The wedding happened before Lyra could even breathe.
She didn't remember walking.
Didn't remember agreeing.
Didn't remember anything except the cold, suffocating weight in her chest where the mate bond had once lived.
Dead.
Empty.
Gone.
"Stand still."
A maid yanked her arm, pulling her into position before a tall mirror.
Lyra blinked at her reflection.
For a moment… she didn't recognize herself.
The simple white dress she had worn earlier was gone.
In its place was something far more elaborate—heavy silk clung to her body, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered under the candlelight. Diamonds lined the neckline. A long train spilled behind her like something meant for a queen.
A queen.
The word felt like a mockery.
Her lips parted slightly as she stared at herself.
She looked… beautiful.
But her eyes—
Her eyes were broken.
"Hurry up," another maid snapped, adjusting the veil over Lyra's head. "The Alpha King does not wait."
Lyra let out a quiet, shaky breath.
Of course he didn't.
He had already made that clear.
This wasn't a wedding.
It was a transaction.
A political move.
A cage.
The ceremony was quick.
Cold.
Empty.
The grand hall that had witnessed her humiliation now watched her forced union.
No music.
No joy.
No warmth.
Just silence.
"I, Kael Draven, accept this union under the authority of the council."
His voice was steady.
Detached.
Like he was signing a contract.
Not marrying a person.
Lyra swallowed hard.
When it was her turn, her voice almost failed her.
"I… accept…"
The words tasted like poison.
The elder raised his staff.
"By the will of the Moon Goddess and the authority of this kingdom, you are now bound as Alpha King and Luna."
A pause.
Then—
"You may seal the bond."
The hall seemed to hold its breath.
Lyra's heart pounded wildly.
Slowly… Kael stepped toward her.
Every instinct inside her screamed to step back.
But she didn't move.
She couldn't.
He reached out, gripping her chin—not gently, not cruelly, but firmly enough to remind her that she had no choice.
Her breath hitched.
His touch was warm.
Too warm.
For a split second, something flickered between them.
Something dangerous.
Something alive.
Then he leaned down—
And pressed his lips against hers.
The kiss was brief.
Cold.
Controlled.
But Lyra felt it.
A spark.
A faint echo of the bond that had been destroyed.
Her body reacted before her mind could stop it—her fingers twitched, her heart stuttered, her breath caught.
And just as quickly—
It was gone.
Kael pulled away.
His expression unreadable.
The moment shattered like it never existed.
"Done," he said flatly.
The wedding ended as quickly as it began.
No celebration.
No congratulations.
Just whispers.
Always whispers.
Lyra barely noticed when she was led out of the hall, down long corridors lined with guards and servants who avoided her gaze.
Some looked at her with pity.
Others with amusement.
None with respect.
She was not a queen.
She was a mistake.
The bedroom doors closed behind her with a heavy thud.
Lyra stood frozen.
The room was massive—far larger than anything she had ever seen. Dark curtains draped over tall windows. A large bed stood in the center, covered in black silk sheets.
Cold.
Elegant.
Unwelcoming.
Just like him.
Her fingers curled slightly as she stepped further inside.
This was where she would live now.
This was where she would sleep.
With him.
The thought made her chest tighten painfully.
She moved slowly, unsure of what to do, her mind still spinning from everything that had happened.
Rejected.
Married.
Bound.
All in one night.
The door opened again.
Lyra stiffened instantly.
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
She felt him.
Even without the bond.
Kael.
The door shut behind him.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Tense.
Unbearable.
Lyra forced herself to turn.
He stood near the door, already removing his coat, his movements calm and unhurried—like this was just another ordinary night.
Like she didn't exist.
Her chest burned.
"You rejected me," she said suddenly.
Her voice broke the silence, sharp and trembling.
Kael didn't look at her.
"Yes."
The single word hit harder than anything else.
Lyra's hands clenched at her sides.
"And yet you married me."
Still no reaction.
