Lyra's POV
“You want me to give you my wife for the Luna games competition?” I glanced at myself using the mirror that hung right above the sink to my right, wondering when I could finally take a break and sit down. Looking down at my feet, I could feel the scorching gaze of the visitor, whose face I had not mustered the courage to look at. “My legs hurt,”I groaned under my breath wondering where this meeting was headed. My limbs were sore from the scrubbing and washing I had stayed all night doing all because the wolf king, the visitor who was seated, was coming to our pack. I could still hear Edmund's voice, “Make sure everywhere is spotless,” he would instruct and then proceed to litter the place with the dirt underneath his shoes. The dining was set and different meals were placed on it.We never cooked that much food, and if we ever did? I was to make sure not a single piece of food was wasted else, I would be wasted by Edmund. Reaching out across the table to take the salt bottle, my eyes followed him, gulping as he sprinkled salt on the grilled meat that I had salivated all through the preparation. I would be lucky if I were to lay my hands on the remains. “You are fully aware that this is what happens, Edmund. It's been on for a couple of years,” the wolf king said, his voice like medicine that soothed my wounds. My attention returned back to the conversation at hand, forgetting about my hunger and tiredness for a minute. The Luna game competition. He wasn't wrong that the alpha king had a ritual to perform every three years— a ritual that involved a Luna game competition, where every pack had to give up a female, either a daughter or someone, but it had to be a female. I didn’t know much about it, but it was all for the wolf king. Whoever lady survived the competition was the wolf king’s destined mate. And his visit only meant one thing, it was finally our turn to give up a female and I was curious who was getting picked. I heard Edmund mention his wife and the thought of that made my heart clench. His wife. There was no way he would let Amelia out of his sight. “But my king, sadly this pack doesn't have anyone who is worthy to compete in your Luna games” Edmund argued. “I do not take no for an answer, Edmund,” the king said “That is common knowledge,” “Lyra,” Edmund barked and I jerked. I blinked severally and moved uneasily from one foot to another. “Are you sleeping on your feet?” I shook my head and gulped. I needed as much rest as I could get and in whatever happened, I couldn't be in Edmund's wrong today. “Then why did it take you so long to answer your name?” He pushed his chair back and I felt my knees tremble. I waited for a few seconds but he didn't get off his chair. Maybe it was because the Alpha was present. Every other day, Edmund would have taken a few strides across the room and violently strike his palm on my cheek. “Get out,” He said and I exhaled. “I will be leaving now sir," I said in a mere whisper, dragging my heavy legs. To me, it was of no point leaving because I was yet to complete my tasks for the day and I would still be called upon when the Alpha King eventually decides to leave. But Edmund had told me to— and his wish is and has always been my command. “Who is she?” His deep voice sounded in my direction, sending balls of electricity through my entire nervous system. My brain paused for a moment, hoping that he wasn't in any way referring to me, because that was the last thing I wanted— to be noticed by him. His slender finger pointed in my direction, solidifying my thoughts, “ Stay still, will you?” “She is just one of the maids,” Edmund shrugged nonchalantly, reminding me once again that I meant nothing more than that— a maid. “ It's nothing special,” he added, swirling the glass cup in his hand because letting it sit on his lips, gulping the content of the cup. “You seem to be forgetting that I am not a child Edmund,” he looked handsome when he chuckled, I could already imagine the perfect set of teeth those lips were hiding. I was still lost in thought when I heard the screeching sound of the chair against the marble floor. It was definitely going to leave a mark, a mark that I would spend the whole of tomorrow trying to get off, “An ordinary maid cannot have gray eyes and that color of hair. I can clearly see that you are trying to hide the real color of her hair under these poorly done brown tints,” he was in front of me now, his fingers in my hair as he examined it scrutiny. His scent invaded my nostrils— leather and cigarettes, throwing me into a dazed state. I sucked in air, not daring to breathe out and pollute the air. “Anyone can have all those features you speak about, it is really nothing