Lyra's POV"Hey, Mum," George greeted as he entered the room."Finally, you came," she replied, her smile fleeting but warm."You must be the girl he's been talking about," she turned her gaze towards me."Good evening, Mrs. Elizabeth," I said, offering a polite smile."Evening...?" She gestured for me to introduce myself."Oh, I'm Lyra," I responded, feeling a hint of nervousness."That's not a common name around here," she commented, her curiosity evident."Hey, bro," a cheerful voice echoed from the stairs. Vera descended, her bright conduct lighting up the room as she wrapped George in a warm hug."How are you, Vera?" George inquired, his affection for his younger sister apparent. Vera was the embodiment of kindness in the household."This is my girlfriend," George announced, introducing me to his sister."Hi," Vera exclaimed, pulling me into an enthusiastic hug. "I'm Vera, his younger sister. Oh my goodness, you're so beautiful! I love your hair, your dressing, your nose..." She
Lyra's POVThe following day, as we embarked on our journey to the office, I delved into my sketches.Despite the turbulence in my mind, I managed to sketch out a piece of art. Upon his return, he couldn't resist the urge to peek into my drawing book.“Wow, this is incredible. How did you conjure such looks?” His eyes widened in amazement, and I couldn't help but chuckle.“I suppose I just surrendered to the flow of my emotions,” I replied.“It's like a tapestry of a mystical forest, brimming with life and grace, yet veiled in a mystery. The darker hues lend it a touch of melancholy,” he observed, and I nodded, a smile playing on my lips.“What stirred such inspiration within you?” His curiosity persisted.“As I mentioned, I simply allow my emotions to guide my hand,” I explained with a smile.He drew closer, setting the book down gently as he took my hands in his. “Lyra, are you sad?” His question caught me off guard.“Well, if happiness is elusive, then honesty is the next best thin
Lyra's POV Returning home never felt so satisfying. After a refreshing bath, we laughed and chatted into the night, reliving the events of the evening.The next day slipped into our routine, with George heading off to work while I settled into my artistic recreations and TV watching.My day took an unexpected turn when the phone rang, echoing through the empty house. With no housekeepers in sight, I reached for the rubber-coated receiver without hesitation.“Hello,” the voice resounded.“Oh, Hello Mrs. Elizabeth. Your son is at work right now,” I informed her.“As it should be. I was hoping to speak with you,” she responded in a stoic tone.“Okay? Is there a problem?” I inquired politely, sensing an underlying tension in her voice.“Sonia told me you had an encounter. Do you have any idea who she is?” Mrs. Elizabeth's tone turned sharper.“Ugh, the lady you want your son to get married to?” I replied, a hint of sarcasm creeping into my voice.“Exactly! And I still want that. So I'll
George’s POV "Why didn't you tell me?" I strained my voice, frustration evident in every word."I'm sorry, I thought we'd be done on time and head back home," Lyra whispered, her tone apologetic."We have to find a way to leave," I insisted."It's not that bad, I'm just a bit more sensitive than usual," Lyra assured me, though her words didn't fully assuage my concerns.Determined to depart as soon as possible, I decided we would wait until after my mother's speech, whatever it was she wanted to announce."Hey," a woman approached us, her familiarity indicating she used to work with my father. After exchanging greetings, I introduced Lyra to her."I like your outfit. Is there a chance of meeting your stylist?" she inquired, her interest piqued by Lyra's attire.“I'm the stylist," Lyra responded proudly, her smile radiant."That's impressive. Where's your office? I'd like to have a few outfits styled. My daughter's wedding is coming up, and we could use the help," the woman explained
Lyra's POVI was lost in the pages of my book when George returned, looking more troubled than I'd ever seen him. After a quick shower, he reappeared in the sitting room, his face clouded with something he hadn’t yet shared.“How was work?” I asked, trying to sound casual, even though the tension was evident. He forced a smile.“Work was fine,” he replied, exhaling heavily. “But I went by the house today. I couldn’t keep avoiding it forever,” he admitted, running a hand through his damp hair.I placed the book on my lap, pressing my thumb against the open pages to mark my spot. “And I’m guessing your mother had a few words for you,” I replied, my voice sharper than I intended.He gave a quick, humorless smile. “Yeah. Threatened to disown me, even,” he muttered, almost as if he didn’t believe it himself.A pang of sadness hit me, and I felt its weight settle heavily in my chest. No matter what she did, she was still his mother, the one person who should want his happiness more than a
George's POVI couldn’t help but smile, watching her face light up with excitement. She deserved this, a little time away. Of course, she didn’t forget to bring her parrot, chattering away on her shoulder.Before we set off, I had already arranged everything. I’d called ahead and booked us a room at a hotel where we could unwind. On the way, I made sure we had a few stops to pick up snacks or grab anything that caught her eye. I wanted her to feel completely at ease, with nothing to worry about but the moment.The journey quickly turned into an adventure. We took our time, savoring each stop, letting the hours melt away. After four hours on the road, we finally arrived in the state and drove straight to the hotel. The executive suite was stunning. I had thought ahead, though. Using hand towels and tape, I carefully covered anything silver in the room. I knew how little things could matter and affect her.After settling in, Lyra took a long, relaxing shower while I wrapped up a busin
