05

                    LYRIC 

It had to be a joke. Or at the very least, not what I was thinking. 

Father's eyes turned more serious as he moved toward me. "I thought of offering Nora to him, but she's already with someone else, and the Alpha King might become furious if he thinks we're trying to offer him someone else's woman. This is the reason you're the only choice we have, Lyric. And... you have no idea how perfect it is that you have your face back. Initially, I had been worried we'd have issues with the Alpha King accepting you, but now, I am confident he'll be thrilled."

"Hold on," I scoffed, placing a hand on my thigh. "Please don't tell me you made me travel all the way from Draconis just to be told that I am about to be sacrificed to a demon."

No wolf was stranger to the name ' Darkspire'. Even me who knew little of Pack matters still knew how dangerous they were and nobody wanted to have anything to do with them; not in this life, not in another. 

"Alpha Jaris is not a demon," Father said with surprise. 

"But that is exactly what he is. Years ago, you said the same thing."

Alpha Jaris Dreadmoor was the most vicious man I'd ever heard about. Tales of how he had conquered his enemies—and sometimes, his friends—were no news to the Pack. Being from a family that produced only the strongest Alphas, he was currently the Alpha King of Darkspire, a man everyone feared and didn't wish to end in his bad books. I didn't know what he looked like. I'd never been privileged enough to meet someone like Jaris Dreadmoor. Not that I ever wanted to. 

"There are rumors that he killed his own father and brother!" I raised my hand in the air. "How do you want me to be with someone like that?"

"Those are mere speculations, Lyric. Besides, you'll only be with him for a year."

"You don't need a year to kill someone, dad. All it takes is a minute, tops. But for someone like Jaris, I'm sure half a minute would do. Besides, why does it even have to be for a year?"

From what I heard, Darkspire didn't have a Luna yet since Jaris' rise to ascension. But if he wanted to take up a Luna, wouldn't it be long term or something? Why was he only asking for a year?

"Honestly, I don't know, Lyric."

"And you don't care," I cut in, pain edging toward my heart. "All you care about is giving him a Luna so you can get the problem off your back. You don't care about the problem you're putting on mine."

For a fraction of a second, wonder flashed across his face. The Lyric he knew would never argue with him. She'd have humbly agreed to anything he wanted. Well, let's just say I got to know my worth when I realized how beautiful I was. This Lyric was tired of being people's puppets.

Father came close enough to take my hand. This time, he looked so troubled, I feared he might go on his knees. 

"Lyric, please." He gave my hand a little squeeze. "This is the last I'll ask of you as your father. Just do this for me, for only a year. And I promise, you'll make me the happiest father."

****†

Hours later, I stood in my room—or what used to be my room—staring at my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a long red dress with my hair falling over my shoulder. I was fully ready to meet Alpha Jaris, even though I'd rather I don't. 

Something didn't feel right. Him wanting a Luna for only a year....it was wrong. But father had nearly gone on his knees begging me earlier. I could disappoint him. Besides, before he got mated to his second wife, there were times he'd been good to me. 

I tried to resist the temptation as I stared at the drawer before me. But failing woefully, I still opened it and retrieved the scan. My heart fractured completely, old wounds reopening.

It was the one picture in the world that had the power to kill me every single time I looked at it, yet it was like a drug to me. I was addicted and could barely go an hour without touching it. Feeling it. 

A tear dropped from my eye as I glided my finger across the images outlining the shapes of the unborn babies in the womb. 

Five years, yet still the best thing that's happened to me. And the worse. But I'd rather hold onto the fact that it was the best. 

It hurt so bad staring at them, but I couldn't stop.

The sound of someone trying to open my door broke into my thoughts. I jerked back to reality and quickly hid the picture. I'd made sure to lock the door a while ago, not wanting anyone to see me with the photo. 

Getting the door, I found Nora, fuming.

"How did you get rid of your scar?" Her voice blared with indignation. "And what exactly is your plan? You want everyone to see the beautiful you, don't you?"

I rolled my eyes, my earlier pain dissolving temporarily. "Please, don't tell me you knocked on my door just to whine about how good I look. What, you really thought I'd look that heinous forever?"

Her glare turned even icier. "Well, just so you know, this won't change a thing between you and Roderick. Soon, he'll be here, both of you would go to the temple and finish your breakup."

It dawned on me instantly. Oh, no. 

"Wait," I blinked. "You and Roderick?"

A triumphant smile played on her lips. "Years ago, things didn't work between us. But now, he's ready to choose me."

Well, if Roderick wasn't a bigger bastard.

"Ugh, you disappoint me, Nora. Using my leftovers?" I tsked. "Considering you've always thought yourself the pretty one, I expected better from you."

A tense glare pulled her brows together. She opened her mouth to say something, but I caught her off. "You don't have to worry. I'm done with Roderick and can't wait to fully end things with him." I slammed the door in her face.

......

A while later, father and I arrived Darkspire in one of his luxury cars. The Pack, which was known to be the biggest and wealthiest, was just as beautiful as people said. 

I was dazzled by the sight and couldn't believe for a moment that I'd be Luna here.

Alighting our car, father and I were led into one of the buildings by some maids while his guards remained outside. 

The Grand Luna—Jaris' mother—was in the large living room to welcome us. 

"Bennett! I am so glad you made it," the Luna said, her eyes holding little amusement. 

"Greetings, Luna." I dipped my head. 

She regarded me with surprise. "Is this your daughter?" She asked dad. "Well, bless Seraphis, she's gorgeous!"

I couldn't help my smile. Luna Isolde, during her time, was a formidable Luna. She had ruled beside her late husband with an iron fist, destroying everyone who dared cross her path. I'd always wished to meet her. 

"Please, come sit while we wait for Alpha Jaris. He'll be joining us shortly," she showed us to the couch. 

Her version of 'shortly' turned out to be almost an hour later. Father and I were already exhausted and kept staring at the door, wondering how long it'd take the Alpha to arrive. Wasn't he aware he'd be having guests? His... new Luna?

At a point, Isolde looked angry and left. When she returned, she reassured us he'd soon be here. And indeed, he did come. 

The air shifted in the room the second the door opened, revealing a man and two others behind him. 

The Luna drew in a breath of relief as she rose to her feet. Father and I did same. 

It was easy spotting who the Alpha was as the two other men flanked him. But the moment I had a clear view of his face, my world shattered. 

No. No. 

Horror gripped my chest, squeezing it until I felt pain. This had to be some twisted joke. Because how in Selene's name was I staring at the face of the very man that had ruined me five years ago?