Chapter 4 A Choice That Could Change Everything( part 1)
754 Words
Chapter 4
A Choice That Could Change Everything
Lyra's POV (Part 1)
The journey home from the Alpha Mansion passed in complete silence.
None of us knew what to say.
My father's hands were clasped tightly behind his back, his brows drawn together in deep thought. My mother walked beside me, stealing worried glances in my direction every few moments.
As for me...
I felt as though I were trapped in a dream I couldn't wake up from.
Only two days ago, I had been the girl the Moon Goddess had seemingly abandoned.
Now the Alpha King wanted me to marry his son.
The same Raymond Ashford I had admired from afar for years.
It didn't make sense.
Not even a little.
When we reached our cottage, my father finally broke the silence.
"Sit down."
His voice was gentle but firm.
We gathered around the small wooden table where we had celebrated my birthday just days before. It felt like a lifetime ago.
My father sighed deeply.
"I never imagined we'd receive a proposal from the Alpha family."
"Neither did I," my mother admitted.
She reached across the table and took my hand.
"But this decision belongs to you, Lyra."
I looked up in surprise.
"To me?"
She nodded.
"You're the one who would have to live with it."
My father agreed.
"Being Luna isn't just a title. It's a lifetime of responsibility."
"And sacrifice," my mother added quietly.
I lowered my eyes.
"I don't think Raymond wants this marriage."
My father didn't answer immediately.
"He may not," he finally said. "But sometimes those born to lead don't always get to choose their own path."
His words stayed with me.
Was Raymond being forced into this too?
If so...
Then we were both victims of the same decision.
That thought made my heart ache.
---
That evening, I sat alone beneath the old oak tree behind our cottage.
The same tree I had climbed countless times as a child.
The moon hung low in the sky, bright and beautiful.
I looked up at it with tears in my eyes.
"Why won't You answer me?" I whispered.
"If I've done something wrong... tell me."
The breeze stirred the branches above my head.
But no answer came.
I smiled bitterly.
"I suppose silence is all I'll ever get."
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Talking to the moon again?"
I turned to see Ella carrying two cups of warm berry tea.
She sat beside me and handed me one.
"I heard about the meeting."
News really did travel fast in our pack.
"I don't even know how people found out."
Ella laughed softly.
"Nothing stays secret around here."
I wrapped my hands around the warm cup.
"They've asked me to marry Raymond."
"I know."
"What do you think?"
Ella looked at me for a long moment before answering.
"I think you should ask yourself one question."
"What question?"
"Can you spend the rest of your life with a man who may never love you?"
Her words struck me harder than I expected.
Could I?
I had dreamed about Raymond for years.
But dreams were very different from reality.
This marriage wouldn't begin with love.
It would begin with duty.
---
Meanwhile...
Inside the Alpha Mansion...
Raymond stood in the training yard, striking a wooden practice post with powerful punches.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Splinters flew across the ground.
"You're going to destroy it."
Beta Adrian leaned against the fence with his arms folded.
Raymond didn't stop.
"I don't care."
"You've barely slept."
"I don't care."
"You've skipped dinner."
"I said I don't care."
Adrian sighed.
"This isn't like you."
Raymond finally lowered his fists.
"I've spent my whole life preparing to become Alpha."
"And?"
"And now my future depends on marrying someone I've barely spoken to."
Adrian walked closer.
"Do you dislike Lyra?"
Raymond hesitated.
"No."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I don't know her."
He looked toward the distant village.
"And she deserves better than becoming someone's obligation."
Adrian nodded thoughtfully.
"Maybe."
"But maybe she needs someone who'll stand beside her when everyone else has turned their backs."
Raymond remained silent.
For the first time since the proposal...
He wondered what kind of woman Lyra really was.
Not the girl everyone had whispered about after the ceremony.
Not the unfortunate girl without a wolf.
Just...
Lyra.
He made a quiet decision.
Before either of them gave the Alpha an answer...
He wanted to speak to her alone.
Without titles.
Without expectations.
Without anyone else deciding their future.
- Writer
