LYLA
Celine was far more pleasant than Maria. She showed me to my room, where a sleek laptop and phone were waiting on my bed, picked out a dress, and prepared everything for my shower. Once I was done, she combed my hair and did my makeup.
By the time she was finished, I almost couldn't recognize myself.
Gone was the old, ugly material, replaced by an elegant black maxi dress that hugged every curve of my body.
"Now what?" I asked.
"Now, you will have breakfast with the masters," she replied, standing beside me by the dressing mirror, her hands clasped together in front of her.
Suddenly, the sound of rich, sophisticated feminine laughter floated up from downstairs.
I looked at Celine. "Who's that?"
"Miss Christina Sinclair, ma'am."
"Call me Lyla."
She hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Who's Miss Sinclair?" I asked.
"She's a close friend of the Wraths."
"Mhm." I tilted my head curiously. "How close?"
Celine fidgeted with her fingers nervously. "She was supposed to marry Master Zephyr last year. Their families arranged it long ago, but he called it off."
"Why?"
She shrugged. "I suppose he didn't love her."
"I don't want another."
"... it means I want you. It means I choose you. Not just to be my mate, but my wife. My queen. My Luna."
My heart pounded at the memory of those words.
"So, she still visits after that?" I asked, mentally shaking myself free of the thought.
Celine nodded. "Their families have been close for years. A rejection wasn't enough to sever that bond."
Even without seeing Christina, I knew she still had feelings for Zephyr.
Maybe I could use that to my advantage... find a way to reunite them, freeing myself in the process. But how?
"We must go now... Lyla."
I stood, smoothing the dress over my curves. Celine had brushed my hair down, adding curls and other complicated details.
She smiled. "You look beautiful."
I smiled back warmly. "Thank you."
I was beautiful. Even in poverty, my beauty had managed to shine through, garnering attention wherever I went. But the men who noticed were always lustful, never with good intentions.
Celine and I descended the stairs quietly. At the table, Zephyr sat with his two brothers and Christina.
She was slim and elegant, her posture screaming class. Her black hair shone like silk, spilling over her shoulders, and her armless dress bared her flawless shoulders.
Christina Sinclair was, in fact, a beauty.
I could hardly believe Zephyr had turned down someone like her, and instead, set his sights on me.
As soon as we reached the bottom step, all eyes turned to me.
I froze momentarily, suddenly aware of their scrutiny.
The redhead, the same one who had taken me from my home, let out a slow whistle as I came into full view.
"Why, hello there," he said with a small smile, eyes running over me.
I merely glared at him.
"Isn't she such a beauty?" He continued. "Who knew underneath all those rags was..."
Zephyr slammed his fist into the table, cutting him off.
"Alex," he said through his teeth, his green heating eyes like flames. "I will not entertain such comments about my wife-to-be. You will respect her."
Christina slowly turned to him, eyes widening in disbelief, failing to hide her shock.
Alex, though still smiling, nodded and continued his meal in silence.
A second later, Christina forced a tight smile and turned to me.
"Please, join us," she said.
I moved toward the table slowly, Zephyr's eyes following my every step.
Suddenly, I loathed the attention this dress brought.
It accentuated my small waist, my moderate chest, my full hips, and my very fleshy behind. The loose, worn clothes I used to wear had hidden these details. Now, they were on full display.
I got seated across from Zephyr, my eyes dropping to the assortment of dishes before me. Food I had once craved, food I had only dreamed of tasting. And yet, now that it sat before me, I had no appetite.
The dark-haired brother studied me.
"Hello," he greeted softly.
I looked up, surprised. His voice was gentle… so different from the cold countenance he had exuded the other day. Even now, despite his intimidating looks, there was something almost... kind in his tone.
He picked up an empty plate, carefully selecting portions of food before placing it in front of me.
"Eat," he said.
"Thank you."
He gave me a small smile before returning to his own meal.
As I lifted my head, my gaze clashed with Zephyr's once more.
His eyes remained trained on me, intense as the word itself, until the silence was broken by Christina's voice.
