Chapter 4
1250 Words
A heavy blow sent my head snapping to the side.
Pain exploded across my cheek, the sharp sting lingering as I wobbled on my feet.
When I lifted my gaze, my father’s dark, furious eyes glared down at me, his face twisted in disgust.
"Where did you think you were going?" he spat, his red-rimmed eyes narrowing as he folded his arms.
Before I could answer, he grabbed me by the collar, his grip unrelenting.
Then he shook me, so violently that my teeth clattered together.
"Did you plan to disgrace me on such an important day?"
I could barely breathe through his tight hold.
"I’m old enough to leave today," I gritted out, spitting blood onto the floor. My cheek throbbed from his strike, but I refused to look away.
"Or did you forget your own child’s birthday!?"
The moment the words left my mouth, another resounding slap hit me across the face.
My vision blurred, and I stumbled.
"You are no child of mine," he hissed.
"No child of mine would put me through what you have."
His voice dripped with venom, as if he had been the one suffering at my hands all these years.
A passerby might believe that I had abused him—that I had been the one to wake him in the middle of the night with a belt on his back.
That I had called him a worthless monster.
That I had spat in his face and beat him down at every chance I got.
"Yes," I whispered, sinking to my aching knees, my body too weak to hold me up anymore. "I resigned myself to being fatherless years ago."
For years, I had desperately sought my father’s love.
All I had ever wanted was a smile.
Just one kind word.
One moment where he saw me as his daughter.
But he was kind to everyone but me.
"If I am not your daughter, then why does my existence disgrace you?"
I stared down at my shaking hands, my chest aching with exhaustion.
Tears threatened to fall, but I forced them back.
"Don’t you dare talk back to me!"
His thunderous voice made the walls shake.
"I have lost so much because of you! And your existence is still costing me!"
His face reddened with fury, but for once… I wasn’t afraid.
For eighteen months, I had clung to one hope—escaping the Moonveil Pack.
Every slap, every kick, every cruel word…
I had endured it all, whispering to myself that one day, I would be free.
And now?
My only salvation had been ripped away.
Just an hour ago, two men had pointed guns at me.
The click of their weapons echoed in my ears, drowning out everything else.
I had faced death before, but never like this.
Never with the cold barrel of a gun staring back at me.
They didn’t hesitate to shackle my wrists, dragging me back to the packhouse like a criminal.
Because of Lucien.
That bastard.
Leaving a pack was not a crime—not at twenty-one. I had every right to go.
So why was I being punished for something that was never against the law?
Why did Lucien get to decide my fate?
"I wish you were never born."
My father’s voice was cold and final, turning away from me without a second glance.
For trying to exercise my basic rights, I had been thrown into the dungeons like a prisoner.
"I wish I was never born too."
Because if this was life, then I wanted no part of it.
My father halted, turning back toward me.
"You have no right to say that," he snarled, grabbing my collar again.
The thin fabric of my dress ripped as he hauled me up like a ragdoll.
"My mate died bringing your useless ass into this world!"
His breath reeked of alcohol, making my stomach twist with nausea.
"Who taught you to be so ungrateful?"
His fingers dug into my throat, and I held my breath, refusing to break.
"Happy birthday to you, Lyra."
Then he dropped me.
I crashed to the floor, my limbs too weak to catch myself.
I could never have a mate.
I could never reject a mate.
I was worthless, but I wasn’t allowed to admit it.
This pack didn’t want me.
But I wasn’t allowed to leave.
My life was a cruel paradox, an endless cycle of suffering.
My father left, and finally, I could breathe again.
Of all the people who had ever hurt me, he was the only one who could paralyze me with a single look.
Even when he was far away, my body remembered the fear.
And then—
"Did I not warn you?"
The voice that haunted my nightmares filled the room.
Lucien Draven stepped inside, his expression void of emotion.
"Did I not tell you there is no escaping?"
The room felt smaller with him inside.
Astra whimpered, the Alpha’s fury pressing down on her like a lead weight.
"I am old enough to leave!" I screamed, tears finally spilling over. "You are all insane! Cruel! Keeping me here against my will is madness!"
Lucien’s gaze darkened, his anger a quiet storm.
"I told you not to leave."
He stepped closer, pushing his hair back, revealing the dark circles beneath his eyes.
For a split second, I faltered.
Had he slept at all?
"You have no rights over me anymore," I spat. "I can leave if I want to."
Lucien’s jaw ticked, but his expression remained blank.
"Last night was… awful for me."
He studied me, his gaze roaming my face.
"But I’m thinking it wasn’t awful for you."
I let out a harsh laugh, one that held no humor.
"You rejected me, Lucien."
His body tensed.
"We broke the mate bond. Why would I go into heat for you?"
For the first time in years, I saw unease flicker across his face.
Even if he didn’t want to admit it, the truth was clear.
Lucien had felt something last night.
The rejection should have made us strangers, but something still tied us together—something he didn’t understand.
His pride wouldn’t let him accept it.
"You’re lying," he muttered.
"Believe what you want," I replied.
Lucien’s expression turned cold again.
"I don’t care," he said, his tone dismissive. "I have a succession ceremony to attend. Until then, you will do your duty to this pack. Clean. Cook. Serve."
His red eyes burned into mine.
"And if you ever try to run again—"
He took another step forward, his voice a low growl.
"I will show you misery unlike anything you’ve ever known."
I hated him.
I hated them all.
"One day, you will regret this."
Lucien snorted, already turning away.
"How?" he scoffed. "You are just a worthless omega."
I clenched my fists.
"You will regret this."
And I would make sure of it.
- Writer
