001 - Just a bet.

“I love you so much.”

Hearing her boyfriend, the love of her life mutter those words in his low voice should have made Lyra's heart flutter and her cheeks blush.

Except, he wasn't saying that to her. Hell he didn't even know she was standing right out the door.

The words were directed to whoever it was, he was banging in the dark abandoned closet.

Lyra's heart dropped and a chill swept up her spine as those God forsaken sounds continued. The sound of skin slapping against skin - sounds of her boyfriend's moan mixing with the girl's own.

Who was in there with him?

But she knew that wasn't the question she should be asking herself. That wasn't the point.

Whoever it was on there, the point is that her boyfriend, the man she had sworn herself to just a fortnight ago was cheating on her.

She felt hot ears slightly blinding her vision but stubbornly blinked them away as she crossed her arm over her chest.

She wasn't going to cry, damnit!

She would not cry over this — not yet. Until she sees his face for herself. Until he hears what he has to say.

But even though she stopped the tears from falling, there was no possible way to stop the wave after wave of pains wrecking through her whole body, hitting her over and over again with each time the skins clap.

She didn't know how long she waited. She knew though that at some point she had blurred the sounds away and all she could hear was her heart beat, the sound of her blood boiling inside her.

Finally the handle rattled and the door opened to review — Maria!

Maria?

Ugh!

Aiden was cheating on her with Maria, the school bitch?

Maria was her nemesis and her boyfriend knew that.

“Oops!” Maria said, when she saw Lyra but there was mockery in her eyes, not guilty, not regret.

“What's it ba - oh!”

Lyra watched Aiden's eyes widen as he peeked over Maria's shoulder and saw her.

He had the good grace to at least look surprised but that was all she saw on his face.

Surprise.

Shock that he was caught.

No regrets there either and no guilt.

“Lyra uhm…” he fumbled with his pants and stepped out of the closet with Maria beside him, “I didn't…I didn't know you were in school today.”

That's all he was going to say?

“The principal called me in to take a report,” her voice was calm. Calm and quiet - a huge opposite of the way she was feeling inside, “and well - I'm glad he did. How long has this been going on?”

“Lyr…”

“Two years.” Maria chimed in, and started curling a strand of her red hair in her finger, smiling.

Two years?

“That can't be. Aiden we only started dating a year ago.”

“That's to tell you that you are the other woman, bitch!” Maria's tone was harsh, “what on earth do you think you are? Do you think it has been fun watching you parade with MY mate? MY man?”

Lyra took two staggering steps backward and shook her head, utterly confused.

What does she mean to her mate?

Aiden was hers. Aiden has claimed her as his mate on -

Her gaze shifted to the guy who was now only staring at her with a very blank expression.

“Aiden, what's going on?”

“Maria is right. She's my mate.”

A sharp breath left Lyra but she still held herself together.

Nah she won't fall apart.

Not until she fully understands what the hell was going on here

“What…what about me?”

“I lied to you, Lyra.” He said simply not minding that the words were like a punch to her guts, “and it was easy seeing as - you do not have a wolf so you wouldn't be able to identify who your mate truly is.”

Goddess above.

Lyra could feel herself slowly losing control of the hold she has over herself.

Why would he do that?

“You really are a fool, Lyra and not just delusional but also so gullible. Believing every single thing. Tell me, has Aiden ever kissed you? Has he ever lost himself in you and fucked you?”

Lyra swallowed hard, as she stared at Aiden and her stomach coiled in Shame.

Because the answer to Lyra's question was no. Aiden had never been intimate with her because, “he was saving it until after graduation. Then they would have a lifetime to enjoy the passion they both had for each other.’

God she really has been very delusional and a fool.

She really was a fool.

“Why?” She whispered, but her words only came out as a whimper, “why? Why? Why!”

Aiden punched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

“Come on, baby. Tell her.”

