Lyra's POV
The Luna's warmth caught me off guard. She stood before me, radiating grace and kindness, her silvery hair catching the light as she smiled.
"Welcome to our pack," she said, her voice smooth but carrying an undertone I couldn't quite place. "You'll find we're a close-knit family here, and we support one another."
I murmured a thank you, bowing my head slightly out of habit. My nerves hummed under her steady gaze, and though her words were kind, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was assessing me, weighing my worth.
A faint throat-clearing sound drew my attention, and I turned to see Kael standing in the doorway. His towering presence dominated the room, but it wasn't just him. Two other men were with him—a lean, sharp-eyed man with a commanding stance, and another broader figure whose expression was set like stone.
"Lyra," Kael said, his voice calm but firm. "We have a school here in the pack territory. If you haven't finished high school, you can continue your studies."
I blinked, startled. A school? My thoughts raced. I hadn't expected…this.
"I—no, I didn't finish high school," I admitted, my voice quiet.
Kael nodded, as if he already knew the answer.
"The school is for werewolves only, so you won't need to feel out of place. It's your choice if you want to attend."
I hesitated, unsure what to say. His gaze didn't waver, and I felt like he was reading every thought flitting through my head. Before I could respond, he continued, gesturing to the broad-shouldered man beside him.
"This is Arden, one of our Gammas. He'll brief you on our weekly pack run," Kael said, his tone now purely business. "We do it every weekend. You don't need to shift to participate, so there's no pressure."
I nodded silently, absorbing the information.
The Luna spoke up then, her tone light but her words cutting in a way that made my chest tighten.
"If you haven't connected to your wolf by now, Lyra, it's possible you don't have one. That would make you more or less… human." She offered me a small smile, as though trying to soften the blow. "But don't worry, we don't discriminate here. Everyone has a role to play, and you'll need to prove yourself to stay."
Her words stung, but I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Prove myself?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, of course," she replied, as if it were obvious. "You may not be a threat, being… well, weak, but everyone contributes in some way."
Kael's expression hardened slightly, and he cut in before she could continue.
"That's enough," he said, his voice firm. He turned his attention back to me, his silver eyes locking with mine.
"Arden will show you around and explain what you need to know. He'll answer any questions you have."
Arden stepped forward, his movements deliberate, and gestured for me to follow.
As I turned to leave with him, my gaze flicked to the lean man beside Kael. His eyes were already on me, unblinking, watching me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
The Beta.
His stoic face gave nothing away, but his sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through me. It was unsettling.
I looked away quickly, willing my feet to move faster.
"Let's go," Arden said gruffly, already heading for the door.
I followed him, trying to shake the feeling of the Beta's eyes on my back. Something about this pack was different, and though they hadn't turned me away, the pressure to prove my worth was already suffocating.
Arden moved with ease through the pack's territory, his tall frame guiding me past towering pines. I walked a step behind him, taking in the sights and scents of a place that was so unlike my former pack's home.
"This," he said, gesturing to a large building with a courtyard, "is the pack's training hall. Combat lessons, strategy meetings, and anything physical happen here. If you're looking to build some strength or pick up a skill, this is the place to be."
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral, though the thought of joining a training session made my stomach churn. Arden glanced at me, as if sensing my unease.
"Do you train?" he asked casually.
"I—uh, no, not really," I admitted, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "Not much opportunity before."
"Hmm," he mused, rubbing his jaw. "You'll have plenty of opportunities here if you change your mind."
We continued walking, and I found myself relaxing a little under his easy demeanor. Arden was approachable, far less intimidating than Kael or the Beta. He stopped near a hill that overlooked a small lake, the water shimmering under the sun.
"This is one of my favorite spots," he said, leaning casually against a tree. "Great for clearing your head. Sometimes even I need a break from the pack."
I offered a small smile, unsure how to respond. He didn't seem to expect an answer, though, and continued walking.
"Lyra," he said after a moment of silence, his tone softer now. "I've been meaning to ask… about your former pack."
I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat.
"What about it?" I asked cautiously.
"Well, why are you here and not with them?"
I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. "It's… complicated," I said finally.
Arden glanced at me, his brows furrowing slightly.
"And your wolf?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Why do you think you haven't connected with it yet?"
I stopped walking, my heart pounding.
Everyone seemed so fixated on my wolf—Kael, the Luna, now Arden. It was getting unbearable. How long could I keep up this lie? How long before someone saw through me?
"I don't know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, afraid he'd see the cracks forming in my carefully constructed facade.
"I've never felt her."
Arden watched me for a moment, then stepped closer, his tone gentler.
"Hey," he said. "You don't have to worry. I'm not trying to pressure you. I'm just… curious, that's all. No one's judging you."
I glanced up at him, his warm brown eyes filled with genuine concern. He meant it, but the weight of my secret pressed harder against my chest.
"Thanks," I mumbled, grateful when he dropped the subject and started talking about something else.
"You'll need a few things for school," he said, gesturing toward a path that led back to the main pack house.
"Books, notebooks, the usual supplies. I'll make sure you get everything. Classes can be tough at first, especially if you're not used to the dynamics of a werewolf-only environment, but you'll catch on."
"Right," I said, trying to focus on his words.
"The teachers are firm but fair. Combat theory is mandatory, but actual physical training is optional until you're ready. History classes might be interesting for you since you're new here—you'll learn a lot about our pack."
"What's the pack's name?" I asked, realizing I hadn't caught it before.
"Silver Ridge," he said with a small smile. "Best pack you'll ever be a part of."
I let out a soft laugh. Arden's easy humor was disarming, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a flicker of comfort.
"Thanks for showing me around," I said quietly.
"Anytime," he replied, his smile widening. "If you need anything—questions, advice, or even someone to vent to—I'm around. Just don't let anyone get to you."
I nodded, my chest tightening. The reminder of the bullying dampened my brief moment of peace, but Arden's kindness left a small light in the darkness.
As we walked back toward the pack house, I caught him glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, as if he wanted to say more but held back. Maybe he was still curious, or maybe he was just trying to figure me out like everyone else. Whatever it was, I couldn't afford to let my guard down—not now, not ever.