The Rejected Mate's Path To Redemption

Lyra's POV

Today is a day all the wolves in Genovia had looked forward to immediately after the news of the late Alpha's death.

The Silver Moon's appearance day.

It occurs only when a new leader needs to be chosen by the moon goddess.

Considering the large population of the people which consisted of the country's indigenous citizens and various tribes that were captured during the times of war, not even a quarter of the wolves could attend. Only the Royal families, elites, Lords, and powerful men together with their relatives.

Even as a Lord's daughter, I wouldn't have been allowed to attend if not for Prince Ragnar, who had personally ordered my attendance.

"The Outcast Prince wants an outcast maiden, what a perfect match. Who knows...he might have been banging her nonstop" The maids in my father's villa had mocked me without knowing that I was Ragnar's mate and soon to be a Luna.

I had lived all my life under the shadows of my step-sister who is co-incidentally the mate of Prince Reece. Everyone praised her as the next Luna and mocked me for not being able to find my mate. Of the two Princes, my Ragnar was no doubt the most handsome, strongest, and wisest, but he was neglected because he was a traitorous concubine's son just like I am the mistress's daughter.

The humiliation we had endured in our lives made us grow stronger while relying on each other. Of course, without allowing anyone except Lusine to know about our relationship.

Even though we were outside, the place erupted into a cacophony of praise and admiration as the regal princes arrived at the front that looked like a stage, their noble stride befitting the descendants of Lycan royalty. As the crowd rose to their feet, infectious energy spread with a unified chorus, we chanted: "All hail, our Princes. May your reign be as majestic as the full moon, and your lineage as eternal as the stars!"

A faint sadness washed through me when I heard the majority of the people murmuring the other Prince's name without acknowledging my man. I waved off my despair by reminding myself that my Ragnar was surely the one who would be chosen as the Alpha.

A secret only between the two of us.

I smirked mischievously when I caught a glimpse of my step-sister as she hugged her mother tightly and said "Today is my day, mother. All my dreams will come through before your eyes"

If only she knows. I thought.

The harmonious chanting abruptly halted, and a chilling silence fell over the hall. In that moment, an inexplicable shiver seized my body, as if my soul were being shaken to its core. As a scream escaped my lips, piercing through the stillness, all eyes swiveled in my direction.

Two guards swiftly made their way toward me, their steps heavy with an air of authority. With a firm grip on each arm, they began to haul me out of the place, my desperate pleas for explanation falling on deaf ears.

"She was bound to act strangely on the Silver moon's appearance day when her mother had given her a name that was related to the moon." Lyssa hissed.

All of a sudden, a heavy wind blew, leaving the guards to free me. Everyone was about to escape when one of the Lords announced the appearance of the silver moon.

Everybody, including the Princes, fell on their knees and bowed.

From what I've heard, nobody can peek as the knees and head get glued once we bow. The position of the silver moon's light will then shimmer on the chosen Alpha. He will be able to stand up as he has been bestowed by the moon goddess.

It's unusual.

I sighed when I could feel my body moving, unlike the others. Probably because I was bestowed with a special ability by the moon goddess. I dared to raise my head to see the moonlight glow on my Ragnar.

We have succeeded.

My heart was swamped with happiness as my eyes glowed through the moon's reflections. I suppressed myself from screaming at the top of my lungs as I watched him stand on his feet. He was horrified, as he staggered backward, looking everywhere until our eyes met among the huge crowd.

I shook my head in approval and said in a low tone, "We did it"

Suddenly, he snatched his eyes from mine and growled loudly, "Arise, everyone!!"

I heard winces and gasps as people were murmuring that they truly couldn't feel their body movement a while ago. They were struck with reality when one of the Lords who looked bewildered announced, "Prince Ragnar is the chosen one. Bow to our new Alpha and give your pledge!"

Everywhere became dead silent because this wasn't what they were expecting. It had never happened in the history of Genovia that the son of a concubine who had betrayed the Royal lineage could rule.

There must be some misunderstanding! What is going on?! Who tampered with the Moon goddess' choice?

Everyone was asking themselves even though they could still see Prince Reece in the bowing position. He can only stand up with the assistance of the appointed Alpha, which is Ragnar.

The distinctive buzzes died down the moment Ragnar disappeared and possessed the body of one of the nearby Lords.

The crowd gasped in amazement.

Ragnar walked to the top path of the area while still controlling the Lord's body "No one has the right to challenge the Moon goddess except if you want to experience her wrath. I was bestowed with the Power of Lunar invisibility by her!"

'What? A power my the moon goddess!

He is the mightiest Alpha in the history of Wolves! No Royalty has been bestowed with that power since our creation!