Lyra's POV George led the way, holding the door open with a gentlemanly flourish. As we stepped outside, we turned back to express our gratitude to Professor Kira.“We truly appreciate what you did for us,” George said, his voice filled with sincerity.“Good luck finding what you seek,” Professor Kira replied as she closed her door behind her.Unable to contain my excitement, I let out a squeal of happiness. George responded with a warm smile as he opened the car door for me.Once settled inside, George's gaze locked onto the paper in his hands, intense and focused. “This is actually closer to our place than here,” he explained.“Really?” I asked, leaning closer to get a better look at the paper, my curiosity piqued.“Yes, it’s somehow on the outskirts of our city,” he elaborated, his enthusiasm infectious.“That’s great!” I beamed.“So, do you need anything before we go?” he asked, his eyes searching mine, wanting to ensure I was prepared.“Go? Are you planning for us to head out t
Lyra’s POVAs we approached, George took my hand, guiding me behind him. His movements were cautious, and we walked slowly, each step filled with hesitation.“Hello?” George called out, his voice steady but guarded.The woman, who had been facing her small, weathered house, suddenly spun around with an unexpected force. The abruptness of her movement sent us both stumbling back, and George’s hand instinctively flew to the gun tucked at the back of his trousers.I gently placed my hand on his, signaling him to stop. “It’s alright,” I whispered. “She means no harm.”George hesitated but eventually let his hand fall away from the weapon, his body relaxing just a fraction. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “You must be the shaman,” he said, attempting to sound confident.Then, leaning closer to me, he whispered, “I thought shamans were supposed to be men?”I shook my head, smiling slightly. “No, they can be women. In fact, they’re mostly female.”He gave a soft, surp
George's POV I barely slept for two hours. My mind churned relentlessly, teeming with questions and possibilities that refused to let me rest. When morning came, I felt more drained than rejuvenated. Yet, the urgency coursing through me pushed me to my feet.“You’re up early,” Ellen’s voice broke the silence as she stepped out of her room.“Yes,” I replied, my words clipped with impatience. “Can we go now?”Ellen chuckled softly, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the storm raging within me. “Good morning to you too,” she teased.I paused, realizing how brusque I sounded. “Sorry, I must be rushing you,” I muttered, scratching my head. My exhaustion and eagerness had left me frayed, my emotions too raw to hide.“I understand,” she said. “But you need to rest more. I have to grab something before we leave.”I opened my mouth to protest but thought better of it. “Okay,” I said instead, swallowing my frustration.“Help yourself to the kitchen and make some breakfast,” she added casu
George's POV When I pulled up in front of the house, my hands clenched the leather steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. The pressure grounded me, but the churning in my gut refused to settle. I wanted to storm inside, to confront my mother, to demand the truth behind her lies. But there was something heavier weighing on me, something that demanded I prioritize my time. And Vera, if I lingered too long, I risked dragging her into something she didn’t deserve.I didn’t even realize she’d been talking until her voice cut through the fog in my head.“I said, goodnight. Please take care,” Vera repeated gently, a hint of worry in her tone.Her words pulled me out of my thoughts, and I managed a stiff nod. Without another word, she turned and disappeared inside.I exhaled slowly. Then, steeling myself, I started the car and drove toward the outskirts of the city. The sun had dipped below the horizon. Darkness crept in quickly, but I barely noticed.The journey felt end
George's POV I arrived at Vera’s school, knowing her schedule well enough to catch her before she left. Just as I parked, I spotted her getting into a car to head home.Without hesitation, I stepped on the gas, overtaking them and forcing the driver to pull over abruptly. From an outsider’s perspective, it might have looked like an attempted abduction.I approached her window and rapped on the glass. She hesitated before rolling it down, her eyes narrowing as they met mine.“Get out,” I commanded, my tone leaving no room for debate.Without a word of protest, she obeyed, stepping out of her car. I opened the passenger door to mine, gesturing for her to get in. She did, her movements stiff but compliant, and I drove off without another word.“I was planning to come see you,” she stammered after a moment, her voice faltering under the tension in the air.I ignored her, my focus fixed on the road. The silence between us was heavy, the only sound was the hum of the engine. After a while
