Claimed by the Lycan King

Lyra's POV

Being the daughter of an Alpha is not as great as people think it is. People think it's special but it can be very hard and worse if you're despised by pack members. You have to behave a certain way, you're forever in the limelight when most times you just want to be left alone and people expect a lot from you.

I stood by my window in the pack house and watched as decorations were being hung. Omegas chattered while working and following the directions of Calantha, the head Omega.

The air was filled with a sense of urgency as they prepared for an event that was still a mystery to me because no one bothered to hint me in on what was happening and I wasn't a bit interested. I was hoping I wouldn't be involved in any drama today.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness creeping over me, which made me wish I was there amidst them, happy and working alongside them. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that I was fine without others, I still wanted to be a part of them.

I, Lyra Darko, was the daughter of Alpha Owen Darko of the Frostbite Pack. I should be loved by my father and mother but I wasn't. My mother was dead, and my stepmom, Luna Ophelia, and stepsister, Kaida, despised me. I'm so sure a part of them wished they could get rid of me.

I was relentlessly reminded of being a curse because my mother died after she gave birth to me. My father blamed me as well and I'm constantly maltreated but I have accepted this life long ago. The pack members weren't left out of my misery as they turned against me, cursing my very existence. Running away from the pack has regularly crossed my mind but that would only make me a Rogue.

Rogues were hunted by the werewolves and would end up as slaves or dead when found. They were believed to be exiled or banished wolves, a threat to the pack and they also lacked control.

From where I stood, I observed Calantha, who summoned me with a wave. But I motioned no to her. She frowned at my reluctance to come to her, and she waved more insistently this time.

I ignored her signals and turned towards my bed from the window side. I chose to retreat into isolation once more.

I exhaled loudly and sat on my bed. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the sounds of laughter and playful chatter coming from outside my room.

Why can't I be amidst them?

The rumours and whispers of the pack calling me an evil child who killed their beloved Luna.

I embraced their rejection, and it marked a turning point in my life, forcing me to confront the reality of my outcast existence within the Frostbite Pack. Regardless of my attempts to seek comfort among others throughout childhood, cruel words named me as evil at every turn. They considered me responsible for our dearly beloved Luna, my Mother.

Even other omegas expressed contempt for my appearance, a reminder that pain no time truly subsides with time but becomes something easier to bear instead as our scars grow numb through acceptance of what could not be changed despite intense yearning for a better fate.

I could only bear the whole thing and hoped to find my fated mate as soon as possible who would rescue me from the nightmare I had found myself in. I am very sure he would take me away from this place, give me a better life, and help me heal emotionally.

While I was brooding in the silence of my room, my door creaked open, and my stepmom stood by it and shouted in her commanding voice. Yanking me back to reality and immediately, I jolted up.

"Get dressed," she commanded.

"Why, what's going on outside, if I may ask, Luna?" I answered with my head bowed, staring at the floor.

I dared not call her mother ever since the incident with my stepsister, Kaida.

When we were little, I heard Kaida talking to her minions in the packhouse garden, "My father said Lyra is a bastard, she has no alpha's blood."

I pushed Kaida to the wall on hearing her call me a bastard and we got dragged to Luna Ophelia. She didn't care to hear my side of the story and slapped me hard because I called her mother when I tried to explain what happened. She told me instantly not ever call her mother again.

Ophelia took a deep breath, "I will condone your behaviour for today. I will not let you ruin my mood today for me," she said while I was still staring down.

Looking directly at Luna Ophelia in the eye always got me a stinging slap, and I had learnt the hard way never to look at her whenever she was talking, over the years.

"I want you to dress up and come out to welcome our guests. Your father is receiving some guests and it's very important things go well," she said eagerly as she left and shut the door.

I thought of what to wear as I started flipping through my stack of worn-out clothes. I occasionally got clothes Kaida was tired of wearing, Luna Ophelia in no circumstance got me anything new to wear. I picked out the manageable one and laid it out on my bed. I hurriedly rushed to take my bath and came out of the bathroom only to find Calantha by my bed, straightening the gown I had picked out earlier to wear.

"Child, why aren't you dressed yet? You know your father will be upset if you're late. Let's hurry up," she said, winking her eyes at me playfully.

"When isn't he ever angry when it comes to me, Calantha?" Saying those words left a bitter taste in my mouth. I walked towards the dresser.

"Why didn't you come down to help with the preparations?" She asked as she collected the comb, brushing out the knots in my hair.

I turned to her, "No one told me what's happening and moreover I just wanted to steer clear of any drama today. What's all the fuss about anyway?" I asked, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

She sighed wearily, "It's an important meeting, he's receiving a guest. You should be a part of it."

