Lyra ’s Footsteps echoed down the hallway, each one measured and deliberate.

With each step, she inched closer to confirming the rumors swirling around the Alpha King.

Pausing in her tracks, she gazed at the massive window, where the full moon illuminated the world outside, casting eerie shadows across the dark and quiet hallway.

She took a deep breath, fixing her shawl, and summoning her courage before pressing onward, her determination unwavering. She had one goal in mind–to uncover the truth about her Alpha.

“L-Luna, what are you doing here? I-I specifically warned you not to leave your chambers during the full moon,” The butler, who had just emerged from the room at the end of the hallway and locked it, stammered in panic.

Concern and fear were evident on his slightly wrinkled face.

“I’m sorry for not listening. It’s just that I think it’s unfair that I’m ignorant of my mate’s condition. I want to see for myself what kind of curse he’s really under, that way… I could understand him better.” Lyra explained, moving closer to the room but the butler blocked her.

She could swear she heard a faint sound of chains rattling and rustling inside, accompanied by unsettling groans that made her shudder.

“But it’s too dangerous... And the Alpha King will surely punish me for allowing you to see him in his current state.” He attempted to steer her away from the door, but she wouldn’t budge.

His hands trembled and his heart raced in his chest.

He was well aware that Luna was right, but it did little to calm his nerves because

she was in a place she shouldn’t be.

“It’s alright. Trust me, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” Lyra said with a reassuring smile, her eyes shining like brilliant emeralds.

She held out her hand, her fingers reaching out as if to grasp something precious.

“Just hand me the key, I’ll unlock that door myself.”

The butler’s eyes locked onto Lyra ’s outstretched hand, his throat tightening with a mix of emotions.

A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but he knew deep down that he couldn’t stand in her way.

Reluctantly, he surrendered the key, a nagging feeling tugging at his gut, urging him to have faith in her.

“Please, keep the Alpha King contained in this room,” he pleaded with a tremble in his voice.

“And don’t get too close to him where he could reach you, or else he’ll rip you to shreds.”

Lyra couldn’t deny the twinge of fear that crept up when those words reached her ears.

But she had to keep her cool, for now, she was the chosen mate of the Alpha King, and the Luna of the Royal Pack.

Revealing her fears would be an unwise move. So, with a graceful nod, she took a confident step forward, causing the butler to scurry away like a startled mouse.

Lyra took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest but with steady hands, she lifted her arm and gently slid the key into the ornate keyhole.

In that very instant, the air around the palace seemed to come alive.

The breeze grew stronger, the trees rustling with urgency as if a pack of ferocious wolves were surrounding the castle walls.

Lyra closed her eyes for a fleeting moment, allowing her mind to steady itself.

And when she opened them again, a fierce determination sparkled in every corner of her gaze, ready to face whatever she would see inside.

With a swift turn of the key, the lock clicked, and she pushed it open, the heavy oak doors creaking as they swung inward.

She then stepped inside and closed the doors behind her.

In the dimly lit room, she stood motionless, her senses on high alert.

Suddenly, the sound of chains rattling pierced the silence, causing her to flinch.

Her gaze shifted to a few paces away, where the tyrant

Alpha King knelt, his wrists chained and bound to the stone walls. His black long hair and silk robe, once regal, now hung disheveled, revealing his sculpted chest and torso.

The scars from countless battles adorned his tanned skin, adding a rugged charm to his already intimidating aura.

Lyra couldn’t help but feel something strangely captivating about him in this vulnerable state.

The rough stubble on his jawline only enhanced his allure, making him appear even more attractive and dangerous than usual.

“Do you have f*ck*ng death wish?” he growled,his fiery red eyes glaring up at her, sending shivers down her spine.

Her blood ran cold and sweat drenched her neck and back, making it difficult to breathe.

Her legs wobbled beneath her as if her muscles turned jelly. In fact, the entire room seemed to spin around her as dizziness overcame her.

But she endured it all and kept herself calm.

