Lyra's POV

The forest was eerily quiet as I stumbled through the dense trees, my breath ragged and my heart pounding like a war drum. The air here was heavier, the scent of foreign wolves marking the territory sharp and unmistakable. I hadn't meant to cross into another pack's land—it was reckless and foolish—but I had nowhere else to go.

The faces of those I had once trusted—the friends who had smiled at me, the pack that had sworn to protect me—flashed in my memory, each one etched with deceit. They had turned on me the moment they'd realized the truth about my wolf, as if my strength was something to be feared rather than celebrated.

I clenched my fists, shoving the memory aside. It didn't matter now. They were behind me, and I swore I would never let anyone else see the wolf that lived within me.

Not ever again.

A low growl rumbled from the shadows ahead, pulling me to an abrupt halt. My pulse quickened as two wolves emerged from the underbrush, their eyes glowing with suspicion.

"Stop where you are!" one of them barked, shifting into his human form. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and bristling with authority.

"I didn't mean to trespass," I said quickly, raising my hands in surrender. "I—"

Before I could explain, the other wolf pounced, pinning me to the ground with claws pressed against my throat.

"Trespassers don't get to explain," he snarled. "You're coming with us."

I didn't fight back. I couldn't. If they saw even a glimpse of my wolf, I'd be exposed all over again. Instead, I forced myself to go limp as they bound my wrists and dragged me deeper into their territory.

---

The pack's den was sprawling, nestled in a clearing surrounded by towering pines. Wolves in human form milled about, their gazes sharp and suspicious as I was hauled into the center of their domain. My captors shoved me forward, forcing me to my knees before a massive wooden chair that sat like a throne at the heart of the clearing.

And then I saw him.

The Alpha.

He rose from the chair with the kind of authority that couldn't be faked, his presence commanding silence from everyone around him. His piercing amber eyes locked on me, and a jolt of something primal shot through me.

My wolf, Hope, stirred.

Mate!

The word echoed through me like a howl, and I barely suppressed the gasp that threatened to escape. No. I shoved Hope back, locking her down with an iron will.

"You're in my territory," he said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "Explain yourself."

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze even as my heart raced. "I mean no harm. I was just passing through."

His eyes narrowed.

"Passing through my land without permission? That's a dangerous mistake."

"I didn't have a choice," I replied, keeping my voice steady.

For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable. And then, his wolf surfaced, a flicker of gold flashing in his eyes. My own wolf responded instinctively, clawing at the walls I'd built to keep her hidden.

I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. Stay down, stay quiet.

"I don't trust her," one of the men who had captured me said. "She could be a spy from a rival pack."

The Alpha didn't respond immediately. He seemed to be studying me, his jaw tightening as if he were fighting some internal battle.

"Until we know who she is and what she wants," he finally said, his voice cold, "she'll be kept under watch. Put her with the slaves."

Slaves. The word sent a pang through me, but I kept my expression neutral.

"Yes, Alpha," one of the guards said, hauling me to my feet.

Kael's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, something unreadable flashing in his eyes before he turned away.

As they dragged me off, I swore to myself that no matter what this pack thought of me, no matter what they did, I wouldn't let my wolf surface. Not again.

I would survive this. Even if it meant becoming invisible, insignificant, and forgotten.

No one would ever know what I truly was.

-------

The air in the slaves' dorm was stifling, thick with the scent of unwashed bodies, sweat, and something else—despair. My captors had left me at the entrance, tossing me inside like discarded prey.

The door slammed shut behind me, the sound reverberating in my chest like a warning.

I could feel their eyes on me. Curious, wary, maybe even hostile. My skin prickled under their stares as I took a hesitant step forward, trying to steady my breathing. Do they know? Can they tell?

I clenched my hands into fists, willing my wolf to stay silent. If there was even a flicker of her presence, if I gave the slightest hint of what I was, everything would fall apart again.

A tall, thin woman with tired eyes and a warm smile stepped forward, cutting through the tension. She looked older than me, with strands of silver streaking her dark hair, but there was a quiet strength in her posture.

"You're new," she said softly, her voice carrying a gentleness that caught me off guard. "Come on, let me show you where you'll sleep."

I followed her across the room, acutely aware of the glances that followed me.

Whispers flickered through the air, too low for me to catch, but their meaning was clear: I was an outsider, and outsiders weren't to be trusted.

The woman led me to a narrow bed tucked against the far wall. It was little more than a thin mattress with a threadbare blanket, but it was better than nothing. She gestured for me to sit.

"This is your space now," she said, crouching down beside me. "My name's Mara. I've been here a while, so if you need anything—anything at all—you come to me. Alright?"

I nodded, her kindness catching me off guard.

"Thank you," I murmured.

Her smile widened, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"You'll need to rest while you can. They'll want us in the kitchens soon to prepare dinner for the pack. It's hard work, but you'll get used to it."

I nodded again, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. The past few days had been a blur of running, hiding, and barely surviving. My body felt like it could collapse at any moment.

"Try to sleep for a couple of hours," Mara said, patting my hand lightly. "I'll wake you when it's time to work."

"Okay," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

She rose to her feet and disappeared into the crowded room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I laid down, pulling the blanket over me, and let my eyes close.

The murmurs in the room faded into the background as sleep crept in. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to let go, if only for a little while.

But even as sleep claimed me, a familiar unease settled in my chest.

No one can know. No one can ever know.