Lyra's POV

I stared at the man before me, utterly speechless. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out as his eyes roamed up and down my frame. I had to admit, Alpha Orion was the most attractive man I had ever seen-with his chiseled jaw, impressive physique, and striking features. But I was too frightened to appreciate his looks in that moment; everything felt way too intense. I was scared.

"What the fuck will I use a mate for?" he snapped. His harsh tone made it clear he was not happy with the idea of a mate bond. But why would something so beautiful as a mate bond make him feel so disgusted? I couldn't make sense of it at all.

I gulped nervously, seeing his growing impatience, which frightened me even more. "He is definitely not going to like the idea of a mate between us," the man said, as I opened my mouth to ask a question, only to shut it again, lacking the courage to speak. What was going on? Who was this person he mentioned who wouldn't like the idea of a mate bond?

"Beta Keto, you are here," the rude woman said, appearing out of nowhere. Her face was filled with fear and respect as she walked towards the man, who remained relaxed, his eyes  focused on me. Beta? This was his Beta. The rude woman who called herself the woman of the house, whose name I later discovered was Ruth, glanced around as if searching for something and asked, "Where is the Alpha now?"

"He couldn't make it today; he had some important matters to deal with," the man replied, rising to his feet and adjusting his suit. "The princess will be coming with me. The Alpha will meet her at home" With that, he stood up and walked out of the house, while Ruth turned to me and said, "What's going on here? How can you be the Beta's mate? You have met him before, and you weren't his mate. How did this happen?" 

I had no answer for what was happening. I opened my mouth to say, "I really don't remember anything," but it was a lie. How could I explain that I was a lonely soul trapped in the princess's body? It is not going to make any sense because it doesn't even make sense to me at that moment.

"Oh, shut up," Ruth snapped, cutting me off. "One more word from you and I will push you from a balcony this time." She glanced around frantically to ensure no one was listening. "Don't forget our plan. Seduce the Alpha if you need to. We need him on our side and you have to break that stupid bond with the Beta. Our plans can't fail." I was at a loss for words as she pushed me forward, urging me to move.

I glanced back to meet her cold, icy stare before taking a deep breath and walking out of the house. A sleek black car waited for me just outside. I entered the car, where the Beta was already seated in the back seat. I took a seat close to him, trying to steady my nerves.

He didn't say a word, preferring silence, and I couldn't think of any meaningful words either. My entire world had taken a sudden turn. What business did I have with the Alpha, and why did it seem necessary to seduce him to achieve my goals? As for the Beta, how was I supposed to break the mate bond? It seemed strange, but I already felt so drawn to him that breaking the bond might be difficult. 

"If you know what is  best, don't tell the Alpha about this. I will find a solution to this nonsense soon," he said dismissively. I merely stared at him, unable to find the courage to respond.

We soon arrived at a grand mansion, with the Beta remaining silent throughout the drive and making no effort to address the mate bond any further,  which was confusing. "This way, ma'am," a maid said politely, her expression cold as she added, "Come with me." By then, the Beta had already disappeared, but I didn't think about it. I had more pressing matters at hand-namely, meeting Alpha Orion and understanding this situation with him.

"He is working out in the gym right now, but he wouldn't mind talking to you," the maid said as we arrived in front of a door.

Is working out the important matters he had to deal with that stopped him from coming. 

It was a private gym in the Alpha's mansion as the maid slowly pushed the door open. The space wasn't large, but it was well-equipped, with various pieces of exercise equipment arranged neatly. From the corner of the room, I spotted a figure drinking water from a glass. He seemed to notice me as he finished his drink, setting the cup down and fixing his stare on me. 

He walked toward me, his eyes locked on mine, and stopped right in front of me, his tall frame towering over mine. Standing at exactly 6'4", he was even more good looking than the Beta. His dark hair, damp with sweat from his workout, clung to his face, giving him a rugged, and very manly look. He wore a fitted sleeveless gym shirt that brought out  his impressive biceps and a pair of athletic joggers that highlighted his powerful physique. I gulped, unable to tear my eyes away from him, he was so hot. At that moment, something occurred to me.

Just like before, I felt an attraction I couldn't explain, and it seemed he felt it too, as his expression shifted for a moment before quickly returning to normal. My wolf stirred again, adding to my confusion as the Alpha and I locked eyes. Suddenly, Nara, my wolf  whispered, "Mate..."