“LEAVE!”

Lyra’s heart skipped a beat as she swallowed hard, mustering up the courage to take a single step forward.

But just as she did, Alpha Kian’s bloodlust surged through the air, engulfing her like a raging wildfire.

Her trembling legs instinctively stepped backward, but she refused to leave.

Instead, she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and straightened her posture, meeting the Alpha’s intense gaze head-on, trying her best to fight his command despite the toll on her body.

“No, I will stay.” Lyra declared, taking one step forward, “Why do you keep pushing me away? I am your Luna, and we both know that you need me—we need each other to survive.”

At that exact moment, a flood of memories washed over her, replaying all the events that had led her to this very situation.

***

FOUR MONTHS EARLIER…

The Incarnadine Pack House was alive with energy, a flurry of activity as the servants bustled about, rearranging furniture and adorning the grand halls with dazzling decorations.

There was an air of anticipation, for tonight marked a momentous occasion–the engagement party of Lyra and Rhys, the future Alpha and Luna of the pack.

In her chambers, Lyra prepared herself for this special occasion. Honestly, she never once imagined that an orphan like her would ever be engaged, especially after all the things she had been through.

At the age of seven, Lyra has been living a life on the run, after her mother left her.

With her striking features–vibrant red hair and sparkling emerald eyes–it didn’t take long for others to label her as different.

She was passed around between packs, forced into servitude or subjected to bullying, and even faced the horrifying prospect of being sold into slavery.

On her tenth birthday, Lyra found herself racing through the dense woods, fleeing from a band of warriors who intended to deliver her to an underground auction.

In her heart, she believed that was the end, that happiness and a better life was nothing but distant dreams.

But Moon Goddess had other plans.

It was in those desperate moments that a savior appeared before her. A tall, lean man who introduced himself as Aiden, the Alpha of the Incarnadine, one of the strongest packs in the nation.

In exchange for saving her life, he offered Lyra a chance at a brighter future–she would become the future Luna of their pack.

Overwhelmed with desperation, she accepted without a moment’s hesitation.

From that day forward, Lyra resided within the welcoming walls of the Incarnadine pack house.

Her unique features became a source of awe and admiration, and she soon discovered that

She was a key figure in a long-awaited prophecy–the one destined to bring wealth and power to the pack.

As a result, she devoted herself entirely to fulfilling this role and becoming an exceptional Luna, and in the process, she formed a close relationship with Rhys, the firstborn of Alpha Aiden and Luna Viola.

Despite not being fated mates, their connection deepened, blossoming into passionate love as time passed by.

“Lyra,are you even listening?” Lorena’s voice jolted Lyra out of her daydream.

Lorena, her best friend and the second daughter of the beta was always the one to help her in getting dolled up.

The two of them shared a close bond among all the she-wolf pack members.

“Oh, sorry. What were you saying?” Lyra replied absentmindedly, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror.

She was taken aback when she realized her makeup and hair were already beautifully done.

Her fiery red hair was expertly braided, and adorned with gold flower hairpins.

“I said it’s time to put on your dress. The guests from the other packs have already started arriving,” Lorena informed her, prompting Lyra to stand up and turn towards the maids who were holding the dress.

“Is something bothering you? Or are you just nervous? It’s not like you to be lost in thought like this.”

Lorena and the maids began helping Lyra slip into her dress—a stunning emerald green off- shoulder gown with delicate white lace.

The color perfectly matched her eyes, accentuating her fair complexion and giving her an otherworldly appearance.

“It’s just that... I can’t believe I’ll soon be marrying Rhys,” Lyra mused.

“And even though I’m not his fated mate, I’m grateful that I played a crucial role in fulfilling the prophecy that brought us together. I really am. But…”

“But what?” Lorena inquired, searching for a suitable piece of jewelry to complement Lyra’s attire.

“I can’t help but feel anxious. Despite his promise to reject his fated mate once they meet, I can’t shake this unsettling feeling. After all, Rhys hasn’t marked me yet, we’re unbonded, and the mating process will only take place once he has become the Alpha.”

