THE MATE CURSE

The scent of pine and smoke clung to the clearing and the sound of laughter and clinking glasses rubbed against Lyra’s skin like claws. She stood at the edge of the circle clutching her arms tightly to her chest while trying to breathe through the ache in her ribs. It wasn’t the night air that made her shiver.

It was them.

It was him.

Her mate.

Marking someone else.

And not just anyone… her sister.

She didn’t feel the tears sliding down her cheeks until someone nearby shot her a pitying look and quickly turned away. She hated that look but not as much as she hated that she was still standing here, watching Damon’s teeth sink into her sister’s neck. Her sister cried out his name and the whole pack erupted in cheers like nothing at all was wrong.

Because to them… nothing was.

Lyra’s chest tightened as she swallowed hard, fighting to keep herself upright.

When Damon finally lifted his head he turned slightly and their eyes met for the briefest moment something flickered there she couldn’t tell if it was remorse or guilt then it vanished and was buried underneath the cruel smirk he always wore around her.

Without thinking, Lyra took a step forward, her nails digging into her palms as the crowd kept cheering, clapping, celebrating their Alpha and Luna like it was some perfect fairy tale.

Lyra hated fairy tales.

“Alpha Damon,” she said though voice wasn’t loud but it cut through the noise and he snapped his head towards her and her sister did too, her pretty little face twisting into annoyance.

Then the entire clearing went silent Lyra forced herself to take another step, then another until she stood just outside the ring of pack members.

“You can’t,” she said again but louder this time .

“You can’t do this.”

Damon’s lips curled back in a sneer before responding . “And why is that, little liar?”

She flinched but not at the tone because she had grown used to that but at the venom burning in his eyes.

“Because… I’m your mate,” she whispered.

For a moment, no one spoke, then her sister laughed in a loud and cruel way.

“You? You think you’re his mate? Goddess, you really are delusional.” she spat.

“You know I’m telling the truth. You felt it too, the first time we…” Lyra shook her head as her eyes darted back to Damon.

A sharp sting exploded across her cheek which made gasps ripple through the crowd.

Lyra blinked through the stars in her vision and slowly turned her head.

Her mother stood there, her hand still raised, her face twisted with fury.

“You insolent little brat, how dare you embarrass us like this?” her mother hissed.

“Mom…” Lyra staggered back.

“Don’t you dare call me that. Don’t pretend you’re my daughter after tonight.”

The ground felt like it fell out from under her.

“What?” Lyra whispered.

“You heard me. You are not my daughter. You never were.” Her mother crossed her arms.

The air left Lyra’s lungs.

“You… you’re lying.”

“Lying? You think we wanted you? You think your father and I dreamed of raising a little reject the Moon Goddess left on our doorstep?” Her mother let out a brittle, humorless laugh.

Lyra swayed, numb.

“I… I don’t understand…”

“You were nothing but a charity case. We were still waiting on the goddess to bless us with a real child when we found you half frozen. We pitied you. That’s all.”

Then she dropped to her knees in front of Damon.

“Alpha,” she begged, voice breaking, “please forgive my family for her behavior. She doesn’t speak for us. Punish her if you must, but spare the rest of us.”

Lyra stared at her, frozen. “Mom… you’re supposed to defend me. You’re supposed to…”

Her mother spun, eyes blazing. “Shut up! Don’t speak to me. You’ve brought nothing but shame.”

Something cracked inside Lyra.

“You want me to pardon them?” Damon asked.

“Yes,” her mother whispered.

A cruel smile pulled at Damon’s lips. “I’ll pardon them… if she apologizes. To me. And to my mate.”

The word mate burned in Lyra’s ears.

She straightened, though her legs felt like water.

“No,” she said.

Damon’s brows rose. “No?”

“I’d rather die.”

The crowd gasped again.

Damon walked towards her full of rage and fury and his hand snapped around her throat, lifting her off the ground. She clawed at his wrist kicking uselessly while gasping for air.

“You dare defy me?” he snarled.

She couldn’t speak as her vision blurred.

His fist slammed into her ribs, her stomach, her face. Again. Again. Again.

The pack watched.

He dropped her like nothing, and she hit the ground hard, gasping, her mouth full of blood.

“You think you can steal her scent?Trick me? Pathetic worm.” He growled as his eyes turned red.

Lyra couldn’t move as every breath felt like knives stabbing her.

He crouched to her level while gripping her chin. “I reject you,” he hissed. “I, Damon Kane, Alpha of the Silver Moon pack, reject you as my mate and Luna.”

The words hit her like fire as she screamed as the bond tore apart inside her, ripping through every nerve.

Damon stood up brushing off his hands. “Guards. Lock her up. Silver chains. I don’t want her spreading her lies.”

Two guards stepped forward, but Lyra lifted her head, barely, and met Damon’s eyes.

“No,” she croaked.

He froze.

She dragged herself to her knees, trembling, but she didn’t look away.

“No,” she repeated, louder. “You don’t get to reject me.”

The crowd murmured.

“I reject you, Damon Kane and may your bond to her curse you both. May her touch burn you. May her scent sicken you. May you never know peace again.” She cursed.

Silence crashed over the clearing as Damon’s eyes widened before narrowing.

“You’ll regret that,” he growled.

The guards seized her arms as silver chains burned into her skin but she smiled through the blood on her lips.

Because she already didn’t care.

He had taken everything.

And now… she would too.