"Mate?" I asked, shocked. How could this be possible? The Alpha and I were supposed to be mates?  but the Beta was already my mate. What was happening? How could I have two mates at the same time? What cruel game was the universe playing with me? Was my wolf perhaps mistaken?

"A mate?" The Alpha seemed taken aback, his deep voice sending shivers through me as he continued to stare. I felt small under his intense look, unable to look away as he asked, "How exactly are you my mate all of a sudden?" It felt like déjà vu, as the Beta had said something very similar.

I felt his hand under my chin, lifting my face slowly so we locked eyes. My heart raced as I struggled to find the right words. "What a shame you are my mate," he said, his eyes boring into mine. "It seems I will have to punish you ten times harder than I intended for daring to be my mate." His words shocked me, and my heart pounded furiously. His tone was so psychopathic that it sent shivers down my spine. What was he planning to do to me? Why would he punish me for something I can't control?

Suddenly, I heard a very familiar voice say, "They are ready, sir?" It shocked me to the core. No, it couldn't be him-perhaps I was imagining things. Alpha Orion glanced at the person behind me before nodding and then looking back at me. His hands remained on my chin as he gently caressed my face with his thumb. The small gesture stirred something within me that I couldn't quite describe at the moment.

"I guess I will have to play with you later," he said, removing his hand from my face and walking away. I stood there, dumbfounded, struggling to process everything that had just happened. 

The familiar voice that had announced something to the Alpha spoke again, "What do you think you are doing, Raven?" no it can't be him. But the voice was too familiar. I turned to find Jacob standing there. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as our eyes met. "Jacob?" I called out, stunned. This was my fiancé, the man who had left me just a day before our wedding. What on earth was he doing here?

"Shhh," he said, placing a finger over his lips as he walked closer. "Here, my name is Kevin. Don't use my real name." He closed the distance between us while I stared at him, trying to make sense of the situation. What was he doing here? Why was he here now, especially after running away with my best friend a day before my wedding?

"We have a mission, Raven, and you need to stick to it," he said, gently grabbing my hands. "You have to seduce the Alpha at all costs. Use your charms-you are pretty, so make the most of it." He glanced around nervously, then leaned in to whisper, "Ruth told me about your mate's bond with the Beta. I don't know how that's possible since you are supposed to be mated to me," he said. I didn't feel any mate bond between us. We had been mates before, but he had broken the bond. Does that mean the original owner of this body was mated to him too just like me? What is going on here?

"Anyway, it doesn't matter. Just make sure you break that mate bond so the Alpha doesn't suspect anything." He paused, looking around nervously, before leaning in to give me a kiss on the lips. What the hell? Did he just kiss me or should I say Princess Ravenna?  "Once this is all over and we have the money we need, we will pay Ruth off so she can leave you alone, go far away, and be together. Just do your part and seduce him more." With that, he walked out of the gym room.

I stood there, dumbfounded, unable to process what was happening. The entire situation felt confusing. What connection does Princess Raven have with Jacob? What were they planning with Ruth and what is the need to pay her off so I can be free? Why do they need me to seduce the Alpha? So many questions but I had no answer to any of them. What the heck is going on?

Lyra's POV

I stood in the middle of the gym, my head turning like a rollercoaster. 

 My lips still ached from where Jacob had kissed me just minutes ago. 

Jacob, my fiancé, the guy who'd jilted me some days ago, leaving me heartbroken and shattered to pieces. 

And yet, somehow, it feels like I'm stuck with him again.

  He even has the mind to kiss me, like we were lovers.

I felt really annoyed and frustrated at the same time. I was confused as fuck.

While I was still trying to process the whole jargon flowing through my head, I heard the gym door opening.

I turned to look and saw Alpha Orion walk in.

My goodness, this dude looks like a smoking mountain, or a freaking giant. 

Everything about him was intimidating as hell, down to the way he looks at me, the exact kind of look a lion would give to a puppy. It made me feel very uncomfortable.

Slowly, I placed my sweaty palms on my gown and tried to act like nothing was wrong.

Orion stopped a few distances away from me and crossed his arms over his chest. 

"If you think the fact that we're mated is going to make me treat you differently, then you're setting yourself up for a shocking discovery."

I froze, losing my breath for a second. 

Why is he even getting married to Ravenna or whoever the fuck owns this body I'm trapped in if he doesn't care one bit about her.

The thoughts of what he might have in store for me terrified me, but my expression remained neutral. 