Lyra smiled bitterly, studying her reflection in the mirror after the final touches were complete.

She couldn’t help but admire her own beauty.

There was a time when shemdespised her red hair and green eyes, as they seemed to bring nothing but misfortune.

However, now she cherished these unique features, for they had led her to where she was today.

“I get where you’re coming from, but don’t worry. There are only five months left until Rhys becomes the Alpha.” Lorena reassured.

“Right, but speaking of Rhys, he was supposed to come and escort me. Has he not returned from checking the territory’s border yet?” Lyra wondered aloud, pushing her anxiety aside as her eyes scanned the room for any sign of his arrival.

“Now that you mention it, he should have been here by now,” Lorena pondered, before instructing one of the maids to go and check on Rhys.

However, before anyone could react, a loud knock echoed through the door, startling them all.

“Lyra , you need to go down to the hall,” Rose,Lorena’s older sister, burst into the room, her expression filled with urgency. The sight of her face made Lyra ’s heart quicken, a sense of impending doom settling upon her.

“Why? What happened?” she asked, her voice trembling with panic.

“R-Rhys... He brought a woman with him!” Rose exclaimed, the words hanging in the air, heavy with a foreboding weight.

As Lyra desended the grand staircase, murmurs echoed through the hall.

Her eyes widened as she caught sight of Rhys, carrying an unconscious woman in his strong arms.

But it wasn’t just any woman that captivated her attention.

It was her striking red hair that immediately drew her gaze.

And when those emerald eyes fluttered open, a shiver raced down Lyra ’s spine, freezing her in her tracks.

The resemblance between them was uncanny, mirroring each other in an eerie way.

Lyra ’s heart quickened with fear, for she knew the ancient prophecy had foretold that a she-wolf with red hair and emerald eyes would bring immeasurable wealth and power to the Incarnadine pack.

“R-Rhys,” Lyra stammered as she continued her hesitant steps toward him.

She tried to ignore the growing buzz of conversation among the guests, their whispers filling the hall.

“Who is she?”

Rhys met her gaze, his eyes devoid of emotion, before shifting his attention to the woman in his arms.

Slowly, he placed her gently on her feet now that she was conscious.

“Are you alright? How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice tender and sweet.

It was a voice Lyra had always cherished, a voice reserved only for her.

Hearing it directed at someone else sent a pang of jealousy coursing through her veins. It was unbearable, to say the least.

“Y-yes, I-I apologize for fainting like that. I’m fine now,” the woman replied, her voice tinted with embarrassment as she straightened her white dress. A rosy flush colored her cheeks.

“Rhys, who is she?” Lyra repeated her question, though she already had her suspicions.

Rhys sighed, understanding that she had a right to know.

“Her name is Anya. She’s the daughter of a beta from the silver pack. She’s my mate, the real destined in the prophecy,” the words spilled from his lips, causing Lyra to audibly gasp.

Her eyes widened, her hand clutching at the side of her dress.

The murmurs in the hall grew louder, with whispers floating through the air, questioning the authenticity of the claim.

After all, the Incarnadine pack’s prophecy was known far and wide.

And surely, there could only be one who would fulfill it.

“W-what do you mean she’s the real destined in the prophecy?” Her face turned pale as she stared at the woman before her, her mind racing with disbelief.

“What about me?”

“She’s my fated mate, Lyra. You both have red hair and green eyes, but only one of you can fulfill the prophecy, and it’s clear that it would be Anya.” His words hung in the air, a heavy truth that Lyra struggled to comprehend.

As she watched the two of them, they exchanged a glance filled with an affection that seemed to stretch far beyond their years.

It was as if they had shared a lifetime of memories, and it made Lyra feel like an outsider in her own story.

She had been by Rhys’s side since they were ten years old, their love blossoming at their coming-of-age when they both failed to find their mates.

