Her Chosen Mate

Lyra's POV

The moon was blood-red the day a powerful Alpha was murdered-Serene Moon, the leader of the most outstanding pack in the northern part of Norway. She was fierce, strong, and she was my mother.

I had just returned from my lonely walk to the garden, secluded in the farthest corner of our marked territory. As I made my way back, I couldn't ignore the glares my kind shot at me. They hated me for what they believed was forbidden. I was the only one who possessed the trait the prophecy had foretold could bring about the end of our pack-red irises.

I brushed off the side of my dark brown, knee-length dress, straightening the folds from leaning so close to the ground to pluck the fine roses my mother loved. We used to pick them together, since I was like an outcast in my pack. I had no friends, no one to talk to except my mother, who had tried many times to shed light on their false beliefs. I had once hoped my mate would be from my pack, but that dream had long since faded.

My mother had been my strength, and I had never imagined her end would come so soon.

I was in the middle of the town when I heard the sound, heavy footsteps, not like the kind from a man with six-pack abs and a strong build. No, it was the kind that signaled evil was near. I was able to hear it because I was not only born with red eyes; I also had the ability to hear and sense danger.

The sound was coming from a familiar path, one I had walked countless times. The moment I realized it was coming from our mansion, the only place in Moon Pack fortified with protective barriers, iron gates, and a reinforced front door, dread filled my chest. I quickened my pace, causing the few people around me to part, as they usually did, thinking I would hurt them. But at that moment, nothing else mattered.

The footsteps grew louder, like a screeching warning that sent my ears ringing and my pulse racing. I knew danger was close. Suddenly, there was silence, an eerie stillness.

I was almost at the mansion when I heard my mother's scream.

I pushed through the iron gate and ran, my legs aching from the effort. I burst through the door, and my wolf senses flared. A figure dressed entirely in black stood over my mother, who was lying on the floor, blood flowing from her stomach and neck.

"Mom!" I cried, rushing toward her. In the split second it took for me to reach her, the figure fled through the window.

"Mom, please don't leave me." The tears that fell from my eyes hit the ground like tiny red crystals. I cradled my mother in my lap, desperately searching for signs of life, but it was too late. She was gone, and I was alone.

"No, no, no," I sobbed, my head aching as my wolf senses surged, and a strange power rose up inside me. My body became electrified, and with one last cry, the entire living room was covered in red light. I had never been so terrified. My mother always told me I was special, but I never believed her-until now. I was shaking, scared beyond belief, and then I heard his voice.

"Lyra, what have you done?"

I turned immediately, my senses returning. I felt as though I would die along with my mother. But when I saw my stepfather and stepbrother standing in the doorway, I knew things could only get worse.

"You killed her," Thanos, my stepbrother, snarled as he rushed toward me, pulling me away from my mother.

My hands were covered in blood, my clothes soaked with it. I watched as my stepfather checked for signs of life in my mother, searching her pulse and eyes. When he realized she was gone, he growled in my direction, his teeth bared.

"You stupid girl, you killed the Alpha," he spat. "You killed my wife."

I struggled to stand, shaking my head furiously. "I didn't, I swear!"

"You didn't what?" Thanos growled, shoving me hard against the oak table. Pain surged through my body as I collided with the solid surface. But that wasn't enough for him. He picked me up from the shattered remains of the table and slammed me against the nearest wall. "Why did you kill my mother, you witch?"

"I didn't do it! Someone dressed in black did. He ran away through-" I tried to explain, but nothing I said would matter.

"Lyra, I've always known you were cursed. Even now, after your mother's death, you still have the nerve to lie," Frederick, my stepfather, shouted. His voice was filled with pain, but did he ever stop to think how much I was hurting?

"You'll pay for this," Thanos growled, shoving me once more, not caring if I hit something that could kill me. He rushed to my mother's lifeless body, lifting her in his arms and carrying her out the door.

Frederick grabbed me from the floor, my body aching, the physical pain beginning to rival the emotional one. He dragged me behind him, ignoring my pleas as I begged him to believe me.

"Please, Father, I didn't do it," I cried as he pulled me toward the town center.

By the time we arrived, people were already gathering. Their anger was palpable, their eyes filled with hatred. Without even knowing the truth, they were ready to condemn me.