I wouldn't let him see how much his words terrified me. I am used to the rejections anyway, so if he rejects me here and now, I wouldn't care less, I don't even know him enough to love him.

 But then Orion's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer. "What do you have to do with Kevin?" he asked. "I heard you two talking when I left."

My heart felt like a sinking ship. Did he see Jacob kissing me? I panicked, perhaps he heard us.

For fuck sake, why do I keep going from trouble to trouble.

 I didn't even know how to answer him, so I just kept my mouth shut.

He groaned, the kind of sound that means only one thing: anger. Especially with the way his jaw tightened.

 He stepped even closer, towering over me, and pointed a finger right at my chest. "How do you know Kevin?" he demanded,  "And if you lie, I don't mind killing you tonight."

The air left my lungs. Killing me? He'd really do that? My hands shook so bad, I had to roll them into fists to stop the shaking. 

His eyes were like lasers, piercing through me for answers.

At that moment, I knew, one wrong word, and I might not walk out of this gym alive.

I opened my mouth again, but there were no words.

I was trapped, caught between Jacob's stupid game and Orion's deadly Attitude.

 I had to say something, anything, but what? The truth? A lie?

 My mind danced in different directions, searching for the right words, but it was all blank. All I could feel was the pounding of my pulse and the sweat on my skin.

 I wanted to run, to bolt out the door and never look back, but my feet were glued to the spot.

Jacob's kiss kept replaying in my head. It had happened so fast, one second he was talking about some wicked plan, the next his lips were on mine. 

 My heart ached with the memory of how he'd betrayed my love for him.

 I could still see his face from that day he sent. me that text message, like it was no big deal. 

But  Orion, he was the real problem now. My mate. The Alpha. The guy who could snap my neck without breaking a sweat. I had just met him, and he's already talking about killing me.

Orion's groan snapped me back to the moment. He was losing it, I could tell.

 He stepped closer, so close I could perceive his strong masculine perfume.

"You're just thinking of the lies to come up with, aren't you?" he accused.

My jaw dropped. Lies? I hadn't even said anything yet! 

"You're a whore," he spat. " You're already trying to seduce Kevin."

His words hit me hard, like a hot slap across the face.

 Fear had been bubbling inside me, but now it boiled over into disgust.

 A whore? Seduce Jacob? The idea made my skin crawl. Jacob or whatever the fuck his name is now, had kissed me, not the other way around, but Orion didn't care about the truth.

 He'd already decided who I was. I wanted to snap back, to tell him he was wrong, but I bit my tongue. 

I'd heard the rumors about him, how he crushed anyone who crossed him, how bodies disappeared after his anger flared. 

If I slipped up now, who knew whose body I'd end up in next? Or maybe this time, my death would be permanent.

Orion's eyes narrowed, his voice rose with fury.

 "Since you're nothing but a whore, I'll treat you like one!"

My heart slammed hard like a wave on the seashore.

I took a shaky step back, but there was no running away from him. 

He turned toward the gym door and shouted, "Keto!"

The door creaked open, and Keto stepped inside.

 His eyes darted between me and Orion, a quick glance that revealed nothing at all.

"Take her to the drilling pit," Orion ordered, his tone cold. "My men are waiting."

The drilling pit? My eyes widened in terror. What was that? The name alone sent a chill down my spine, conjuring images of dark, twisted places, holes in the ground, blood, and screams.

 I didn't know what it was or what awaited me there, but it sounded like a nightmare.

 My breath caught in my throat, and my legs felt weak.

Before I could move, Keto crossed the room in four quick steps.

 His hand clamped around my wrist. "No-wait!" I gasped, pulling against him, but it was like tugging on a steel door. 

He didn't even look at me, just yanked me toward the door.

Lyra's POV

I couldn't stop my heart from beating very fast, it almost felt like it was going to come out of my chest.

 Keto's grip on my hand was as firm as iron. He pulled me down to a dark, narrow hallway. 

The air inside the hallway was cool compared to the hot air outside.

We got to a spot where I saw a set of metal stairs, and it led to what had to be an underground basement. 

I became so scared, and the sheer terror of what awaited me once I got to the drilling pit hugged me tightly as we walked. What awaits me there? That question lingered in my mind like the pull of gravity.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, even though my voice was shaky.

 It was quite obvious from my voice that I was really scared, but I couldn't help it.

Keto didn't answer. He just kept walking as though he was deaf and dumb.