Now, at twenty-two, they were engaged, their connection seemingly unbreakable.

But at this moment, Lyra couldn’t help but feel like the odd one out.

She clutched the fabric of her dress, a lump forming in her throat, but she forced herself to push her emotions down.

“Then what happens now? You wouldn’t break your promise, would you?” Her voice was small, filled with a tinge of fear.

She was scared that everything she had done to become the perfect Luna for Rhys in the future would be in vain.

Scared that she would lose everything she held dear now that someone else, someone who could potentially hold the key to the prophecy, had arrived.

“I can’t reject her,” he admitted, letting out a deep sigh.

“This engagement needs to be called off. Anya will be the future Luna of our pack.”

Lyra ’s heart sank, but she masked her pain with a brave face.

She had always known the power of destiny, but witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall.

Luna Viola had strictly taught her that a true Luna shouldn’t cry so easily.

No, she would never show any vulnerability to others; she always presented herself as strong.

In the pack,she was known for her resilience and that’s what made everyone believe she would make a great Luna someday.

“Very well,” she stated, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure.

She knew her place, after all. She’s just an orphan, protesting would be futile.

What could she even possibly do? It was dumb of her to believe that Rhys would reject his mate for her, especially since his mate also has red hair and green eyes like what the prophecy foretold.

“If you want to end this engagement, then I won’t stand in your way.”

Since that fateful night, everything had changed.

The once adored Lyra became the target of ridicule and abuse, and it cut deep.

She had experienced far worse when she was passed from pack to pack, but the emotional pain inflicted by those she considered family hurt far more than any physical wound.

Yet, despite the agony, she chose to stay.

She believed it was better than being exiled.

“Good afternoon, Alpha and Luna,” Lyra greeted as she ran into them while on her way to the backyard to do the laundry.

The couple stopped and regarded her, their eyes devoid of sympathy, which pierced her heart.

She had treated them as her own parents, and now she was nothing more than an outsider to them.

It felt unjust.

They were the ones who claimed her as the key to the prophecy, yet they treated her as if she had deceived them.

“The servant’s uniform suits you well,” Luna Viola said, causing Lyra to purse her lips in frustration.

It had been weeks since she had been reduced to the role of a maid, stripped of her status as the future Luna.

It was humiliating, but everyone in the pack seemed to believe it was fitting for an orphan like her.

As much as she didn’t want to accept it, it became clear that the pack had only adored her because they thought she would bring power and wealth.

Now that it was evident she wouldn’t, they revealed their true colors and their disdain for an orphan like her.

No one was on her side, not even Rhys or her best friend,bLorena.

“Oh, right. Rhys wants to speak with you. Go and meet him in his study,” Alpha Aiden added dismissively, glancing at Lyra ’s shoulder before looking away.

Without another word, they passed by her, leaving Lyra to release a deep sigh before making her way to Rhys's study.

As she reached the room, her heart began to race, the sound of giggles and moans filling her ears. She took a deep breath, bit her lip, and closed her eyes before mustering the courage to knock.

“It’s me, Rhys,” she announced, her voice shaky.

“Come in,” he replied, and she hesitantly entered the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, her gaze fell upon Rhys sitting behind his desk with Anya perched on his lap.

It stung, of course, it did, but their lack of a mating bond lessened the blow.

“Alpha said you wanted to talk to me,” Lyra said, her eyes fixed on Rhys, determined not to let her emotions show.

“That’s right. I’ll be attending the Alpha King’s banquet in two months, and Anya will be coming with me. She needs a maid to look after her, so come with us,” Rhys ordered.

Lyra remained silent for a moment, trying to process what he had just asked of her. She had already come to terms with the fact that their relationship was over, that the years they spent together were a sham.

But for him to ask her to be his mate’s personal maid?

It was a cruel blow.

“Anya wanted you to be her personal maid. She felt bad about everything and thought that being the future Luna’s servant would be better than any other position,” Rhys added, and Lyra almost scoffed, but she managed to keep herself composed.

