The air in the stronghold felt heavier than usual, almost suffocating. Lyra could barely focus, her mind still spinning with the words Kael had thrown at her. (A prophecy).A destiny tied to a world of power she barely understood. It weighed on her, pulling her further into a situation that felt more like a trap with each passing hour.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers running anxiously over the worn fabric of her clothes. There was no denying that something inside her had changed since being brought here. Her body was tense, alert to every sound, and a strange energy seemed to stir beneath her skin, though she couldn't fully grasp it yet.
Kael knew something. He had been holding back, only giving her pieces of the truth. That much was clear. And now Marcus, too, was circling like a predator, ready to strike at the first sign of weakness. The thought of either man controlling her fate made her skin crawl.
She glanced toward the door, listening carefully. It had been hours since Kael left her after their charged confrontation. The tension from their last encounter still lingered in the room, a reminder of the power he held over her—yet also a reminder of her own growing awareness. She had sensed the cracks in his control, however small they might be.
But she couldn't ignore the dangerous truth: Marcus was a bigger threat than she'd initially realized. His ambition, his hunger for power, and his fixation on her were becoming more palpable by the day.
A sudden knock on the door shattered the silence, and Lyra's heart skipped a beat. She stood quickly, every muscle in her body tensing as the door creaked open. This time, it wasn't Kael or Marcus.
It was the young wolf.
His pale blue eyes flickered with concern as he stepped into the room, glancing over his shoulder as if to make sure no one had seen him. He was cautious, too cautious, and that only added to Lyra's growing sense of dread.
"Lyra," he whispered, his voice barely audible as he moved closer. "There's no time to waste."
She frowned, her mind racing. "What's going on?"
The pack… it's shifting. The loyalties aren't as solid as they were before," he muttered, his gaze darting to the door again. "Marcus is gaining support, and Kael's… distracted.
Lyra's stomach tightened. She had sensed Kael's growing obsession with her, but hearing it spoken aloud made it all too real. His control over the pack was slipping, and Marcus was ready to exploit that weakness.
"I need you to trust me," the young wolf continued, his voice more urgent now. "If Marcus seizes control, you won't be safe here."
Lyra swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. She had thought about running, about finding a way out, but the reality of it terrified her. **Where would she go?** Who could she trust in this mess?
"You need to leave," he said, his tone firm but laced with worry. "Before the pack is torn apart."
Lyra looked at him, her mind spinning. She didn't know what to think anymore. This young wolf had been her only source of kindness in this place, but she didn't know his true intentions. And yet… the thought of staying, of waiting for Marcus to make his move, was even more terrifying.
"Where would I go?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly.
His eyes softened for a moment. "There are places, safe places, away from the pack. I can help you—get you to someone who can protect you."
Lyra's heart pounded in her chest. It sounded too easy, too simple. And yet, she had no other options. Staying meant either falling under Kael's control or being at Marcus's mercy.
Before she could respond, the door swung open again, and Kael strode into the room, his eyes immediately locking onto the young wolf. The tension in the air thickened instantly.
"What are you doing here?" Kael's voice was sharp, dangerous.
The young wolf stiffened, stepping back as Kael's gaze bore into him. "I was just"
"Leave." Kael's tone was cold, final.
The young wolf hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking to Lyra, but then he nodded and quickly left the room. As soon as the door closed, the air between Kael and Lyra felt like it might shatter.
Kael's eyes were darker than usual, his jaw tight with barely restrained anger. He crossed the room in a few short steps, stopping just in front of her. Lyra's pulse quickened as she looked up at him, unsure of what to expect.
"Are you trying to run?" Kael's voice was low, but there was a dangerous edge to it.
Lyra swallowed hard, her body tense. "I
"Don't lie to me," Kael interrupted, his gaze hardening. "I've been patient with you, but don't think for a second that I won't stop you if you try to leave."
The possessiveness in his tone sent a chill down her spine, but it also sparked something else—something that stirred the growing fire within her. She was tired of being trapped, tired of being a pawn in whatever game he was playing.
"I'm not your prisoner," Lyra said, her voice trembling but defiant. "I won't just sit here and wait for Marcus to tear me apart."
Kael's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Marcus won't touch you."
"How can you be so sure?" Lyra shot back, her frustration boiling over. "You can barely hold your pack together. How long before Marcus comes for me? How long before he~
"Enough!" Kael's voice thundered through the room, silencing her.
Lyra froze, her heart racing as Kael stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. He was too close now, his eyes burning with a mix of fury and something darker—something she couldn't quite place.
"I won't let anyone take you from me," Kael growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Not Marcus. Not anyone.
Lyra's breath hitched, her mind spinning with the weight of his words. His obsession was growing, consuming him, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could resist it.
"I'm not yours," she whispered, though her voice faltered under the intensity of his gaze.
Kael's lips twitched into a cruel smile, but there was no humor in it. "You will be."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy and suffocating. Lyra's chest tightened as she realized just how deep she was in—and how little control she had left.
But she wasn't broken yet.