special or is there something you are implying?” Edmund was fidgeting, I could tell. His eyes were darting everywhere, not fixated on any other place. It might be my ears but I feel like I can hear his heartbeat from here, from fear of the king finding out. “I am implying that there is more to her than what meets the eye, Edmund. Tell me about her,” he insisted calmly yet I felt the power in his words. Maybe this was what made him different from Edmund, he could command respect without even trying. Edmund's anger was rising, it was slowly becoming impossible for him to control himself now, there was an edge in his voice when he spoke, “And I insist that she is just a mere maid, Alpha. So you think I would lie to you? Come on now, we are deviating from the topic just because of a mere maid. Where were we? Let's pick up from there,” His words were rushed as though if he delayed for a second, he could wreck havoc on the Alpha King, and certainly he didn't want to get on his bad side, he needed the alliance with the Alpha King. Finally, I lifted my eyes to meet his and in the split second they met, an inexplicable emotion surged through me like lightning. More like I could see my future in his eyes. It was something, a connection I had never felt before, I doubt if he felt it too. “What is her name?” He demanded, pulling away from me. “It is not important” “Why is that?” he demanded, almost impatiently, before turning to me, “What Is your name?” “Um it is…” I swallowed, my eyes fixed on Edmund, for a sign or any form to tell me what to do or whether to reply. I didn’t want any situation that could lead to him beating me up when the alpha king leaves. “What are you scared of? I am sure he doesn't mind you telling me your name, it's just your name,” “It is actually, um… Lyra,” I blurt, reminding myself to brace myself for whatever punishment accompanies my actions. “Lyra….” He mused, as though finding the name intriguing, “ Mmm it has a nice ring to it. It sounds… mystical,” “Thank you sir, I will take my leave now,” “No you won't,” he said, immediately turning to Edmund and muttering three words that sent my insides freezing, “I want her,” There was a deep silence in the entire room, my heart pounding heavily in my chest as Edmund replied, “You can't have her,” “And why's that?” I looked up at his face as he replied, his eyebrows arched as though up for a challenge. “Because she is my ex mate and she belongs to me.”Lyra's POV“Your ex mate?” The first ever words he uttered that did not look programmed. His eyes were widened as though he could not hide his shock.I felt his eyes size me up, making me feel even more humiliated than I already did.“Is there a problem with my Alpha?” Edmund said, proud with the fact that he had gotten to him. “If she is your mate, even if an ex… then, why does she look this tattered? Why is she living this way? Why do you still keep her…she.. She looks too tattered to be a maid in the first place,” “Because she is a lowly maid and an Omega,” Edmund replied without missing a beat.“Her eyes tell me that she is more than an Omega,” “You have no idea what you're talking about my alpha,”My legs were glued to the marble floors, my eyes fixated on Edmund as he conversed with the wolf king. I gulped down every second, my chest heaving up and down in fear of what was going to happen.“I still want this one,” the words echoed in my head as I watched his outstretched fing
RAPHAEL’S POV “You are seriously taking a maid for the Luna game competition?” Darius, my beta’s voice rang out. He tended to be a bit too loud and it pissed it off at certain occasions— certain occasions like this one. “Can you at least keep your voice down?” I sneered, growing impatient from waiting for Lyra and that scheming Edmund. I wondered what the hell was keeping them and what exactly he was doing to Lyra. I felt my blood boil at the thought of him bullying her again. The wound on her neck was certainly not a bruise, I could tell it wasn't and the look in her eyes. The look of someone who lives in fear and constant agitation. “Come on now, Edmund. Has it gotten to that? Did you not see anyone else?” He probed, shoving me playfully in the sides. I was pretty sure that I was putting on an expression that clearly said do not talk to me, but either he was too blind to see or plain out dumb to not read my body language. “She is not just a maid, Darius,” I explained, v
