Chapter 2

LYRA.

I stood shaking in the centre of the packed square, surrounded by a sea of pack members, all eyes on me. The mate bond, that sacred, unbreakable connection, stirred weakly in my chest as if it knew what was coming. Across from me, Alpha Derrick Lashley stood tall, his piercing amber eyes cold and unforgiving. The weight of his authority and dominance was a suffocating reminder of the power that he held, not just over the pack but over my very heart.

"Say it," Anna's voice whispered venomously from behind Derrick as her perfectly manicured hand rested possessively upon his arm. She smirked, her green eyes gleaming with malice.

My hands were shaking as Derrick's mouth opened, the words I feared like a death sentence falling from his lips. "I, Derrick Lashley, reject you, Lyra Morgant, as my mate.

The bond shattered. The agony I had never known ripped through my chest, and I fell to my knees, clutching at my heart as if someone had driven a blade deep into her and twisted it mercilessly. Cruel laughter exploded in the square, ringing in my ears as I gasped for air.

You think a weak omega like you could ever be worthy of me?" Derrick sneered, his voice full of disdain. "My status, my bloodline-they cannot be tainted by someone so. insignificant."

My voice broke as I looked up at him, my tear-filled eyes pleading. "I didn't ask for this. I never-

Silence!" His voice boomed, silencing me and the crowd in that instant. "I have chosen mine. Anna is all that you are not: strong, beautiful, and fit to stand at my side as Luna. You, you're nought but a plague.

My gaze shifted to Anna, standing smirking triumphantly, with her auburn curls framing her perfect face. The words stung more than the rejection itself, and I felt my strength falter. Forcing myself to my feet, ignoring the laughter and jeers from the pack, I limped toward the omega quarters, head bowed, heart shattered.

The dimly lit path blurred into my vision as I stumbled down it, the cool night air nibbling at my skin. Every step felt heavier than the last, my chest tightening with every mocking word replaying in my mind.

Suddenly, I froze. The scent of pine and musk—Derrick's scent—washed over me, and I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. There he was, standing in the shadows, his green eyes softer now, almost… regretful and wanting.

"Lyra," Derrick said, his voice low and almost tender, a stark contrast to the harshness from earlier. He stepped closer, and I instinctively backed away. "You're… beautiful, you know that?

My breath caught, and confusion and fear swirled in my chest. Something was off. "What… What do you want, Alpha Derrick?" I whispered, my voice shaking.

"I made a mistake," he whispered, reaching to touch my cheek. I flinched, but he didn't pull away. "I couldn't admit it in front of them, but you… there's something about you, Lyra. Something I can't ignore.

I shook my head. My heart raced. "You rejected me," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You chose Anna."

"Anna doesn't matter," he said, his hand finding my arm and his warm, heavy, and unsettlingly firm touch on me.

I stepped back and pulled myself from his touch. "Please, Alpha Derrick, don't," I begged. "You said I wasn't good enough. You made your choice.

I didn't wait for a response but turned and fled, my heart pounding until I vanished into the omega quarters. I locked the door behind me, my trembling hands leaned against it and tears streamed down my face. Sleep didn't visit that night. My mind worked overtime, in fear and a mess of confusion as Derrick's words and the touch replayed in my mind.

---

The next morning, I barely escaped my room before Anna and her posse of friends cornered me near the kitchens.

"Look who it is," Anna said, her voice low with disdain as she stepped forward, her heels clicking on the stone floor. "The pitiful little omega who thought she could be Luna."

"Please, I don't want any trouble," I whispered, stepping backwards.

Trouble?" Anna laughed, her friends joining in. "You caused enough trouble when you dared to show your face near Derrick. Do you think you're better than me, Lyra? Do you think he'll come running back to you?"

"I don't…" I started, but Anna cut me off with a vicious slap across my face, the force of it sending me stumbling.

"Liar!" Anna spat. "You think I didn't see him looking for you? Following you around like some lovesick puppy? You think you're better than me, don't you?"

"I-I don't," I stammered, clutching my stinging cheek.

"Show her, guys," Anna ordered, and the group descended on me. They pushed me to the ground, kicking and hitting me as I curled into a ball, trying to shield myself from the blows.

When they finished, I was bruised and bleeding, my body shaking beneath me as I tried to rise. Anna leaned down, grasping my chin and forcing me to look up.

"Stay away from Derrick," she hissed, her eyes ablaze with hatred. "Or next time, I make sure you don't get up."

---

The days that followed were no better. Derrick's presence became a constant shadow in my life. I'd catch glimpses of him waiting in lonely corners, his eyes following my every move. At first, I thought I was imagining it, but his advances grew bolder.

"Lyra," he called one evening as I carried a basket of laundry across the courtyard. I froze, my heart racing as he approached.

Sorry, but I'm busy Alpha Derrick," I said in a rush, never taking my eyes off the ground.

"You're always busy," he said, stepping in front of me, and blocking my path. "Why do you keep running from me?"

"Please," I whispered, clutching the basket tightly. "I just want to be left alone.

"I can't do that," he growled low and dangerously, reaching for me. But I sidestepped him and hurried away, heart racing, as some girls noisily entered the courtyard.

 Paranoia consumed me then. Every shadow made me jump; every little noise did, too. Now, I carried a kitchen knife tucked in my apron-my meagre protection against the Alpha that was supposed to shield me.

I would lie awake at night, clutching the knife and staring at the door, fearing what Alpha Derrick might do next.

I couldn't shake the feeling that things were going to get worse. And I had no one to help me.