cheers. Someone gasped behind me. Someone else whispered my name. My legs refused to move. Ronan finally looked at me. There was no love in his eyes. Only cold determination. Then he spoke the words that shattered my soul. "Lyra Everhart..." Every instinct inside me screamed to run. I couldn't. "I reject you." Silence consumed the Great Hall. And in that terrible silence... Something ancient opened its eyes.