George's POV After what happened with Sonia that day, shame and guilt weighed heavily on me, clawing at my conscience. I couldn't shake the memory of her deceit. I had thought Sonia had a boyfriend, that she'd moved on, but no, it had all been a calculated ploy to get to me. The realization left a sour taste in my mouth, and I wrestled with the uncomfortable truth of how deeply Lyra would be hurt by my actions.Strangely, Sonia hadn't reached out since that day. Not a single message or call. Her silence was deafening, yet I found myself unwilling to contact her. I pushed the turmoil aside, choosing instead to channel my energy into something more important: finding Lyra.Work had become a low priority; I showed up sparingly, my mind perpetually elsewhere. That evening, after another distracted day at the office, I returned home feeling the weight of my unspoken regrets. Needing an escape from the confines of my thoughts, I decided to sit outside for a while. There was a bench ben
Lyra's POVI gasped, stumbling away from the mirror, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from my chest. I ran out of the room, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.I found Damian, who was standing in the hallway, his brow furrowed with concern. “Did you have a nightmare?” he asked, his voice soft.I shook my head, my hands trembling as I clutched the fabric of my dress. “Something is happening to me,” I whispered, barely able to get the words out.Damian stepped forward, his arms reaching out as though to offer solace. “Relax,” he said. “You should rest, get some sleep.”“No,” I cried out. “You don’t understand!” The panic churned inside me, gnawing at me like a living thing. How could I explain the fear gnawing at my soul, the overwhelming dread that I had come so close to ending the life of my own child?Damian didn’t stop. He pulled me gently, leading me toward my room.“Come on, let’s go to your room, it’ll be okay.” His insistence, even though he did
Lyra's POV I woke from a disturbing dream that left me drenched in sweat, my breaths shallow and uneven. The sun’s rays seeped through the curtains, telling me it was almost noon. My hand instinctively went to my injury. A faint relief washed over me. The poisonous content seemed to have drained out, leaving the wound raw but cleaner.The veins surrounding the injury pulsed in a rhythmic throb. The black discoloration had faded slightly. I sat up slowly, careful not to jar the wound, and dragged myself to the bathroom.The cold water against my skin jolted me fully. After drying off, I slipped into clean clothes.When I stepped out, the scent of warm bread and spiced stew filled the air. In the dining room, I found my mother, her arms wrapped protectively around Kael.“Where’s Father?” I asked as I approached.“He’s gone out with Damian,” she replied. “They went to assess the damage done to the pack.”I nodded, absorbing her words as I sat down. I focused on eating instead of dwelli
Lyra's POV I attacked with every ounce of strength I had, my claws slashing through the air with ferocity. The soldiers pinning Damian to the ground quickly turned their attention to me, their faces twisted in surprise, but I didn't hesitate. With a roar that seemed to shake the very earth beneath us, I struck with the same unrelenting fury that had been building inside me. Damian rose to his feet, shaking off the last of his attackers, his eyes flashing with determination. Within moments, he joined the fray, fighting back with the same intensity that coursed through my veins. In the chaos of battle, the ground around us littered with fallen soldiers, it was only the two of us still standing, our breath ragged, but our resolve unbroken.“I told you to stay inside, right?” Damian’s voice broke through the tension, his words laced with amusement as he wiped the blood from his brow.I couldn’t answer, not in my wolf form. But deep within, a smile curled on my lips. His joking tone,
Lyra's POV I abruptly stood up, my heart racing as I dropped everything I was doing. Without a second thought, I scooped up Kael from his bed, his peaceful slumber shattered by the chaos outside. The mind link was silent, leaving me in the dark about what was unfolding.The sound of a loud bang echoed through the walls, each one closer than the last. Gunshots cracked through the air, followed by agonized screams that made my blood run cold. My pulse quickened as dread coiled tightly in my chest.Flinging the door open, I stepped into an eerily empty hallway as I sprinted to the sitting room. There, I saw my father, his face a mask of grim determination, strapping on his full armor and gripping his sword.“What is happening?” I demanded, my voice trembling despite my effort to stay calm.“Maximus,” he growled, his eyes hard and focused. “He’s attacking.”Before I could process his words, Damian emerged from another room, a sword in his hand.“Protect the castle with the soldiers,” my
Lyra's POV It’s been over a week since I gave birth, and in this short time, the baby has proven to be an unexpected blessing. Each day, I find myself marvelling at his tiny fingers and the quiet strength in his bright eyes, and with every moment, my heart grows fuller. But while my love for him deepens, so does a shadow of fear I can’t quite shake.My father organised a grand ceremony to celebrate the arrival of his grandson, despite my protests. He spared no expense, filling our halls with guests, music, and celebration. Yet, even amid the joy, whispers circulated among the werewolves in attendance, questions, rumours.Some wondered about my son’s heritage, his father. The curiosity burned in their eyes, and though my family turned a deaf ear, I felt each questioning gaze like a prickling on my skin.I named him Kael, a name that means ‘mighty warrior,’ suited for a fierce and courageous werewolf. But would he live up to the strength that name implied, or would his mixed blood b