The Heroine Became A Lowly Servant

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I was the only female General of the Silver-Mane Pack, and I had been in love with Alaric for a hundred years.

During the Great War against the Blood-born, Alaric's arrogance led him straight into a vampire trap. He was on the brink of death.

I used myself as bait to save him. I was tortured in the dark dungeons of the vampires for three days and three nights. I even sacrificed half of my wolf's essence to ensure his escape.

After he was rescued, Alaric held my hand and swore to the Moon Goddess that he would never betray me.

But on the eve of our wedding, I stood outside the hall and heard him laughing after a few drinks.

"A woman like Lyra is just damaged goods now. Who knows how many vampires had their way with her in those dungeons?"

"The thought of marrying her makes me sick. I'll keep her around as a lowly servant at best..."

I stood there, feeling my blood turn to ice.

I couldn't believe that the man who claimed to love me was actually such a hypocrite behind my back.

My heart shattered. I sent a telepathic message to the High Matriarch.

"I agree to the marriage alliance with the Supreme Alpha."

It took a long time before she replied.

"Marriage is a serious matter, Lyra. Are you certain? Has Alaric mistreated you?"

I fought back my tears and whispered to her.

"Marrying the Supreme Alpha is my duty as a daughter of the Frost-Fire Pack. I was too selfish in the past."

The High Matriarch sighed softly.

"Very well. I will inform the Supreme Alpha. He returns from the border in three days. We will announce the wedding then."

I looked at the people laughing inside the hall and pretended I had never been there. I turned and walked back to my own quarters, Moonview Manor.

I began to prepare for a wedding that would happen in three days, but not with Alaric.

Looking at the brand-new white gown, I remembered the day Alaric gave it to me.

Back then, Alaric had just earned his title as a legendary Commander.

My Frost-Fire Pack was small and lacked influence in the Great Council.

He had taken my hand under the Sacred Oak, swearing to make me the happiest woman in the territory.

Now, those memories felt like a cruel joke.

While I was lost in thought, Alaric walked in.

The scent of bourbon followed him, but he seemed mostly sober. Seeing me, he smiled and pulled a small box from his coat.

Inside was a delicate silver hairpiece shaped like a blooming lily.

He pinned it into my hair and grinned. "My Lyra looks most beautiful in soft pink."

We had known each other for a thousand years, yet he still didn't know that I hated pink.

I took the hairpiece off and handed it back to him. "This is too expensive. You should keep it."

Alaric seemed stunned by my coldness, but he quickly tried to play it off.

"My Lyra deserves the most expensive treasures in all the seven packs."

I didn't say another word. I put the gift aside and continued smoothing out the wedding dress.

Alaric noticed the gown and frowned.

"The wedding is still two weeks away. Why did you bring that out now?"

I put the dress down, intending to tell him the wedding was off. But he spoke first, his voice full of feigned frustration.

"Right, I just got word. The rogue vampires near the East Coast are stirring up trouble again. We might have to push the wedding back."

"Let me handle those leeches first, and then we'll get married, okay?"

He pulled me into his arms. My heart was full of bitterness.

Everyone knew the Supreme Alpha had sealed those rogues months ago. There was no way they were causing trouble.

He was a terrible liar.

Still, I looked into his expectant eyes and simply said, "Okay."

He looked relieved and gave me a quick, excited kiss.

"I knew it! My Lyra is the best!"

Just then, the communication stone on his belt lit up.

He glanced at it, and the joy on his face flickered for a second. He looked at me with fake annoyance. "Probably more trouble at the border. I have to go."

Without waiting for my reply, he hurried away.

In the past, Alaric used this excuse all the time.

I never doubted him. I used to urge him to go quickly so he could protect the innocent.

But now that I saw his true face, I couldn't believe a single word.

I watched his retreating back.

I put down the gown and followed him in the shadows.

He didn't head for the border. Instead, he turned toward the Gilded Manor.

Alaric had told me that place was a high-security prison for dangerous captives.

Every time I tried to go near it, he told me I was too weak and shouldn't expose myself to such darkness.

I had believed him. I had never stepped foot inside.

But the manor was decorated luxuriously. It didn't look like a prison at all.

A sickening feeling rose in my chest.

Sure enough, the moment the doors opened, Alaric rushed inside and pulled a woman into a tight embrace.

I recognized that woman. She was Elara Moonveil, a low-ranking wolf we had saved from the vampires years ago.

I remembered it clearly. After we rescued her, Elara had offered herself to Alaric to show her gratitude.

Back then, Alaric had barely looked at her. He had said coldly, "I already have a mate. You should give up on that idea."

But now, Alaric was holding her as if she were his entire world.

"Elara, I've missed you so much these past few days."

Elara giggled and kissed his cheek before running her hands over his chest.

Alaric's eyes clouded with lust. He swept her off her feet and carried her into the bedroom.

I followed silently to the door. I could hear Elara sobbing softly.

"Alaric, you're getting married in two weeks. Does this mean we can't see each other anymore? If Lyra finds out, she'll be furious."

Alaric laughed darkly. "I knew you'd be upset. That's why I lied to her and pushed the wedding back."

He became more forceful then. The sound of their passion filled the room without any shame.

Elara laughed through her fake tears and kissed him hard.

"I knew you loved me the most."

Alaric kissed the tears from her face and smiled.

"Lyra saved my life. As long as you don't cause a scene in front of her, I'll give you anything you want."

The sounds of their intimacy filled the Gilded Manor.