RAPHAEL’S POV I watched her eyes widen to their fullest extent, I wasn't mistaken.. she was definitely scared, very scared and it broke my heart that I had no clue on how to ease her fear. She tightened her grip on her cloth, pulling them together as though worried that they might fall off from her body with the slightest movement. “You look like you haven't showered in days,” I pointed out, recalling how unkempt her hair is. Her lashes fluttered and her eyes were cast down in embarrassment. I should not have said that. “I'm sorry if that made you feel bad,” “It …it is fine, your highness.” she fidgeted, clutching her throat, still not daring to look up at me. “No it's not,” I insisted, still feeling terribly bad for the remark I made earlier. There were definitely more polite ways to say it— even though I wasn't keen on morals, “you know what? You can use my shower,” Her eyes widened again, it might be wrong but I found her fear expression to be really cute. The way her e
Lyra's POV“I'm naked,” my voice came out in a whimper as the blanket loosens from my chest, “and the wolf king is staring at every wound I have tried so hard to cover all my life,” I add, talking more to myself. I look down at the space between my feet. I was bare but the way he looked at me made me feel like she could see more than my scarred skin. I struggled with the blanket that had gathered around my feet. Picking the blanket seemed more difficult than standing there and allowing him to look through me. The room was suddenly stuffy, more like someone had drained out all the air, leaving me in here, without any source of oxygen. The walls were closing in on me. I managed to bend, and pick it up, hurriedly wrapping it around my chest once more. His eyes were still on me and this made me hot all over. They didn't have the look of disdain and disgust on them, it was more like an intrigued expression. More like concern.I could not tell the last time someone looked at me with conc
Chapter 6 Lyra's POV “This one is my absolute favorite,” he pointed out as I carefully picked at the crab in front of me. He was sitting right across from me, his eyes on me as I played around with my cutlery. I was starving but I could barely concentrate on eating with the way he watched me. Suddenly, I forgot how to chew, and the crab whose juice first filled my mouth now tasted like sand. “Really?” I muttered while moving my mouth carefully and forcing the food down my throat. I reached for my glass of water and he handed it to me. “Thank you,” I said, almost going down on my knees. He looked at me like he wanted to say something but quickly changed his mind. “I didn't think that crabs would be your favorite,” “It's not just the crabs,” he laughed. He laughs easily, I noticed. It made me feel like I was funny. No one had ever made me feel like I had a sense of humor. “It's the way it's being prepared that gets me,” he shrugged, looking as carefree as ever. “Ooh,” My cutl
Chapter 7Lyra's POV“I'm watching you,” she mouthed right before I left the room, and I felt cold, spider-like fingers crawl up my spine. I followed behind the guard, my eyes darting to every corner of the hallway. I didn't have the opportunity to check it out before but now, I just realised how spacious the hallway was, with doors on either side.The smell of fresh paint and flowers tickled my senses. I squinted at the odd paintings on the wall. I had seen them before. I shut my eyes, trying to recall, but there was nothing. I reached out to one of them.“Don’t touch that,” The guard barked, and I jumped backward. My heart threatened to break through my ribs. “I’m sorry. I just….” I looked around hoping no one else had seen me try to touch the painting.Where had my manners gone? I couldn't touch anything here. “This way,” he stretched his hand towards a passage. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed before moving in the direction he pointed. My feet glided across the smooth, cold marble floor
Chapter 8 LYRA’S POV After dinner, the girls started drifting off in small groups, heading back to their rooms. I kept to myself, walking quietly along the corridor, my thoughts scattered. My eyes scanned the hall for Zara but I couldn't find her. “Lyra!” Zara’s voice broke through the noise as she hurried up to me with another girl who said her name was Esmerelda. | turned to look at them. Zara, as usual, was full of energy, her bright smile lighting up her face, while Esmeralda was more reserved, nodding at me in silent acknowledgment. “Why are you walking so fast? You're going to leave us behind!” Zara teased, falling in step beside me. I blinked, realizing | had been walking quicker than | meant to. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t notice.” Zara waved it off. “No biggie. You always seem like you're off in your world.” She gave me a playful nudge. “So, what were you thinking about?” “Nothing, really,” I muttered. I was spacing out again, but I didn’t want to admit that to her.
