Fated to defy

Episode2:Access denied

Lyra’s POV

Months have passed since Colin Dregmor became the alpha of the Ember pack. His administration has been nothing different from his father’s administration. He was even more ruthless than his father ever was. He had constantly passed on wrong judgments, had every caliber of women he wanted with or without the consent of these women, and had surprisingly moved toward me but that was one thing I was sure of that I would never agree to.

I tossed around in my bed, patiently waiting for Aelar to send the usual maid to update me about my lunch for the day. Somehow they had managed to reduce my meal size and even made it mandatory that I eat once a day as a punishment for passing out and drawing the Alpha’s attention on the take-up ceremony day.

They claimed I intentionally shifted the Alpha’s attention to myself thus, I would face the consequences. For a wolfless omega who was all alone, I resulted in shedding tears more than a crocodile could ever do while I pled that they tamper justice with mercy but all that was clearly futile when they actually started implementing the punishment.

I waited patiently to be informed but no one was forthcoming so instead, I got out of my shabby chamber and made my way to the kitchen. As soon as I got into the kitchen, I sighted a plate of rice and soup kept on the table, uncovered. My face grew into a frown and shortly tears began to roll down my eyes uncontrollably.

Will I ever be free from them? What have I done to deserve the treatment they give me? These were questions I asked myself but there was no response. I stuffed my food into my mouth and tears pricked down my face as I ate.

After a while, I was done. I was about to head back to my room when a maid from the Alpha’s chambers appeared before me.

“Lyra…” she called, shooting daggers at me.

What have I done again?

“What do you want?” I managed to choke out confidently even though I knew anxiety was about to envelope me.

“I don’t know what you did but be rest assured that it won’t last for long,” she spat

I was confused. I gazed at her for a while, trying to comprehend what she had just said and what actually led to it. “What do you want from me?” I queried, deciding to give up as I couldn’t think of my offense.

“Alpha Colin demands your presence in his chambers,” she said, turning to leave but then I held her hand, stopping her from leaving.

She turned abruptly, raising her hand and letting it fall forcefully on my cheek. Slap!

“Don’t you dare touch me again!” she thundered

I winced in tears, feeling the sting of the slap. I grabbed my cheek tightly as I felt the hotness from the slap. My mouth was agape as I struggled to speak but no words left my mouth. She rolled her eyes at me and left without any more words. I stood there in tears, trying to wrap my head around what just happened and why Alpha Colin would want to see me. I thought he had given up after he tried getting me to his bed even before he became an alpha. After a fruitless thought, I found my way to his chambers before it was too late.

On reaching there, I pushed the heavy wooden door open and stepped into the Alpha chambers as my heart raced with trepidation. Alpha Colin’s friends were all seated around a huge table, looking like they owned the place while filling the room with their conversation and laughter. They turned to stare at me and I felt like a total outsider that I was.

Then, the Alpha, Colin, looked up from his seat at the head of the table and caught my eye as a hint of a smile played on his lips. “Ah, Lyra, come in,” he said, his voice giving away false warmth. “Join us,”

I hesitated, feeling out of place among these calibers of powerful men, but Colin’s gaze held a commanding intensity that made me obey immediately. I approached the table, my eyes fixed on the floor as I took a seat on the empty chair beside him.

Alpha Colin leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he regarded me. “I apologize for not checking on you after…ah… you made such a dramatic notice the other day,” he said with amusement. “I heard you made quite the noise when you fell,”

I felt a flush rise to my cheek as the men around the table chuckled. Their laughter sent shivers down my spine and I suddenly felt like disappearing. Alpha Colin’s eyes gleamed with amusement but I could tell there was something else lurking beneath the surfaces. Something that made me feel uneasy.

Then, he reached out and started stroking my face, continuously making shivers run down my spine again. His touch was like a brand, marking me as his, and I didn’t like it one bit. I tried to shift away but he just kept smiling, his eyes boring into mine like he could see right through me.

I knew right then and there that I was in trouble. Alpha Colin was not a man to be trifled with. He was ruthless, selfish, and used to getting what he wanted, no matter who had to step on to get it. And right now, his sights were set on me.

“S-stop…” I whimpered, trying to pull away from his grasp

“Why would I stop?” his eyes glistened as he sneered. “I want you, Lyra, and you have no choice but to accept it,”

Suddenly, I felt angry and humiliated, knowing too well that it was time to leave there. I stood up abruptly, my eyes racing heavily in my chest as I looked him straight in the eyes, prepared to give him a piece of my mind. “I will never be yours,” I spat heavily as my voice shook with emotions

Colin’s smile faltered, his ego clearly bruised by my rejection. He sneered, trying to save face in front of his friends. “You are just playing hard to get,” he bit his lower lip and it sort of distracted me for a second. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, Lyra. You are mine and you will soon realize it,”

I let out a bitter sound of laughter. “You don’t even know me,” I said icily even though I was dying of fear. I hoped that however, I spoke to him would not come back to haunt me later. “I dare you to try. You just want to own me and use me however you want. Well, I’m not interested. I, Lyra Woodsy, reject your love interest in me. Alpha Colin Dregmor, I would never be anything more than a slave to you and the Ember Pack,”

Alpha Colin’s face darkened, making his eyes flash with anger but I didn’t care. I turned to my heels immediately and exited his chambers.

While I walked in urgently back to my room, I collided with Kaida in the dimly lit narrow corridor.

“Watch it, you fool!” she hissed at me

Just as I was about to respond to her harsh acknowledgment, she put her index finger in the air, shutting me up.

“Are you coming from the Alpha’s chambers?” she queried in shock. “Why?! Who let you in?!”

My eyes suddenly grew misty, prompting me to pour out my mind to her. “Kaida…” I started off. “What happened to us? We used to be family and even friends.. What did I do to you that made your attitude towards me change? Tell me, I promise to make things right immediately,”

While I awaited her verbal response, she proceeded to respond in a more pronounced way. She lifted her hand and let it land on my face. “Don’t you ever acknowledge me as either your family or friend again,” she said angrily as she turned to leave but then she halted in her tracks, turning her attention to me. “Stay away from Alpha Colin. This is your first and last warning,”

I stood there in tears, wondering what part of me was wrong the members of the Ember pack and even my cousin, Kaida.

Maybe this was it…

My fate…