Chapter 3

~Lyra

My eyes fluttered open to the bright light of the Throne hall. I took in the scene before me. What? How is this possible?

"Lyra, Lyra, Lyra!" I hear a familiar voice shout my name. I gasp, breaking out of my reverie.

"Lyra, what is wrong with you? Can't you do anything right!" My father, Alaric Winston scolds me. "Don't embarrass me girl in front of the council."

Right. Today is the day of the Selection ceremony. The moon Goddess has given me a second chance at life. One minute I'm being burnt at the stake, and the next I am back to the day that started it all.

The Selection Ceremony, five years ago.

"The ceremony is about to begin," Lucien Rode, Darius' father announced. He was an elder on the council. He treated me with pure indifference while I was married to his son. He didn't hate me, but didn't like me either.

"Groom candidates, advance towards your mates."

This was the point in my past life where Darius walked towards me. Where he chooses me in front of everyone. The happiest moment of my life.

Looking at him now, I feel bile rise my throat. I'm a different person now. The girl who loved and adored Darius Rode is dead.

I watched as each person chose their mate. Darius stared at me intensely, expecting me to reach for him, but I just stood there.

Father grabbed my hand, tightening his grip, "Are you slow Lyra? Do you not understand what's happening here? Walk towards Darius Goddammit!"

I laughed, wiggling my hand out of his grip. "I know exactly what's happening here father. I do not wish to participate in this trivial ceremony. In fact, I'm getting a little bored."

I could see his face contort with anger and confusion. He tried his best to manage his anger. "Have you gone mad Lyra?"

"No," I sighed, "I am completely well father."

People had slowly started turning their attention towards us. Everyone in the pack knew how hopelessly devoted I was to Darius Rode. To think I would miss this opportunity to make him mine forever was shocking to most.

I looked up to meet Lucien's piercing gaze on me. The sight was oddly thrilling.

"Sister! Go!" Seraphine yelled from behind me. Her voice echoed in the hall making more heads turn. She pushed me with so much force, I almost hit the ground.

My blood was boiling with rage. I turned back to face her with dangerous intent. Seraphine had fear in her eyes. She had never seen me this upset before. In my past life, I couldn't even look her in the eye. I grabbed her hand, pulling her down till my mouth was at her ear, "Don't you ever in your life lay your filthy hands on me!" I warned.

I could hear her heart beating loudly. "What, what did you just say to me?" She stuttered.

I pushed her to the ground, "You heard me right!"

"Lyra!" Darius yelled, "what is wrong with you? Stop this madness at once!"

I smiled sweetly, looking up at him. "What madness?" I asked in a soft voice. The same way Seraphine acted when she had done something despicable.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. The whole hall had their attention to us.

"Stop this right now. What has gotten into you. How can I marry someone like you?"

My heart fell to my feet. He still hadn't realized what was happening yet.

Darius turned to the crowd of onlookers, then to his father. He adjusted his demeanor, maintaining a calm composure. "I accept Lyra Winston, Omega of the Winston house hold as my mate," he proclaimed loudly.

I scoffed sizing him up, "And who are you to accept me Darius?" I could see the confusion written all over his expression. Darius was dumbfounded.

"What? Lyra, apologize to him this instant!" Celeste Winston, Seraphine's blood mother and my step-mother shouted.

"I will do no such thing!" I yelled back. I won't let them walk over me. Not now, not ever.

"You are no one Darius!" I said, stepping into his space till I could see the look on his wretched face. "I, Lyra Winston, reject Darius Rode, Beta of the Silvermoon moon pack as my mate!"

Darius' face went pale instantly. I could see the fury in his eyes and the agony his wolf was in.

The hall erupted in gasps and whispers. People moved uncomfortably in their chairs.

“Lyra,” Father's voice was carried through the hall, “do you understand what you have just done?”

I looked at him calmly, remembering the countless times he had told me to be grateful for whatever scraps of affection I received from this family.

“Yes, Father,” I replied, “if you'd like I could do it all over again. Maybe you missed it the first time.”

The mate bond inside me tore with a force that should have brought me to my knees. For one terrible second, it felt as though invisible claws had ripped through my chest and dragged my heart apart.

Darius staggered backward, clutching his chest as his wolf howled inside him.

I could feel it too, the terrible burning beneath my ribs, the crushing pressure in my lungs, and the sickening sensation of something being ripped from my soul.

Yet I didn't move an inch.

I could feel the pain, but somehow I was numb to it at the same time.

I had already been burned alive, betrayed by the people I trusted, and forced to watch the only man who truly care about me die. Nothing in this world could hurt me more than that.

Darius dropped to one knee, his fingers digging into his chest as sweat appeared along his forehead.

“You can't do this,” he rasped, lifting his bloodshot eyes toward me, “you don't get to reject me after everything I've given you.”

I laughed loud enough that it echoed.

“You haven't given me anything wordy of note Darius,” I said meeting his eyes without flinching.

Darius's jaw tightened as his wolf fought against the severed bond.

Seraphine stepped into my line of sight. She tried to hide her panic behind concern. “Lyra, you're confused,” she said, forcing a smile, “you've always wanted Darius, so why would you suddenly reject him? Who else on the Goddess' earth would want someone like you!”

"Listen to your sister Lyra. You've always been a fuck-up," Father heaved a frustrated sigh, "but this right here. There's no coming back from this."

"Lyra," Darius called out to me, grabbing my hand. "Why aren't you in pain. Why aren't you on your knees, crippled by agony."

I scoffed, looking at him with pure hate, "Because I'm not like you Darius. I may be wolfless but I'm not weak."

"What, did she just call the Beta weak?" someone whispered.

"Since when did Lyra become this gutsy?"

Father's fists clenched instinctively. His jaw hardened in fury. “Lyra Winston, by your rejection of the Beta and your disgraceful defiance of your family, I hereby sever you from the Winston bloodline and disown you as my daughter.”

A collective gasp swept through the hall.

He continued, “From this moment forward, you shall have no claim to my name, my household, or the privileges granted to the firstborn daughter.”

He turned toward Seraphine. “And therefore, before the Moon Goddess and the Silvermoon Pack, I transfer Lyra Winston's birthright to my eldest daughter, Seraphine Winston.”

Seraphine's eyes widened. She couldn't conceal her happiness. Foolish girl.

The hall erupted into whispers again.

I stared at my father, expecting to feel the same crushing heartbreak I had felt in my first life, but I felt nothing.

In my past life, Seraphine brought our family into financial ruin. When I tried to salvage what was left, she took the opportunity to put the blame on me. As usual, I took the fall. But this was a different life. I will make sure they rue the day they crossed me.

My expression remained cold and indifferent. They were so bothered by how calm I was about it all.

"Who is going to marry a wolfless Omega like you? I bitch like you was lucky to be chosen by me." Darius had finally stood up from where he knelt, recovering himself. "Who is going to love someone like you Lyra Winston?"

"Me!" Someone declared from the throne. "I will!"

"Alpha Farleigh?" I whispered in surprise.