CHAPTER NINE.Raphael“I want to kiss her.” My wolf said within me. I shoved the thought away, staring back at her, “Good girl,” I smirked and I saw how wide her eyes grew. She bent over coughing violently. Her body trembled under the spasms.I quickly reached for my cup of water and held her back. “Here,” I lifted it to her lips. “Thank you,” She let the water run down her throat before realizing that I had my hand on the small of her back. She tried to jump away but I steeled my hand holding her in place. “Am I hurting you?” I bent my head looking into her face. “No,” She shook her head violently as if admitting that I was hurting her could cost her life. “No, Your Highness,” She sat still. I took my hands off her and folded them across my chest. She was still trembling. I covered the space between us and felt her grow still. She looked down at her fingers. I took her hands. They were cold. “Are you cold?” “I’m fine,” She made as if to pull her hand away but left it. She sai
CHAPTER 66RAPHAEL I focused on the stack of documents before me, trying to sort through the mess of security updates and ongoing investigations. Darius sat across from me, flipping through his own papers, a frown etched on his face.“Still no leads on the user of Essian's dust,” he said, frustration lacing his voice.I nodded, pinching the bridge of my nose. “We need to find out who’s behind this before it escalates further. If they’re using it against us, we can’t afford to sit idle.”Just then, Kane walked in, his expression serious. “Your Majesty, I came as soon as I could.”I looked up from my documents, ready to respond to Kane’s input when the door swung open abruptly. I froze, my eyes narrowing as Madriel walked in without so much as a knock. “What are you doing here, Madriel?”She leaned against the doorframe, feigning innocence. “Oh, can’t I come to visit my lovely baby brother?” The mockery dripped from her words.“You have no right to visit me,” I snapped, my voice icy. “
CHAPTER 65LYRA.After returning from Raphael's office, I lied down on my bed smiling.“Lyra!” Esmeralda burst into the room, her eyes bright with joy. “ I’m officially Darius’s mate now!”“I’m so happy for you!” I said, unable to hide my smile. She clapped her hands, a giddy laugh escaping her lips. “I know! It all feels so perfect. I can’t believe I’m finally free from the stupid Lunar games!”“I’m moving to Darius’s room.”“That’s amazing, Esmeralda! You deserve this,” I said. “Are you excited?”“Terrified,” she admitted, biting her lip. “But mostly excited! It’s just… everything feels different now.”I watched her. “You’re elevating your status now. You’ll be treated like a queen.”“Exactly!” She giggled, her cheeks flushed. “And I want to make sure you’re comfortable, too. You’re still my best friend, and I need you by my side.”“Of course,” I replied. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”The next few days flew by. On the eve of the day of the 4th phase, Esmeralda knocked on my d
CHAPTER 64RAPHAEL I was buried in documents concerning pack security, trying to keep my mind focused on the endless details, when Darius strolled into my office, a broad smile stretching across his face.“What happened to you? Why are you smiling?” I asked, my eyebrows lifting in curiosity.“Nothing, just had a great training session,” he replied, his grin infectious.But then, just like that, his smile vanished, replaced by an unreadable expression. “What’s wrong?” I pressed, leaning back in my chair.Darius hesitated, glancing down at the floor. “Uh, nothing. Really. Just...”“Who pissed in your pants now?” I teased, unable to help myself.He glared at me and I shrugged.I sighed, crossing my arms. “Darius, is there something you want to tell me? You’ve been holding it back for too long. Just spit it out.”He fidgeted, his eyes darting around the room. “It’s just... well, one of the contestants is my mate.”My heart sank, shock coursing through me. “Wait, what? Your mate?”Darius
CHAPTER 63LYRAI trudged through the twisted trees, feeling something dark and suffocating all around me. My breaths were shaky, shallow. Shadows flickered in every corner, moving, watching. I muttered to myself, “Come on, Lyra. One step at a time. Just… keep moving.”Then I saw it—a creature. Its eyes glowed with hatred, fangs dripping with some dark, strange essence. I couldn’t move, my heart pounding like it might break free from my chest. The beast lunged. I managed to dodge, barely, feeling the air crackle around its attack. Every hit it made, every slash it aimed at me, felt like it reached past my skin, sinking deep into me. Each blow burned, not just my body, but… something else, something I couldn’t even name. It felt like it was tearing me apart from the inside out.I stumbled, the pain twisting and contorting through me. “I… I can’t…” I gasped, but I had no choice.Then, I felt the last hit, and I fell. Everything went dark.When I opened my eyes, blue smoke swirled aroun