Frederick stopped in front of the Alpha's meeting chamber, the place where my mother used to address her people. He threw me to the ground in front of the snarling wolves, then walked up to speak.

"I am deeply sorry to bring this news, but the Alpha is dead," he shouted. "The prophecy has been fulfilled. I warned Serene, but she believed that the love of a mother was stronger than anything else. And now, it has cost her life. Lyra killed Serene, just as the prophecy foretold."

The growling intensified, the urge to tear me apart visible in their eyes. I didn't speak. I didn't try to defend myself. There was no point. I had always known my fate, even before all this. They would never accept me, and now, they had the excuse they needed to kill me.

"She must die!" they shouted. "We can't keep her here! She's a danger to the pack!"

"Calm down, everyone," Frederick called out, silencing the crowd. "We will deal with her, but we will follow the proper procedures to rid ourselves of this cursed one in our midst. But for now, let us bury the Alpha."

Tears blurred my vision as Frederick ordered the guards to take me to the dungeon. Two men grabbed me roughly, dragging me to the dark corner of the town where the dungeon was hidden. They tossed me inside without a second thought.

Few minutes after the tears in my cheek had dried off leaving me in a desolute mood with sadness and anger surging through my vein, the pain in my body was much and my heart aches as the memory of my mom filled my thoughts.

I sat there, staring blankly at the cold, damp wall, wondering what fate awaited me. I heard rustling of keys, I looked up and saw two men entered the dungeon, unlocking the iron bars and yanking me to my feet. Without a word, they dragged me from the cell.

They hauled me toward the center of the pack, where my stepfather sat waiting. His cold glare pierced through me, and I knew instantly what my fate would be. I lowered my gaze as I was shoved to my knees before them. Tears streamed down my face, but I didn't bother to offer any words in my defense. Nothing I said would change their minds.

"Today, we rid ourselves of the curse that has plagued us for too long," Frederick snarled, drawing the sacred weapon, the same one my mother had once used to defeat enemy packs.

He raised the blade above my head, its sharp edge gleaming in the eerie glow of the moon. The blood-red moon, now streaked with white, bathed us in its light. I closed my eyes, bracing for the end.

But then, there was a rustling sound, followed by a deep, commanding voice.

"Stop."

The voice cut through the tension like a blade, and I dared to open my eyes. Frederick's hand faltered, his eyes gleaming with shock as he turned toward the source of the voice. The authority in it was unmistakable.

He walked closer, the sound of his footsteps resonating on the ground, echoing with a chilling familiarity, the same movement I had sensed from the person who killed my mother.

My heart raced as his presence filled the space, powerful and commanding. Every step sent a wave of dread through me, but I didn't dare lift my head. I was too afraid of what I might see.

"Lower your weapon," the voice commanded, cold and unwavering.

Frederick hesitated, his grip tightening on the sacred blade. "Who are you to come here and try to stop me?" he growled, his voice strained with frustration.

The man took a step closer, his presence commanding, as the rest of the pack members snarled, ready to attack. But he didn't flinch or show any sign of fear. "I am Lucian, Alpha of the Blackwood Pack."

Frederick's eyes widened in shock, and I could feel the sudden tension rippling through the pack. Lucian's name held power, and it was clear they recognized it.

Without hesitation, Lucian reached down and grasped my hand, pulling me to my feet. My breath hitched as I stared up at him. He was tall, his dark hair brushing his shoulders, and his eyes glowed with a strange intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Power radiated off him in waves, and it was clear, this was not a man to be crossed lightly.

"She comes with me," he said, not even glancing in my direction. "Let me handle her and show her what it means to be rejected."

"No! I want her dead for killing my mother," Thanos growled, lunging forward. But Frederick grabbed him, pulling him back as the rest of the pack gasped.

"Leave her with him," Frederick said with a cruel grin, flashing a look of hatred in my direction. "I'm sure she won't survive a day."

"I don't think I need to say something any more," Lucian replied coolly, tightening his grip on my wrist and pulling me away. The force of his hold made my body ache, but I endured it; it was better than being killed in front of people who despised me.

We got to the car and he let go of my hand, tears rolled down my eyes. I didn't know how I could thank him enough for saving me, he stared at me his eyes peering deeply into mine.

"Thank you for saving me," I mumbled, feeling a surge of gratitude. But he looked away, frowning as though he regretted his decision.

