Chapter 3 Three

I sighed, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I didn't find him, Andy. I didn't find my mate."

He came over and sat down beside me, putting a comforting arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry, Lyra. You will find him. You just have to keep looking."

I leaned into him, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. Kael always knew exactly what to say to make me feel better. We sat there in silence for a moment, watching the sun set through the window.

"Hey, Lyra?" Kael said finally. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," I replied.

"Do you really believe in the whole mate thing?" Kael asked, looking at me curiously.

I thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know, Kael. I want to believe that there's someone out there for me, but sometimes I wonder if it's all just a myth."

Kael nodded thoughtfully. "I know it's real, Lyra. I think you'll find your mate when the time is right." I smiled, feeling a sense of hope. Maybe Kael was right. Maybe I just needed to be patient and trust in fate.

That night, as I lay in bed, my mind raced with thoughts of the previous night's mate ceremony. I couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment and frustration. Why hadn't I found my mate yet? As I tossed and turned, I couldn't get comfortable. My body felt restless, my mind anxious. I knew I needed sleep, but it eluded me.

Finally, after what felt like hours, I drifted off into a fitful slumber. But it was short-lived, as I was awoken by the sound of my father's voice outside my door. "Lyra, wake up. The pack elders have made an announcement."

I groggily got out of bed, still trying to shake off the sleep. What could the elders possibly want to announce? When I entered the main hall, I saw the entire pack gathered around. The elders stood at the front, their faces stern. "Lyra, daughter of our alpha," one of them began, "we have decided to take matters into our own hands. A private ceremony will be held, where top-ranking warrior males will fight for the right to be your chosen mate."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. What? No, this couldn't be happening. "You can't be serious," I stammered, trying to process what I was hearing.

The elder's expression remained unyielding. "We are completely serious, Lyra. This is the only way to ensure the pack's future."

I felt a wave of shock wash over me, followed by anger and fear. How could they do this to me? Didn't they trust me to make my own decisions? As the pack began to murmur and whisper among themselves, I stood there, frozen in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. I wouldn't let it.

When I looked around at the determined faces of the pack elders, I knew I had no choice. My fate was being decided for me, and I was powerless to stop it. I stood there, my mind reeling with thoughts and emotions. How could they do this to me? Didn't they trust me to make my own decisions? I felt like a pawn in their game, a mere prize to be won.

The pack elders continued to explain the details of the ceremony, but I tuned them out. I couldn't bear to hear it. My heart raced with anxiety and fear. What if I didn't like the winner? What if he was cruel or heartless? I thought of Allison and Andrew, my best friends and confidants. They would never approve of this. I had to find a way to stop it.

As I looked around at the pack, I saw the determination in their eyes. They would not be swayed easily . I was trapped.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I went through the motions, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake the feeling of unease and dread. I made my way back to my room, feeling defeated and helpless. I flopped onto my bed, burying my face in my pillow.

Why was this happening to me? I had always tried to do the right thing, to follow the pack's traditions and rules. But now, it seemed like none of that mattered. I thought of my father, the alpha. I believed that he would never approve of this but he was nowhere to be found. I was alone in this fight.

I knew I had to come up with a plan. I couldn't just sit back and let the pack elders dictate my future. I had to take control.

But how?

I lay in bed, still trying to process the announcement made by the pack elders. I couldn't believe they would do this to me, force me to participate in a ceremony where I would be given to some warrior male like a prize. Just as I was starting to calm down, I heard a knock at the door. From his scent, I knew it was my father, the alpha. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, thinking that he would be here to tell me that it was all a mistake, that he wouldn't let them do this to me.

As he entered the room, I saw the look on his face. It was a look of resignation, of defeat. "Lyra, I know you're upset," he said, sitting down beside me. "But I have to tell you, I agreed to this."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. My own father, the one person I thought would always be on my side, had betrayed me. "You what?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I agreed to the ceremony," he repeated. "I think it's for the best, Lyra. You need a strong mate to help you lead the pack."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.