Lyra's POV I continued to watch them argue, their dynamic almost sweet. It was evident that an unspoken connection pulsed between them. I had to speak.“I understand. I'll come up with a few designs, and you can pick the one you prefer,” I announced.“That sounds great!” Larisa smiled, her eyes still lingering on the sketches as if they held secrets only she could decipher.“How long until the wedding?” I asked, curiosity piqued by the impending date.“Roughly two months,” Charmaine replied, her voice steady yet filled with a hint of excitement.That timeline struck a chord deep within me; it coincided with the blood moon. I felt a surge of urgency, I had to finish everything before then.“Okay, I’ll wrap up the drawings in a week,” I stated, trying to sound more confident than I felt.“Are you sure? I don't want to rush you. You know art takes time,” Charmaine said, concern etched on her face.I chuckled lightly, the warmth of her words washing over me. “I appreciate how you speak
Lyra's POV “Thank you, I feel lighter now,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I nestled closer to him.“You're welcome,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to my shoulder. He paused for a moment, then added, “My sister called earlier. She asked if she could spend the day with you tomorrow. I told her I'd ask first. Should I let her know you need some time to clear your head?”“Vera?” I asked, tilting my head to meet his gaze.“Yes,” he replied.A soft smile crept onto my face. “No, let her come. She's such a sweet soul; it’d be nice to have her around.”“Okay, I’ll let her know.”That night, I slept more peacefully than I had in days. Wrapped in George's comforting words and gentle reassurances.The next morning was a Saturday, and George was home. After breakfast, we settled on the balcony, each of us holding a chilled glass of fruit juice. I lost myself in the pages of a book while George thumbed through a magazine.Before long, a cheerful voice broke the silence.“Hello
Lyra's POV “George, I think I have an idea on what to work on,” I said, excitement bubbling within me.George’s eyes lit up. “Really?” he asked. I nodded, feeling a surge of energy course through me.“I’m impressed, but what triggered that inspiration?” he probed.“Vera,” I replied, glancing over at her. “She’s so innocent and sweet; it sparked something amazing in me.” A warmth spread through me as George leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on my cheek. “I’m glad,” he murmured.Just then, Vera finished and dashed toward us. “Who is hungry?” she asked.“I am!” I replied, my stomach rumbling in agreement.“And I know a perfect place!” she declared.We made our way to the car and dropped the teddy bear. Inside the restaurant, we were greeted by the alluring aroma of delicious food. I noticed the gleam of silverware and utensils. George looked at me, but I offered him a confident smile in return.They had an array of snacks on the menu, and I quickly decided on a hotdog. The simplicity
Lyra's POV “Honestly, I can't even tell which one I love most. We trusted you, and you delivered beyond our expectations. Where have you been hiding this talent?” Mrs. Charmaine asked, her eyes sparkling with admiration.I smiled, warmth flooding my cheeks. “Thank you, I'm flattered.”“Please, sit,” I urged them, motioning to the chairs, but they remained standing, captivated by the pictures.Larisa's excitement was palpable as we continued to stand and admire the gowns. I managed to get Mrs. Charmaine to sit with me.“No matter how many times I say I love these gowns, it won't be enough to express how I truly feel,” Larisa said, her voice filled with genuine awe.“So when you decide which one to choose for the wedding, we can start working immediately. And remember, you can tell me if you want to add or remove anything,” I said, trying to ensure they felt completely comfortable.“No, they're perfect. The details are exquisite. Here I was, thinking I wanted something simple,” Larisa
Lyra's POV After dinner with George, I finally broached the topic we'd been skirting around for days, the shaman.“Now that I’m done with Mrs. Charmaine’s project, it’s time to meet Ellen,” I said.George looked at me. “Are you sure you've finalized everything? Made up your mind completely?” he asked, as if one last time he hoped I’d reconsider.I took a deep breath. “Yes,” I replied firmly. “Either way, I have to lose something. I’ve come to terms with it, and my wolf has too. We’re at peace with this choice.”He nodded slowly. “Okay. Then I suppose we should go visit her and let her know.”“Yes,” I agreed.The next day, we made our way to Ellen’s secluded cabin. As we shared our decision, she listened silently, her wise eyes assessing us. She didn’t attempt to sway us, didn’t question our motives; she simply acknowledged it with a solemn nod.“You’ll need to return the day before the blood moon. I’ll make the necessary preparations,” she announced.We returned home, the next steps
Lyra's POV I could feel her struggling. Panic surged through me as I tried to grasp her, but my hands passed through her form as if she were made of mist.“No, hold on!” I cried. I focused every ounce of my strength, trying to anchor us together, but she was slipping further and further away. Just as the last trace of her light began to fade, I was jolted back, my eyes snapping open.I blinked, disoriented, the soft glow of morning light filtering through the window. I was still lying on the floor. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.“Was that a dream?” I whispered.I glanced to my side and saw Ellen, her eyes closed, whispering words in a language I couldn’t understand, her face etched with concentration. Turning, I found George leaning against the wall, dozing off. I called his name, my voice a faint rasp.“George?”He stirred immediately. He rushed to my side, his face a mixture of relief and concern. “Are you okay?” he asked.Before I could answe
Lyra's POV I wasn’t ready for an interview just yet. George and I had talked it over, agreeing that taking any chances, especially now with my allergies more intense than ever, was simply too risky. I knew my work would continue to draw attention and lure people in search of me, but until my transformation was complete, any public appearance would have to wait. Mrs. Charmaine, ever the wise market woman, understood the business intricacies better than anyone. She warned me of the vultures circling, those eager to exploit my hard work for their gain. Then came an intriguing proposition, a prestigious designer company renowned for its influence in the fashion world reached out. The CEO wanted to meet me. Mrs. Charmaine urged me to at least listen to their offer, and after some thought, I agreed. We set up a meeting, but not without taking every precaution.George took charge. He booked a cozy coffee shop for the evening, securing a private space where we wouldn’t be disturbed. No c
George POV Lyra’s constant complaints about boredom gnawed at me. I wanted to protect her, but she wasn’t a prisoner. Keeping her indoors felt like an injustice, especially considering how chaotic my work had become. I had to agree. Sometimes, she would wander around the estate for a stroll, her only relief from the walls that seemed to close in on her.That morning, as I sifted through endless reports and correspondence, Sonia made an unexpected visit to my office. For days, I had considered speaking to her. But I always told myself it could wait until Lyra’s transformation was complete. I told my secretary to let her in.“Hello, darling,” she greeted. She moved forward with open arms, an all-too-familiar gesture. The smell of her perfume clouded the room as she leaned in, attempting to embrace me. I leaned back sharply, gently removing her hands from my shoulders.“Have a seat,” I offered.She chose the spot closest to me, settling down on the table beside my chair. The closeness
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