CHAPTER 62LYRAThe next morning, my maid helped me into a simple black dress. I felt drained, but I wore it for Zara. Esmeralda, too, appeared in black, her face pale. We didn’t speak; Darius arrived, his face impassive. He looked over the three of us—Althea, Esmeralda, and me—before nodding. "Follow me. We’re moving forward."Esmeralda’s jaw tightened, and Althea gave a weird look, her lips pressed into a thin line. I felt the ache in my chest but followed Darius.We walked outside, led by our maids, and stepped into what felt like another world. Darius stopped, and his voice echoed over the quiet. "This is the next challenge. It’s called ‘The Volcanic Gauntlet.’ You’ll need every ounce of strength and endurance to survive it."I looked ahead. The ground was coated in volcanic ash, each step already sticking to our shoes. Hot winds blew against my face, and I tasted smoke in the air. Rivers of lava twisted around the landscape, glowing, hissing.I could hear Althea breathing sharpl
CHAPTER 61RAPHAEL I sat in my office and my eyes drifted to the door, waiting for Darius to bring me the latest news. The clock on the wall ticked away, and finally, the door opened, Darius stepping in with a grim expression. I raised an eyebrow.“Darius,” I greeted him. “How did it go?”Darius didn’t return the smile. He simply stood there, expression stiff. “Two contestants didn’t make it.”The smirk faded from my face, replaced by a cold expression. “Who?”“Mirena and Zara.”For a moment, I stayed silent, processing the names. Zara… I knew she’d been close to Lyra. She had even come to me once, pleading on Lyra’s behalf.“And Lyra?” I asked, my voice quieter. “How is she?”Darius hesitated, looking down. “She went straight to her room. I think she’s taking it harder than anyone else… along with Esmeralda. Those three were close.”I nodded slowly. “I see.”Darius shifted, as if uncomfortable under my gaze. He looked unusually tense, his hands clenched at his sides. I studied him,
CHAPTER 60LYRA“No… no, she can’t be…” I whispered, collapsing against him as he held me back. I felt my knees give out, and all I could do was clutch his arm. “This can’t be happening… not Zara…”Esmeralda still hadn’t moved. Her face was blank, eyes hollow as she kept staring at the flames, as if expecting Zara to walk back out any moment. “She… she was just… she was just there…” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.I looked at her, tears blurring my vision. “Esmeralda… I… I couldn’t do anything…” My voice broke, my chest feeling like it was being crushed. “I should have done something… anything…”Esmeralda’s lip quivered, her face still pale as she murmured, “Zara… she was… this can’t be real…”Darius released his grip on me slowly, making sure I wouldn’t lunge forward again. “Neither of you can afford to lose yourselves here,” he said firmly. “If you go in like this, it’ll be over for both of you.”I tried to breathe.“She knew the risks, Lyra,” Darius said again. Dar
LYRA As we reached the chamber, Darius stopped and looked over us, his face as hard as the stone walls around us. The heat was already thick, making it hard to breathe, and the flicker of flames cast strange shadows across his face. “Listen up,” he said, his voice flat and emotionless. “You’re about to face the Flame Wall. This fire isn’t ordinary. It’s meant to burn more than just your skin.” Zara shifted uncomfortably beside me, and I glanced at her. “What do you mean, more than our skin?” I asked, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “The flames here don’t just burn,” Darius replied, his gaze cold as ice. “They reach inside you—attack your fears, your weaknesses. They’ll find what haunts you and use it to break you down.” I swallowed hard. There was no reassurance in his words, no attempt to ease our nerves. It was like he didn’t care what happened to us. I glanced at Esmeralda, who was pale but steady. Darius’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, softer than his tone. H
CHAPTER 58LYRA A soft knock on my door woke me up, and I blinked, groggy and confused. A maid stood there, waiting. I guess they’re waking everyone up like this, I thought, rubbing my eyes.I stretched and made my way to the dining room, feeling half-asleep. When I walked in, Esmeralda, Zara, and the others were already there, but they looked tired. Everyone’s eyes were barely open, and the maids stood silently behind us, watching over like guards.I yawned, covering my mouth as I looked around. “Morning, everyone,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Not a single response. No one even bothered to look up; they were too busy fighting sleep.Esmeralda gave a half-hearted wave, her head resting on her hand. “Is it really morning?” she mumbled, eyes half-closed.Zara leaned forward, groaning. “Feels like they dragged us out of bed for no reason. I could still be sleeping.”I nodded, glancing around at the maids. “Yeah, they really wanted us up early… for what, though?”No one answ