She knew that those who had betrayed her would face their karma soon enough, and that was the only reason she was putting up with the ridiculous treatment she was receiving.

“Alright,” she nodded, causing Rhys to frown.

He was growing annoyed by how she simply accepted everything without complaint.

Even the night he brought Anya to the pack house, Lyra didn’t hesitate to accept the end of their engagement.

She always maintained her composure, and it only fueled his desire to see her crumble.

“I’m really sorry for suddenly showing up and taking your place like this. I know you hate me, but please understand that it was the Moon Goddess’ decision, and I don’t have anything against you. Can we be at least friends?”

Anya asked, her smile sugary sweet.

But Lyra knew better, and she wasn’t about to let Anya have the satisfaction of ridiculing her heart like everyone else had done.

“Of course,” Lyra smiled, irritating Anya in the process.

She felt as though Lyra didn’t see her as a threat or competition at all.

Rhys, too, had noticed the same, which prompted him to cup Anya’s cheek and press his lips to hers in front of Lyra.

She quickly averted her gaze, clenching her fists.

“You’re so kind, Anya. I’m really glad you’re my mate and the future Luna. You don’t know how grateful I am to meet you before I married a fake.” he said, pulling away from the kiss and locking eyes with Lyra , who was seething.

He smirked and caressed Anya’s back while his eyes were on Lyra .

“You can leave now.”

Lyra was about to leave but Rhys spoke again.

“Also.” he said, “You ought to address me properly, a lowly servant like you can’t call me by name anymore.”

“Yes, young master.” Lyra simply bowed and left the study obediently.

As soon as the door closed, she looked up at the high ceiling of the corridor, fighting the urge to scream at the top of her lungs.

Instead, she clenched her fists, doing her best to conceal her anger and pain.

“Hey, fake,” a maid called out, and Lyra turned her head to see a couple of maids approaching her.

“Why are you lingering around the future Alpha’s study? Don’t you have any shame? Do you honestly think a fake like you can still be the future Luna of this pack?”

The maids burst into giggles, but Lyra remained stoic until a sharp slap landed on her cheek, making her jump in surprise.

She instinctively touched her stinging cheek and glanced at the maid, who wore a wide, satisfied smile.

“Cat got your tongue?” the maid taunted.

Lyra let out a sigh, running her fingers through her hair.

She closed her eyes, attempting to calm her rage.

But it was proving difficult, especially with her feisty wolf, Stella, urging her to fight back. And so, she did.

She raised her hand and slapped the maid in return, leaving the others gasping in disbelief.

“W-what do you think you’re doing?” one of them stammered, unable to comprehend how Lyra could ever raise a hand against someone.

“Are you blind? I slapped her back. Do you want a slap too?” Lyra raised an eyebrow, and the maids couldn’t help but fall silent.

They found it peculiar. Lyra was no longer the future Luna,just a maid like them, an orphan with an unknown background.

But for some inexplicable reason, she still possessed an air of power that made them think twice about crossing her again.

In the quiet room, a muffled sob broke through the stillness, filling the air with Lyra ’s heartache.

Despite her outward strength in public, she was a different person when the night came, shedding tears in solitude.

Once accustomed to the luxury of an elegant bed chamber, now she found herself in the attic, a place that amplified her feelings of loneliness and isolation.

“Let’s escape,” a voice whispered in the back of

Lyra ’s mind, belonging to Stella, her wolf.

She clutched her pillow tightly, the tears ceasing at the sound of her wolf’s suggestion.

Ever since she turned seven, Stella had been anconstant presence in her thoughts.

Lyra couldn’t explain it, but she knew she’s a special case, she knew her wolf was always looking out for her, however, she only shifted once–there was one time during her coming-of-age when she was all by herself in the woods and managed to shift.

Since then, she and Stella had an agreement not to shift again, at least until the right time has come.

The pack knew Lyra wasn’t wolfless, but they believed that her wolf was weak for her not to be able to shiftnon her own accord.

