Lyra's POV
The weekend buzzed with excitement as the pack gathered on the massive field for the pack run. I'd been here many times before, always watching from the sidelines, content with my place out of the spotlight. I was always a spectator. But something about today felt different. The energy was charged, every wolf eager to stretch their legs and run free.
Kael stood at the head of the field, a commanding figure in both stature and presence. His black wolf, massive and regal, was a stark contrast to the others. When he shifted, his golden eyes gleamed with an intensity that silenced even the most restless wolves. Kellan was close behind him, his silver gray wolf radiating calm authority.
The field buzzed with anticipation. Ava's wolf darted around playfully, snapping at Violet whose timid caramel wolf tried to keep up. Freya and Kiera stood nearby, their wolves—reddish-brown and dark brown—always in sync, though their eyes carried a mix of disdain and envy as they glanced at Ava. Selena, in her pristine white wolf form with piercing blue eyes, held her usual air of superiority.
Kael let out a deep howl, signaling the start of the run. The pack surged forward, a symphony of paws and howls as they disappeared into the forest. I stayed behind, as usual, content to avoid the chaos.
Or so I thought.
Selena was the first to notice me lingering by the edge of the field. She turned, her icy blue gaze locking onto mine. Her white wolf crept toward me, her movements deliberate and taunting.
"Still hiding in the shadows, Lyra?" she called out, shifting into her human form with an elegance I couldn't help but envy. "What's the matter? Afraid your little secret might slip out if you join the run?"
Freya and Kiera weren't far behind, always eager to support Selena's taunts.
"Afraid you'll trip and embarrass yourself in front of the entire pack?" Freya said with a smirk, her reddish-brown wolf shifting back into her human form.
"Maybe she's worried we'll judge her," Kiera added, her tone dripping with mock concern.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain calm. Their words hit too close to home, but I refused to let them see how much they affected me.
"Selena." Kael's voice sliced through the air like a whip. He emerged from the trees, his massive black wolf exuding dominance. Even in human form, his commanding presence would have been enough to silence the field, but as a wolf, he was unchallengeable.
"This is a pack run, not a platform for childish games. If you have energy to waste on petty insults, perhaps you should run harder, Selena."
Selena's ears flattened against her skull, but the fury in her icy blue eyes was unmistakable.
Before she could retort, Ava stepped forward, shifting into her human form, her hazel eyes blazing as she stepped between me and Selena. Ava wasn't having it.
"Why do you care so much about what Lyra does or doesn't do, Selena?" Ava's voice was sharp, her usual playful demeanor replaced with protectiveness. "Honestly, it's embarrassing. It's almost as if you're obsessed with her."
Selena's gaze darkened, but before she could respond, Freya and Kiera muttered under their breath, loud enough for Ava to hear.
"Ava and her silly attitude," Kiera sneered.
"Look how she spoke to the Luna," Freya added with a roll of her eyes. "She doesn't respect anyone in the pack just because her family's always been Beta. She thinks she's untouchable."
Ava ignored them, her focus entirely on Selena. "If you're so insecure that you need to pick on someone who hasn't even done anything, maybe you're the real problem here."
Selena's white wolf bristled, her icy gaze flickering with anger. But before she could respond, Kellan stepped forward, his silver gray wolf shifting seamlessly into his human form. His calm voice carried a sharp edge.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Luna," he said smoothly. "Maybe if you spent less time tearing others down, you'd have more people willing to stand up for you."
Selena stiffened, her anger evident in the way her jaw tightened. But it wasn't her reaction that caught my attention—it was Kiera's. She let out a sharp scoff, her dark brown wolf glaring at me with unmistakable jealousy.
Freya, ever the instigator, nudged Kiera with her shoulder, her voice low but pointed. "Don't worry about it, Kiera. Lyra doesn't stand a chance with the Beta."
Kiera huffed, clearly unimpressed, but her gaze lingered on Kellan.
Kael's deep growl silenced everyone. He shifted back into his human form, his golden eyes locking onto Selena with a warning that needed no words.
Selena huffed, shifting back into her wolf form with a flick of her tail before disappearing into the forest.
As the pack resumed their run, I stayed behind, my emotions a swirl of gratitude, confusion, and determination. Gratitude for Ava and Kellan stepping in. Confusion at Kiera's obvious jealousy. And determination to prove, not just to them but to myself, that I was more than they thought.
Kael's gaze lingered on me for a moment, his golden eyes softening briefly before he turned and joined the pack.
Selena's words still echoed in my mind, but they weren't enough to break me. Not this time.