SEVEN

LYRA

A heavy silence settles over the courtyard, but I can see the agreement in the eyes of the other elders. They don’t want me here.

I don’t know what happened in their past, but I know I am not welcome here. And judging by the storm brewing behind Alpha Kael’s eyes, he is not taking their words lightly.

“She is my guest and my responsibility,” Alpha Kael grits out. “And you will accept that.”

Then, another elder, a grizzled werewolf with silver streaks in his beard, steps forward. His gaze sweeps over me before he speaks.

“You’re asking us to accept a human into our ranks,” he says in a measured tone filled with warning. “Into our home, where she has no place. You know what that means, Alpha.”

Alpha Kael doesn’t flinch. “I know exactly what it means.”

Another elder scoffs, shaking his head. “Then you must also know how foolish this is. Bringing her here goes against everything we stand for. Humans are weak and fragile, and they don’t belong in our world.”

They speak of me as if I am not standing right here. As if I am nothing more than a plague that brings calamity to their world. I don’t want to burden my new Alpha. He has done enough for me, rescuing me from Shadowmoon, giving me back my freedom, and now he stands here, defending my place in his pack. Suddenly, it all makes sense. His words from earlier about staying in his pack being my best option… He hadn’t been convincing me; he had been convincing himself.

I don’t want to be the reason for discord between him and his pack. My fingers twitch before I reach out, hesitantly tugging at his arm. He turns sharply, his blue eyes flashing with fury. But as our gazes lock, something in his expression softens, if only slightly.

I swallow the lump in my throat and force myself to speak. “Uhm… I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Alpha. You saved me from Shadowmoon, you gave me a chance at freedom, and now you’ve brought me here. But I don’t want to cause trouble for you or your pack. I can take care of myself. I’ll survive on my own.”

Even as the words leave my mouth, I know they are lies. How? How could a weak human like me, with no fighting skills and no protection, possibly survive out in the wild alone, surrounded by werewolves and rogues? I don’t stand a chance.

“You are staying,” Alpha Kael snaps, and his tone sends shivers down my spine.

My mouth clamps shut, and whatever protest I was about to make dies in my throat. He is so fearsome. He turns back to his elders, his shoulders squared and his aura crackling with dominance.

“Alpha, please listen to her,” Bandy says, his voice almost pleading. “The past—”

“This is not the past!” Alpha Kael barks, his deep voice shaking the air around us. “Lyra is under my protection now. She is not a threat to this pack.”

“Not yet,” silver-streaked beard counters.

A cold weight settles in my stomach. No matter how much their rejection stings, I can tell this is not just about me. This is about something older, something deeper, something I am not meant to understand. Alpha Kael takes a step forward, and the elders, men who stood so boldly against him just moments ago, flinch. They step back as fear flashes across their faces.

“I did not come here to ask for permission," Alpha Kael states, his voice is dangerously calm. "I am your Alpha, and I have made my decision. Lyra stays, and that’s final.”

The elders shift uneasily, exchanging glances, but not a single one dares to speak. They are wise enough to know that challenging their Alpha any further would be foolish. His fury radiates off him, and I can feel the brunt of it in the way his fingers clamp tightly around my wrist.

Then, finally, the first elder, Bandy, exhales, long and measured. "Then so be it," he murmurs, but there is no acceptance in his tone, only reluctant resignation.

One by one, the others nod. Some do so grudgingly, their displeasure barely concealed, while others remain eerily silent, their expressions blank masks. The hostility doesn’t fade, not fully. But at least, for now, I have a place of protection and an inch of freedom. That doesn’t mean I can deceive myself into thinking it will be any easier here than it was in Shadowmoon.

Slowly, the elders part, forming a passage for Alpha Kael and his entourage to pass. The moment stretches, heavy and charged, but Kael doesn’t acknowledge their lingering resentment. He turns to me, his earlier fury melting into his usual cold, unreadable expression.

“Follow me.”

I hesitate. It’s a mistake. His sharp blue eyes flicker with warning as he turns back to me. "It is not a request, Lyra. It’s a command."

A shiver runs down my spine. "Yes, Alpha," I murmur and immediately fall into step behind him.

As we move through the silent corridor of elders and warriors, their gazes burn into me like a thousand tiny knives. But I keep my chin up and my steps steady, knowing that showing weakness will only make things worse.

