Lyra's POV
Kiera didn't say anything as she pulled me through the crowd. But the tight grip she had on my arm said enough. People were staring. Whispering. Of course they were. My name had just been announced in front of the entire festival.I could practically feel the weight of their curiosity pressing against my back as we pushed forward.
"Lyra!"
Someone called my name from behind us. I ignored it. Right now, the last thing I wanted was to talk to anyone. Unfortunately, fate seemed determined to make that impossible. "There you are." My steps slowed immediately. My father stood a few feet ahead of us, his expression unreadable as always. Alpha Marcus Valen. Leader of Mooncrest Pack. And currently the last person I wanted to face.
Kiera released my arm instantly. "I should… probably go," she muttered awkwardly before slipping away into the crowd.
Traitor.
I forced myself to walk the remaining distance toward my father. "You wanted to see me?" He studied my face carefully. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then he nodded once. "Walk with me."
Great.
That sounded ominous. We moved away from the festival grounds together, the noise of the celebration slowly fading behind us. The further we walked, the quieter it became. I crossed my arms tightly.
"So," I said finally, unable to keep the irritation out of my voice,"should I congratulate you?" My father glanced at me. "For what?" "For successfully volunteering me for a political marriage I didn't agree to." His expression didn't change. "This alliance was necessary."
"Necessary for who?"
"For the pack."
Of course.
That answer didn't surprise me. It never did. We stopped near the edge of the forest, where the sounds of the festival had faded into a distant hum. My mother was already waiting there. Luna Selene Valen.
She looked as calm and graceful as always, her posture composed, her presence steady.
But the moment she saw me, concern flickered briefly in her eyes. "Lyra." I looked between them. "So it's true then." My father didn't hesitate. "Yes." The word hit harder than I expected. "You're actually going to force me into this."
"It is not a punishment," he replied calmly. "It feels like one." Silence stretched between us. My mother stepped forward slightly. "This decision was not made lightly," she said gently. I looked at her. "Did you agree with it?"
For a moment, she didn't answer. That hesitation told me everything. My father sighed quietly. "Selene." But my mother lifted her hand, stopping him. "No," she said softly.
"She deserves honesty." Her gaze returned to me. "I did not support the idea at first." Something in my chest tightened. "But," she continued carefully, "the situation between the packs has become complicated."
"That doesn't mean I should be sacrificed for it." "You are not being sacrificed," my father said firmly. "You're being used." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Mind your tone." I met his gaze without flinching. "You expect me to smile about this?" My mother stepped closer again.
"Lyra… listen to me." I reluctantly looked at her. "Your father believes this alliance will protect our pack," she said quietly. "And you?" Her expression softened. "I believe wolves should be with their fated mates." My father exhaled sharply. "We have discussed this already." "Yes," she replied calmly. "We have." Then her gaze returned to me.
"You may keep two wolves married in the eyes of the people," she said gently, "but their hearts will never truly belong to each other if they are not mates."
My chest tightened again. Those words sounded painfully familiar. I remembered hearing something similar earlier near the elders. My father crossed his arms. "This is not about romance." "No," my mother agreed softly. "It's about survival." Silence settled between the three of us.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Finally, I spoke again. "What if I refuse?" My father didn't hesitate. "You won't." My anger flared instantly. "You don't know that." "I do." "Why?" His gaze held mine steadily. "Because you understand your responsibility to this pack." The words felt like chains tightening around my chest.
Responsibility.
Duty.
Sacrifice.
All the things expected from the Alpha's daughter. I let out a bitter laugh. "You really think I'll just accept this?" My father didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked toward the distant lights of the festival. "Whether you accept it or not…" His voice remained calm.
"…the alliance has already been announced." The meaning behind those words sank in slowly. My stomach twisted. There were hundreds of witnesses. Pack leaders. Elders. Guests from neighboring territories. This wasn't something that could simply be undone. I felt trapped. My mother placed a gentle hand on my arm. "Lyra…" I pulled away slightly. "I need some air." Neither of them stopped me.
I turned and walked deeper into the trees, the cool night air doing nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. A forced marriage. A political alliance. And the worst part of it all… The man I had just been bound to was the same arrogant Alpha whose wolf had already claimed me.
Mine.
The word echoed again in my memory. I clenched my fists tightly. No. I refused to accept that. I would find a way out of this. Somehow. Because one thing was absolutely certain… I was not going to spend the rest of my life tied to Kael Draven.