"Lady Raven. What brings you here?" Sonia spoke in the softest voice she could muster while sparing a courtesy bow for the new arrival.
"Is this no longer my father's pack, Sonia? " Raven retorted while moving forward a few inches.
"Lady Raven of Redmoon"
"Lady Raven of Redmoon"
"Lady Raven of Redmoon"
One by one the greetings rang as a satisfied smile appeared on the face of my mortal adversary. Of course, she will come here just to hear her name and title be recited over and over again. That was the kind of girl she was.
"That's not what I meant, my Lady. These are the servants quarters and are beneath her majesty" Sonia explained with a shaky voice.
You do have your way with words, Sonia. My father was wise to spare you this job" Raven spat, not turning back to spare the middle aged woman a glance.
Raven continued to scan the room and everyone could guess who she was looking for. It wasn't long before she saw.
"I did not hear your greetings, Lyra" she looked at me right in the eyes, forcing me to admire the beauty that she was and the elegance of her adornments.
"When the heir to Redmoon addresses you. Do not be impudent" Sonia shouted at me from the top of her voice causing me to shiver once more.
"Lll...lady Raven of ... .of Redmoon" I stuttered at the words, out of fear or anger, I do not know but I am grateful that no one cares to either. They just presume it is fear.
"My eyesight just like every other part of me is perfect but I did not see you bow" Raven continued to taunt me. This was really increasing the pleasure she had been feeling from this morning.
"If my lady would permit me. I would like to see to it that she bows" one of the omegas spoke with a sheepish grin on her face.
When Raven excitedly gave a nod, I felt my knees crumble to the ground from the impact of a very precise kick to the bank of my toes. Immediately, laughter erupted throughout the entire room.
"This posture suits you. I wonder why you always try to get up" Raven crouched to get a closer look at me, to remind me of my place in her pack.
Everyone continued laughing and glaring at me as I continued to lie prostrated towards Raven, the daughter of the alpha and ruler of our pack.
"That's enough" with only those two words from her, the entire room goes completely still like a graveyard. It was astonishing to see the effect she had on people.
I struggled back to my feet only for someone else to knock me down again. Everyone's laughter rose again, even twice as loud as they did before. No one took notice of how much hurt my knees must have received from both falls.
"Looks like you are destined to bow till I finish my announcement" Raven smiled, clearly-contented with the sight of me beneath her feet.
"Nay, my Lady. She is destined to bow to you for the rest of her life" a slight cheer arose from the little crowd at the words of one of fellow omegas.
"No one can change her fate" another voice, another cheer.
"I deeply appreciate your words but you all are not anymore different. Now, let me speak" Raven said, plunging the room into silence once again.
They all looked at me and regained their happiness but no one dared to utter a single word more. We ran a system of hierarchy and everyone was well aware of Raven's place and theirs.
"Dear Lyra. I'm sure these rats who snoop around my father's house for food and hot gossip must have told you that I am getting married" Raven began with her usual sweetness that masked malicious intent from the world but never from me.
As if it were even possible, the entire room became even more silent. This was the moment of truth. Up until now, they only had rumors, it was time for it to be confirmed. Yes, the very moment we all anticipated.
"Seeing as we have developed quite a relationship over the years, I am here to tell you personally that the rumors are true" Raven announced with an air of arrogance that appeared to be her trademark.
Nothing could have stopped the audible gasps from some of the omegas. Even I found that my eyes and mouth were wide open at this fresh revelation.
It would be yet another milestone for Raven. She already had all she wanted. She had a father who loved her which was already more than I can say for myself but that was not all, he was also the alpha which made her his heir and now?
She was getting married.
And I had to hear this in the lowest state possible. On the floor, bowing to her. My humiliation was complete.
"I'll be on my way now. I wasn't joking about how this position suits you" Raven laughed as I heard her heels moving towards the door and out of the room.
Once gone, the ladies suddenly burst out in a frenzy, blinded by their excitement to notice that Sonia was still in their midst much less me.
"I told you, didn't I?"
"She would be getting married soon"
"But she did not say to whom"
"Are you daft? No doubt it is to that alpha"
"I see that just being in the presence of the Lady of Redmoon has elevated you in your eyes" Sonia's words were audibly curt.
The girls were just realizing now that they had indeed made a big mistake but it was already too late. Sonia's mood had gone beyond being pacified.
"And you! Get up from there. The Gamma requests an audience" Sonia growled at me with angry eyes.