"I already explained," he said calmly. "It was necessary."
Necessary.
The word echoed in her head.
Something inside her snapped.
"I'm not a tool!" she burst out, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm not something you can use when it's convenient!"
That made him pause.
Slowly… he turned to look at her.
His gaze was sharp.
Cold.
But focused.
"Then what are you?" he asked.
The question stunned her.
"What…?"
"You said you're not a tool," he continued, stepping closer. "So tell me, Lyra Nightshade… what exactly are you?"
Her throat tightened.
"I'm your mate," she said, her voice softer now—but no less painful.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
"I rejected you."
The words were like a knife twisting deeper.
"But the bond—"
"Is gone."
Silence.
Lyra's breath trembled.
"No…" she whispered. "I can still feel something—"
"That's not the bond," Kael cut in sharply. "That's your imagination."
Her heart cracked.
Again.
And again.
And again.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she asked, her voice breaking completely now.
For the first time, her tears fell.
She couldn't stop them.
Not anymore.
"I didn't choose this!" she continued, her emotions spilling over. "I didn't ask to be your mate! I didn't ask to be here!"
Kael watched her.
Silent.
Unreadable.
"I lost everything tonight," she whispered. "My dignity… my place… even the bond that was supposed to mean something…"
Her voice dropped to a hollow whisper.
"And you're acting like none of it matters."
For a moment—
Just a moment—
Something shifted in his expression.
Something almost… human.
But it vanished too quickly to hold onto.
"Crying won't change anything," he said.
Cold again.
Distant again.
Lyra laughed bitterly through her tears.
"You're right," she said. "Nothing will change the fact that my own mate didn't want me."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"You should get used to this," he said. "This marriage is not about emotions."
"Then what is it about?" she demanded.
"Power."
The word hung heavily between them.
Lyra wiped her tears, her breathing uneven.
"Then don't touch me," she said suddenly.
That made him pause.
"If this is just a political marriage… then stay away from me."
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Kael stepped closer.
One step.
Two.
Until he stood right in front of her.
Too close.
Far too close.
Her breath caught.
"Careful," he said softly.
His voice was low.
Warning.
"You don't get to set the rules."
Her heart pounded wildly.
"Then what do I get?" she shot back, refusing to back down.
His gaze darkened.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The tension between them was thick.
Electric.
Unstable.
Then—
Kael reached out suddenly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer.
Lyra gasped, stumbling into him.
Her body collided with his chest.
Warm.
Solid.
Dangerous.
Her heart went wild.
"Let go—"
"Is this what you want?" he interrupted, his voice low against her ear.
Her breath hitched.
"Distance?" he continued. "Or are you just pretending you don't feel anything?"
"I don't—"
"Liar."
The word sent a shiver down her spine.
His grip tightened slightly—not enough to hurt, but enough to hold her in place.
"Your body says otherwise," he murmured.
Her cheeks burned.
Her heart betrayed her.
Because he was right.
Even after everything…
Even after the rejection…
She still felt something.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
"Stop…" she whispered weakly.
For a moment, Kael didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then slowly…
He released her.
Lyra stumbled back, her breathing uneven.
The distance between them returned.
But the tension didn't disappear.
It lingered.
Stronger than before.
"This changes nothing," he said finally.
His voice was calm again.
Controlled.
"You are my Luna in name only."
The words were final.
Cold.
Unbreakable.
Lyra swallowed the pain rising in her throat.
"Then I'll act like it," she said quietly.
He raised an eyebrow.
"I'll stay out of your way," she continued. "I won't interfere with your life."
A pause.
"But don't expect anything from me either."
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Challenge.
Defiance.
War.
"Good," Kael said.
Then he turned away.
Just like that.
As if the conversation meant nothing.
As if she meant nothing.
Lyra stood there, her chest tight, her heart aching—but her expression slowly hardened.
Fine.
If that was how he wanted it…
Then she would survive.
Without him.
Even if it broke her.