Lyra was comforted by the crisp autumn air, which often pressed her cheeks with warmth and care. Tonight, the air was filled with anticipation and excitement, with a pack on the verge of celebration. The mating ceremony tonight was the culmination of all that Lyra had been taught.... Her position was amidst the Crowd of Silvermoon Pack, whose eyes looked like they were heavy on her small frame. The pack is strong and full of pride.
The untamed bird in a cage was met with frantic beats from her heart. He'll choose me. He has to.
Rhys. Alpha Rhys. Each virgin in the group had a quiet prayer on their lips, which was simply an unadorned name. His height, broad shoulders, and gleaming smile were indicative of his qualities as Silvermoon Alphas, with eyes that seemed so clear and blue as a winter morning. From her puppy days, Lyra had been in love with him for life, and she had received the news that she was his perfect match. This is something both parents had emphasized. According to the elders, they believed that the Fates had spoken.
With her fingers shaking, she smoothed the simple, white ceremonial garment. ". Its gleaming silver and rich furs contrasted with the soft, plain skin of other she-wolves. They were fighters, scavengers and masters of their craft, with their inner warrior serving as the embodiment of courage. Lyra, by contrast, felt... quiet. Their presence was louder than any whisper that could be considered a reflection of their essence. No wolf that wanted to be free existed in her life, nor did she have any senses beyond human sight. Despite being part of a pack that valued strength above all else, she was incredibly human and unique.
Her gaze shifted towards Elara, who happens to be Rhys's cousin. With her wolf-like appearance, sleek dark fur, confident walking and laughter that echoed throughout the packhouse.'". Elara was everything that Rhys's Luna deserved, just as Lyra wasn't. A shiver of familiar terror enveloped Lyra's chest. Rhys often looked at Elara with a sense of pride, something that was rarely even given to Lyrd. His study was where he whispered small, sharp remarks in private. "Lyra, I hope you find inspiration from Luna.". Luna must command respect. Can you do that, little guy? ".
The memory emitted a new wave of heat on her face.' Her intention was to push it aside. Everything would disappear tonight. Tonight would snap the mate bond in place, evident and irreparable.' It would make her strong. It would make her worthy.
A low, resonant sound was heard as the drums began to beat and then rose up into her bones, reaching through her feet and legs. The pack hushed. A pathway was cut through the crowd to reach the raised stone altar, where the elders stood, their faces grim and solemn under the flickering torchlight.
Following that, Rhys emerged from the Alpha's den, with the moon shining behind him. He was magnificent. His hair was lustrous, his posture graceful, and his presence exuded an aura of power. A unified cry permeated the she-wolves.'... Despite being attentive, his eyes focused on the assembled crowd, hovering over Lyra for a brief period. Hope sprang up, but her chest was both bright and painful.'
He ascended to the altar, his movements being fluid and forceful. He spoke to the crowd with a loud voice that resonated throughout the area. "This evening, we aim to secure our destiny," he announced. To strengthen our lineage. For a Luna that is worthy of the Silvermoon.
He paused, his gaze fixed on Lyra's. Her breath hitched. This was it. This was the moment.
Lyra of the... human bloodline,' his voice was cold and lurid; she felt an odd clinical isolation. 'Go forward.".
She slithered forward through the crowd, her heart against theirs like some bird trapped girl with no choice but to flee. Every eye was on her. It made her feel naked, vulnerable, unpolished.' At the altar, she stood before Rhys with her gaze fixed to his. The absence of affection and awareness about their supposed relationship was only an unsettling supposition, as she could not see any love there.
Lyra, Rhys whispered, his voice now heightened in the quiet space. "It has been whispering, it has already been revealed, that you are my perfect match.".
The Fates' personal connection.
A loud bang was heard from the crowd. Lyra's chest swelled with relief. He's acknowledging it! He is!
"As Lyra waited for his partner, his voice muted with a cold, hard tone that cut through the night and into her fragile optimism.". It is necessary for Luna to be a stronghold. The wolf's spirit is not lost on Luna. You don't have any of these.". You're small. You're fragile. You lack a wolf. I am not in your position to guide, defend and encourage my colleagues! ".
Her heart sank with every word she spoke. She stooped and floated, her eyes widening in amazement. No. This could not be said by him. Not now. Not here.
Lyra, I, Rhys, the Silvermoon Pack Alpha team, express my rejection.
I sever any perceived bond. You aren't my mate. I won't ever recognize you as my own Luna.
The words lingered, bitter and indescribable. It was a deafening silence, more crushing than any sound. Lyra felt blood seeping from her face. The axis of the world was tilted. Her eyes bled, tears streaming down her face, blurring the faces of the begrudging, pitiless or triumphant wolves.
Elara's grin, concealed in the corner, solidified the bitter, painful reality. The.
Rhys dismissed Lyra as a piece of rubbish and ignored her. ". He faced the stunned pack with a powerful voice as they spoke, "My Luna will be chosen from pure Silvermoon blood, by means of her strength!". My Luna will possess the ability to lead and engage in combat! My goal is to find a soulmate like the Silvermoon. I will come across her in Elara.
A gasp was heard from the audience. Elara, Rhys's cousin, stepped forward with a victorious smile, her head raised and face contorted. Lyra's knees buckled. She felt like her entire body was being torn apart. A discarded partner's spiritual pain was a physical wound, the same as when her soul once connected to his. Why? A cold, empty cavity in her chest caused her to scream out.
The pack's reaction, their pitiful looks and scornful yells, were not something she anticipated. The affront was a fiery sensation on her heart. With determination, she turned and ran away, pushing herself through the crowd without realizing their shock. She moved past the roaring fire, abundant wolves, and horrified faces of those who had shown her sincere love. Then she ran across it all. Her running continued until the pack's hushed sounds left her alone, silenced by her own agonizing breathing. The sole reason she ran was to realize that staying put was not an option.