Chapter 2

Kyrian looked over to where Lyla sat at the head of the ballroom. That was her place, she was never to socialize, she just had to sit and look pretty, that was her role. And sooner rather than later, bear him a son. This was what Kyrian recited to himself over and over again so he wouldn't forget why he had married Lyla in the first place but Lyla eluded him. Recently, he found himself more often than not having other thoughts. He just couldn't explain it. 

Kyrian remembered the first time he had seen Lyla, at that annual moonlight festival that he was always forced to go to. He had sat there extremely bored and desperately longing for the festival to be over so he could leave. He was aware of how everyone was staring at him. He knew of all the rumors about him, but he didn't care about them because they were true. He was indeed cruel and ruthless, he made no excuses for himself but it was needed to run a Pack. So many eyes on him that night but only one caught his and piqued his interest, Lyla's bewitching green eyes. The curiosity in Lyla's eyes coupled with the startleness in her eyes had intrigued him. She has broken off the eye contact quickly but she had not broken off his interest. He immediately asked his guard to find out about her. For the rest of the night, Kyrian had not been able to get her sea green eyes out of his mind and this angered him. By the time his guard returned with information about Lyla, he was already all too anxious. It was from his guard, Kyrian learned that Lyla's father was deceased and her mom had remarried to someone else. Lyla had two half brothers from her step father. Kyrian pondered over the information his guard had given him. He couldn't understand what was so intriguing about Lyla that had caught his attention but he just couldn't get her off his mind. At that time, Kyrian was also under a lot of pressure from his council members because he was unmated and he needed a male heir as soon as possible. Even though he had only just seen Lyla once, he had at once agreed that he couldn't think of any woman better to bear him his son than her.

"Alpha Kyrian", someone called out his name, jolting Kyrian out of his thoughts.

Kyrian turned around to see Liam, the alpha of the neighboring pack, smiling charmingly at him. Kyrian silently gritted his teeth then forced a smile.

"Alpha Liam, such a pleasure having you here", Kyrian greeted Liam as he reached out to shake his hand.

Liam accepted his hand and they both shook hands. They both had a firm grip and held onto each other's hands hard, cracking their knuckles and pretending as if they weren't hurting each other, a little contest of wills.

"The pleasure is all mine", Liam answered with a smile as he withdrew his hand.

Kyrian stared at Liam's smile begrudgingly, he didn't like Liam, he didn't like him at all. To him, people like Liam were like snakes and he hated snakes.

"To be invited to this party, such an honor", Liam continued to praise Kyrian.

"Hm", Kyrian acknowledged with a stuffy smile.

"The invitation said plus ones are allowed, unfortunately I don't see your plus one, Alpha Liam", Kyrian noted.

"Uh, no, unfortunately I don't have a plus one", Liam laughed.

"Oh, how unfortunate", Kyrian commented.

"Indeed", Liam nodded, the charming smile still plastered on his face.

"And where is the Luna? I had hoped to greet her while I was here", Liam added, still smiling broadly.

Kyrian furrowed his brows.

"Oh there she is", Liam said all of a sudden and Kyrian followed his gaze to see he was staring at Lyla.

"Such a beauty", Liam complimented.

"I had heard tales but....", Liam continued to compliment Lyla, unaware that the look on Kyrian's face was growing darker.

"Introduce us, won't you?", Kyrian heard Liam say all of a sudden, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Kyrian gritted his teeth. The last thing he wanted to do was introduce this man to Lyla but he knew he had to, as a simple courtesy. If he didn't, it would be seen as rude and Liam knew this. So gritting his teeth inwardly, Kyrian forced a smile.

"Sure", Kyrian said and began to lead Liam to the podium where Lyla sat.

As Kyrian approached the podium, Lyla looked up at him apprehensively. He saw the surprise in her eyes and he knew she wanted to look away but had noticed that he had someone with him.

"Lyla", Kyrian called out to Lyla with a smile that made Lyla flinch.

"This is the alpha of the neighboring Pack, alpha Liam", Kyrian began to introduce them.

"Alpha Liam, allow me to introduce my wife, the Luna of the pack, Lyla", Kyrian introduced them.

Kyrian smiled broadly at Lyla and approached her.

"Lovely to meet you my lady", Kyrian said and reached for Lyla's hand.

Before any of them could say anything, Liam brushed his lips across the top of Lyla's fingers. A gesture that stunned not just Lyla but Kyrian as well. Kyrian's blood began to boil on seeing that little gesture of Liam's but he hid it very well on his face. Lyla automatically glanced at Kyrian apprehensively. When she saw no emotion on his face, Lyla did not know whether to feel safe or even more apprehensive.

Lyla forced herself to smile at Liam.

"It's nice to meet you too", she told him courteously.

"I must say my lady, you are looking very radiant tonight. I had heard tales of how the luna of the Lumen pack was a beauty to behold but I didn't believe them until I saw you in person", Liam said in such a charming tone that Lyla couldn't help but be impressed with him.

"And now that you've seen me?", Lyla asked.

"I only can say that the rumors did not do you any justice. You are absolutely stunning", Liam complimented, causing Lyla to smile.

"Thank you", Lyla thanked him courteously with a smile until she felt a sharp look on her.

Lyla subconsciously glanced at Kyrian but he wasn't even looking at her.

'Had she imagined it?', Lyla wondered.

"If I'm not being too audacious, I would like it if you would honor me with a dance", Liam said all of a sudden.

Lyla's smile froze.

"A dance?", she asked.

"Yes, I noticed that you have been sitting here for most of the evening. Almost doesn't seem fair to the guests that such a beauty should remain holed up here", Liam said.

Lyla smiled uneasily and glanced at Kyrian who nodded stiffly.

"Sure", Lyla said and took Liam's hand.

As Liam led Lyla down the podium, he smiled at Kyrian who forced a smile back. Kyrian sat down on his chair on the podium and watched as Lyla and Liam danced. He was aware of the rising irritation in him at the sight of Liam and Lyla together and that irritated him more. Why should he bother like this? Why should he care? It wasn't as if he was in love with Lyla, no Lyla was not his mate so it wasn't possible for him to be in love with her. He had only married her so she could bear him a son, yes, that was the only reason he had married her.