The faint sound of voices stirred Lyra awake. She blinked groggily, disoriented for a moment before the events of the previous night rushed back. The fire in the hearth had burned low, the embers glowing faintly in the dim room. She sat up, her muscles stiff and sore, her mind still foggy from sleep.
The jacket Kai had given her was draped over a nearby chair, its presence a reminder of his unexpected kindness—or his calculated plan to earn her trust. Either way, she wasn't sure how to feel about it.
A soft knock on the door startled her. Before she could answer, the door creaked open, and a young woman stepped inside. She was petite with curly auburn hair and sharp green eyes that darted around the room before landing on Lyra.
"Good, you're awake," the woman said briskly, carrying a tray of food. She set it down on a small table near the bed. "Kai said to make sure you eat."
Lyra frowned, her guard instantly rising. "Who are you?"
The woman raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed. "Name's Mira. I'm part of the Alpha's pack. And you are?"
"Lyra," she replied cautiously.
Mira nodded, her gaze sweeping over Lyra like she was sizing her up. "Eat. You'll need your strength if you plan to stick around."
Lyra glanced at the tray. It held a simple meal of bread, cheese, and a steaming bowl of stew. Her stomach growled, betraying her hunger. She hesitated for a moment, then picked up the spoon, the rich aroma of the stew too tempting to resist.
Mira leaned against the wall, watching her with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "Kai doesn't usually bring outsiders into the territory," she said after a moment. "Especially not rogues."
Lyra froze mid-bite, the word "rogue" hitting her like a slap. She set the spoon down carefully and met Mira's gaze. "I didn't ask to be brought here."
Mira shrugged, her expression unreadable. "Maybe not. But you're here now. And that means you're part of his plans."
"What plans?" Lyra asked, her voice sharper than she intended.
Mira's lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You'll have to ask him."
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving Lyra alone with her thoughts and the uneaten meal.
The sun was high in the sky by the time Kai came for her. His presence filled the doorway, his broad shoulders blocking out the light. He didn't say anything, just gestured for her to follow.
Lyra hesitated. Part of her wanted to refuse, to demand answers before she took another step. But the look in his eyes left no room for argument. She stood and followed him out into the courtyard.
The pack's territory was even more intimidating in daylight. Wolves in human form moved about with purpose, their sharp eyes tracking her every move. Conversations paused as she passed, the weight of their stares pressing down on her.
Kai led her to a large building near the edge of the compound. It looked older than the others, its stone walls covered in creeping vines. He pushed open the heavy door, revealing a dimly lit room filled with maps, documents, and weapons.
A man was already waiting inside. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and a predatory grace that reminded Lyra of a wolf stalking its prey. His piercing blue eyes flicked to her, then back to Kai.
"This is her?" the man asked, his tone skeptical.
Kai nodded. "Lyra, this is Draven, my Beta."
Draven crossed his arms, his gaze cutting through her like a blade. "She doesn't look like much. Are you sure she's worth the trouble?"
Lyra bristled at his words, but Kai spoke before she could. "She survived an attack that would've killed most. That alone makes her worth a second look."
Draven didn't look convinced, but he didn't argue further. Instead, he gestured to a map spread out on the table. "We've had reports of increased rogue activity near the eastern border. If she's one of them, this could be a problem."
"I'm not a rogue," Lyra snapped, her voice louder than she intended.
Both men turned to look at her. Kai's expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—respect, maybe, or curiosity.
"Then what are you?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
Lyra hesitated, the weight of their stares making her feel like a cornered animal. "I'm just... trying to survive," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kai nodded slowly as if her answer confirmed something he already suspected. He turned back to Draven. "Keep the patrols tight on the eastern border. I'll deal with her."
Draven didn't look happy about it, but he nodded and left the room without another word.
Kai turned to Lyra, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "If you want to stay here, you'll have to prove yourself. My pack doesn't trust easily, and neither do I."
Lyra lifted her chin, her defiance flaring. "And if I don't want to stay?"
Kai's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Then you're free to leave. But out there, you'll be alone. And the next time the rogues find you, I won't be there to save you."
His words were like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless. She hated the way he made her feel—like a pawn in some game she didn't understand. But deep down, she knew he was right.
"What do I have to do?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.
Kai's smirk faded, replaced by a seriousness that sent a chill down her spine. "Prove you're not a threat. Prove you're useful. And most importantly, prove you can be trusted."
Lyra swallowed hard, her mind racing with questions she didn't dare ask. For now, all she could do was survive—and hope that she hadn't just stepped into something far more dangerous than she'd ever imagined.