When we step outside the courtyard, I am momentarily stunned by the sight before me. His packhouse is a sprawling, grand beauty. Towering stone walls, intricate carvings, and large arching windows make it look like something out of a storybook. Majestic yet intimidating. Regal yet cold. I am so mesmerized by the structure that I don’t notice the stares we receive from the pack members as we walk through the entrance. Whispers, eyes filled with curiosity, suspicion, and something else I can’t quite place. Alpha Kael halts abruptly in front of the entrance, snapping me out of my awe.

A tall, striking man with golden blond hair stands waiting. Beside him, a robust woman holds herself upright, her dark eyes observing me carefully. They both bow deeply to Alpha Kael before turning their attention to me. Their expressions are unreadable, neither hostile nor welcoming. They don’t glare at me like the elders, nor do they offer kindness. They simply watch.

“Lyra, this is Aiden, my Beta and Steward of Troops,” Alpha Kael says, gesturing toward the blond man, who is nearly as tall as him. Then, turning to the woman, he continues, "And this is Lady Anwen, Mistress of Servants."

Beta Aiden nods, then steps forward. Before I can react, he takes my hand gently and presses a light kiss to the back of my palm.

"Welcome to Silverfang, my lady," he says smoothly.

I freeze. The words don’t register at first. My lady? I am so used to being treated like filth that hearing such a title directed at me almost feels wrong. I don’t move, don’t breathe, as I process the simple but foreign gesture of respect. Lady Anwen hugs me and repeats the same greeting. I nod stiffly, struggling to wipe the shock from my face. My brain is still catching up.

"Now, come with me, young lady," Lady Anwen says, motioning toward the entrance. "I’ll show you to your room."

Panic flares in my chest. So far, the only person I feel safe with is Alpha Kael.

“Do not worry, Anwen. I’ll settle her in myself,” Alpha Kael says and motions for me to follow him.

The knots in my stomach loosen ever so slightly. Without another word, I follow him inside, Beta Aiden and Lady Anwen trailing behind us. The interior of the packhouse is just as breathtaking as the outside, with tall columns, arched hallways, and chandeliers that cast a warm, golden glow. But we don’t stop in the common areas. Alpha Kael leads me to a different part of the house, one that feels more secluded and more private. It can only be described as the Alpha’s chambers. We stop before a grand wooden door, and he pushes it open, revealing the room inside.

It is a vast bedchamber. A massive, fluffy bed with silken sheets dominates the space, and a set of large bay windows allows natural light to spill in, illuminating the soft, flowing curtains that dance in the breeze. The room smells of lavender and pine, clean and comforting. My lips part slightly in astonishment.

"This is your room," Alpha Kael says, gesturing inside.

I blink, then allow my eyes to roam the bedchamber. A room fit for a princess… and he is giving it to me? Before I can even find the words to speak, he beats me to it.

"Feel free here," Alpha Kael says. "You are a slave to no one in this place. You are as free as everyone else."

I nod, unable to form a proper response. My throat tightens with emotions. I'm free indeed.

Kael turns to his Beta. "Aiden, see to her needs. I have a meeting to attend."

Aiden inclines his head in a slight bow. "Of course, Alpha. Also, there are some matters I need to discuss with you while the lady freshens up."

Alpha Kael’s gaze flickers back to me, unreadable. "Someone will come to take your measurements soon, and lunch will be brought to you."

I bow my head slightly. "Thank you… so much, master."

The moment the word master slips from my lips, he stiffens, his jaw clenching ever so slightly. "Address me as Alpha or Kael," he corrects, already striding toward the door. "Follow me to my study," he instructs Aiden.

They step out, shutting the door behind them, leaving me in the vast bedchamber. I remain frozen in place, staring at the closed door, wondering if I am in a dream. I press my hand against my chest, feeling the frantic beat of my heart. I don’t want this to be a dream. Please, gods, don’t let this be a dream.

Taking a shaky breath, I move toward the large bay window. I want to see the outside world from here, to confirm that I am truly in a new place, that I have finally left Shadowmoon behind. But just as I take my first step, the door to my room bursts open. I jump, my body stiffening on instinct.

A girl storms in. She looks only a little older than me, but there is nothing soft about her attitude. Her auburn hair cascades down her shoulders in silky waves, framing a face set with cold fury. I would have thought she was the seamstress Alpha Kael mentioned. But one look into her seething, hate-filled eyes tells me otherwise. She is not here to take my measurements. She is here because she despises me.