THE WORTHLESS MATE OF THE ALPHA

Chapter 9

Lyra woke with a sense of dread she couldn't explain.

Something felt wrong. The air was too still. The pack grounds too quiet. She dressed quickly and made her way to the dining hall.

The moment she walked in, the whispers started.

"There she is."

"The Alpha's broken mate."

"She doesn't even have a proper wolf."

Lyra kept her head down. She moved toward her usual corner. But someone stepped in front of her.

Sera.

Her smile was cruel. Her eyes were cold.

"Look everyone," Sera announced loudly. "The Alpha's mate has finally decided to join us."

Lyra's heart pounded. "Move out of my way."

"Why should I?" Sera laughed. "You don't belong here. Everyone knows it. You're nothing but a charity case. A pity mate."

The pack watched. They whispered. They laughed.

Lyra's face burned. Her hands shook.

"You're pathetic," Sera continued. "Look at you. Broken. Weak. Worthless. The Alpha doesn't want you. He's just stuck with you because of the bond."

Lyra's throat tightened. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I do." Sera stepped closer. "Everyone knows. The Alpha deserves someone powerful. Someone worthy. Not some servant who killed her own parents."

The words hit like a slap.

Lyra's eyes burned. Her wolf stirred, angry and desperate.

"I didn't kill them," she whispered.

"Then why were you punished?" Sera's voice was sweet. Poisonous. "Why did the seal keep you powerless for twelve years? Why does everyone who knows you call you a murderer?"

Lyra couldn't breathe. The room was spinning. Everyone was watching. Everyone was laughing.

"Nothing to say?" Sera tilted her head. "That's what I thought. Because you know it's true. You know you're worthless. You've always been worthless"

"SILENCE."

The voice cut through the room like a blade.

The crowd parted. Ronan walked forward. His silver eyes were blazing with fury. His wolf was close to the surface.

Sera's face paled. "Alpha, I was just"

"You were just humiliating my mate." His voice was ice. "In front of the entire pack."

Sera's smile faltered. "I was only speaking the truth"

Ronan moved fast. He grabbed a cup of water from a nearby table. In one swift motion, he threw it in Sera's face.

Water splashed across her head. It dripped down her face. Onto her clothes. She gasped. Her hair was soaked. Her makeup ruined.

The pack gasped. No one moved. No one breathed.

Sera stared at him in shock. Her mouth opened and closed.

Ronan's voice was cold as death. "You will never speak to her again. You will never look at her again. If I ever see you near her, if I ever hear your voice directed at her, I will banish you from this pack. Do you understand?"

Sera's face was white. Water dripped from her chin. "Yes, Alpha."

"Get out of my sight."

She scrambled away. The pack scattered. The room emptied.

Lyra stood frozen. Her hands were shaking. Her face was wet with tears.

Ronan walked toward her. His expression softened.

"Lyra." His voice was gentle. "Look at me."

She looked up. Her eyes were full of tears.

"They're right," she whispered. "I'm"

"No." He cupped her face. "They're wrong. You are not worthless. You are not broken. You are not a murderer."

She shook her head. "But the seal"

"The seal was a lie. A punishment for a crime you didn't commit." His thumb wiped her tears. "You are the strongest person I've ever met. Do you understand?"

She stared at him.

"You survived twelve years of abuse. You broke a blood seal. You found your wolf. You stood up to this pack. You are not weak. You are not broken. You are not worthless."

Her lips trembled. "Ronan..."

"I will protect you," he said. "Always. No one will ever humiliate you again. I swear it on my life."

He pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest.

The pack watched from the doorway. They saw their Alpha holding his mate. They saw his fury. His protectiveness.

No one laughed anymore.

***

That night, Lyra sat on her bed.

The events of the day replayed in her head. Sera's words. The pack's laughter. The water splashing across Sera's face. Ronan's rescue. His words.

You are the strongest person I've ever met.

She smiled.

She had been humiliated. But she had survived.

And Ronan had been there. He had protected her. He had fought for her. He had humiliated Sera in front of everyone.

For the first time in twelve years, she felt like she mattered.