He opened the door. "Get in the car." Moving to the driver's side, he glanced back at me. "Don't thank me. I didn't save you for gratitude. You're better off as a slave to me."

Slave? The word echoed in my mind, sharp and painful. This couldn't be happening...but before I could process it, his hand gripped my arm and shoved me into the car, slamming the door shut.

I wanted to beg him to let me go. I couldn't be a slave. But the words caught in my throat. I sat there, silent and numb, as the car drove away from my pack, my memories slipping further and further away with each mile.

"You'll do great things, Lyra. Once you find your mate, he will share your rare traits...red irises," my mother's voice echoed in my mind.

My eyes snapped open as the car came to a halt. Lucian opened the door and pulled me out, and I found myself standing before a mansion. Dark, ancient, and grand, it loomed over the landscape. I'd never known such a place existed until this very moment.

Lucian pushed me forward, leading me up the stone steps and through the heavy iron doors, which creaked open under his touch. The interior was colder than the night air outside, filled with dark tapestries and flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. Every step echoed in the vast halls as he guided me deeper into the castle, each room more imposing than the last.

"Where are we?" I whispered, my voice swallowed by the silence.

"This is my home," he replied without looking at me, his tone as cold as the stone walls surrounding us. "And now, it's yours."

He stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and opened it, motioning me inside. The room was dimly lit, with a narrow bed, a rough wooden table, and a small window barely letting in any moonlight. It was barren but somehow felt more secure than anywhere else I'd been in the past few hours.

"You'll stay here," Lucian said. "Your duties start tomorrow."

My heart pounded. "What...what duties?"

He looked at me, his eyes cold. "You'll learn that soon enough."

With that, he turned and shut the door, leaving me alone in the dark room. I sank onto the bed, my mind racing. Everything I'd known, my mother, my pack, my freedom, was slipping away. Now, I was alone in a strange place, at the mercy of a man who viewed me as little more than property.

The door swung open, and I looked up hastily to see a woman dressed in a white blouse and black apron. She offered me a tentative smile.

"What's your name?" she asked as I slowly rose from the bed, my body still aching.

"Lyra Moon," I mumbled, my voice weak and barely audible.

"Lyra, I'm Bethany." Her voice quivered slightly, and she quickly looked down. "The Alpha asked me to show you around the mansion and get you some fresh clothes."

I was tempted to ask if she was a slave, too, but I held back. There was no point. I stood up and followed her out of the room. The hallway was dimly lit, lined with towering portraits of somber faces and tapestries that seemed to absorb every bit of sound.

Bethany led me through the winding corridors, her footsteps barely making a sound on the stone floors. The vastness of the mansion overwhelmed me; the air was heavy with age, filled with the scent of old wood and burning candles.

"This place used to belong to the Alpha's family for generations," she murmured as we walked. "Not many people know it exists."

We stopped in front of a door, and Bethany opened it, revealing a small room filled with folded clothes and various supplies. She handed me a fresh set of clothes, a simple tunic and leggings in a muted gray, and gestured for me to change.

I changed into the clothes and Bethany led me up a narrow stairwell that spiraled to a higher floor. "There's something you should know about the Alphas who live in this mansion," she said quietly, glancing over her shoulder as if afraid someone might overhear. "Alpha Lucian can be a bit kind, though he's not forgiving. But don't ever go near or have anything to do with his brother, Varg. He's a fighter and couldn't care less about your feelings."

I gulped. If Lucian, the ruthless Alpha, was considered "kind," I could only imagine what his brother must be like. I wanted to ask her what my fate would be, but fear kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to hear what might feel like a death sentence.

Her words sent a chill through me, but I nodded, absorbing every warning she gave. We continued up the stairs until we reached a set of heavy double doors.

Bethany pushed them open, revealing Lucian sitting in a large, throne-like chair with a bottle of liquor on the table before him. He held a glass with a small amount of the drink swirling inside.

The moment he saw me, his gaze swept over me from head to toe, assessing. Then, he gestured for Bethany to leave.

Varg POV

"Varg!" the crowd chanted as I stepped into the ring. Two brunettes standing nearby took off my black, sleeveless jacket. I eyed the man across from me, tall, broad, with a round belly and thick, strong arms. I scoffed at his appearance; this wasn't the opponent I had expected.