"The Gamma?" I quickly got up and asked
"Yes, your father"
"You asked to see me sir" I walked into his office, my feet trembling as I took each step in. This place held memories, dark memories. But then again, every place with him held the same. "Yes I did" came the voice of my father but I could not see his face. As usual, his back was turned towards me. He would not look me in the eye, not when he slapped me, whipped me, not even when he held my neck and forced my face towards his. "Well, here I am," I said carelessly. The words left my lips before my brain could caution me against it. I tried to take it back but it was already too late. "What did you say?" He was on his feet now for such a little provocation. I had only forgotten to address him with the usual respect but it was already making him mad. His face was still turned against me but I could feel it. "I'm sorry father…I…" another mistake. At this point I knew I was done for. There was no way I would be let off the hook for making two verbal errors consecutively. ."First. You
My brain could not keep up with so much emotion that was being processed in a single second. Fear and anxiety were common to me whenever I was in such situations with my father, the Gamma of Redmoon. But today I daresay I felt more. I felt a curiosity more pronounced than it had ever been, I felt love that had never been and against my own better judgment, I felt guilt and pity for this man who was about to beat me to an inch of my life. "Time is up" he barked, suddenly rising and turning for the first time towards my direction. At this point, his belt was already in his hand and a wicked smile had been substituted for the pain I knew was in his eyes some moments ago. "Plea… father please" I tried to reach out to the man I saw a few moments ago. The man who stooped so low even in the presence of his acclaimed enemy and slave. "Never call me father in your life" an order that preceded a tight smack of the face. I fell from the force of the attack and from the intensity of the malic
My lungs burned with more intensity than it did when I had just been yanked out of the tank. My face twitched with even more pain than when my father had smacked just a couple of hours ago. My limbs and every part of me ached with new torment. And my heart? My heart was shattering with so much force, I could almost hear it through my ears. The crashing sound that each piece made when it felt the pressure of my own mate's betrayal. Fool.I could hear the words from deep within me. I know how deep because I have heard the exact same word from the same place a couple of times before but it seemed I was destined to hear it all my life, destined to know that I was a fool and a failure. I first heard that word from inside of me when I was five and was trying to convince all my peers that my mother was still alive and she was going to come back to me. I heard the word again when I was nine and I had just woken up after being beaten unconscious by my father and thought maybe if I tried ha
Lyra’s POVThe room seemed to shrink as Gray's lips pressed against mine, a forceful intrusion that sent shivers down my spine. His scent, a blend of woods and a hint of spice, enveloped me, clouding my senses. It was the very essence of everything I ever desired, the fragrance the Moon Goddess had chosen for me.I tried to resist, pushing against his chest, but my strength was weak under the weight of his desire. Each kiss intensified, leaving me breathless and questioning the boundaries I had vowed to uphold. The world outside melted away, and for a moment, it was just us, tangled in a forbidden dance of lips and tongues.As he deepened the kiss, I couldn't deny the magnetic pull drawing me closer. It was as if the moon herself conspired to entwine our fates. My hands, initially pushing against him, now clung to his shirt as conflicting emotions surged within me.Finally, I gathered the strength to break away, wiping my lips as if trying to erase the traces of our stolen moment. "Gr
GRAY'S POVThe moon cast a silver glow on the path ahead as I walked away from Lyra's room, Her tears echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the turmoil I had unleashed. I glanced back, seeing her silhouette in the doorway, a picture of vulnerability against the moonlit backdrop."I took care of it," I called out, my voice carrying a mixture of assurance and detachment. She looked at me, her eyes a turbulent sea of emotions, but she didn't utter a word. Instead, she closed the door, and I was left standing alone in the chilling night."I'll be back," I declared, holding the door before she could shut it completely. She shot me a wary glance, an unspoken question in her eyes.A smirk played on my lips. "I'll be back, Lyra. This isn't over."As I walked away, the moonlight filtering through the leaves overhead, a twisted satisfaction filled me. Lyra, the wretched Omega, bowed before me, a clear acknowledgment of her place in the hierarchy. Being with me wasn't just a choice; it was a
GRAY'S POVRaven's lingering gaze held a mix of anticipation and a shimmer of something more as she ran her hands through my chest. The moon cast its cold light through the cabin window, indifferent to the complexities of our lives. A sense of peace settled momentarily, disturbed only by her subtle movements."What?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I noticed the glitter in her eyes."I spoke with my father today," she revealed, a hint of excitement coloring her voice.I raised an eyebrow, inviting her to elaborate. "About what?"A smile played on her lips. "About us, Gray. I suggested we make it official, move to Moon Leash Pack."I sighed, a mix of emotions swirling within me. Rising from the bed, I walked toward the mirror, examining my reflection. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, a reflection of the satisfaction I felt at the prospect of solidifying our connection, but also of the thought about how desperate she seemed. "Why the rush, Raven?" I questioned, turning to face
LYRA'S POVThe damp road beneath my feet felt like a trail of forgotten memories, each step echoing the pain within me. The moon, now a distant companion, cast its glow on the wet leaves brushing against my ankles. As I walked through the deserted palace halls, the memories of the Royal hall flooded my mind.It had been a while since I had been there, the place where I worked since childhood. The Royal hall, a realm of power and politics, held both the echoes of my mother's reign and the shadows of my own struggles. I hadn't stepped into it since the day I punched Raven for talking about my mother.Sighing, I continued down the dimly lit corridor, memories replaying like a haunting melody. The walls seemed to whisper secrets of a bygone era, and the cool air carried the scent of history.My journey led me to Helena's place, a woman who had been like a mother to me. She was the caretaker, a guiding figure in my lif
LYRA'S POV"Look at me.”I raised my head, meeting his gaze. His eyes were a cold reflection of authority, devoid of the warmth I had yearned for as a child.He remarked, "I heard you were rejected again. Not surprising.”I couldn't risk replying because I knew what might happen if I did, and so,I waited for him to finish,“What are you doing here?.” he asked me.I felt a surge of anger, but I suppressed it. Instead, I calmly replied, "I got tired of staying at home. The palace is the only place I know, and it feels like home."His face contorted with disdain. "You shouldn't have shown your face in the Palace after what you did."“Well here I am.” I said, and I regretted it immediately.Before I could respond, his hand connected with my cheek in a resounding slap. The force of the blow stung, and I instinctiv