"We're both aware, no one wants me there," I muttered, my eyes as I tried to blink away the tears that filled my eyes.

"There, all done," her eyes softened in pity as she pressed a kiss to my head and moved to the bed, bringing my dress over to me.

"Get dressed, dear," she said as she turned to leave my room.

I knew not to test my Father's patience. Once I was done wearing the gown, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and smiled. I went down the stairs, Kaida, the Beta's mate and a pack warrior, met me on the stairs.

"Permit me to escort you out," he said, while Kaida scoffed and stomped down the stairs. I'm well aware all omegas despise me, especially Kaida's minions.

"Why can't you lock yourself up in a closet or something? Do you hads[p to show your face today?" Kaida sneered at me with disgust.

I rolled my eyes at her and muttered to myself, "God, I hate my life. Even the Omegas, who are at the bottom of the food chain, hate me. We are meant to stick together. Why me?"

On getting downstairs, Calantha, twirled me around in amusement and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, you look lovely!"

"In this?" I raised my eyebrows as she nodded.

"Yes," she confirmed, looking at me strangely. "Shut up and take the compliment, will you?"

I found myself dwelling upon memories from those early days when joy defined our lives before darkness arrived with its bitter pill toughened by years of abuse and resentful whispers echoing beyond his walls.

We got to the entrance, and I hurried over to where my father, Ophelia and Kaida stood next to Alpha Axel from the Wolfhaven pack and other Alphas I didn't recognize. Alpha Axel and the other Alphas were also here to see the guest I supposed. Seeing them means they were all meeting for an important pack business deal.

My father shot me a glare with piercing eyes, his jaw clenched in anger, Ophelia hissed lightly and Kaida smirked but I ignored them.

My gaze was fixed on the gate, my mind pondering who the guest was that had Alphas awaiting his arrival.

Lyra's POV

I watched in awe as a convoy of cars approached the pack house. My heart raced with excitement as I caught sight of these sleek, modern vehicles, unlike anything I had ever seen before and my curiosity grew more and more at that moment, as I wondered who the guest was and how influential he was.

A tall, imposing figure man with dark hair and a sharp jawline got out of the first car. One of the men in a suit opened the door for him. He gives off confidence and power making him so impossible to ignore. They walked towards us and stopped in front of us.

Suddenly, the air was filled with a strong, dominant aura, instantly I saw the omegas behind me trembling, lowering their gaze to avoid eye contact, the Alphas bowing their heads in submission to the powerful man, I alone stood tall amongst them, my back straightened, and my eyebrows arched in amazement as I fought the urge to submit to his aura, the reasons not clear to me probably because I found him handsome and I was almost daydreaming of me in his arms, I was eighteen already and my hormones are heightened. My father's voice jerked me back to reality.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" my father whispered, his eyes filled with fear. I turned to face him, confused and not sure what I did wrong exactly.

"Do you want to get us all killed? Bow down now," Luna Ophelia whispered as well and tugged my dress gently in an attempt to urge me.

I took the hint and bowed my head. A tall figure approached, his eyes dark with fury. To my surprise, my father stepped in front of me, blocking his path, something I never expected from him.

"Is this how you treat your guests here?' Alpha Darko's deep voice growled. He forcefully shoved my father aside, his movement swift and commanding. "Hold your ground!" he barked, his eyes flashing a warning. With a glare that sent shivers down my spine, he snarled, "Don't even think about standing in my way."

"Forgive her, Lycan Logan, I'm sure she meant no disrespect," he said with a trembling voice.

The moment I heard his name, I knew I was in trouble. Lycan Logan is the ruthless and feared Lycan in the werewolf world. His reputation for merciless dealings and brutal suppression of any opposition struck fear into the hearts of all. The mere mention of his name sent shivers down the spines of even the most courageous Alphas, including my father, who trembled with fear. I realized then why everyone was under his aura.

I knew I was in trouble. I could feel Luna Ophelia's eyes and gaze piercing me like a sword.

"You speak when you're spoken to, Darko," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Do you know what I do to those who speak out of turn? I cut off their tongues," he spoke to my father while looking at me.

He gestured to me, his words clipped and short, and my legs instantly moved in urgency to obey his order, as if I had been hypnotized.

"Raise your head," he commanded in his Alpha's voice.

I raised my head, and I found myself staring into his face. A few strands of black hair fell across his face. His eyes were wide with rage. I could feel his gaze burning into me. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, and I forced myself to hold his gaze. I had to be strong, and I had to show him that I wasn't afraid of him but it was hard to withstand him. His good looks and fierce anger are both captivating and unsettling at the same time. Why was admiring him this much?

