Chapter 3
1312 คำ
Lyra Pov
My heightened senses made me aware of my environment. The weight of the crowd’s gaze on me was unexpected. Some were filled with awe—shock, and the others with something more sinister—fear, envy, maybe even greed.
The murmurs, the startled gasps from the crowd, I heard it all. Pounding hearts echoed in my ears—and I could sense the fear deep in their bones.
“She's not like the others.”
“A phoenix wolf? Impossible.”
The murmurs spread like wildfire. I looked around me, curious to know who the rumors were about but all the other wolves had deserted me. I had heard tales of the phoenix wolf—a rare mystical creature that had long been extinct.
According to the legends, a phoenix wolf was the most powerful of all the other werewolves, but no one I know had actually seen one.
The paws beneath the ground from me felt strangely familiar leaving behind trails of golden sparks with every movement. My fur was a breathtaking blend of silver and gold— unlike the other wolves' dull brown or gray color.
But it wasn’t just fur—it glowed, like a living flame.
My eyes, a shade of amber, glowed like the heart of a flame. They held an ancient, untamed power, one that sent shivers through those who dared to meet my gaze.
I was no ordinary wolf.
I was a Phoenix Wolf—the last of its kind.
My eyes scanned the yard, hoping to find my mate but no one came forward–my wolf did not call out to anyone either.
There was no bond, no pull—nothing.
Heartbroken, a cruel realization struck me like tidal waves—-I had no mate.
Having no mate meant staying a slave forever. This was supposed to be my chance at freedom, my chance at a new life.
A deep sorrow settled in my chest as my wolf let out a mournful howl, her cry echoing into the night.
My legs weakened as a sudden wave of exhaustion hit me. An intense heat crashed through me, but this time, it was different.
My limbs shook, my bones ached, and before I knew it, I was shifting back.
I collapsed to the cold ground, my body trembling. The glow that had surrounded me faded, leaving only silence. My breath came in short, uneven gasps as I tried to gather myself.
When I finally lifted my head, all eyes were on me but that was not all.
I was surrounded by the palace guards—their cold eyes glared at me, sending me into a state of panic. My heart pounded as I forced myself upright.
Suddenly, a familiar figure emerged from among them.
Lady Matilda.
Without saying a word, she threw a cloth over my bare body, providing warmth against the harsh evening breeze.
“What’s happening?” my voice quivered.
But before she could respond, a loud voice cut through the silence—cold and commanding.
“Bring her to me.”
Even without looking, I recognized the voice all too well. It was Alpha Augustine.
My breath hitched.
What did he want with me?
Have I done something wrong?
The questions flooded my mind like a hurricane—endless. I turned to Lady Matilda with questioning eyes, desperate for answers but there were none.
Instead, she smiled at me—a knowing smile that did little to quench the uneasiness I felt. With delicate fingers, she gently brushed off a stray hair strand from my face.
“It’s going to be alright,” she muttered, helping me to my feet before stepping away.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Desperation tugged at my chest—her words fueled the confusion already looming within.
Before I could make sense of what was going on, strong hands grabbed me.
The palace guards dragged me away from the yard, their grips firm around me. I couldn’t protest—I dared not.
Alpha Augustine was not a man to be trusted. Whatever he wanted with me, I was certain it wasn’t good.
My heart pounded as we moved through the corridors of the palace. The guards said nothing, their expressions unreadable. My mind raced with so many thoughts as Alpha Augustine’s chambers finally came into view.
My muscles tensed as a wave of panic washed over me. My legs wobbled beneath me and I stumbled. One of the guards tightened his grip around me, his warning gaze glaring at me.
I swallowed hard, scared for my life.
“Wait!” A voice rang out in the silence.
We stopped.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. I recognized that voice.
The guards hesitated before turning toward the voice. And just as I suspected, it was Lady Matilda.
She looked like she had just run a marathon, as she struggled to catch her breath.
“You can’t take her to see the Alpha dressed like that,” her voice was firm.
I was stunned.
She wasn’t here to save me—it was the opposite. She was here to make sure I was presentable enough for the alpha.
The guards exchanged confused glances, not willing to let me go. “Look at her.” Lady Matilda insisted, “Is she fit to stand before the Alpha dressed in rags?” she scolded softly.
They turned to me, obviously weighing her words before loosening their grip around me. “I’ll clean her up and send her to the alpha myself,” she assured them.
They nodded hesitantly before turning to leave.
I remained still, my legs refusing to move. I felt betrayed, and disappointed.
Lady Matilda rushed to my side and grabbed my wrist. “We must hurry. You cannot be gone for too long,” she said in hushed whispers. The urgency in her voice solidified what I’d believed.
This wasn’t a rescue.
I yanked my hand away from her grip. “I thought you were different, and you cared about me.” I choked on the words.
“I do,” she replied sharply.
“Then why do you still want me to go to him? You know he’s up to no good.”
“Ssshhh.” She covered my mouth with her hand. “Not here,” she whispered, her eyes observing for eavesdroppers.
She gently grabbed my wrist again. “Come with me,” she murmured, pulling me along.
She led me away from the palace halls to her chamber. The room was a clear contrast to what the slave quarters looked like. Must be one of the perks of being the head of maids.
My patience was running thin—I needed answers. Without hesitation, I turned to her. “Do you mind explaining to me what is going on? What does the Alpha want with me?”
She hesitated. The tension in her eyes was unmistakable, confirming my assumption that something was wrong.
A heavy sigh left her lips before she finally spoke. “He plans to claim you as his mistress.”
“What?” I half yelled.
Her shoulders slumped forward—an invisible burden weighed on her. “You saw what happened out there. You’re a phoenix wolf,” she said bluntly.
“The Alpha knows this, and so does everyone else. And since you couldn’t find a mate, he wants to keep you by his side and use your rare abilities for his own gain.”
The words stung me without mercy. My stomach twisted, nails digging into my flesh.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “He can’t do that.”
Her gaze softened with sympathy. “Unfortunately, he can. He’s the alpha,” she shrugged.
Her words provided no comfort—just a confirmation of the cruel fate that awaited me.
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