Baby …

There was a glint in Maria's eyes that Lyra has seen countless times before. That mischievous glint she always whenever she's up to some no good.

Finally, Aiden spoke up, “It was all a game Lyra.”

“All a game?” She couldn't even recognize her own voice.

Aiden nodded, “yes. It's this little game we play among us boys you know. Anytime a new girl comes into the school - which is rare, we place a bet. On who would land her heart first.”

Lyra swallowed - really because my throat eae the only part of her body I could move at the moment - but even that burnt like hell.

A bet?

That's all she was? For one year, she's been nothing but a pawn in a game, in a bet?

Staying in control was becoming harder.

“The dare fell on me this time and - well, when u found out that you were a wolfless Werewolf I decided to take advantage of that.”

“Take advantage of that to play me like a game.”

“It really isn't a big deal if you look at it without sentiments attached. Besides, you really should be thanking me for two things. A: I at least gave you some grounds in the academy and good experiences. B: You have your dignity impact since I never touched you.”

Lyra scoffed, rage finally taking over her good senses, “You want me to thank you?” She marched closer to him, “Fine! Here's your thank you!”

Before she could stop herself, her palm was already connecting with his cheeks - loudly!

“Hey!”

Aiden grabbed Maria before she could go for Lyra and at least she was grateful for that.

No matter how upset she was, Maria would tear her to pieces.

“I hope you two rot in hell!!” She said turned around and stormed off angrily.

A bet!

Hah!!

That's all she has become.

To think she had been over joyed when her Dreams of coming to Azura academics, school of the supernatural had come true. And to think her joy knew no bounds when she found her mare just a couple of weeks later.

Mate indeed!!

Lyra matched blindly to her truck.

If she had a wolf she wouldn't be deceived this badly. But no!

Her weakness has been used against her over and over again.

A wolfless Werewolf.

As she got into the truck her eyes went to the purple notebook that was at the back seat and she sighed.

“Well at least I have an interesting tale for you two today.” She whispered and drove off.

It's Saturday, and she had to go see her mother. They've had a weekly visitation routine which has quick become a routine since Lyra moved out.

She wasn't complaining about how clingy her mother was. She couldn't find it in herself to do so, or even care because she understood her.

Who wouldn't want to cling to their only daughter after she lost her husband and her first daughter to a ghastly car accident?

Lyra shuddered at the memory and shoved it down her mind quickly.

She didn't like thinking about it - because if she did, she would remember.

Remember her sister's beautiful smile which she would never see again, her laughter, her father's eyes and voice.

No she wouldn't think about it.

In a few minutes she got to her mother's apartment and parked then all but ran to the door.

Before she knocked she took several deep breaths to calm her racing nerves and maintain composure.

She wouldn't want her mum to sense that anything was wrong or that anything happened to her.

Heartbreak tales would come later. Right now she could spend time with her mother dearest without thinking about Aiden.

Or the dead.

The door opened and her mum stood, smiling at her.

“You are late.”

“Only by a few minutes mum,” Lyra laughed hugging her mother tightly, basking in her warm lavender scent.

“Come on in.”

She followed her mother inside, and stopped short at the sight of boxes littered all over the room.

Packed boxes.

“Mum? What's going on?”

Her mum turned and looked at her with a quizzical expression, “what do you mean?”

“This! Why do you have everything packed in boxes! What's happening?”

“Surely, Lyra you know that I'm moving today. I told you, didn't I?”

Lyra took three calming breaths and held her mum.

She could see the nerves etching into her green eyes.

“Mum, no you didn't. But don't worry - you can tell me now.” She said calmly with a smile - a forced smile.

“Oh my dear child. I'm so sorry, I totally forgot. Goddess above, how could I forget?”

“Mum it's okay. Please calm down and just explain. Where are we moving to?”

The older woman looked at her and broke into a grin that highlighted her face and made her eyes dance.

“I'm married, Lyra. We got married yesterday.”