Lyra's POV
A tall man stood there with his face sharp and seriously set and his dark eyes fixed on me. He looked like he could break a tree in half if he wanted to, and I swallowed hard.
"Mason Redwood," Mira whispered close to my ear. "Beta of Alpha Kael."
Of course, I knew who he was. Everyone knew the Alpha and his grim Beta.
Beta Mason frowned as I stepped closer, and his nose wrinkled like he smelled something bad.
"So you're Lyra Darkfur," he said in a deep voice. "The Omega who looks like she crawled out of a ditch!"
Shame rushed to my cheeks, and I tried to smooth my hair with shaky fingers.
"I… I had a little misfortune with a dog earlier," I said quietly.
His mouth twisted into a dark smile.
"A dog, hmm? I can't see the difference between you and it."
Mira gasped softly, but I just lowered my gaze.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"Sorry, won't help," he said and stepped closer. "Clean yourself up next time someone summons you."
"Summons me?" I blinked at him.
He pulled out a rolled scroll tied with a silver ribbon.
"The Alpha invites you to the royal mating ball tonight." He placed the scroll in my hands.
My knees wobbled.
"Me?"
"You heard me," he said. "Find a decent outfit and be there. Don't keep the Alpha waiting."
I stared at the scroll as he turned and strode hurriedly out the door without another word.
I sank into a chair, holding the scroll tightly while my heart thudded in my ears. The royal mating ball? That was where the Alpha King would choose a mate. Why would he invite me?
Before I could even open the scroll, my foster mother stormed in with Lucille, the eldest sister, right behind her. Lucille's eyes went wide when she saw what I held, and she snatched it out of my hands.
"What is this?" Lucille asked, unrolling it fast.
"Give it back," I said weakly.
Mother peered over Lucille's shoulder.
"A summons to the royal ball?" She scoffed. "This must be a mistake."
Lucille laughed coldly.
"They probably meant it for someone else. There's no way the Alpha would invite you."
"It's not a mistake!" Mira darted forward and took the scroll, pointing at the writing. "Look, her full name is here. Lyra Darkfur. And see? The Alpha's seal."
Mother's eyes narrowed.
"Maybe they only want to use her as a servant at the ball."
"Or to make fun of her," Lucille said with a sly smile.
I felt my stomach twist. Maybe they were right, and maybe it was a cruel joke.
Mira shook her head firmly.
"No. He invited her. The Beta himself brought this." She turned to me and gave me a determined smile. "You're going."
Mother muttered something about wasted effort and stalked out, and Lucille followed, but not before throwing me a glare.
Mira sat beside me and squeezed my hands.
"Don't let them make you doubt yourself. The Alpha wants you there. That's all that matters."
I nodded slowly, but my hands still trembled.
***
By nightfall, Mira had turned our room into a dressing space, and she pulled out a blue gown.
"Try this," she said. "It's one of mine, but it will fit."
"I can't wear that," I said. "It's too beautiful."
"You can and you will." She smiled. "Now stand still."
She brushed my hair until it fell smoothly down my back, and she pinned a small silver clip above my ear. She wiped the dirt from my skin and dabbed a hint of color on my cheeks. When she finished, she stepped back.
"You look lovely," she said.
I stared at the mirror, and I almost didn't know the girl staring back. She looked nervous but also… hopeful.
A knock came at the door, and a voice announced that the carriage had arrived.
Mira hugged me tight.
"Go," she whispered. "And don't hide. Walk in there like you belong."
I climbed into the carriage, clutching the edge of my gown, and my heart raced the whole way to the pack house.
When we arrived, the big doors of the ballroom stood open. I stepped down carefully, and inside, the room glittered with crystal lamps and banners. Guests in fine clothes filled the hall, talking and laughing, and as I walked in, heads turned.
"Isn't that the Omega girl?" someone whispered.
"She must be lost," another voice said.
I kept walking, forcing my steps steady, and I reached a table near the edge of the room and picked up a glass of wine just to have something to hold, but my hands shook so much I was scared I would spill it.
"You made it."
A deep voice spoke behind me.
I spun around, and Alpha Kael stood there, tall and calm, dressed in black with silver at his collar, and his eyes were steady on mine.
"My Alpha," I stammered, almost dropping the glass.
He gave me a small smile.
"Are you enjoying the evening?"
"I… yes," I said, though my heart was racing.
"You had an eventful day?" he asked.
"Yes, Alpha," I said. "I… there was a dog."
His brow lifted slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"A dog?"
"Yes. It stole my meat," I said and felt my face burn with shame. Stupid…! Why did you say that?!
He chuckled softly.
"I see. I hope it didn't win."
"Not in the end," I whispered.
He stared at me for a long moment, and my stomach fluttered, and surprisingly, I felt warm under his gaze and at the same time, nervous enough to shake.
From across the hall, I noticed Luna Selene with her eyes fixed on me coldly. She leaned to whisper to the girl beside her, and they both laughed quietly.
Kael's gaze softened.
"Don't mind them," he said. "They don't matter tonight."
Before I could answer, the music stopped, and a woman in white robes stepped forward to the center of the room and raised her hands, the Priestess of the moon goddess.
"Welcome, wolves of the DarkHowl Pack," she said. "Tonight we gather under the blessing of the moon goddess to witness the choosing of a mate for our Alpha."
A hush fell over the hall, and Kael straightened and looked toward the crowd.
The Priestess spoke again.
"Step forward, daughters of our noble houses, ladies of standing and grace."
A line of women formed, and Luna Selene led them with her expensive gown shining like snow. One by one, they stood waiting with heads high and eyes bright with hope.
Kael walked slowly down the line, looking at each of them, but said nothing.
My heart pounded as he came closer to where I stood away from the line and in the crowd. I wanted to disappear, and yet I couldn't stop watching him.
He reached the end of the line and then turned. His eyes met mine across the room.
He walked toward me abruptly while the whole room held its breath.
Kael stopped right in front of me.
"Lyra Darkfur," he said calmly. "You are my fated mate…"