Chapter Seven: A Deal Instead of Destiny
776 Words
Lyra's POV
I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kael standing before me, his cold voice echoing through the sacred clearing.
"I reject you."
Then Lucien's face would replace his.
"Marry me."
Neither memory gave me peace.
The first rays of sunlight filtered through my bedroom window when Aunt Mara knocked softly on the door.
"The Alpha has sent for you."
I sat up.
"Again?"
She nodded, worry etched across her face.
"Elder Orion is with him."
I knew this wasn't a request.
It was a summons.
---
The Alpha's study smelled of cedarwood and old parchment.
Alpha Rowan stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. Elder Orion remained beside the fireplace, leaning heavily on his cane.
Lucien was there too.
He stood silently in the corner, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Alpha Rowan sighed.
"Lyra, I owe you an apology."
I blinked.
"My pack failed you."
I lowered my eyes.
"I'm still alive."
"Barely."
His voice carried genuine regret.
"You were attacked by rogues less than a day after your rejection. Word is already spreading beyond our borders."
"So I'm a target now."
"Yes."
The single word settled heavily in the room.
Elder Orion stepped forward.
"A rejected mate without an Alpha's protection is seen as vulnerable. Other packs, rogues, even hunters may come looking for you."
I swallowed hard.
"So what happens now?"
"The council wants you placed under permanent protection."
I already knew what that meant.
"They want me to marry Lucien."
"No."
Everyone turned to Lucien.
His deep voice was calm.
"I want her to choose."
The room fell silent.
Lucien looked directly at me.
"I won't force you into a marriage."
For the first time since meeting him, I believed him.
I took a slow breath.
"I don't want another mate."
No one interrupted.
"My heart isn't ready."
My voice shook despite my efforts to stay composed.
"I don't even know if it ever will be."
Lucien gave a small nod.
"I understand."
"I don't need love."
The words surprised even me.
"I need safety."
An idea suddenly formed in my mind.
I looked at Alpha Rowan.
"What if... this isn't a real marriage?"
His brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"A contract."
The room grew still.
"I'll marry Lucien on paper."
I forced myself to continue.
"He gives me his protection. I give the pack stability."
I glanced at Lucien.
"There will be no expectations."
"No claiming."
"No love."
"When the danger is over..."
I hesitated.
"We go our separate ways."
Alpha Rowan exchanged a long look with Elder Orion.
Neither of them seemed pleased.
Lucien remained completely still.
Finally, he asked,
"And if you meet someone else?"
I smiled sadly.
"I don't think I will."
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"And if I agree?"
"Then we both get what we need."
Protection.
Nothing more.
Several long moments passed.
Finally, Lucien stepped towards me.
"I accept your terms."
I searched his face for hesitation.
There was none.
Only quiet resolve.
Alpha Rowan let out a slow breath.
"Then it is settled."
He reached into a drawer and removed a thick document bearing the Blackwood seal.
"A temporary marriage contract."
My eyes widened.
"You already had one?"
The Alpha cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I... hoped you might consider it."
Despite everything, I almost laughed.
Lucien took the document first and signed his name without reading a single line.
His handwriting was strong and elegant.
He handed the quill to me.
My fingers trembled.
This wasn't the future I'd dreamed of.
There would be no butterflies.
No excitement.
No joy.
Just survival.
I signed.
The ink had barely dried when Elder Orion whispered under his breath,
"The Moon Goddess forgive us."
---
Outside the manor, the news spread faster than wildfire.
"The rejected mate accepted!"
"Lucien is really marrying her!"
"What kind of marriage starts with a contract?"
Across the training grounds, Kael heard every word.
He laughed.
"A contract?"
Selene slipped her arm through his.
"See? Even she knows Lucien could never love someone like her."
Kael nodded.
"Exactly."
But as his eyes drifted towards the manor doors, he caught a glimpse of Lyra walking beside Lucien.
She wasn't looking at Kael anymore.
Not even once.
For reasons he couldn't explain, that hurt more than he expected.
He watched until they disappeared inside.
A strange feeling settled deep in his chest.
Not love.
Not yet.
Just the uncomfortable sensation that something he had willingly thrown away was slipping further out of his reach.
And for the first time since the mating ceremony...
Kael wished Lyra had looked back.
- Writer
