Fated to defy

Lyra’s POV I trudged through the narrow corridor with my legs trembling as I walked tiredly and in pain. My worn-out shoes made of thin leather sort of offered little comfort as I made my way to the washing room but still, the cold stone floor beneath my feet seeped into my bones and chilled me to the core. I clutched my sides, trying to hold back the agony that threatened to consume me. My faded gray dress, even though torn from the severe floggings I had just received, offered protection against the pain that wrecked my body. I pushed the creaky door open, stumbling towards the basin on the floor. I winced in pain as the bruises I incurred tinged my body. With my hazel eyes fixed on the reflection staring back at me, I burst into tears. Life was totally unbearable. My once bright eyes now seemed dull and lifeless, sunken into dark circles that seemed to swallow my face whole. My brown hair, usually neatly braided by my late mother, hung in tangled locks around my pale face. Tears continued dropping uncontrollably as I recalled the events that led me here– the head of Maids’ chamber, the punishments, the beating. I had fallen asleep, exhausted from the previous day’s chores, and missed preparing the Alpha’s cloak. It was indeed a mistake that came with a steep price. I was the weakest of all wolfless Omega wolves in Ember Pack, and my parents’ treason, according to different seasoned stories I had been told, added to my shame. Even with the Alpha reported dead after he came back from hunting in the woods, the head of maids still wouldn’t let the mistake I made slide. I could swear that the kind of hatred she had for me was on a different kind of level. It just couldn’t be matched with that which I constantly receive from the pack members and even my cousin, Kaida. The late Alpha’s judgment and regime was a bad one. He was constantly biased thus, he passed improper judgments and led the pack members wrongly. People who tried to stand up against him constantly saw their dead bodies with their two eyes. Yes, he was that ruthless and I wasn’t exempted from his bad ruling and wickedness. I was forced to become a slave for him, his household, and the rest of the pack members when I was only but ten years old. I was restricted from associating with other pack members with higher ranks and ultimately limited to only the corners of the pack. I was treated constantly and avoided like a plague. And as if that wasn’t enough, I was maltreated severely. I was a bit relieved when I learned his passing on even though I knew too well that it was incompassionate of me to feel so but then my relief was short-lived when I learned that his son would become the Alpha almost immediately after his demise. I settled down and began washing my face, my fingers brushed against the tender bruises on my cheeks. I winced sharply, the pain shooting through my skull like a sharp arrow. I sure didn’t see that coming. My ribs ached as I constantly breath. I struggled to remove the dress but the fragile fabric stuck to my battered skin but then I managed to successfully have it removed. As the cool water brushed off my skin, I felt a little bit relieved but I knew it would be only for a short while. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I thought about my life. The constant struggle, the endless chores, the fear of being eliminated one day as a traitor’s daughter. If only I had my parents with me… If only they were alive whether locked up or not… I put up my hands in my face, feeling like I was drowning in hopelessness with no lifeline in sight. I finished washing, slowly got dressed in the same worn-out dress, and made my way to the head of the maid’s chamber to get the next duty assignment for the day. Upon arrival at her chambers, I noticed everyone was busy and dedicated to one or two things. I was confused. I walked in, drawing her attention. “Lyra, you are late!” she yelled. “Where have you been?!” I bit my lower lip, thinking of a reply to give. I couldn’t tell her I had gone to wash up else she would make a big deal out of it even though I did nothing wrong. “Umm… I was…” “Shut up, please!” she interrupted I jolted at the sound of her voice, my heart suddenly thumping in my chest. My eyes scanned the room, finding Kaida, my cousin in a corner surrounded by a group of maids. They were fussing over her, styling her hair, and applying makeup. Curiosity got the better of me and I wondered what the ocassion was. I felt a pang of hurt and confusion. I had just been treated like an outcast once again. Was I really so insignificant that no one bothered to tell me about the occasion? “Lyra, you must clean after us once we are done with… preparations,” Aelar’s voice pulled me out of my trance as she nodded toward Kaida. “And remember, you are not allowed to be anywhere close to the ground where the event is happening. Do you understand?” I nodded, feeling resentment. Why was I always relegated to the shadows? Why couldn’t I be part of the celebration, whatever it was? After a few minutes, they rounded off their preparations, exiting the chambers. Kaida clearly saw me but couldn’t even recognize my presence. Growing up, she was the best friend I never had but then things changed immediately it was announced that my parents were threats to the betterment of the pack and the lives of the pack members. It was as if she was waiting for the right moment to show me that I was never her friend or sister. The chants and howls from the pack members that echoed outside suddenly drew my attention and I left the chore I was doing to take a glance at the occasion from the window. Everyone was dressed in their best fit, looking unbothered and healthy even though they were dying to be set free from the shams and influence of the late Alpha and his administration. Just as I was about to go back to my duty, I noticed the increased volume of chants immediately a significant figure walked in majestically. It was him… Colin Dregmor, the first son of the late ruthless Alpha. It was his take-up ceremony and hopefully, he wouldn’t take up his father’s footsteps. He was dressed in a tailored doublet and a crisp white shirt. As I gazed at him, I felt… a shift. A subtle realignment of my focus. My heart rate slowed and my breathing deepened. I didn’t understand what was happening and I couldn’t explain why but my attention was riveted on him. Just as I was about to return to my chore once again, I fell on the floor and darkness enveloped me…