Chapter 5 Arrival
Lyra
I’ve been scrubbing the kitchen floors for the past three hours. My palms are starting to blister and my knees are sore from kneeling down for so long. But I don’t care. As long as I don’t have to go out there to meet the royal Lycan family along with everyone else, I’m good.
I’ve heard so many tales about the Lycans and most of them are not good. First, they’re the most powerful kind of wolves amongst us, they are superior, and they are just as heartless and destructive as they come. Especially the Lycan Prince, Prince Malakai Morningstar, popular called Prince Kai. He leads the krypton Academy wolves and every he and she wolf have told the stories of how cruel he is. He once beheaded a he-wolf because he didn’t bow down to him when he walked by. He rules with an iron fist and whoever disobeyed him paid the hard price.
The Lycans are a different breed entirely. They rarely take fated mates, because they believe the mate-bond is a weakness that softens them. Even King Geo’s Queen was a chosen mate, selected for politics and bloodline rather than destiny. Word is that Prince Kai intends to follow the same path, seeking a partner of power rather than one of the heart. It’s intimidating to think about. They have extraordinary, ancient powers that regular wolves can’t ever dream of having.
Some say a Lycan’s presence alone can force a dormant wolf to surface, which is why I wanted so badly to enroll in the academy. If I could just get into the Academy, the power of the Lycans might help Wyndra finally break through. But after today, I know that was just a pathetic dream. Wyndra doesn't exist outside of my own broken mind.
My thoughts are suddenly interrupted as I feel footsteps approaching. I resume my vigorous scrubbing of the floors. I don’t want to give anyone a reason to scream at me again.
"Still crawling on the floor, I see," a voice sneers. I look up and see my sister, Daisy, standing in the doorway. She looks radiant, wearing a deep emerald dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Her dark hair is pinned up in an elaborate style, making her look like she already belongs among the royals. Behind her stands Ryan, looking uncomfortable in his formal pack suit. Seeing them together feels like a fresh twist of the knife in my chest.
Daisy tilts her head, her eyes scanning my messy hair and damp clothes with pure disgust. "Mother says once you're done cleaning here, you’re to go straight to the gardens. The royal Lycans will be arriving any minute, and they must not see a single speck of dust or a stray leaf. Since you’re the most useless Omega we have, it’s your job to make sure the grounds are spotless while the rest of us welcome the guests."
I keep my jaw clenched, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I glance at Ryan, but he looks away, unable to meet my eyes. The shame I feel is overwhelming. I actually believed he was my destiny, but I was just a placeholder until something "better" came along.
Daisy lets out a mocking laugh and turns and walks away, her skirts swishing as she disappears back toward the main hall. Ryan, however, lingers. He stands there for a long moment, the only sound between us being the drip of water from my sponge.
"What do you want, Ryan?" I ask, my voice cracking despite my best efforts.
"I’m sorry, Lyra," he whispers, his voice barely audible. "I didn't want it to be like this."
I stare at Ryan in disbelief. A bitter laugh escapes me before I can stop myself. Ryan’s expression shifts from guilt to annoyance, his brow furrowing as he looks down at me.
"What's so funny?" he snaps, his voice rising. "I'm literally apologizing to you, Lyra!"
"You think 'sorry' will fix this?" I ask, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "You think it fixes the fact that you betrayed me and chose my own sister over me? You promised to stand by me, Ryan. You looked me in the eye and told me we would face anything together, and the second things got difficult, you threw me to the wolves."
Ryan crouches down beside me, bringing himself to my level, but there is no warmth in his eyes. "Actually," he says, his voice dropping to a cold tone, "I’ve been seeing Daisy for a long time. We just didn't want it out in public yet. We were waiting for the right moment. But then your foolish uncle had to go and ruin everything by demanding I mark you in front of the entire pack. He forced my hand, Lyra. He forced me to pick her right then and there."
"Don't you ever dare call my uncle foolish again," I hiss at him. "He’s ten times the man you are. But honestly? I’m glad. I’m glad you showed your true colors before I was stuck with a coward like you for the rest of my life."
Ryan’s face reddens with irritation. "Come on, Lyra. Don't be like that." He reaches out his fingers and tries to touch my cheek, but I slap his hand away immediately. The rejection makes him snap. The fake guilt vanishes, replaced by a dark fury. He lunges forward and grabs my arm in a death grip, his fingers bruising my skin as he yanks me toward him by force. I struggle against him, kicking at his knees, but he’s stronger.
"Leave me alone, Ryan! Let go!" I scream, but he only pulls me closer until I can smell his harsh cologne.
"Listen to me," he growls into my ear. "Just because I rejected you as a mate doesn't mean I still don't own you. You were mine first. I think I want to have a taste of you again, just for old time's sake."
He starts to overpower me, his weight pinning me against the floor. Panic rises in my chest. As his face moves toward my neck, I pull my arm back and use every ounce of strength I have to punch him in the face.
Ryan grunts and topples backward, his hand flying to his mouth. Blood begins to stain his lips, dripping onto his white collar. He stares at me in absolute shock, his eyes wide, before his face darkens with a murderous rage. He steps forward again, ready to attack when the door is suddenly opened.
"The Lycans are here!" he shouts. "King Geo has demanded that every single soul in the pack from the Alpha to the lowest Omega assemble in the Grand Hall immediately!"
Wait. Why would they want to see everyone? Usually, royals only talk with the Alpha and his inner circle. Omegas like me are meant to be invisible.
Ryan wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, and gives me one last glare. "We aren't done." he mutters before turning on his heel and walking out.
I don't have time to process his threat. I quickly pull off my dirty apron, trying to smooth out my wrinkled shirt and messy hair with trembling hands. I hurry toward the Grand Hall, joining the crowd of pack members who are hurrying into the massive room. The hall is already packed with every member. I stay at the back of the crowd, trying to blend into the shadows, but I can still see the stage clearly.
The Lycan King Geo is standing in the middle. He is so tall, radiating a level of power that makes me feel like a mere rat. To his left is a woman who must be Princess Kara. She is breathtakingly beautiful, with a sharp, regal elegance that makes everyone else in the room look like common dirt.
Then, my gaze shifts to the man standing on the King’s right.
I stop breathing. My blood turns to ice. No no no…
I recognize that face. It's the man from the oasis. The man who held me in the water. The man I accused of assaulting strangers.
Oh Goddess. I wasn't talking to a rogue. I was talking to Prince Kai Morningstar.
As if sensing my gaze, his head turns. His eyes sweep over the crowd until they lock onto mine. For a split second, surprise flickers in his gaze, but it's quickly replaced by something far more dangerous. He leans back, a small, triumphant smile spreading across his handsome face.
He recognizes me. I’m in deep trouble.