"Name Yourself," he commanded with a deep voice, his eyes blazed with intensity and before I knew it, he already held my neck, cutting my air tube.

"Plea.... Let me go," I tried to shout, but it only turned into a whisper. My eyes started watering, and I struggled with him, scratching his arm as he held my neck.

"Do you think you can defy me?" He asked but I couldn't respond.

"I demand answers when I ask you a question," his face held anger as his grip on my neck tightened. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Am I understood?" I tried to nod, but it wasn't easy due to his grip. All I could manage was a small movement of my head.

"Good," he grinned slightly, letting go of my neck.

I fell to the ground, wheezing. I tried to calm my pounding heart and breathe slowly.

"I'm so sorry, for what happened, accept my apologies, the moon knows I've tried my best to rein her, but she's a devious thing, please accept my apologies," my father said bowing down in respect to the Lycan.

"I understand she's your daughter. I will be delighted to clip her claw and train her to my taste," he said.

Wait a minute, what does he mean by training me to his taste? What exactly is going on here? These questions ran through my mind as I ran a hand through my neck.

"I trust you will let us proceed into the Hall. We have a business to discuss," my father stated, his arms stretched in motion to the direction of the hall in the pack house. Before leading the Lycans, he turned to Calantha.

"Don't just stand there, clean her up, will you?" he shouts at Calantha, "Such a disgrace," shaking his head in disapproval and Ophelia hissed as she followed him.

"Let's get you cleaned up," she said, dragging me to my feet.

I could hear the giggles of other omegas and Kaida. I sneered at them and kept walking to my room.

"I don't understand why you keep defying your father at every turn. Can't you spare yourself the beatings, shame, and anguish?" Her eyes were filled with pity.

"I'll get you a pain reliever since you heal like a human," running her hands through my hair.

This is a normal occurrence that I have gotten used to over time. I don't get why they blame me for my mother's death. I didn't kill her. It was unfortunate that she died during childbirth.

I know my dad lost his mate, and the pack lost their Luna, but it's not my fault! I lost my mom too, and that hurts a lot. After I took some medicine to feel better, I decided to stay in my room. I'll stay here where it's safe. I don't need to go out there anyway. They think I'm useless and a disappointment. I sighed as the thought ran through my mind.

I closed my eyes, wishing the pain away when a knock on the door echoed through the room. "The Alpha requests your presence in the hall, immediately," the voice behind the door said, and walked away before I could respond.

I changed into a flowing dress and made my way downstairs to the gathering hall, where the meeting was being held. The hall was filled with the murmur of voices and tension, and I could feel all eyes on me as I entered. I met them in the middle of the discussion and took my seat beside my father on the right-hand side, an empty seat I knew was reserved for me. Luna Ophelia and Kaida sat on the left-hand side, their eyes fixed on me with contempt.

At first, I wasn't interested in whatever they were discussing. They kept talking about some gems, weapons, reinforcement, and strategies, passing papers around, and I continued to play with my fingers under the table. Then they started talking about the wedding, and I couldn't help but wonder whose wedding it was.

"This concludes our negotiation. I propose a toast..." he stood up, raising his glass to the air, "to prosperity, love, and allegiance," clicking his wine glass with others at the table and the Lycan. He bent and pecked Ophelia on the cheek.

"The wedding is tonight," Lycan Logan said in a tone that is low and intimidating.

"But..." My father tries to argue, but a look from the Lycan shuts him up.

"Of course, that settles it then. Tonight's the wedding," turning to address the crowd.

"My eldest daughter is to be mated to his royal Highness, spread the word," he announced to the crowd, turning to Calantha, "Make preparations quickly, the wedding's tonight!"

"Cheers to their union." The sounds of clinking glass, loud cheers, and howls filled the hall.

I stood up in shock. "What? No, I do not agree with this, Father."

Lyra's POV

The weird feeling I had all morning is happening now. My heart was beating fast because I remembered how mean he had been to me before. He tried to hurt me and wanted me to be submissive to him. But I'm not going to be his plaything. From what happened today, I can tell he's indeed a monster and incapable of loving anyone.

"Sit down and hold your tongue," Luna Ophelia snapped at me.

"Excuse me, what did you just say?" my father asked, shocked by my protest.

"I said no! I do not want to marry him. I want to marry someone who loves me, my fated mate. I won't marry anyone else, especially not him!" I looked straight at the Lycan, my voice firm. The people around us gasped in surprise. They didn't expect me to be daring.

