Bound by Blood and Moonlight

“You cannot be Alpha." The first time Lyra saw the long oakwood table was when she and her brother accidentally walked into a council meeting when they were kids. Now she sat at the far end of the table, under the scrutiny of the twelve elders, six on each side, and her father at the opposite end. They were there to assess if she was fit to lead the pack. Even if she was a female. “Normally, women are meant to be seen," one of the elders started, “and not heard. Having a female Alpha has never occurred since the formation of our pack." Lyra's jaw tightened. Every fibre in her was aching to lash out, but she forced herself to sit still. She wouldn't want to ruin her chances of being the next Alpha. “Leadership requires emotional control. Do you believe you possess that?" “Yes." Lyra answered coldly, looking him dead in the eye. One thing her father taught them as kids was to never show weakness, even if they're scared to their wits’ end. “Our laws have stood for many generations. Why should they change for you?" Lyra straightened in her seat, clearing her throat. “Need I remind you that in ‘our’ laws, the position of Alpha is passed down to the first born and it just so happens to be that I'm the first to escape my mother's womb." The table went silent. There was truth in what she said. Lyra looked at the other end of the table where her father sat. To others, it would seem he had a blank expression. But Lyra grew up with this man, studied him over the years and enough to know the look he gave her was one of pride. “We are not experimenting with leadership here. It would be wiser to let your brother lead." Another elder spoke. “You would be breaking the laws you set up–” “A daughter doesn't carry the lineage forward. She joins another. When you take a mate, where will your loyalty lie? Here or with him?” Lyra fell silent. She didn't think of that and she couldn't argue with the fact. It was true. "As the daughter of an Alpha, you're to wed into another pack to form an allegiance and make pups to continue your husband's lineage. Not your father’s.” Elder Howard jabbed. He was the head of the council and always against women having a say above men. He treated them as nothing more than breeders. No wonder his wife decided to kick the bucket early. He continued, “perhaps your father's judgment is clouded by affection–" “Enough!" That was the last straw. She stood up from her seat. "Attack me all you want but don't ever insult my father.” Lyra looked at the elders and her father. This time she couldn't tell what his expression held. She was blinded by anger and needed to cool off. “I’m done with this meeting." And with that, she left the council room, not bothering to look one last time. — Lyra threw punches at the dummy, each one harder than the last. No one needed to tell her she had f****d up in the council room. Her knuckles burned with pain but it was nothing compared to the anger within her. Not only had she disrespected the pack elders, she embarrassed her father, the Alpha. It would take a miracle for her to be considered as the next Alpha. “Damn, what did that dummy ever do to you?" Lyra paused and turned to the direction of the voice. It was her best friend, Eli. He leaned against the wall, hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants. “How'd you know I was here?" “Pack bond," he shrugged, pushed himself off the wall and came closer to her. "Plus you're the only person I know with anger strong enough to be felt through the bond.” Her shoulders dropped down, releasing all the tension they held. Eli pulled her to his chest, gently placing a hand behind her head, fingers tangling in her voluminous curls. Lyra succumbed to the warmth his body offered, letting her guard down. Outside she could be the strongest but here, in the arms of a man she shouldn't be with, she felt most at home. Almost as if coming back to her senses, she pulled away from his embrace, "we shouldn't be alone together. Not after what–” "I remember.” He let his hands drop down, fingers grazing the length of her arm. As much as it pained Eli, he was smart enough not to be caught with the Alpha's daughter in a compromising position. “I..” “There you are!" Their eyes followed the direction in which the voice came from. Walking in was the one person that the council wanted as Alpha. Her brother, Gabriel. “Father has been looking for you. You should really sit and think before doing a lot of things." Gabriel scolded. Despite being twins, he could pass off as an older brother. "If you were in my shoes, you'd do the same.” Lyra scoffed, walking past him. She didn't want to discuss what had happened with her brother. "I doubt I would.” Lyra stopped in her tracks, turning slightly to look at Eli then Gabriel. "I forgot. You're a son.” Without another word, she left the pack gym. — Standing in front of her father's office, Lyra took a deep breath and raised a hand to knock on the door when it swung open, revealing her father's tall figure. His fair skin contrasted with her caramel color, but that didn't stop him from passing down his hazel eyes to her. “You look just like your mother.” He placed a hand on her cheek. Lyra thought he had forgotten about the morning’s altercation and gave a small smile. He let his hand linger then stepped back, allowing her access into his office. Her eyes wandered around the office as she stepped him. The curtains were drawn shut, only allowing a sliver of sunlight into the room. Papers were scattered all over the desk that was normally organized. “You really let yourself go.." She mumbled, taking a seat on one of the chairs. “Life of an Alpha." Her father chuckled softly, sitting behind the desk. “I'm sure I’d be able to manage it,”she shrugged. He let out a sigh and extended his hands across the table to hold hers. “You've grown into a fierce wolf, my Lyra. Your mother would be proud.” He continued, “I know the elders were a little bit harsh today and perhaps, they were right to question. A daughter leading the pack— it's untested.” Lyra's brows furrowed as she pulled her hand slightly. “I don't understand." “I only want what’s best for you and for the pack. But you must understand, this may not be a choice you can refuse.” At this point, Lyra could feel her palms sweating in her father's. “Father please go straight to the point.." “I think it's time you consider an arranged marriage." Lyra's face contorted into confusion, then slowly relaxed as she burst into laughter. "I knew you were funny, but not this funny.” For a while, Lyra's laughter echoed through the room until she looked at her father's expression. He didn't share in her amusement. “You’re not serious, are you Father?” she asked, pulling her hands out of his. His silence was a dead giveaway. "No,” she said, standing up. “I will not consider any form of marriage.” "Lyra…" She cut him off, “I have been training my whole life to become Alpha. YOU supported me. And now you want to reduce me to a pawn in your political games? Never.” "Lyra!” Her father switched to his Alpha tone. "You will do as you are told. Letters have been sent out to different packs. You have no choice in this matter." Lyra's chest heaved as she clenched her fists. She couldn't believe that the man who taught her all he knew as an Alpha was the same one trading her for political gain. "Yes. Alpha.” She bowed her head slightly and left his office without waiting for a response.