“And then what?” Lyra asked, her tears shimmering on her cheeks as she brushed them away.

She knew her wolf only wanted what was best for her, having witnessed her struggles, but she wasn’t quite ready to heed her advice just yet.

“We have nowhere to go.nLet’s endure everything for now.”

“Tsk.” Stella’s disapproving response was the last sound Lyra heard before she let out a deep sigh and gazed out of the small attic window.

The moonlight bathed her in a soft, pale glow as a cool breeze rustled the leaves outside.

She closed her eyes, finding solace in the knowledge that she wasn’t locked away, yet couldn’t shake off the feeling of helplessness, a reminder of her childhood struggles.

The next morning, as Lyra opened the attic door, cold, dirty water cascaded over her.

Her eyes widened in shock as she watched the droplets drip from her clothes onto the wooden floor below.

The she-wolf maids, different from those of the previous day, giggled mischievously.

These were the ones who attended Anya.

“Oops, sorry,” the one with black hair offered a mocking apology.

Lyra let out a deep sigh, wiping the droplets from her forehead before standing tall and facing the maids who laughed even louder.

“What’s the matter with you?” she inquired calmly, her voice steady.

This childish behavior had become a regular occurrence, and frankly, she was growing tired of it.

Taking a step forward, she watched as they slowly retreated.

They had heard of how she had dealt with their friend the day before and now sought to teach her a lesson.

Their wounded pride couldn’t bear the fact that they tended to an orphan who turned out to be a fake.

“Why are you still here anyway? Just leave! You don’t belong here!” one of the maids huffed, tossing a wooden bucket in Lyra ’s direction.

It smacked her on the forehead, causing Stella to growl in anger, but Lyra held her wolf back from retaliating.

She knew things could get messy if she let Stella loose.

“Why would I leave? What authority does a maid like you have?” Lyra retorted, a trickle of blood running down her forehead.

The maids gasped, their eyes widening in shock.

“We’ll make sure you leave our pack, so our real future Luna won’t have to worry about your existence!” they spat before scurrying off, leaving Lyra to clean up the mess they’d made.

Sighing, she touched her forehead, wincing at the pain as she looked at her hand, stained with wet, red blood.

“I will kill them!” Stella growled once more.

“Calm down, they’ll regret it eventually,” Lyra reassured her wolf as she finished cleaning the floors.

After tending to her wound and changing into a fresh uniform, she tied her long, red wavy hair into a ponytail and headed to the main mansion to start her work.

Today, she was assigned to serve in the dining hall where the high-ranking pack members gathered for breakfast.

Pushing a cart laden with food, Lyra entered the hall and overheard the Alpha and Luna engaging in friendly conversation with Anya, asking about her well-being, and continued chatting with Rhys, the beta, and his child.

Lyra couldn’t help but purse her lips.

She used to sit where Anya was, but now she was being ignored.

After serving the food as instructed by the head kitchen maid, she stood to the side with the other maids.

Anya’s eyes then locked with Lyra’s, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

“Hmm?” Anya’s expression turned to shock as she took a spoonful of the soup, only to have her eyes widened moments later.

A red rash spread across her skin as she frantically scratched at it.

“What’s the matter?” Rhys’s voice rang out with concern, echoing the worry of everyone at the table.

“M-my soup has peanuts. I’m allergic to peanuts, w-why–” Anya’s voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes, clutching her stomach. In that instant, Lyra could sense trouble brewing.

“But our soup was peanut-free. I informed the chef of your allergy.” Rose chimed in, puzzled.

“Unless someone tampered with yours.”

[Come to the dining hall,] Alpha Aiden’ command resonated through the pack physician’s mind link.

All eyes then turned to Lyra , who had served the soup.

Suspicion hung heavy in the air, accusing glares aimed her way.

She clenched her fists, knowing her protests would fall on deaf ears, but she couldn’t stay silent.

“I didn’t do anything; I just followed the kitchen maid’s instructions to serve the food.”

