Chapter 4A Choice That Could Change Everything
958 Words
Chapter 4
A Choice That Could Change Everything
Lyra's POV (Part 2)
The next morning arrived far too quickly.
I hadn't slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the Alpha King's face as he asked me to become Raymond's wife. Then I remembered the whispers from the Awakening Ceremony, and my heart tightened all over again.
I quietly slipped out of the house before sunrise.
The forest had always been my refuge.
When I was happy, I came here.
When I was sad, I came here.
Today, I desperately needed its silence.
The morning air was cool as I followed the narrow path leading to the stream where I had cried two nights ago.
I knelt beside the clear water and stared at my reflection.
The girl looking back at me seemed like a stranger.
Dark circles rested beneath her eyes.
Her smile was gone.
"So... this is what a girl without a mate looks like," I whispered bitterly.
"You're wrong."
A deep male voice came from behind me.
Startled, I quickly turned around.
Raymond stood a few steps away.
He wasn't wearing his usual ceremonial clothes. Instead, he wore a simple black shirt and dark trousers, making him look less like the future Alpha and more like an ordinary man.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
"I didn't mean to frighten you," he said.
"What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question."
I looked away.
"I come here when I need to think."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"So do I."
The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable.
It was simply... unfamiliar.
After a moment, Raymond stepped closer.
"I wanted to speak with you."
"About the proposal?"
He nodded.
"I think we deserve at least one honest conversation before either of us makes a decision."
I folded my arms tightly across my chest.
"You don't want this marriage."
He didn't answer immediately.
"I never planned to marry this way."
"Neither did I."
He nodded.
"I know."
For the first time, I looked directly into his eyes.
There was no pity in them.
Only honesty.
"My father gave me an ultimatum," he admitted.
"If I don't marry before the next full moon, I lose my right to become Alpha."
I stared at him in surprise.
"So... you're being forced too?"
"In a way."
A sad smile crossed my lips.
"I thought I was the only unlucky one."
Raymond let out a quiet laugh.
"I don't think either of us expected our lives to change like this."
"No."
"They changed overnight."
We stood in silence again, listening to the gentle flow of the stream.
Finally, he spoke.
"I want to be honest with you."
I nodded.
"I can't promise love."
His words stung more than I wanted to admit.
"But," he continued, "I can promise respect."
"I can promise honesty."
"And if we marry... I'll never mistreat you."
I searched his face.
He meant every word.
It wasn't a declaration of love.
But it also wasn't cruelty.
"I appreciate your honesty," I said softly.
"I'll be honest too."
He waited.
"I once hoped the Moon Goddess would choose someone who would love me."
A shadow crossed my face.
"Now... I don't even know if the Moon Goddess remembers I exist."
Raymond frowned.
"Don't say that."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't believe She abandoned you."
I blinked in surprise.
"You don't?"
He shook his head.
"I've never believed everything happens without a reason."
His words settled deep inside me.
Before either of us could say another word, a loud growl echoed through the forest.
Both of us froze.
Another growl followed.
Much closer.
Raymond instantly stepped in front of me.
"Stay behind me."
The bushes shook violently.
A massive rogue wolf burst from the trees, its eyes glowing with madness.
Its dark fur was matted with blood, and scars covered its body.
It lunged without hesitation.
"Run!" Raymond shouted.
Instead of running, I stumbled backward and fell.
The rogue changed direction.
It was coming straight for me.
Everything happened in seconds.
Raymond shifted partially, his claws extending as he threw himself between us.
The two wolves collided with a deafening roar.
They rolled across the forest floor, snapping and clawing at one another.
I scrambled to my feet.
"Raymond!"
The rogue slashed across Raymond's shoulder.
Blood sprayed onto the grass.
My heart nearly stopped.
Without thinking, I grabbed a thick tree branch from the ground.
The rogue raised its head, preparing to attack Raymond again.
"No!"
I swung the branch with all my strength.
The blow struck the rogue across the muzzle.
It snarled furiously.
The distraction gave Raymond enough time to throw the rogue aside.
Hearing approaching warriors in the distance, the rogue backed away before disappearing into the forest.
Silence returned.
Raymond slowly straightened, breathing heavily.
Blood soaked the sleeve of his shirt.
I rushed to him.
"You're hurt."
"It's just a scratch."
"It doesn't look like just a scratch."
He smiled faintly.
"I've had worse."
Before I could reply, several pack warriors arrived.
"Future Alpha!"
"We heard the fight."
Raymond nodded.
"The rogue escaped."
The captain looked around.
"We'll track it immediately."
As the warriors disappeared into the forest, Raymond turned back to me.
"Are you alright?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
"You?"
"I'll survive."
For the first time since the Awakening Ceremony, I smiled.
A real smile.
And Raymond smiled back.
Neither of us noticed the pair of crimson eyes watching from the shadows high above the cliffs.
A deep voice echoed softly.
"So... this is the girl."
The mysterious figure disappeared into the darkness before anyone sensed his presence.
Their destinies had begun to intertwine.
Neither Lyra nor Raymond knew that the greatest storm of their lives was only beginning.
- Writer
