Alpha's Auctioned mate is an outcast

Casian's eyes darkened at hearing those same words again, and something inside him stirred.

"Calm, Casian. You can't let your displeasure flare up in front of Lyra," Hunter warned, sensing the rage surging through Casian's body.

But Casian ignored the warning. His grip tightened as he grabbed Lyra's arm, yanking her closer until their chests collided.

"I told you to stop testing my patience," he growled, his hot breath fanning across her face.

Lyra's eyes fluttered at the dangerous edge in his voice. Tears welled up as pain shot through her arm from his unrelenting grip. Her lips trembled, her brows knitted together in distress, but the words she wanted to say died in her throat. She bore the pain in silence.

She just wanted to leave. She knew this place wasn't for her. Yet, Casian's resistance made it hard to hold onto her resolve.

"Let me go," she finally whispered, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

As if struck by lightning, Casian snapped out of his rage. The fire inside his chest slowly dissipated, and the darkness clouding his eyes softened. The sight of her tears sent a sharp pang through his heart, constricting his chest and immediately loosening his grip on her.

Lyra stumbled back, her body trembling as she took in his indifferent expression.

Casian had no idea what had come over him. He had always been used to isolation—keeping people at a distance was second nature to him. Yet the moment she had uttered those words, let me go, something inside him cracked.

"Damn it, Casian, you scared her," Hunter growled in disappointment, watching Lyra cry in front of him.

Casian turned away, forcing himself to regain control.

"Fine," he muttered. "If you want to work as a maid, so be it. But don't think you'll get any special treatment just because you're my mate."

Lyra gaped at him in disbelief. Her heart pounded violently against her ribs, but Casian refused to meet her gaze.

Just when Lyra thought he had finally given his verdict, Casian turned to look at her.

"But there is an exception."

Lyra's breath hitched as he took a slow, deliberate step toward her. His expression remained unreadable, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You will be my personal maid," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "And there is no negotiation."

She stood frozen, her mind struggling to process the words that had just left his lips.

'Personal maid?'

Casian's lips curled into a smirk as if he had heard her thoughts, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze.

Straightening, he folded his arms across his chest. "So, Lyra, how about you start your duties by watching me work?"

"…"

When she didn't respond, still staring at him in stunned silence, Casian exhaled and returned to his seat.

He had expected her to argue—to throw a fit, to challenge him. But instead, she remained rooted in place, her wide eyes unfocused, staring absentmindedly at the wall ahead.

The sight made him smile.

A minute passed before Lyra finally snapped out of her trance. Her gaze darted to Casian, her lips parting as if to protest. But still, the words refused to form, the weight of his decree settling over her.

She could only stare at him, struggling to articulate the storm of emotions raging inside her.

In the end, Lyra gave up and glanced around, searching for a place to sit.

"Here. In front of me," Casian instructed.

Her head snapped in his direction, eyes widening slightly as she saw him gesture toward the chair in front of his desk. Without a word of objection, she walked over and sat down.

Casian studied her for a moment, his gaze unwavering.

She was obedient and as much as he was satisfied that she hadn't argued, a part of him wanted more from her. He wanted her to take a stand, not just before him, but in front of anyone who tried to demean her.

***

Time passed, and Lyra started to feel drowsy. It had become a habit ever since she arrived here; spending her time alone had made her sluggish, and most of her days were spent taking naps.

Just when she thought she could fight it off, her eyelids grew heavy. Slowly, they fluttered closed, and before she knew it, her head tilted, resting against her knuckles as her elbow propped up on the chair's armrest for support.

Casian glanced up, his sharp eyes locking onto Lyra's sleeping figure.

His hands stilled over his work.

Something about her innocence drew him in, stirring something unfamiliar within him. He wanted to understand her, to know more, but he stopped himself. He couldn't afford to be swayed. If he allowed himself to act on whatever this was, he might end up giving her false hope. And that was the last thing he wanted. The last thing he could afford to do.

To break her heart.

"How can you be so pure?" he murmured under his breath, rising from his chair.

Slowly, he walked around the desk toward her.

Casian contemplated whether he should leave her as she was, letting her rest in such an uncomfortable position. But his wolf stirred.

And before he could stop himself, Lyra was already in his arms.

She instinctively nestled closer, her face pressing against his chest, her body curling into his warmth like a child seeking comfort in its mother's womb.

After settling her comfortably on the bed, Casian turned to return to his desk.

But a small, delicate hand stopped him.

Lyra's fingers curled around his wrist, holding him back as if seeking the warmth he had just given her. Even in sleep, she refused to let go.

With a sigh, he found himself sitting beside her.

She instinctively snuggled closer, pressing herself into his side as though drawn to his presence. Casian's breath hitched, his heart pounding violently in his chest when she brushed her face against his arm before slipping back into deep slumber.

His entire body went rigid.

He sat frozen, unmoving, unwilling to disrupt the peaceful rhythm of her breathing.

Then, suddenly, a knock shattered the silence.

The door creaked open, and Darius stepped inside.

His Beta came to an abrupt halt, his gaze locking onto Lyra, who was nestled against Casian as if she belonged there.

Shock flickered across his features, but Darius quickly masked it, his expression returning to one of indifference.

Casian caught the knowing look in his Beta's eyes before glancing down at Lyra, still clinging to him.

In the end, he decided to let it be.

"Speak," he ordered, his voice quieter than usual.

Darius straightened. "We found a rogue lurking near the borders. Rowan is handling him, but he refuses to speak. He's demanding your presence, Alpha."