My Cursed Prince

Lyra I woke up on the right side of the bed. Today was the day. I knew it deep in my bones....... Darian was finally going to accept me as his mate. He said so last night. The Moon Goddess must have known I had a crush on him since I was five and made us mates. After all the cruel words and the years of ignoring me, he had finally come around. I knew he would. I hummed as I brushed my hair, smiling at my reflection like an i***t. I bounced downstairs for breakfast, and Mom paused with a pancake halfway to her plate. “Someone’s in a good mood,” she said, eyebrow raised. Dad glanced over the rim of his teacup. “Did you win the lottery, Lyra?” My older brother snorted. “She probably dreamed about Darian again.” I stuck my tongue out at him, but I couldn’t stop grinning. “Maybe I did.” Mom studied me more closely now. “Is everything okay between you and Darian?” “Yes,” I answered quickly. Too quickly. “Everything’s fine.” Dad set his cup down with a soft clink. “I don’t like that boy.” I straightened. “Dad... ” “He’s never treated you right,” he continued. “If he hurts you again, I want you to reject the bond.” I stopped. Heat rushed to my face. “I’m never rejecting him,” I said, my voice sharp. “He’s my mate and he would never hurt me intentionally!” “Lyra.....” Mom tried gently. I pushed back my chair, my anger rising. “Nobody is going to spoil my mood today.” I grabbed my bag and stormed out ignoring my parents as they tried to call me back. I got into the car and told the driver to move. The whole drive to school felt different. The air smelled sweeter, the sky was bluer, and I anticipated every step because it brought me closer to him. Mira was waiting by my locker like always, pressing her phone. She took one look at me and squinted. “Okay, spill. Why do you look like you swallowed a sunbeam?” I leaned in, unable to keep out the excitement in my voice. “I think Darian’s going to accept me today.” Her smile fell. Mira had never liked Darian just like my dad. She said he was arrogant, that he didn’t deserve me but when I protested once she had been trying to hide it. “What makes you say that?” “I just… know. I feel it.” I didn't tell her what I did. My wolf, Gift, didn't feel quite happy with what I did either and has refused to talk to me since yesterday. She pressed her lips together. “Okay. If you’re sure.” We headed to first period, but something felt off almost immediately. People were staring at me, not the usual quick glances. They were full-on pointing, whispering, laughing behind hands while checking their phones. Mira frowned. “What’s going on?” I shrugged, uneasy now with all the stares “No idea.” She pulled out her phone, scrolled for a second, and she blanched. "What?" She turned the screen toward me without a word. My stomach dropped. There I was, in my lacy pink underwear with a smile on my face. Every single picture I had sent Darian last night when he’d begged me to trust him was there on the school’s group chat for the world to see. It already had hundreds of views and comments were rolling in faster than I could read them. Such a slut. Desperate omega. Nice t**s. Would definitely hit. My hands shook so badly I nearly dropped the phone. Mira whispered, “Lyra…” But I couldn’t hear her over the roaring in my ears. I pushed through the crowd to my locker, praying it was just my eyes playing tricks on me. That I was still on my bed and this was all a bad dream. It wasn't. And it got worse. Dozens of printed copies of the photo were taped to the metal, some defaced with suggestive drawings and more comments. How much for a night? Bet the alpha’s son loved the preview. She always acted so high and mighty, but she is nothing but a w***e. "Hey, Lyra! Nice view!" a boy shouted from down the hall, followed by a chorus of wolf whistles and catcalls. "f**k off!" Mira growled at them I couldn’t breathe. My skin crawled like a thousand eyes were peeling it away. I needed to hide. I needed..... I turned and ran for the girls’ bathroom, tears blurring my vision. And slammed straight into Darian. Oh, look," he drawled, his voice loud enough for the gathering crowd to hear. "It’s our superstar." "Darian," I sobbed, clutching his sleeve. "Someone leaked the pictures. Please, help me—" He laughed, a cold, mocking sound that shattered the last of my hope. He shook my hand off his arm as if I were a leper. "Someone? Lyra, I posted them. Did you actually think I’d accept an Omega? You’re a toy, a distraction. I wanted to see how far you’d go to keep me." He leaned down, his eyes filled with malice. "I would never accept a w***e as my mate." I couldn't believe my ears. “You... you said.... ” “I said whatever I had to so you’d strip for my camera.” He leaned closer, “I, Darian Thornclaw, reject you, Lyra Silvermoon, as my mate.” I felt the bond snap and I let put a short cry of pain as I collapsed to the floor. It felt as if someone had dug a hand into my chest and was trying to rip out my chest. I curled into a ball, tasting copper in my mouth. A rejection bond is usually more painful for the weaker mate. Through my blurred vision, I saw Rosa, Darian's girlfriend run to him and he gave her a hug before kissing her. She stood over me, with worry on her face. To anyone watching, she looked like she’d just found me hurt. But I knew better. She bent down to my level, her lips brushing my ear. “I can't believe you thought you would be chosen,” she whispered softly. “You’ll always be nothing but a worthless omega to him.” I flinched and tried to pull away from her. My hand shoved against her shoulder as I scrambled back. Rosa let out a loud gasp and threw herself to the ground. “Lyra!” she cried, eyes filling with tears. “Why would you push me?” “Lyra, what did you do to her?” Darian asked, pulling Rosa up. "Nothing! She pushed hers...... " I wasn't even done explaining when he hit me right across the cheek. I held my face, feeling it sting as I looked at Darian in surprise but he didn't stop there. He slapped me again and the impact sent me sprawling a few meters away. I raised my head up and I was looking straight into a pair of expensive looking black shoes. A single drop of my blood landed on the polished leather. My gaze traveled upward slowly, and it landed on Asher Darkwood. The werewolf prince whose name everyone feared. I have heard what he did to people who crossed him. And now I was one of them. I scrambled to my knees and began to apologize. “I’m s-sorry, Your Highness, I’ll clean—” His foot came down hard on my hand, pressing my fingers against tile and I cried out. “Clean it,” he said, coldly. “With your tongue.”