“I’m disappointed in you, Lyra . Must you really go this far? You could have harmed Anya out of spite. It’s not her fault she’s Rhys’s fated mate,” Lorena’s words cut deep, causing Lyra to bite her lip.

Even her best friend had turned against her, placing the blame squarely on her shoulders.

“I swear, I didn’t put anything. I don’t even know about her allergy—”

“Enough!” Alpha Aiden’ voice boomed, sending a shiver down Lyra’s spine.

“Be grateful I haven’t banished you yet. Pull a stunt like this again, and I’ll send you back to where I found you 12 years ago.”

Tears threatened to spill from Lyra ’s eyes as the trauma washed over her, but she blinked them away when Rhys splashed tea over her head.

His icy gaze held no emotion, but his clenched jaw spoke volumes as his anger bubbled to the surface.

“Is this the real you? A two-faced wench?!”

Rhys’s accusation hung in the air, but Lyra remained silent, resisting the urge to retaliate.

She knew defending herself would be futile– they had already cast her as the villainess.

“You said you wouldn’t interfere, but here you are,” he growled through gritted teeth.

“Our pack took you in, and treated you well, and this is how you repay us? By harming my mate, the true key to the prophecy?”

“You may have the potential to be a great Luna thanks to my mother’s guidance but let me make one thing clear…” Rhys’s hand gripped Lyra ’s cheeks, forcing her to meet his gray orbs, burning with anger.

“Anya was far superior to you. She was the daughter of a beta from the Silver pack, one of the nobles in the north. Her wolf was strong, unlike yours, which can’t even shift at will.”

Lyra could sense Stella itching to break free, but she expertly kept her in check, all while wearing a poker face.

It was a tricky balancing act, but she had already mastered it.

Even the Alpha wouldn’t be able to catch on.

Besides,there is a strict rule in the Incarnadine Pack that members are not allowed to shift into their wolf forms inside the pack house unless there is a potential threat.

This rule was put in place to protect the human servants who live among the pack members and prevent them from being startled or afraid.

Anyone who breaks this rule faces banishment from the pack.With a dramatic bang, the door swung open,and in march a couple of warriors, their eyes fixed on Lyra .

She felt a chill run down her spine as they seized her by the arms.

Her face paled, fearing Alpha Aiden would do what he had said earlier.

But instead, he coolly commanded them to toss her into the dungeon,nwhere she endured a week of harsh treatment and meager rations of water.

The endless torment didn’t stop there. The past three months had been a nightmare, with pack members’ mistreatment every day, especially Rhys’s emotional assaults and Anya’s relentless schemes to make her life more miserable than it already is.

However, Lyra managed to endure everything just like she did in the past.

After much preparation and anticipation, they were finally setting off towards the Capital where the Alpha King’s Banquet was being held.

Despite owning a car, the Alpha and Luna were cozied up inside the carriage with Rhys and Anya, while Lyra sat beside the coachman.

This was her first time heading to the palace, so it was no wonder she felt a flutter of nerves. After all, she knew all about the Tyrant Alpha King.

There were countless rumors surrounding him, from slaying an entire pack single-handedly to having a hideous appearance befitting someone cursed.

During her lesson on becoming a perfect Luna, she discovered that the curse was passed down to whoever from the royal family would inherit the throne.

For generations, Alpha Kings have been unable to sense or find their mates. As a result, an event called Luna Selection was made, which all high- ranking unmated she-wolves were required to attend.

However, this generation, whoever is chosen by the current Alpha King meets an unfortunate fate–they die before the mating ceremony can even take place. That is because they would rather choose death than become his mate– and this year would be the King’s third attempt to select a mate and Luna.

With a jolt, the carriage came to a stop.

Lyra’s eyes widened in awe as she took in the grand, elegant palace before her. The anticipation was building as she realized she would soon come face to face with this notorious ruler of Verdentia.

Suddenly, the coachman’s booming voice cut through her daze.

“We have arrived.”