The Alpha's Fated mate

Lyra’s pov) ‘Mother… I'm heading to the stream to fetch water for later’ I announced to my mother as I took the empty pot and strode for the river. The path to the river was narrow and lonely and since I had no friends in the village I had to go alone and hurry back to avoid being late. On my way to the river, I sang the beautiful sunlight song my mother used to sing to me since I was little girl “Golden rays, bless our land, Guide our hearts with gentle hands…” The song helped me feel less alone. Birds chirped above me, and the wind moved through the trees softly, almost like it was listening. When I reached the stream, I knelt down to fill the pot. The water was clear and cool, and I caught my reflection in it. My wild curls were a bit messy, and my eyes looked too serious. As I was about to lift the pot and head back, I heard a low rustling behind me, like someone was there. I froze. My heart skipped a beat. I slowly turned around. “Hello?” I called out, trying not to sound scared. No answer. Just the wind. I stood up quickly, holding the pot close, ready to leave. But then I heard more rustling — louder this time, coming from the bushes not too far from the path. And then a low sound, like… a growl? My heart started racing. I took a few slow steps forward, peeking toward the bushes. The branches shook again, and I stepped behind a tree to hide just in case. Then I saw something. Two figures. At first, it looked like one of them was attacking the other. The larger one had his back to me, broad shoulders, wild dark hair, and something about him felt… dangerous. He had the girl pressed up against a tree, his mouth near her neck, he was going to hurt her and his hands gripping her waist. She was gasping and letting out low growls, and realization dawned on me. This dangerous looking man was trying to force himself on her. Without thinking, I leapt forward, heart pounding and mind blank. I scared myself with how fast I moved — and definitely scared the two in front of me. I pounced on the man from behind, teeth bared, nails digging into his shoulder like claws. “Get the hell off her!” I yelled, biting and scratching at anything I could reach. “You sick bastard! You think she’s yours to touch? You absolute dog-brained lunatic—get off!” He growled in irritation but I didn’t stop. “Run!” I shouted over my shoulder at the girl. “Run and hide! I’ve got him!” But she didn’t run. She just stood there, frozen, her lips parted in shock. I kept going, punching and kicking and calling him every name I could think of. “You disgusting creep! She said no, didn’t she? Huh?! You’re not some beast that can just take what you want! You’re—” Before I could finish, the man grabbed my wrists — and lifted me. Just like that. Effortless. Like I weighed nothing. My breath caught as he turned me around in the air, holding me in front of him like a doll. His golden eyes locked onto mine. No anger. Just… surprise. And confusion. That’s when I saw it. The girl wasn’t crying. She wasn’t scared. She looked pissed. “Seriously?” she snapped, brushing down her dress like I’d just ruined her whole afternoon. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I blinked. Once. Twice. My brain slowly started catching up. The man wasn’t attacking her. They were making out. I hadn’t just saved a helpless woman from being assaulted. I’d interrupted two lovers in the middle of a very enthusiastic moment. “Oh,” I said, still dangling a little off the ground. “Oh no.”