"Who asked you to speak? You have no say in this. I will do as I please with you. I own you," my father shouted, attempting to slap me, but Logan intervened, stopping him. I was surprised at his action but that didn't stop me from replying.

"You have controlled my life from the beginning. I won't be used for your selfish desires this time. You do not own me." I said, clenching my fists. The crowd gasped again in surprise.

"You dare defy me and question my authority?" he growled. But a loud clap sounded in the hall.

"That was quite the performance. You are quite the actress," Logan said, laughing. "Not what I expected, but entertaining nonetheless."

The hall fell silent as everyone observed Logan's outburst. He was known for revelling in others' suffering, living up to his reputation. Despite this, I stood my ground, ready to be heard.

"Lycan Logan, she is just distressed," my father began but was interrupted.

"It's fine. She's feisty, and I love that. I will enjoy taming her, putting her in her place," Logan said, caressing my face as if it fascinated him.

"Are you willing to risk the lives of your pack and your father for your childishness?" he questioned, his gaze piercing into me. "What a joke," he sighed.

"Going back on your words means hell because Lycans hold onto words," he blatantly, turning to the frightened Alphas.

"And we are committed to fulfilling our promise to your Highness," an Alpha responded, bowing to the Lycan.

"Take her upstairs and prepare her for the ceremony," my father ordered.

Two guards grabbed my arms, dragging me out of the hall against my will. I struggled to break free from the guard's painful grip. For once I wished Luna Ophelia would come to my aid for once, I looked at her, and she grinned, finally, she was getting rid of me.

They shoved me into my room, slamming the door shut behind me. I collapsed onto the floor, wrapping my arms tightly around my legs, as I tried to understand why my own father was giving me to the ruthless Lycan. The thought of falling into his cruel hands sent shivers down my spine, and I trembled with dread, imagining the unspeakable things that awaited me in his pack.

"Mother, why did you leave me with these cruel people? You should have taken me with you," I cried out.

The soft turn of the doorknob made me freeze, my heart skipping a beat as I prepared for whoever was behind the door. The door opened, and Kayla, a familiar Omega, entered.

"I was instructed to bring this to you. You are to wear this dress for the wedding," she said, handing me the clothes.

"Oh," I whispered, not sure what to say.

I changed into the gown, accepting my role as the sacrificial lamb. I would never believe in such a short period of time my fate was about to get worse. I wished it was all a bad dream that would go away once I was awake.

I didn't bother to freshen up. I simply wore the gown, embracing my fate and waited for my father's minions to come for me. I took deep breaths, preparing myself for what was to come.

A few minutes later, one of Kaida's minions burst into the room, commanding me to get up. "Your fate is about to change, and not for the better," she sneered, dragging me out of the room.

"You're about to marry the brutal Logan, given away like a gift? Ah!" she mocked.

I rolled my eyes, resigned to my fate. I followed her to the wedding venue in the pack's backyard, where the ancient nuptial oak tree stood as the altar. The moon goddess had blessed the first mated couples under this tree while she was on Earth. There, one of the Frostbite Pack elders and the Lycan king awaited us.

My father, who was already waiting for me by the door, didn't hesitate to take my hand in his arm as he led me down the aisle. He didn't bother hiding his relief at finding a potential buyer; I suppose he's just as eager as the others to send me away. When we reached the end of the aisle, I stood in front of Logan as the elder instructed us to repeat after him.

"I, Lyra Darko of the Frostbite Pack, accept King Logan as my chosen mate," I said.

"I, King Logan of the Stormbringer Pack, accept Lyra Darko of the Frostbite Pack as my chosen mate," he said as well.

We were to mark each other after the vows. The mark is a bite on the neck that completes the full mating ritual, creating a link between chosen mates and binding them together. It is permanent; if they were to reject each other, they would experience the same pain as fated mates do, which is why marking during the mating ceremony is mandatory. The female was meant to mark first during the ceremony.

Immediately I heard the word "mark," panic set in, and my body shook uncontrollably with sweat. The word lingered in the air as I looked down at the crowd, expecting my wolf to emerge and complete the mating ritual. But I couldn't, as I had no wolf. I vividly remember my 18th birthday when I waited in my room, expecting my wolf to speak to me. Calantha had told me that I would hear a voice in my head that morning before transforming into a wolf at midnight, but that not once happened.

At first, I considered informing the Alpha that I hadn't transformed, but I decided against it out of fear of severe punishment, being called a weakling like my mother or being cast out to the mercy of rogues. Rogues are outcasted wolves who have lost their human side and have become wild, killing anything in sight. I thought they wouldn't care about my wolf, so I kept to myself that I was wolfless with an Alpha's blood.