Mated To The Rival Alpha

Scent

Lyra's P.O.V,

Finally, the smell came to me, and with the hope that it was the wolf, I traced it. I walked not steadily, yet went on. I had to know who he was and for what reason it was happening between them and me. Only this thing was keeping me moving through this thick forest.

Two days now, it has been two whole days since I'd had a thing to eat. My tummy growled weakly, but I was beyond caring. My legs ached, my throat parched, and my eyes blurry. All I wanted to do was fall to the earth and have it be all over with, yet some little something inside screamed nay.

And still, even then, bone weary, my wolf refused to let me give up. The scent was getting stronger, and I felt I was closing in on something-or someone. Even if it led to danger, I had to find out.

My steps grew heavy with each passing moment; endless trees closed in as my breathing laboured, and I had no measure for how long this has gone on or what such a measure would have wrought had it been available except the scent, of course.

And then the presence came home: someone there, something stirred within the fur of the wolf. Now, yes, much stronger. Whoever this was, they were close.

I heard the low snarls of wolves ahead, growls and faint movements. Suddenly, my heart went racing, and for one moment, I was paralyzed with fear. Go back? My wolf urged me forward, and despite my fear, I moved closer.

I came upon a narrow path, and the sounds were louder. My instincts yelled to run, but I couldn't. I took a shaky breath and went on, my feet crunching softly on the leaves.

Then I saw them.

There in front of me stood a group of men: tall, muscular, and armed. Their weapons gleamed in the dim light filtering through the trees.

I didn't even have time to hide when one of them finally managed to spot me.

"Freeze right where you are!" someone yelled in this deep voice. Then, a man stepped forward, his eyes sharp and commanding at the moment, "Don't even think of running, or I'll kill you."

Then full-blown panic entered my head. My wolf growled, ready with a fight deep inside of me, but I was too weak to shift. And then my body froze on the spot.

I tried to speak, to explain, but the words just wouldn't come. I was dry-mouthed as I stared at the men.

"Who are you?" another asked. He took another step, sniffing in the air. "You smell of wolf, yet you are not one of us."

I took another step backwards, but the first growled at me. "I said, don't move!”

I froze, shaking. My mind ran: Run, fight, give up-I did not know which to choose. My wolf clawed at me, asking for a shift, and again, too weak even to try.

The men exchanged a look; all three faces were impassive, cold. One said something in a low mutter and the other two nodded.

"Take her," the first said flatly.

Before I could even react, two of them grabbed me. Their hands were so coarse as they dragged me forward. I tried to struggle, but I was too weak.

"Let me go!" I screamed in a quivering voice, full of fear.

They didn't say anything. They just pulled me further down the path. My heart pounded as my body was overcome with fear.

The men dragged me through the forest, their grips like iron shackles on my arms. My wolf stirred weakly within me, sensing the danger, but I was too exhausted to fight back. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of what was happening.

Who were they? Where were they taking me?

The scent of wolves grew stronger as we walked. These men weren’t human—they were wolves from another pack. The realization made my heart pound harder.

A strange pack. For the moon goddess’ sake, this couldn’t be good.

Ahead of us, a massive, intricately designed gate loomed, its edges adorned with symbols of power and dominance. My stomach twisted as they pushed it open, dragging me into a place I immediately recognized as a pack palace. The air was heavy with authority, and my nerves were on edge.

Moments later, I was standing in front of him.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Sharp jawline. His piercing eyes locked onto me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

Alpha Lucas.

Even in my weak state, his presence made my knees feel like they might give out—not from fear, but from something else I couldn’t explain. I’d never seen anyone like him before, and it unsettled me.

“Alpha Lucas,” one of the men said, bowing slightly, “we found this woman trespassing in our territory. She refuses to explain herself.”

The name hit me like a lightning bolt. Alpha Lucas? The Shadowmoon Pack?

I froze, my thoughts spiraling. The elders back at Voidclaw had told us stories of the Shadowmoon Pack, ruled by a ruthless, powerful Alpha named Lucas. A pack that had always been our greatest rival and enemy.

Was this truly him? Was I really in Shadowmoon territory?

If the answer was yes, then my life was hanging by a thread.

Lucas’s voice cut through my panic. “What is your name, and where are you from?”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sand. “My name is Lyra,” I said quietly. “I’m from the Voidclaw Pack.”

His eyes narrowed the moment I mentioned Voidclaw. The tension in the room became suffocating, his aura pressing down on me like a heavy weight.

“You’re from Voidclaw?” His voice was calm, but there was a deadly edge to it. “Then you must be a spy.”

“No, I’m not—” I tried to speak, but he raised a hand, silencing me.

“Spies don’t belong here,” he said, his tone cold. “But killing you would be too easy.”

I flinched, the weight of his words making my wolf growl weakly within me.

“You will face punishment for trespassing into Shadowmoon territory.” His sharp gaze pinned me in place. “From now on, you’ll serve as one of my maids. Let’s see how your pride as a Voidclaw wolf fares under servitude.”

I couldn’t breathe. A maid? Here?

He signaled to one of the guards. “Take her to the maids’ quarters.”

My legs refused to move as they dragged me away again, but my mind screamed in protest.

The reality hit me like a slap to the face. I was trapped in the rival pack, surrounded by wolves who would gladly see me suffer. From frying pan to fire, the saying went.

"This is a new maid, show her what to do and where she belongs," he said as he showed me toward an elderly woman, as stern as the stormy grey sky, one of those dragging me.

This was the leading maid, and so cold was her glance that a weight seemed to press upon me as she introduced herself. I required no one to tell me this woman was as bad as any lion hunting for prey.

"What's your name?" she asked, having acid in her tongue.

"Lyra," I answered without stammering to just show a trace of my fear.

She measured me for a second and vanished in that narrow room; then came out holding an almost stale piece of bread. She didn't even utter a word, but gave bread to me.

"Eat this, and get ready. I will show your duties."

I must have looked quite a pitiful sight wolfing down the bread because I didn't know how weak I had become until some dry crumbs hit my throat, but that was a enough to give me a sliver of strength.

She wasted no time dragging me through the palace, pointing out which grand halls, servant quarters, and outside courtyards fell into my cleaning duties innumerable.

You don't want to find out how mean I can be if your job isn't done right," she spat, cold and so final.

I nodded in silence, my fear deep in my chest as she vanished to leave me to my cleaning.

Five days passed and went. Five blistering, exhaustive days.

I was getting used to the terrors of this new life, though badly and grumblingly. It seemed like every day that Moon Goddess herself was torturing me, yet it was something that had no way around it.

This was my lot now: a lowly maid in a rival pack, robbed of my identity, dignity, and freedom.

That morning, I had scrubbed at the floor at the end of a great hallway. I heard footsteps coming in, and immediately my body froze in place, permeated by a smell that spoke of dominance and command. I knew without even looking up who it would be.

Alpha Lucas.

I straightened, my heart pounding at every step he came closer, angled my face down, trying to meld into the shadows. That was hopeless. His vibe overwhelmed me, and even the strongest of wills didn't stand a chance.

"Lyra," this low voice called.

Gazing up warily, our eyes locked. The heavy intenseness in his gaze brought a feeling of small exposure.

"You will sleep in my room tonight," he said, his voice not allowing for an argument.

My jaw just about dropped, and for one second, I really thought I must have misunderstood him.

"In. your room?" I managed to stammer, only just forcing the words past my lips.

He didn't budge. "Yes. My room."

And so I did nothing but stood there, frozen, trying to make sense of it. Why would the Alpha of the Shadowmoon pack give such an order?

He was off in powerful strides down the hall before I could press him further.