I heard the only normal wolf that had the power was murdered when the people began to worship him!

The people hollered once again, horror and fear were visible on their faces.

I smiled in satisfaction. Things were going exactly the way we had planned. I snapped my head to Lyssa, expecting her to be on the verge of fainting. Instead, her face was glowing as she smiled widely. The conflicted expression on her mother's face was exactly the one on mine.

What has gotten into her?

Ragnar made himself visible and the Lord he possessed staggered backward. "You are all forgiven, but I wouldn't be merciful when my reign is questioned by any of you," he said in an authoritative tone.

I was proud of him.

The air was thick with an almost tangible sense of devotion as the crowd dropped to their knees, heads bowed in solemn deference. A collective murmur rose from their lips, an awestruck chorus of veneration. 'Long live, our Alpha! May your rule be as eternal as the night's sky and your wisdom as radiant as the stars!'

I peeped through half-lidded eyes the moment the golden crown which had brilliant moonstones reflecting through the moonlight was carefully placed on his head. He arrogantly sauntered towards the special golden throne and positioned his giant self on it.

It's our time to shine bright.

We were permitted to arise.

It was time for Luna to be announced. Luna is preferably considered to be his mate and I am his mate. I was surprised that Ragnar still hadn't helped Reece out of his bowing position.

I felt a wave of nausea.

Oh, not now when I have to go up there!

You can fall sick after this moment. I bit my lips and clasped my palms nervously.

"Bow down to our Luna Lyssa Valcovna!"

My heart dropped in dread as sweats poured out of my forehead. "Surely, I had heard the wrong name out of nervousness" I pinched my left wrist, heaved a deep sigh, and began to walk through the masses towards Ragnar's direction, but I froze on the spot when I saw my step-sister walking elegantly through another route to meet Ragnar.

She was a step away from him.

Pardon?! What does she think she is doing?

Then I saw the eldest counsel bow and attempt to place the crown on Lyssa. "I Toer, the eldest of the council, crown you as the Luna!"

No one dared to make a statement of her being Prince Reece's mate. I screamed like a mad woman as dread surged through me.

In the blink of an eye, I rushed forward and flung the crown away with the strength I could muster. "I'm the right Luna. The true mate of our new Alpha!" I screamed, breathing heavily as I watched the area erupt in a tidal wave of uproar.

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.

8 YEARS LATER~~~~

Lyra's POV

I wipe the sweat on my forehead and continue to wash the pile of clothes. I was rushing because I still had to go to the market to buy clothing materials.

After several years of learning how to make ladies' clothing designs, people were beginning to patronize me.

Oceania was a home of hospitality when we first migrated here, but they began to have a tiny tolerance for us Genovians because of Ragnar's strict marketing dealings with them after he ascended the throne.

The enmity was so fierce that those Genovians in the city were bombarded back home, but thankfully we were able to escape to this countryside. Even though we were subjected to heavy racism, it was still bearable.

I am delighted that we didn't give up because recently, the two countries decided to make a union through marriage.

Of course, I didn't get indulged in the gossip to know the Genovian Royalty the Princess of Oceania was getting married to. I was rather delighted because the situation was helping me to get customers, especially because their hunting festival was in two days and everyone in this village wanted a new dress.

"Mother, mother!" Juliana screamed, panting heavily as she ran towards me.

"Do you want me to spank you? You know Auntie is resting inside and you keep disturbing the area with your loud voice" I cautioned.

"Some scary soldiers took Julian away to the palace because he caught a boar!"

"Did he go to the forest again? I told him that we have enough money for tonight's food" My heart dropped.

"Yes, mother. They are not from the village...."

"What are you still waiting for?!" Some women from the neighborhood bagged into our small compound. "They are soldiers from your country. Who knows...they might spare your son. One of them mentioned taking him to their Alpha!"

"I heard that their Alpha is here to celebrate the hunting festival with us. He was known to disrespectfully summon leaders, but he had traveled here just to impress our Alpha to marry our Princess. Their soldiers have been touring our country for the past week. They would want to train your son as their soldier after they witness what he caught. Even though I was surprised, I still can't believe that he is the same age as my son...."

I wobbled backward as their voices began to sound far away. My body felt exceptionally cold, body shivering in fear as I ran like a mentally disturbed woman. "Don't go outside unless you don't want to see me again!" I growled in a shaky voice at Juliana and wiped my soapy hand on my clothes. She scurried into the house before I could pull her forward.

Lusine's aunt, my greatest savior, yawned continuously as she walked towards me, eyebrows creased in worry "What is going on?"

