The Rejected Mate's Path To Redemption

Lyra's POV

Today is a day all the wolves in Genovia had looked forward to immediately after the news of the late Alpha's death.

The Silver Moon's appearance day.

It occurs only when a new leader needs to be chosen by the moon goddess.

Considering the large population of the people which consisted of the country's indigenous citizens and various tribes that were captured during the times of war, not even a quarter of the wolves could attend. Only the Royal families, elites, Lords, and powerful men together with their relatives.

Even as a Lord's daughter, I wouldn't have been allowed to attend if not for Prince Ragnar, who had personally ordered my attendance.

"The Outcast Prince wants an outcast maiden, what a perfect match. Who knows...he might have been banging her nonstop" The maids in my father's villa had mocked me without knowing that I was Ragnar's mate and soon to be a Luna.

I had lived all my life under the shadows of my step-sister who is co-incidentally the mate of Prince Reece. Everyone praised her as the next Luna and mocked me for not being able to find my mate. Of the two Princes, my Ragnar was no doubt the most handsome, strongest, and wisest, but he was neglected because he was a traitorous concubine's son just like I am the mistress's daughter.

The humiliation we had endured in our lives made us grow stronger while relying on each other. Of course, without allowing anyone except Lusine to know about our relationship.

Even though we were outside, the place erupted into a cacophony of praise and admiration as the regal princes arrived at the front that looked like a stage, their noble stride befitting the descendants of Lycan royalty. As the crowd rose to their feet, infectious energy spread with a unified chorus, we chanted: "All hail, our Princes. May your reign be as majestic as the full moon, and your lineage as eternal as the stars!"

A faint sadness washed through me when I heard the majority of the people murmuring the other Prince's name without acknowledging my man. I waved off my despair by reminding myself that my Ragnar was surely the one who would be chosen as the Alpha.

A secret only between the two of us.

I smirked mischievously when I caught a glimpse of my step-sister as she hugged her mother tightly and said "Today is my day, mother. All my dreams will come through before your eyes"

If only she knows. I thought.

The harmonious chanting abruptly halted, and a chilling silence fell over the hall. In that moment, an inexplicable shiver seized my body, as if my soul were being shaken to its core. As a scream escaped my lips, piercing through the stillness, all eyes swiveled in my direction.

Two guards swiftly made their way toward me, their steps heavy with an air of authority. With a firm grip on each arm, they began to haul me out of the place, my desperate pleas for explanation falling on deaf ears.

"She was bound to act strangely on the Silver moon's appearance day when her mother had given her a name that was related to the moon." Lyssa hissed.

All of a sudden, a heavy wind blew, leaving the guards to free me. Everyone was about to escape when one of the Lords announced the appearance of the silver moon.

Everybody, including the Princes, fell on their knees and bowed.

From what I've heard, nobody can peek as the knees and head get glued once we bow. The position of the silver moon's light will then shimmer on the chosen Alpha. He will be able to stand up as he has been bestowed by the moon goddess.

It's unusual.

I sighed when I could feel my body moving, unlike the others. Probably because I was bestowed with a special ability by the moon goddess. I dared to raise my head to see the moonlight glow on my Ragnar.

We have succeeded.

My heart was swamped with happiness as my eyes glowed through the moon's reflections. I suppressed myself from screaming at the top of my lungs as I watched him stand on his feet. He was horrified, as he staggered backward, looking everywhere until our eyes met among the huge crowd.

I shook my head in approval and said in a low tone, "We did it"

Suddenly, he snatched his eyes from mine and growled loudly, "Arise, everyone!!"

I heard winces and gasps as people were murmuring that they truly couldn't feel their body movement a while ago. They were struck with reality when one of the Lords who looked bewildered announced, "Prince Ragnar is the chosen one. Bow to our new Alpha and give your pledge!"

Everywhere became dead silent because this wasn't what they were expecting. It had never happened in the history of Genovia that the son of a concubine who had betrayed the Royal lineage could rule.

There must be some misunderstanding! What is going on?! Who tampered with the Moon goddess' choice?

Everyone was asking themselves even though they could still see Prince Reece in the bowing position. He can only stand up with the assistance of the appointed Alpha, which is Ragnar.

The distinctive buzzes died down the moment Ragnar disappeared and possessed the body of one of the nearby Lords.

The crowd gasped in amazement.

Ragnar walked to the top path of the area while still controlling the Lord's body "No one has the right to challenge the Moon goddess except if you want to experience her wrath. I was bestowed with the Power of Lunar invisibility by her!"

'What? A power my the moon goddess!

He is the mightiest Alpha in the history of Wolves! No Royalty has been bestowed with that power since our creation!

I heard the only normal wolf that had the power was murdered when the people began to worship him!

The people hollered once again, horror and fear were visible on their faces.

I smiled in satisfaction. Things were going exactly the way we had planned. I snapped my head to Lyssa, expecting her to be on the verge of fainting. Instead, her face was glowing as she smiled widely. The conflicted expression on her mother's face was exactly the one on mine.

What has gotten into her?

Ragnar made himself visible and the Lord he possessed staggered backward. "You are all forgiven, but I wouldn't be merciful when my reign is questioned by any of you," he said in an authoritative tone.

I was proud of him.

The air was thick with an almost tangible sense of devotion as the crowd dropped to their knees, heads bowed in solemn deference. A collective murmur rose from their lips, an awestruck chorus of veneration. 'Long live, our Alpha! May your rule be as eternal as the night's sky and your wisdom as radiant as the stars!'

I peeped through half-lidded eyes the moment the golden crown which had brilliant moonstones reflecting through the moonlight was carefully placed on his head. He arrogantly sauntered towards the special golden throne and positioned his giant self on it.

It's our time to shine bright.

We were permitted to arise.

It was time for Luna to be announced. Luna is preferably considered to be his mate and I am his mate. I was surprised that Ragnar still hadn't helped Reece out of his bowing position.

I felt a wave of nausea.

Oh, not now when I have to go up there!

You can fall sick after this moment. I bit my lips and clasped my palms nervously.

"Bow down to our Luna Lyssa Valcovna!"

My heart dropped in dread as sweats poured out of my forehead. "Surely, I had heard the wrong name out of nervousness" I pinched my left wrist, heaved a deep sigh, and began to walk through the masses towards Ragnar's direction, but I froze on the spot when I saw my step-sister walking elegantly through another route to meet Ragnar.

She was a step away from him.

Pardon?! What does she think she is doing?

Then I saw the eldest counsel bow and attempt to place the crown on Lyssa. "I Toer, the eldest of the council, crown you as the Luna!"

No one dared to make a statement of her being Prince Reece's mate. I screamed like a mad woman as dread surged through me.

In the blink of an eye, I rushed forward and flung the crown away with the strength I could muster. "I'm the right Luna. The true mate of our new Alpha!" I screamed, breathing heavily as I watched the area erupt in a tidal wave of uproar.