04.

SAGE

“This is the contract you both go through it before signing and remember I’m doing this for your interest. But you must know that you try and make things work. The man can not call it quiet but rather the woman. Sage, I’m being very precise because I know how obstinate you tend to be but you know better than to defy me” she states in a warning tone narrowing her stare at me to which I shrugged.

She clears her throat. “Lyra my dear you should understand that you have a say in your life, you get to decide what you want to do with you at least for as long as you are married to my son. If you too agree to stay together, Sage you have to mark her as your Luna within a year meaning Lyra you have a year to decide whether or not you want this relationship and if you don’t which we all would understand even though I know you are the best my son could have,” she smiled directing it towards my suppose mate.

Kato was already getting infuriated by the situation the fact that an Alpha is being ordered what to do rather than it being the other way around is disturbing.

Lyra was the bullheaded crap I saved from the rogue the other day. So she was the reason I left to cool off, if I had known that I would have let the rogue kill her instead, at least I wouldn’t have to suffer the misery of being aligned with her.

“You can decide to sign the divorce papers and I promise you one-third of the Sage’s property with a better life” she explains snapping me out of my train of thought.

I stared at the woman that is supposed to be my mother, controlling my life.

“But”

There it goes. Mum always had a price one needs to pay to get her mercy. I have grown to understand that now.

“Within the time you have to produce an offspring, one that would inherit Sage’s legacy”

Both of us sucked in a harsh breath as I bolt up finding her terms insane, “What?” Lyra’s vice came before mine.

“But—” Lyra trails off but is cut off by mum.

“As I said, everything is written down and no compromises can be made” She states getting up. “Now I’ll leave you two to decide what’s best for you and if you both fail to abide by any rules, there are circumstances” She spoke with utmost composure but the venom lasting in her tune was loud and clear.

Kato growled disturbed by the precedes of the outsider I stood feet away from.

He doesn’t like her too.

“You won’t sign those papers” I stated my tune hard and daring her to do otherwise.

"You don't want to be tied to me, trust me," I warned.

Lyra raised an eyebrow, her gaze never leaving mine. "And why would I listen to you?"

My expression darkened, my patience wearing thin. "You don't understand, Lyra. Those papers will bind you to me, and I won't hesitate to use my authority to keep you in line."

Her face flushed with anger, and she stood up, her eyes flashing. "You think I'm afraid of you, Alpha? Newsflash: I'm not. And I certainly don't want to be married to a rude, arrogant person like you."

My eyes widened in surprise, my mind racing. No one dared speak to me like that, especially not a female. I felt a growl rising in my throat, but I forced it back.

"How dare you," I hissed, my voice low and menacing.

Lyra stood her ground, her confidence unhinged. "I dare because I'm not afraid of you, Alpha. And I won't be bullied into a marriage I don't want."

My face twisted in anger, and I took a step closer to her. "You're pushing your luck, Lyra. Don't think for a second that I won't assert my dominance over you. You’re nothing”

But instead of cowering, Lyra met my gaze head-on, her eyes never leaving mine. "Try it, Alpha. See how far it gets you."

I was taken aback by her bravery, my anger momentarily replaced by a twisted sense of surprise.

She was not afraid of me, and it was... intriguing.

A small, approving smirk crept onto my face. "You know, Lyra," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "I think I like your spirit. You're the first person in a long time who's dared to stand up to me."

Lyra's eyes narrowed, her gaze never leaving mine. "Don't get too comfortable, Alpha," she warned. "I'm not afraid of you, but I'm also not stupid. I know better than to trust you."

I chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Oh, Lyra. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

And with that, I turned and walked away, leaving Lyra looking both relieved and uneasy.

I walked out of the room letting her decide her faith. Being married to me would be the worst mistake she’s ever made and I’ll make sure to make life a living hell for her.

Mum knew how to play her game, exactly why she let Lyra decide our faiths cause she knew if it was up to me, I’d have long cleared this idea before it even came to living.

Whoever this Lyra is won’t surely like what is coming for her, I’ll make sure of it.

I walked out of the mansion, leaving Lyra and her stupid attitude behind. I needed a break from all this crap and headed to the pack house, where my brothers were waiting for me.

Surely I won’t hear the end of it.

As I entered, I saw them, sitting on the couch, deep in conversation. They looked up as I approached, and Clause spoke up.

"Hey, Sage, how's it going? How's the new mate treating you?"

I snorted, dropping into the armchair across from them. "She's a handful, to say the least. Thinks she can stand up to me and get away with it."

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what makes you think she can't?"

I rolled my eyes. "Please, she's a tiny little thing. No match for an alpha like me."

Clause chuckled. "I've seen her, Sage. She doesn't seem bad. She's beautiful, and she looks too innocent to be a threat."

I found that ridiculous. "Innocent? Lyra? Don't make me laugh. She's a living devil, that one."

Clause shrugged. "I'm just saying, maybe you should give her a chance. She might surprise you."

I scoffed. "I doubt it. She's already made it clear she doesn't want to be here or be my mate. I am just going to tolerate her for as long as I find a way out of this stupid alignment."

Damien spoke up, his voice calm and thoughtful. "Sage, perhaps you should consider why she's resisting so hard. There might be more to it than just stubbornness." He teased earning a glare from me.

I know what they were trying to do and it isn’t going to work.

I waved my hand dismissively. "I don't need to know her reasons, Damien. I just need her to push her to the wall within the year that would have her sign the divorce papers."

Clause sighed. "You're not going to find happiness with that attitude, Sage."

I glared at him. "I don't need happiness and even if I did, Lyra would be the last person I'd ever choose to mark as my own"

The room fell silent, my brothers' disapproving gazes weighing on me. But I didn't care. I was the alpha, and I would do what it took to protect and lead my pack, even if it meant breaking Lyra's spirit.

I’ll do just that.

She just waits and sees what I have in store for her and by the time I’m done with her, she won’t have an ounce of confidence left in her.

And for mum to think that I'd get sexually involved with her talk less of producing an offspring with an undeserving she-wolf.

How absurd.

I like the idea of having an heir but just not with Lyra being the mother.

When Veronica left, she didn't just take my heart with her, she took everything.