Chapter 2 Pain to purpose

Lyra's POV

"Tell them, my Alpha. Tell them that I am your mate" I urged Ragnar in a shaky voice as two giant guards pushed me from moving closer to him.

He rose to his feet, his movements deliberate and ominous. His cloak swirled around him in a rhythmic sway, mirroring the foreboding energy that emanated from his body. The guards make way for him to close the distance between us, his presence commanding and imposing. As he drew closer, his lips inches to my ear, he spoke in a low, gravelly voice, his words weighted with authority and finality: "Kneel."

My wolf growled weakly at the realization of that simple word. I glared back, heart racing abnormally, "Over my dead body. Do you know what it means if you reject me? I would be disowned" I held onto the side of his cloak as my voice shook terribly.

I don't even want to imagine the life I would be subjected to once the world finds out that I had been marked before my mate was introduced to my father.

An extreme disgrace.

"It doesn't take me anything to tear off your clothes and show the world your mating mark. You should accept my rejection willingly" Ragnar glared at me. Those calm eyes and sweet voice were gone, showing the real man I had given my dignity.

I had failed. I had just proved that I was my mother's child by opening my legs for a man that wouldn't be mine.

"Punish me for not training my daughter properly, my Lord" Father trembled forward and tried to drag me away, but Ragnar jerked my hand and pushed me hard to the ground on my knees.

I winced in pain.

"With the power bestowed upon me. I reject Lyra Valcovna as my mate and Luna!" Ragnar roared.

Thunderstruck, people screamed and I sobbed, my hand covering my mouth at the tragic twist. My life had crumbled before my eyes. I looked at Ragnar and another painful tear oozed out. "I accept your...rejection, My Alpha'' I said.

I realized that I was done for.

The satisfied smile on my step-sister was visible.

Ragnar smiled evilly and shoved me aside. He collected the crown and placed it on my step-sister. Before my own eyes, they held their hands together and the eldest counsel announced them as the future Alpha and Luna of our great Genovia.

I was carelessly dragged to a room. I didn't even scream because I knew this was a nightmare and I would wake up from it soon. My knees folded to my chest, my arms wrapped around my body as I winced continuously. Tears uncontrollably well up in my eyes anytime I recall what I had just witnessed.

A few minutes later, Ragnar bagged into the room, his appearance cutting through my depressing thoughts. "Rejecting me wasn't part of our plan, my love. My heart was almost ripped out of my soul. You used to tell me before doing anything," I moved to him.

"The reality is what you've seen. Don't you dare regard me in such a disgusting way" he glared at me.

"I had consummated with you as my mate for you to get the invisibility Lunar power. I did it for you to be chosen as the Alpha." I tried to explain as I held his hands.

"That is the problem. Except if I had married you before I was chosen as the Alpha is the only reason they wouldn't guide the consummation night. You know how it works in the palace. There is a need for evidence that we mated as Alpha and Luna. If I was to show them the mark on you which is now old, they would know we as a mate were indulged in adultery. You know how crucial such a matter is. Luna cannot be someone with such a reputation. Your sister was already rejected by her mate but they never mated. What are you waiting for other than to accept your destiny?"

"Ragnar...what...what are you talking about? You promised me heaven and earth if we could make love for my power to be disseminated. I had done it out of love. We were chosen to be together by the moon goddess" I stammered, trying hard to make him understand how hazardous my life would turn out.

People knowing I was rejected and had been mated means I might end up as a mistress just like my mother who ended up dying mysteriously.

"Why did you choose to snatch Prince's mate after what we did to him? You know how much he loves Lyssa. Don't you have a conscience? How can you be so cruel?"

In a blink of an eye, he slammed me to the wall. His hands held my neck tight as I struggled to breathe. "Ragnar...please...get your hand off me!"

"Was my explanation not enough? Never mention what we did to Reece again. Never! I am also sparing your life because of the favor you did for me. You never expected me to marry a woman who was brought up like a slave"

"You are the concubine's son too"

He choked me harder. Slap!

I fell on the cold floor as I wiped the blood from my busted lips. My nose was bleeding too.

I looked at Ragnar, he was not remorseful a bit as he strained a gaze full of deep hatred. "I know you've always been jealous of your sister. You don't have to worry since she's not my mate, she won't be able to possess the power once we consummate. I am giving you a last chance to live. Walk away now and never let me set my eyes on you. Never!" he dismissed.

I crawled on my knees towards the entrance in fear. I could barely breathe as I continuously wheezed in pain. I was on the verge of fainting when I ended up in a strange route which led me to a very dark passage. I stepped over a stone and tumbled on the ground again.

I ran as fast as my feet could allow me.

I could hear the happy voices of the people as they laughed merrily.

It was supposed to be my day.

Another wave of misery washed through me as I continued to run. The moment I was out of the place, a masked woman on a horse appeared, straining her hands for me to take.

