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Chapter 4- Cursed

Author: Byerly B
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-13 14:23:43

Lyra

When the last of the wolves had disappeared into the woods, Lyra staggered to her room. Wrapping her arms around herself, she cried wracked with sorrow until dawn broke. It was clear, the wolf would never come. Eventually, she fell asleep.

Under the rising sun’s orange glow, the pack returned from the hunt in spurts.

Lyra’s bedroom door creaked open. Seraphina stepped into the room. Lyra groggily pushed herself up on weak arms. When Seraphina saw she had not shifted, a cruel smile spread across her face and she dashed out of the room. 

Panic surged through Lyra. She had to stop her sister. Couldn’t let their mother find out.

"Seraphina!" Lyra's voice cracked as she raced after her. "Don't tell her," she pleaded.

Seraphina stuck her tongue out as Lyra reached for her arm. But before she could grab her, Seraphina burst away. Lyra stumbled.

Just as Seraphina stepped outside, she turned and shouted, "Lyra never changed!" 

She threw herself into Selene’s waiting arms, standing in the center of all that had returned. Selene’s eyes snapped to Lyra, a sneer tugged at her lips. 

“Is this true?”

Everyone turned, tired faces inquiring. 

Lyra staggered back, her chest tight. “No—, I…” she stuttered.

Selene straightened, her voice rising with a queen’s cold authority.

“Do you see? Our Alpha’s daughter—cursed, unworthy.” Her words slithered like vipers, wrapping around Lyra. “She has failed to shift. She is no wolf.”

Shock rippled through the pack. 

“Wait—, let me explain—” she choked, stepping forward.

“Enough!” Selene’s voice cracked like a whip. “The wolf has rejected you. And so shall we all.”

Lyra looked around. Friends and family surrounded her but not a single understanding face. Where was Kyline? Father?

 “No, that’s not true,” she whispered, tears burning her eyes.

Lyra stumbled back as gasps broke through the crowd. She found Theron’s steady face among them. 

“Theron,” she called to him with desperate hope.

He smiled faintly and moved forward, the crowd parting for him.

Lyra’s heart lifted. He will help… Wont he?

“Lyra, I reject you,” he said coldly. “Seraphina is my mate.”

The air left her lungs as the mate bond snapped, tearing her heart apart. Raw, all-consuming pain blinded her. She stumbled back. Whispers turned to murmurs. Lyra clutched her chest, struggling to breathe.

“Theron, —” she choked.

But he put an arm around Seraphina. She squealed and smiled widely, her eyes squarely on Theron. The world tilted.

Selene snapped, silencing the crowd. “You heard him. He rejected her too. she has no place here.” She gestured grandly, her triumph undisguised. “Leave. Now. Never return.”

Her chest heaved as their judgment shattered her. she ran. Blind to the stares, the whispers, the rising sun. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she couldn’t stay.

Behind her, Selene smiled, victorious and cruel.

****

A week later, Lyra sat listening to the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.  A fox darted across the path, its russet fur flashing, while squirrels skittered in the canopy.

 A distant bird called through the trees, soothing the loneliness deep inside her. After being exiled, she had stumbled to this abandoned cottage.

The ghost stories children told about this place had never bothered her before. Now, those stories comforted and protected her from her pain.

For food, she had foraged for berries. Then her aunts, Maris and Kyline, had found her, bringing supplies. They had come to the village too late to stop her step-mother from banishing her. Their attempts to bring her back in nearly got them exiled.  Helplessness dimmed their eyes. 

Her attention snapped from her thoughts by a dark plume of smoke rising in the direction of the village. At first, she thought it was a bonfire, something to warm the cold night. But the thick, swirling mass wasn’t right. It was too much—too dense. Was there trouble? Were Maris and Kyline alright?

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