"I need to meet up with those soldiers before they get to the palace. You see the reason why I never wanted him to leave the house? He has gotten me in trouble" I lamented, on the verge of crying.

Without waiting for her response, I pushed the rickety door and frantically searched for my purse, hands trembling as fear gripped me.

I opened it, and tears almost fell from my eyes. The money I was supposed to use to buy materials will have to go for renting a horse.

The journey to the place I would rent a horse was about three hours. I would have preferred transforming into my wolf, but I would get easily exhausted when I haven't eaten since morning. I had been working throughout. All because I don't want my kids to starve.

I dashed out of the house as the tears I had been trying hard to hold for years began to fall freely. My painful days flashed through me, causing an awakening to my body system. All my hard work would be in vain the moment the soldiers familiar with my ex-mate set their eyes on my son. My son is an extreme replica of Ragnar while my daughter is a copy of me. Julian possesses the exact similarities to his father, stubbornness, hunting skills, and huge stature. He looks ten even though he was just seven years old.

God knows I had tried to grow his hair to give him a different look, but it just wasn't working.

Anyone who had seen the two of them wouldn't think twice before saying that they were related, and I would rather die than let that vicious being claim my kids as his. The thought of that made my body boil in rage. I growled in annoyance at my assumption and shifted into my whole wolf form, running at full speed.

Within an hour, I got to the livery stable, but someone else had rented the horse for three days. I thought the owner was being racist until he swore with his life that it was only one horse used for his business. What's worse is that he is the one who runs a livery stable business here.

How unfortunate.

I couldn't risk wasting one more hour.

Feeling dejected, I stopped at a food vendor to eat. The other customers looked at me weirdly as I aggressively stuffed the food in my mouth. I heard someone mocked, "She looks like a foreign beggar."

Considering my situation, I wouldn't care about eating, but I had to because my wolf might collapse on the way. My weak self might also not be able to summon my invisibility power if I find myself in a desperate condition.

Once I felt energized, I embarked on my journey through the route I knew might be the easiest way to the palace. I was not familiar with locations in Oceania because I had lived in hiding, not wanting anything to get people's attention. According to the people, it takes a day and a half to get to the palace if the horse is at high speed.

Without allowing anything to weigh me down, I began my journey, praying to the Almighty to let this route I was about to take be the same place the soldiers took.

Like a pack of wolves on the hunt, I ran tirelessly through the shadowy forest, my paws beating a steady rhythm on the forest floor. The night was a blur of speed, the wind whipping through my fur as I navigated the darkness with my keen sense of smell.

As dawn broke through the trees, the exhaustion of the chase settled deep in my bones. Slowing to a halt, I caught the first rays of sunlight, my eyes aching from the sudden change in light.

I had taken the longest route and now it's morning.

I almost broke down as another wave of tears clouded my eyes at the realization that I had almost a day left before getting to the palace. I could not go back again to pass the other route.

Besides, which of those villagers would trust me with their clothes again, before I could succeed in getting my boy back, it would take us roughly a day to get back, and they would have been done with their hunting festival.

With the single-minded focus of a mother seeking her child, I forged ahead, undeterred by the scorching sun of the desert or the treacherous twists and turns of the terrain.

As I navigated the rugged landscape, my thoughts were filled with the image of my son, his face etched in my mind as a beacon of hope. The biting cold of the desert nights, the hunger pangs in my belly, and the relentless thirst for water were merely obstacles on my quest, quickly forgotten as I kept my sights on the horizon.

Finally, my second night on this journey. I winced in pain at the wound on my left arm. I was shivering terribly as blood rushed out but I couldn't bring myself to give up.

As my gaze lifted from the dusty ground, the sight of the distant royal camp brought a flicker of recognition to my tired eyes. Even from afar, I could hear the lively chatter of servants bustling about and the echoes of soldiers' orders ringing through the air.

Despite the familiar scene, my heart pounded in my chest. The camp seemed both a sanctuary and a reminder of all that I had left behind. Yet, as I pressed forward, I knew that my son was somewhere in that camp.

The Royal family had settled there for tomorrow's hunting festival.

I moved to a corner of the hill in an attempt to treat myself with some herbal leaves I cut on my way. The moment I settled on a clear space, I heard footsteps.

I froze on my spot when it got closer.

"I'm very sure that I heard someone groaning in pain," the tiny voice insisted and then showed up before me.

The petite lady dressed in a beautiful uniform staggered in fear. Suddenly, she creased her brows like she just got a hint of recognition. She looked shocked as she stared at me pitifully, "Why are you looking like this, my Princess?" She cried out and covered her mouth. "Were you trying to escape from marrying the Alpha of Genovia?!"