"So, Lyla," she began smoothly, "Tell us where you're from." She brushed away some hair strands from her face, her red lips burgeoning into a forced smile. "I believe I heard rumors of a little farm somewhere around here."
I smiled coldly at her subtle attempt to humiliate me.
"Yes," I answered, sitting straighter and meeting her gaze, unabashed.
Cold blue eyes bore into mine.
"A little farm in Aspcreek," I said, pausing intentionally, before continuing, no shame in my tone. "Though I wouldn't exactly call it a farm, considering most of the animals had already been sold. All we had left was an old dairy cow and maybe ten chickens."
The red-haired brother smothered a laugh.
Christina twirled her fork. "A farm girl."
She turned to Zephyr, as if questioning his choice.
I set down my knife. "Yes, a farm girl," I replied. "One who knows how to raise and care for animals, who understands hard work, who has skills that actually matter in the real world." I tilted my head before adding, "And you? What exactly do you bring to the table… besides a title and a sharp tongue?"
The dark-haired brother nearly choked on his apple juice.
Christina fumed. "I am CEO of Sinclair News and Publishing, and princess of the Sinclair Pack. You will address me with respect."
I arched a brow, letting out an unimpressed scoff. "Is that supposed to scare me? Respect is earned. And you, Christina, have earned nothing." I cut a piece of roast duck and brought it to my mouth, chewing slowly. "Oh, and in case it hasn't sunk in yet… I am to be the Luna of the Wrath Pack. If we're talking about rank, power, or supremacy…" I smiled caustically at her. "You bow to me."
I caught sight of a small smirk on Zephyr's lips.
It was a title I despised. Luna. A role I wanted to escape. But if claiming it, owning it, meant putting Christina in her place, then I didn't hesitate.
A deafening silence descended until Christina released a sound of anger, as she gripped the tablecloth tighter, her fingernails growing into sharp claws.
"Control yourself," Zephyr warned with a glare.
"She disrespected me." Christina snapped. "She needs to be taught a lesson."
Zephyr's tone hardened. "You will control yourself at this table, or you will get out."
They stared at each other for a long moment, engaged in some heated, nonverbal warfare, before Christina finally backed down and exhaled loudly, pushing back her chair and smoothing down her silky dress as she stood.
She turned to the red-haired brother. "Alex, I'm going to wolf out," she announced, her eyes moving to me with barely hidden spite. "I can't stand the sight of her."
I chose to say nothing, watching as she stormed out of the house.
I had considered trying to push Zephyr and Christina back together so I could be free. But not anymore. I loathed her.
Still, I was curious as to where she was going to shift.
Then I remembered the Wrath estate was massive, surrounded by vacant plots of land and thick woods. Of course. It gave them the privacy they needed to wolf out freely.
After Christina left, the silence returned.
Alex was the one to break it. "I understand the need to stand up for yourself, but there's something you should know," he said, his blue eyes settling on me. "You don't live among humans anymore, you're surrounded by wolves. Werewolves," he emphasized. "Not all of them have mastered self-control the way our family has… or even Christina."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "Werewolves are quick to anger. But as Lycans, we have better restraint. Push the wrong one too far, and you may not like the outcome."
I nodded, replying, "I understand."
"Good." He went back to his food.
I stabbed my fork into the roast duck before stealing another glance at Zephyr. He hadn't moved from where he sat opposite me, looking every bit like the malevolent king of darkness.
He had changed out of the robe into a fitted black T-shirt and matching slacks. His hair had dried, slightly tousled, with a few strands falling over his face.
I could understand why Christina still pined for him. He wasn't just wealthy and powerful, he was utterly and dangerously handsome.
I tore my gaze away, irritated with myself.
I should hate him. I did hate him. But it wasn't enough. The hatred should have blinded me, should have made me immune to his presence. And yet, no matter how much I wanted to, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't ignore him.
It was only my first day in this house. There was still time… time to purge him from my thoughts once and for all.
I forced myself to focus on my plate, ignoring the feel of his gaze on me.
I had bigger problems than the undeniable fact that Zephyr Wrath, my husband-to-be, was devastatingly handsome.
I had to find a way out of this marriage, and I had to find it fast.