Chapter Three: A Marriage No One Expected
655 Words
The morning sun rose over the Silver Crescent Pack, but its warmth never reached Lyra.
She sat by the small window of the cottage she shared with her aunt, staring at the villagers already spreading yesterday's gossip.
"The rejected mate."
"The future Luna who wasn't good enough."
Every whispered word pierced her heart.
A soft knock came at the door.
Her aunt, Mara, entered carrying a bowl of herbal tea.
"You should eat something."
"I'm not hungry."
"You haven't eaten since yesterday."
Lyra forced a weak smile, but it quickly disappeared. The ache in her chest hadn't lessened. Even though Kael had rejected her, fragments of the false mate bond still lingered, making every breath painful.
A loud horn suddenly echoed throughout the pack.
One blast.
Then another.
Mara's face paled.
"The Alpha has summoned everyone."
---
The entire pack gathered in front of the Alpha's manor within minutes.
Lyra kept her head down as wolves stared openly at her.
Kael stood confidently beside Selene, looking as though nothing had happened.
Then the massive doors of the manor opened.
Lucien Blackwood stepped outside.
His black coat flowed behind him as he descended the stone steps. Every warrior instinctively lowered their eyes.
His presence alone demanded respect.
Alpha Rowan raised his hand for silence.
"There has been unrest within our pack since last night's ceremony."
His gaze lingered on Kael.
"To prevent further division, a decision has been made."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Lyra frowned.
What decision?
Alpha Rowan inhaled deeply.
"Lyra Ashwood will not be cast out or left without protection."
Kael rolled his eyes.
"She's no longer my concern."
Lucien finally spoke.
"No."
His calm voice carried across the courtyard.
"She's mine."
Silence.
Even the birds stopped singing.
Lyra looked up in shock.
"What...?"
Lucien descended the final step until he stood only a few feet away from her.
His silver eyes met hers.
"I will marry Lyra."
The courtyard erupted.
"WHAT?"
"Has he lost his mind?"
"Why would the heir who abandoned the pack marry a rejected mate?"
Kael laughed.
"You've always enjoyed collecting broken things, brother."
Lucien slowly turned his head.
His expression remained unreadable.
"You threw away something precious."
Kael's smile faded.
Lucien faced Alpha Rowan.
"My decision is final."
The old Alpha studied his eldest son carefully.
"You understand what this means?"
"I do."
"You'll become responsible for her."
"I already accepted that responsibility."
Lyra's heart pounded.
She hurried forward.
"No!"
Every eye turned to her.
"I appreciate your kindness, but I won't marry someone out of pity."
Lucien looked at her for a long moment.
"Pity has nothing to do with this."
"Then why?"
For the first time, uncertainty flashed across his face.
"There are reasons I cannot tell you."
His answer only confused her more.
Before she could speak again, an icy wind swept through the courtyard.
Lucien's body stiffened.
For a split second, his eyes flashed crimson.
A deep voice echoed inside his mind.
She belongs to us.
Lucien clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
Not now, he growled silently.
The voice laughed.
You cannot hide the truth forever.
The crimson glow vanished before anyone noticed.
Everyone except the pack elder.
Elder Orion watched Lucien with narrowed eyes.
Fear crossed the old wolf's face.
"The demon blood is awakening," he thought.
Lucien turned back to Lyra.
"I won't force you."
He removed a silver ring engraved with the Blackwood crest and held it out to her.
"If, after three days, you still have nowhere to stand, this offer will remain."
Lyra stared at the ring.
She didn't take it.
But she didn't walk away either.
High above the pack, hidden among dark clouds, a pair of glowing crimson eyes watched the scene unfold.
"The Moon Goddess has made her move," the unseen figure whispered.
"Now it's our turn."
The wind howled across the mountains as an ancient evil awakened, setting its sights on Lyra.
- Writer