I wanted a real challenge, someone stronger. Seeing this man as my opponent made me wonder if the manager who set up this fight was mocking me or doubting my winning streak. Despite having won nearly thirty matches since I'd started fighting in this underground arena, they still had the nerve to pick an opponent like this.

"You little whelp, I'm going to put you in your place with the rest of those fools who brought you here," the man growled, giving off the same hostile energy I felt.

I didn't respond. As much as I wanted to put him in his place with a few words, I figured it'd be better to let my actions speak. I cracked my knuckles, my red eyes blazing with a fire I was more than ready to unleash.

"Let the game begin," one of the brunettes announced, flicking a playful wink at the guy. He was momentarily distracted by her smile, which was clearly his weakness. I used that moment to lunge forward, slamming my fists into him while he fumbled to get a grip on me.

That was my technique, strike while they're distracted, and if they're not, find their weak spot. The fight was intense, with punches and blows flying. Sweat started to pour down my body, every muscle pushing harder than I'd thought possible. Ever since a new Alpha challenged my parents killing them, my brother and I left the Moon Pack. It was after then that I realized I possessed a power that felt overwhelmingly potent. My uniqueness was significant, and I knew exactly how to wield my abilities to get what I wanted. I didn't give a damn about anyone's opinions or comments.

My brother, Lucian, was my opposite in every way, though he liked to claim he was powerful. He went to great lengths to establish himself as a strong, dangerous presence, but I knew his weakness. Everyone has one. My thoughts drifted to last night when I saw Lucian walk in with a girl. Lucian wasn't the type to keep women around unless he wanted something from them, usually just pleasure. But the girl doesn't look like one of his call girl, she was definitely scared.

What's he up to? The question lingered in my mind as I balled my fist and aimed it at my opponent. He dodged and struck me in the back. It was the first time I'd let an opponent get so close, what was I even thinking?

Biting my lower lip, I growled in rage, clenching both hands into tight fists and delivering a rapid, brutal series of blows until he was down, almost lifeless on the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers as I raised my fists in victory. I was the winner, always and forever. I spread my arms, and the two brunettes slipped my jacket back on before I strode out of the ring, heading toward the manager's office to collect my ten thousand bucks.

"Varg, congratulations. You won as always," Parker, the assistant manager, said, trying to keep pace with me. But I grabbed him and shoved him against the nearest wall. I could hear his heartbeat racing, and I enjoyed the fear in his eyes.

"Why did you set me up against that round-bellied fool?" I growled, glaring at him. "Can't you find anyone capable of standing up to me?"

"I-I'm sorry," he stammered, sweating and nearly shaking. "I thought he was strong enough to match you."

I scoffed, releasing him before continuing toward the manager's office. Hearing his words of apologies only pissed me off.

I walked into the manager's office, barely taking in the dim lights and crowded shelves stacked with files and boxes. My eyes fixed on the man sitting behind the desk, a lean, wiry figure with sharp eyes that gleamed in the low light. He didn't bother standing up when I entered, probably too used to the inflated sense of power he felt in his own domain.

"Varg," he greeted, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. "Another win. You're becoming predictable."

"Ten thousand, as agreed," I said, not in the mood for small talk.

The manager slid a thick envelope across the desk, and I snatched it up, counting the bills quickly. "Don't waste my time next round," I said. "I want a real opponent. Someone worth my time."

"Believe me, Varg," he replied smoothly, lacing his fingers together. "Your next opponent will be one you won't forget."

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me. "I heard your brother's been up to some dirty shit, you better watch his ass. Before he bit the tail of an angry wolf?"

I froze, my fingers curling into a fist at my side. "Stay out of my family's business," I growled, shooting him a cold glare.

He shrugged, unfazed. "Just an observation, Varg. Nothing more."

Leaving the office, I pushed open the heavy door and stepped out into the cool night air, letting it wash over me. My mind went back to Lucian, to the girl he'd brought to the mansion. It didn't sit right with me. Lucian wasn't one to involve outsiders unless he had a purpose, and whatever his reasons, they were bound to be dangerous.

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought, but something gnawed at me. If Lucian was bringing in someone from outside, there had to be more to it than he was letting on. I slid into my car, turned the key, and the engine roared to life. Pulling out of the parking space, I merged onto the main road, the city lights blurring past as my mind raced.