"You can't be!"
Alpha Kael's dark brow arched, his expression unreadable but the glint in his eyes hinting at curiosity.
"What?"
Lyra took a deep, shaky breath, her mind swirling. Just yesterday, Alpha Darius had rejected her and ordered her to be hunted for the mere fact that they shared a mate bond. And now, here stood another Alpha—a more powerful, terrifying one—claiming to be her mate. How could this be the Moon Goddess's will?
"Are you saying you don't accept the bond that the Moon Goddess herself bestowed upon us?" Kael's tone was calm, but the sharp edge in his words left no room for doubt—this was no idle question.
Lyra's throat tightened. The idea of a mate—a true, loving mate—had been a dream she had long cherished, especially in the dark moments when she thought she'd never find one.
But she cannot and surely won't accept Alpha Kael as her mate.
"Are you rejecting me?" Alpha Kael asked again. Now with a serious tone.
Lyra blinked. "I…" She shook her head. But she can't reject a powerful Alpha like Kael. She would be dead immediately without even finishing her sentence. "I… don't reject you."
"Then why the hesitation?"
Lyra's mind raced. She also can't tell him about her family. He killed them, what more would happen to her if she told him that she recognized him?
"I'm sorry," she murmured, avoiding his gaze. "You… you can reject me anytime. I will accept it."
Kael's confusion was evident as his frown deepened. "Why would I do that?"
Lyra blinked, taken aback. "Because… that's what will you do for sure. You wouldn't want me as your mate."
"Interesting. And why do you think I wouldn't want you as my mate?"
Lyra sighed. She felt the weight on her back. "Because that's what you all do. So, please. Just do it and let me rest?"
For a moment, Kael said nothing. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken truths and unanswered questions. Then, he sighed, straightening his stance.
"Fine. You can rest for now. I'll ask the healer to take care of you."
Lyra frowned. "Are you not going to reject me?"
"Just rest, Lyra. And we will talk again if you are healed."
"But—"
Before Lyra could talk again, Kael was already marching away from her.
Lyra sighed. She couldn't believe she was here at the Blackmoon pack. And to make things worse, the killer of her parents was her mate!
'Oh, Moon goddess! Why are you doing this to me?' she screamed in her mind.
Lyra closed her eyes and groaned. Then she thought that she had nowhere to go now. She can't just run away because for sure, Alpha Darius was still looking for her. If only her best friend was with her, it would be easier for her.
The next day, Lyra felt much better. Her wounds were healed and she could move her body now.
When an old woman entered the clinic, Lyra was already preparing for her departure. She was wearing a white dress and cloak, white hair, and thick glasses. The veins on her face and hands were already visible, and she had to use wood to help her walk.
"It's you."
Lyra flinched when she heard the voice. She immediately turned around and looked at the woman.
"Yes?"
"You must be Lyra?"
Lyra nodded. "Yes. It's me."
The elder shook her head and moved closer, reaching out to clasp Lyra's hand.
"I'm Elder Myra. The healer of this pack."
"Oh, really? Uhm… D-Do you need something?"
Elder Myra shook her head, and her expression grew serious. "No. But I think you need something from me?" She placed a hand on Lyra's chest, just above her heart.. "She needs to be saved."
"What do you mean?"
"I see you haven't met her. Your wolf."
Lyra's breath hitched.
"M-My what?"
"Your wolf. You haven't shifted yet, do you?"
Lyra left a dry chuckle. "Y-Yes. And I think you're mistaken. I am wolfless."
Elder Myra shook her head. Her smile faded away.
"You think so?"
"Of course! If I have one, I should've shifted already. I'm already twenty-two."
"No. You are wrong, Lyra. You are not wolfless. You've been lied to. You are… strong. Much stronger than you think."
Lyra's pulse quickened. She wanted to believe the elder's words, but how could she? Years of rejection, humiliation, and pain had cemented her belief that she was an Omega, a wolfless failure.
If she really had a wolf, why was it not coming out to help her?
Elder Myra's expression softened. "I know you are confused, Lyra. But trust me. She's there. Waiting for you to save her."
Lyra took her hand from Elder Myra and stepped backward. She shook her head.
"I-I don't know what you are talking about. This is a mistake. I should go now. I'm sorry."
Lyra took her bag and walked out rushing in the clinic. She can't believe what the elder told her. If she really had a wolf, why was it not coming out? Why she hadn't shifted yet? Why must her life be miserable?
Having a wolf would be a great benefit for Lyra even though she was an Omega. Her previous mates wouldn't reject her. She wouldn't be hunted by Alpha Darius. Her parents would accept her. Everything in her life will be right if she just could shift, but she cannot! And the elder was telling her that she had a wolf?
Why must she suffer so much if she was there all along?
Lyra was too lost in her thoughts while she was walking. She didn't even notice that Alpha Kael was already standing in front of her, watching her as she approached him. Lyra bumped on his chest and she almost fell if Alpha Kael wasn't quick to catch her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Lyra's eyes widened. She quickly pushed herself away, straightening her clothes. She cleared her throat and looked back at him again.
"I'm… okay. Thank you."
Alpha Kael's gaze fell to the bag slung over her shoulder. "I see you're going somewhere."
Lyra gripped the strap tightly. "Yes. And thank you for your help. I must go now."
"And where do you think you're going?"
Lyra snapped. "In… anywhere! I mean, I-I don't belong here, right? And I'm okay now. So, I should go now."
Alpha Kael's jaw tightened. "You really think that I would just let my mate leave this pack while rogues and hunters are after her?"
Lyra was taken back for a second. Her heart flinched when Alpha Kael mentioned the word mate.
"Alpha. I know you are just confused. I can't be your mate."
"You can deny it all you want, but the bond is there. I feel it, and so do you."
Lyra shook her head. "You're wrong. I can't be your mate. There's been some mistake."
"The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."
"She did this time!" Lyra burst out, her voice shaking. "Do you know what it's like to be rejected? To be hunted? To lose everything?"
Kael's gaze softened, but his tone remained firm. "No one will hurt you here. Not while you're under my protection."
Lyra laughed bitterly. "Your protection? You're the reason my life fell apart!"
"What are you talking about?"
Lyra hesitated, her chest heaving with the effort to keep her emotions in check. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Kael said, his voice quieter now, almost gentle.
Lyra looked away, the weight of her memories pressing down on her. "It doesn't matter. I'm leaving."
Kael stepped into her path, blocking her way. "You're not going anywhere, Lyra. Not until we've figured this out."