I practically ran away, stumbling back to my own room in a daze.

I pulled out every gift Alaric had ever given me over the years and threw them into the fireplace.

Watching the ashes, my tears fell like broken strings of pearls. My heart felt like it was exploding.

I didn't just lose my lover. I realized he had been keeping another woman right under my nose.

And that woman was someone I had personally saved from death.

Suddenly, the communication stone in my hand glowed.

Elara's high, sweet voice came through.

"Lyra, I'm sure you saw everything just now. Alaric was especially energetic today."

"Oh, I almost forgot. He said today that you're just a piece of trash. He thinks you're dirty and he'll never touch you again!"

Elara wanted to keep talking, but I cut the connection.

Everything was clear now. Why should I listen to her lies?

I was going to marry the Supreme Alpha.

Alaric was too filthy for me. I didn't want him anymore.

The day before the Supreme Alpha returned, Alaric came to see me.

The Alpha was throwing a massive banquet to announce a secret engagement. Alaric wanted me to attend as his partner.

He dressed in an elegant black suit and smiled.

"I wonder which lucky girl the Supreme Alpha has chosen. He's making such a big deal out of it."

I put away the pink dress he bought for me and answered casually.

"The High Matriarch arranged a marriage for me and the Alpha years ago. That girl might be me."

He scoffed instinctively.

"The Supreme Alpha is royalty. Why would he marry a piece of damaged..."

He realized what he was saying and quickly changed the subject. "How could you say that! Lyra, I won't let you talk about other men!"

He tried to touch my cheek, his eyes full of fake apology.

"I've been so busy hunting rogues lately. I've neglected you. Once this is over, I'll make it up to you."

I sneered inwardly and pulled away from his touch.

After Alaric left, I pulled a stunning silver dress from the bottom of my trunk.

It was a gift from my mother when I was born.

She told me I had to wear it on the day I truly found my happiness.

Alaric had delayed our wedding so many times that the dress had gathered dust.

Now, I finally had a reason to wear it.

The next day, I wore the silver gown to the Supreme Alpha's banquet in the Crystal Palace.

The first people I saw were Alaric and Elara.

She was wearing a flaming red dress, looking incredibly provocative. She followed Alaric as he socialized with the other high-ranking Alphas.

They looked like a perfect couple.

When Alaric saw me in my gown, he froze. Then, he pushed Elara toward me.

"Lyra, do you remember her? This is Elara. She's been helping me with the rogue wolf situation."

Elara stepped forward and gave me a mocking bow. She was smiling, but her eyes were full of venom.

"It's been a while, Lyra. How are those old wounds from the vampire dungeons? Have they healed yet?"

"If you're feeling better, you should hurry up and get married. I'm dying to see you as a bride."

I looked at her coldly.

"Sure. But you're just a common wolf. You wouldn't be invited to a high-society wedding. Maybe you can be a flower girl. That red dress is flashy enough."

Her face twisted for a second before she forced another smile.

"You're so funny, Lyra."

She picked up a glass of tea from a nearby table and shoved it into my hand.

"I'm so happy to see you today. I can't handle alcohol, so let's toast with tea. To your health."

I didn't want to deal with her. I turned to walk away.

But the next second, she suddenly coughed up blood and stumbled back.

I instinctively reached out to help her, but she threw herself onto the floor, sobbing loudly.

"Lyra! I just wanted to toast with you... Why did you poison my tea?!"

"Just because you lost your wolf's essence and can't hunt with Alaric, you want to kill me..."

Alaric rushed over and shoved me aside. He frantically checked on Elara.

He looked at me with pure rage. "Lyra! I didn't know you were this petty!"

"Elara was only trying to help me. Your mind is so twisted that you tried to murder her!"

The other Alphas and guests noticed the commotion and gathered around.

Hearing Alaric's words, they began to point their fingers at me.

"I heard the women of the Frost-Fire Pack were desperate, but this is pathetic."

"Yeah, Alaric was willing to take her back after what those vampires did to her. She should be grateful, not murderous!"

Listening to their insults, I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and explained.

"She poured that tea herself. I never touched it!"

But the blood Elara was coughing up made my explanation seem weak.

Alaric grew even angrier.

"Would she poison herself? Lyra, if you don't get on your knees and apologize to Elara right now, you are banned from my sight forever!"

I refused to move.

Alaric kicked the back of my knees, forcing me down in front of Elara. He grabbed my hair and forced me to look at her.

In that moment, I saw the triumphant spark in Elara's eyes.

"Bow to her!"

As soon as he said it, a deep, powerful voice boomed through the hall.

"What do you think you're doing!"

Silas Blackwood entered the room, drawing everyone's attention.

Alaric didn't stop. He used his strength to push my head down, laughing nervously at Silas.

"Alpha, this is just a disobedient servant of mine. She hurt someone. I'll punish her and get her out of your way!"

I tried to look up, but Alaric held me down. I could only make muffled, desperate sounds.

Hearing me, Silas stepped forward and shoved Alaric away with incredible force. He pulled me up from the floor.

I was covered in dirt, my hair was a mess, and my forehead was bleeding from hitting the floor. I looked completely broken.

Silas's expression turned terrifyingly dark.

"Who did this?"

Alaric bowed quickly, looking at me with disgust.

"It's just that stupid servant I mentioned. I'll take her away right now..."

"Shut up!"

Silas cut him off with a roar.

His eyes were cold as ice.

"Alaric Vance, you have a lot of nerve to lay a finger on the future Queen of the Lycans!"

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