His refusal to answer my question made my stomach hurt.  I haven't heard any tales about Keto, unlike Orion, but I could tell he was loyal to Orion.

 I was terrified of Orion, but Keto? I wasn't sure about him, I would try to get to him. 

I swallowed hard and summoned every piece of courage I had left.

 I stamped my feet and yanked my arm away from his hand. He stopped immediately. "I said, Where are you taking me?"

He turned to face me, and his silver eyes scanned the area as though he wanted to be sure no one was watching. 

 "You'd better come with me peacefully," he started trying to make his voice a little calm, "Don't make this harder than it already is."

Harder? My lungs tightened, but I stood my ground, even though my knees were shaking. "Tell me where we're going," I insisted, louder than I intended.

Keto sighed and ran his hand through his hair, pushing it back. 

He stared at me for a while, like he was considering his options. 

Then he opened his mouth to answer me.

"I'm taking you to a place where your chances of coming out in one piece are fifteen percent."

Fifteen percent of surviving? My eyes widened in fear, and it felt like his words went through me like a spear.

 For a while, I couldn't feel my legs anymore, and feverish sweat broke out across my forehead. 

The drilling pit sounded like a death sentence. I'd rather find a way to escape. 

"Please," I whispered as I stepped closer to him, my hands still shaking slightly.

 "Keto, please help me escape. Don't take me to the drilling pit. I'm begging you."

He stared at me, his expression neutral. 

And for a second, it seemed like I saw something in his eyes, like confusion or conflict.

 I remembered when we just met, how he was my mate, just like Orion. Perhaps I can use that as leverage to make him help me.

His eyes went soft, just a little bit, and I held on to that tiny hope. Is he torn between his loyalty to his Alpha and the bond between us?

Finally, he nodded his head. "Fine," he said. "I'll help you. But you have to do exactly what I say."

I felt relieved, so much that it almost pushed me to tears. 

 "Okay," I said, and nodded quickly. "I will. I'll do anything you say."

Without warning, he bent down and carried me on his shoulder without any struggle on his part.

 I gasped, and my hands instinctively grabbed his shirt to steady myself. "What are you doing? How is this helping me escape?"

"You'd slow me down if I let you walk," he grunted as he walked.

I squirmed, and somehow, my heart started racing again. 

We moved past the basement walls, but something felt odd. "Wait," I said as I lifted my head slightly. "Why are we going deeper into the basement? Shouldn't we be going out instead?"

Keto stopped walking, he tilted his head a little bit, "You want me to take you through the route where we came in? Orion is probably right behind us by now."

I zipped my mouth shut.  Leaving through the same route obviously wasn't a good plan. The possibility of running into Orion was high, like he said. 

When Keto noticed I had no more words to say, he took it as a cue to keep going.

At least he was helping me. I didn't know how, but if I had any chance of escaping, he was my only option.

We reached a staircase that was sort of narrow and steep, which led deeper underground.

 Keto didn't hesitate,  he descended through the steps and I held his shirt tightly. 

 At the bottom, we reached a worn-out metal door. He shifted me slightly and used one of his hands to push the door open. 

He stepped inside and set me down on the floor.

I still couldn't feel my legs, but I tried to steady myself.  

 He'd agreed to help me escape, and the least I could do was to appreciate him for risking his life to help me. So I lifted my head up to face him head-on and thank him.

But I swallowed the thanksgiving speech that was already on my lips when my eyes sighted things that looked like I was in a nightmare.

Dozens of men were scattered across the room, their eyes turned to me like a camera detecting motion.

 They were huge, really huge. Some smiled at me, others just kept staring, but they all looked like monsters devoid of feelings.

The relief I felt earlier was quickly replaced by a fear that was almost suffocating.

I returned my attention back to Keto, "What is going on?" I sounded like a child on the verge of sobbing. 

He wouldn't meet my eyes. He looked elsewhere. "I'm sorry," he said, "I can't risk disobeying my Alpha for you."

The words hit me like a knife to the heart.

 Betrayed. He'd lied to me. He'd never planned to help me escape. 

He'd brought me straight to the drilling pit, or whatever this place was. 

My knees gave in, and I held the wall to prevent myself from falling. 

How could I have been so stupid to believe he was actually helping me?

 One of the men, a fat guy with a handkerchief wrapped around his cheek, walked closer to me.

 "Looks like Alpha Orion brought us a new toy to play with," he said, smiling.

Panic enveloped me right from my head down to my toes; any moment from now, these men would be all over me.