I was hesitant at first until I heard her voice. It was Lyssa's maid, Lusine. Even though she was the maid of my wicked step-sister, she was my only friend

Of course, we interacted secretly and she had severally helped me sneak out to meet Ragnar.

We embarked on a long journey while some strange men were still running after us. "We must kill her! I was informed that she's possessed with the Lunar invisibility power"

I assumed Ragnar instructed them to kill me because he was the only one who knew about it. Now, Lusine knows.

As I raised my head to the star-filled sky, the silvery rays of the moon enveloped me. My tears glistened in the moonlight, each drop tinged with anger, grief, and betrayal. Summoning the power of the moon goddess within me, I cried out in a voice filled with anguish and rage, a curse resonating from the very depths of my being: "Ragnar, by the power of the moon goddess, you shall never bear a child! Your consummation night shall be barren and unfruitful.

Luisine urged me to be strong and to hold on to her. She rode into the dangerous forest known to be the inhabitants of herbalists and spirits.

"I need to get you treated first before we can embark on our journey" She carefully dropped me and began to pull me into hiding. Thankfully, the horse cooperated and moved to the other side.

Once the soldiers got closer, they scanned the surroundings and retreated. Lusine breathed in relief and continued to pull me deep into the forest until we got to a small hut. "It belongs to a native doctor. You need to recuperate before leaving. Those people are ready to kill you. Let's get you treated. I told Mama about you before. I have to leave before they notice that I'm missing" She stared at me pitifully, tears visible in her eyes.

"You will be fine," she reassured, smooched my forehead, and knocked on the door.

As I struggled to remain conscious, an old woman opened the door, her face etched with concern. Lusine quickly stepped forward, guiding me to a nearby mat where I could rest.

"Don't worry, child. Everything will be alright," the old woman whispered, her voice was a soothing balm amid chaos.

Yet, her words were drowned out by the encroaching darkness, as I slipped into an exhausted slumber, my troubles dissolving into the night.

THREE DAYS LATER~~~~~~~

I tried to adjust my sight to the strange surroundings. My body moved with extreme discomfort and the old woman rushed to me. "Oh my! You are so strong. Your children will be proud of you" She smiled, her craggy skin glowing.

"What...what do you mean by my children?"

"You are pregnant my dear. No matter the circumstances, you need to be strong for the sake of your unborn children"

My heart swelled in anxiety as I recalled what happened that made me end up in this situation. Me and that bastard had planned to raise our kids with so much love that we didn't get.

Surprisingly, a faint smile stretched on my lips and disappeared again at the realization of her statement "What? It's not a child but children?!"

"Yeah. They are two..."

A knock interrupted her.

"It's me Luisine"

"It's time. She was here yesterday to pick you up, but you were still unconscious. You have to go now" The old woman pulled me up to meet Luisine at the door, and clutched a small bag in my hand.

"They are herbal medicine," She smiled.

I was still weak but could manage to walk on my own. "Thank you so much, mama" Luisine and I chorused appreciatively.

I haven't dissolved the news about my pregnancy and left it for later. I glanced at my stomach and grinned. "Where are we going to?"

"Is it what I am thinking?" Luisine asked in shock.

"It's enough reason for you not to go back. They are married a day after the coronation. I have secured a token for you. Besides, I have sent a message to my aunt who is living in the neighboring country. She will be waiting for you. A new life is what awaits you, Lyra. The people of Oceania are not as cruel when it comes to marrying a mated woman. Be strong for the sake of your unborn child," She advised.

"They are children according to Mama" I corrected her with a smile.

"For real?!" her eyes glowed happily and I nodded. "I'm so happy for you!" She screamed and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you so much for everything, Luisine. How would I end up if I hadn't known or trusted you? I love you so much!" I said, my eyes blurry with tears.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world, my lady. Don't even rethink it. Your kids are so lucky to have you" She smiled and held my hands as we walked through the forest.

"Thank you once again."

"Common possess me already. We will switch back when we get to a reserved room." She urged.

I possessed her, controlling her senses. The two of us in the form of one person, I growled in relief at a new beginning as I ran at extreme speed through the forest to the horse.

When we arrived at the port, we bribed the security who gave us a room after we'd passed the search teams. She kissed my forehead and handed me a scarf to cover my head as I entered the ship.

I waved at her until the ship was far away and I couldn't see her anymore. I sighed as tears finally fell. I sniffed indignantly and wiped my swollen eyes.

A tempestuous desire for retribution washes through me but I crushed it with the determination to face the life ahead.

Scars, like battle wounds, will forever remind me of the treachery I endured three days ago. I must embrace my strength and rise above the pain. But if we ever cross paths again, those who betrayed me should fear my wrath, for I will stop at nothing to make them pay for their sins.