NINE

LYRA

"You can't work there," he says with finality, already striding toward the door.

But I’m not giving up that easily. I rush after him, my heart pounding in frustration. "Why not?" I demand, staring at him in bewilderment.

He halts abruptly, turning to face me. His piercing blue eyes were unreadable as always. "Because I say so. Now, get back to bed, Lyra."

My fists clench at my sides. If he claims I’m free, then why restrict me? Why give me freedom only to cage me in another way?

"I'm sorry, but I refuse to obey, Alpha," I say firmly, meeting his gaze despite the nervous flutter in my chest. My heart slams against my ribs, fearing I might have gone too far. What if he takes back my freedom? But when had I ever been one to hold back? Even in Shadowmoon, my sharp tongue had earned me more bruises than I could count. Defiance had been both my shield and my curse.

Alpha Kael only stares at me in silence. There’s no flicker of anger, no visible annoyance, just that same cold, unreadable mask. His silence is unnerving. More than that, it’s disarming. I swallow hard, unable to hold his gaze any longer. My eyes drop to my toes.

"I apologize, Alpha," I murmur. "I do not mean to challenge your authority."

"You spoke your mind, lass," he replies evenly.

I take a slow breath. "I only wish to know why you would deny me the chance to learn and do something I enjoy."

His expression doesn’t change, but his next words take me by surprise. "I do it for your own good," he says, stepping closer. "Olivia holds some authority in the infirmary, and she won't make it easy for you."

The very mention of her name nearly makes me scoff. So, he is worried for me? I tilt my head up, studying him, and something unfamiliar tugs in my chest. Maybe it's appreciation because he doesn’t pretend. He truly means to protect me. But I don’t need him to fight my battles. I have never needed anyone to rescue me.

"I will not always be there to help you, Lyra," he adds, his voice quieter this time.

"But I am not afraid of trouble, Alpha," I say, straightening my spine. "I have faced worse. I will not allow her coldness to cower me."

He studies me for a moment. "Fine," he finally says. "If your mind is already made up, so be it."

Relief washes over me. I bow deeply. "Thank you, Alpha."

"Go back to bed and get some rest. I will take you there myself in the morning."

With that, he strides toward the door and disappears, vanishing as if he had never been here at all. The room feels colder and emptier without him. I sigh, rubbing my arms before climbing back into bed. I'm not used to anyone looking out for me. But somehow, knowing he wants to protect me anyway… doesn’t feel so bad.

THE NEXT MORNING

I am fully dressed and waiting when Alpha Kael steps into my bedroom. It still feels strange waking up without a long list of chores hanging over my head. No scrubbing floors, no fetching water, no bruises waiting for me if I don’t move fast enough. I bow to him as he enters. He nods slightly before gesturing for me to follow. I trail behind him as he leads the way toward the pack’s infirmary.

As we walk through the main courtyard, werewolves bow their heads in deference to him. Their gestures are instinctive, automatic, and filled with reverence. But when their gazes shift to me, their expressions change. Cold. Distant. Full of disdain. They don’t need to say anything for me to understand I don’t belong here. Still, what captures my attention the most is how they look at Alpha Kael. They don’t just fear him, they respect him. He doesn’t command respect the way Alpha Lucian or Nathan did; through fear and cruelty. His people admire him. They bow to him not because they are forced to, but because he has earned it. That realization makes me respect him even more.

"We are here," Alpha Kael says abruptly.

His voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I lift my gaze to see the infirmary. A sturdy stone building with large windows, its entrance framed by hanging herbs and medicinal plants. A small group of she-wolves pause in front of us and their chatter dies the moment their eyes land on Alpha Kael. Their deference toward Alpha Kael is immediate, they bow their heads in respect, some even placing their fists over their hearts in submission. But when their gazes flicker to me, the warmth in their eyes fades, replaced by something colder. Suspicion. Wariness.

I know that look all too well. Still, I keep my back straight as Alpha Kael gestures toward me.

"This is Lyra," he announces calmly. "She will be assisting in the infirmary starting today."

A few of the healers exchange glances. Their false smiles stretch a little too tight, but none dare to question him outright.

"You will all assist and teach her about everything she ought to know."

The senior healer, a tall, sharp-eyed woman with streaks of silver in her auburn hair, steps forward first. "Welcome, lady," she says smoothly, though I can sense the careful neutrality in her tone. "I'm Elena, the head healer. We'll do our best to guide you through your training."

I bow slightly, murmuring my thanks. Her words sound polite enough, but the unspoken 'as long as you don’t get in the way' lingers between us. The others offer me the same strained pleasantries, except, of course, for Olivia.

"I'm sure you'll have a lot to learn," Olivia says as she finally steps forward. Her eyes are assessing me with open scrutiny. She doesn’t bother with fake pleasantries or forced smiles. Instead, she tilts her head slightly, and her lips curve into something that isn’t quite a smirk but holds the same level of condescension. Then she does something that makes my stomach twist.

She steps closer to Alpha Kael, her body angled toward him in a way that feels possessive. "Are you sure about this, Alpha?" she asks softly. "A human in the infirmary… it might be a bit much for her to handle."

Alpha Kael doesn’t even glance at her. "She will be fine." His voice is clipped. "Show her what she needs to do."

The muscles in Olivia’s jaw flicker. Her fingers curl ever so slightly at her sides before she bows her head. "Of course, Alpha," she says, but I hear the barely restrained fury beneath the obedience.

I notice the way the other she-wolves react to the exchange, some exchanging amused glances, others watching in silence as if waiting to see how things unfold. Just like Alpha Kael said, Olivia isn’t just a respected healer. She holds influence here and judging by the way she looks at him, she is used to standing close to him.

"Come now, lass," Elena says, beckoning me forward before turning to the other girls. "Back to your duties, everyone."

The group scatters, but as I follow Elena inside, I catch one last exchange. Alpha Kael's voice is low and warning.

"Do not give her any trouble here, Olivia. I will not like that."

"Of course, Alpha," Olivia's voice replies.

But I already know she has no intention of keeping that promise.

The moment Alpha Kael leaves the infirmary, the entire atmosphere changes. The forced smiles vanish. The feigned politeness crumbles. The same she-wolves who greeted me so neutrally now act as if I don’t exist. They avoid my gaze and speak around me rather than to me. No one gives me instructions, no one acknowledges my presence. They ignore me. As if I am nothing. As if I don’t belong.

I expected hostility. I expected challenges. I expected Olivia to find subtle ways to make my life miserable. But being treated like I do not exist is somehow worse, and it hits me more than I can admit. But I grit my teeth, forcing my expression into neutrality. I will not give up.

I will take them up on their challenge.