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
Lyra's POV The shaman settled back in her chair, her eyes drifting between me and George. She took a deliberate, dramatic pause, letting the air grow thick with anticipation.“Thousands of years ago,” she began, her voice a whisper of ancient stories, “humans and werewolves coexisted. They would descend from the mountains into the human world, mingling freely, trading goods, sharing stories. And the humans, in turn, ventured into the werewolves’ territory.” She stopped, watching us, allowing the weight of her words to sink in.“A few among them, young and bold, fell in love. It wasn’t common, but it happened. They found ways to be together, even when their worlds didn’t entirely approve. Soon enough, werewolves were living among humans, and humans were settling in the mountains, making lives together,” she continued, her gaze intense.George and I exchanged a quick glance, feeling a strange chill as we listened, hanging onto every word.“Children born of these two worlds,” she explai
Lyra's POV Ellen took a deliberate sip from her cup, her gaze steady as she prepared to unravel a tale steeped in tragedy and darkness.“On that fateful day, the sky was draped in the haunting glow of a blood moon. The princess had vanished from the palace. The king’s unease grew as twilight deepened; she never roamed the night without word. Panic tightened its grip on the castle as the search began.”“During their frantic search, the guards stumbled upon her lifeless body in the heart of the forest. Her skin, a ghastly shade of pale, was a stark contrast to the crimson pool spreading beneath her. Claw marks etched into her flesh told a story of violence, and a noxious scent lingered in the air, a rogue's stench that twisted the very essence of the night,” she explained.I felt a profound sadness wash over me, even though I had never known the princess.“The king’s brother, her uncle, rushed to inform the king that he had witnessed the princess and the werewolf boy together in the wo
Lyra's POV “I have so many questions,” George said, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of apprehension as he leaned in closer, his eyes searching hers. Ellen smiled knowingly. “I know. I'll answer them.” He took a breath, gathering his thoughts. “For a start, you said mixed breeds are extinct, but then you mentioned you’ve met two couples before. How is that possible?” His gaze sharpened. Ellen’s eyes softened. “Those two were the last,” she replied. “The few mixed breeds within the werewolf world faced harsh stigma. While a few managed to find acceptance, most felt the weight of that prejudice. Those who were fortunate enough mated with pure bloods, their children did the same, and so did their children’s children.” She paused, her expression distant. “As the years passed, the barriers between pure and mixed blood blurred until they vanished. Eventually, it was as though the mixed blood had been washed out entirely.” George’s brow furrowed as he considered her w
George's POV The shaman’s words sent an icy shiver down my spine. I silently prayed that Lyra would never have to use what we had just discussed, hoping that fate might spare her from it.“When you’ve made your decision, come back to see me,” Ellen said. “I’ll explain the steps we’ll need to take.”Wordlessly, I reached into my wallet, pulling out almost all the cash I had without even counting. I placed it gently on the table in front of her, as if this small gesture could convey the depth of my gratitude. “Thank you for your time and for the herbs. We truly appreciate what you’re doing for us.”She gave a small, warm smile. “You’re welcome, but this is far too much. Take half of it back,” she insisted, nudging the money slightly towards me.“Please, keep it. I insist. Finding these herbs must be no easy task, and I’m sure you need to travel to distant places to gather them.”Ellen’s smile softened. “You’re a kind soul. I hope you both get to live a long, happy life together.”Her
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
George's POV "Did you see the letter she left?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.My mother and Sarah exchanged confused glances. "What letter?" my mother asked, her gaze searching my face."Don't worry about it," I muttered, hoping to brush it off.But my mother leaned forward. "No, tell me. There was a letter?""I said forget it, Mother," I replied, a touch more sharply than I intended.Silence fell, thick and uncomfortable. Sarah and my mother went to the kitchen, preparing dinner. They made my favorite soup.While they cooked, my house help moved quietly through my room, tidying up my room.At dinner, I barely touched my food. Each spoonful felt like sand on my tongue. When we finished, they insisted on staying, offering to keep me company, but I refused."It's all just… a bad dream," I murmured, more to myself than to them, hoping, praying that any moment Lyra would walk through the door, that somehow this nightmare would end. I still didn’t understand what had gone