All Chapters of The Princess in the Shadows: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Lyra Lyra rocked the baby, her arms curled around the tiny, warm body. A faint breeze stirred the sheer curtains, carrying the scent of moonflower. She hummed a low, soothing lullaby full of love. The baby cooed soft, and contented. Lyra stroked delicate curls away from her face, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her heart swelled with adoration so fierce, and unbreakable, it stung her eyes. She would do anything for her. Would tear the world apart to keep her safe. I will die for her. Something is wrong.  Lyra glanced down at the baby once more. Lifting her head, Lyra looked ar

Lyra Lyra sprawled on the ground, her hands scrambling against the damp earth. A sleek wild cat, the size of a german shepard, circled her. Its eyes glowed, an eerie mix of gold and green. The creature's fur blended seamlessly with local vegetation, a muted, tawny color that made it hard to see until it had been nearly on top of her. It shimmered unnaturally in the rain, shifting in ways that weren’t natural, jerking in and out of sync with reality. Scarlike markings marred its muscles, tracing pulsating, runic patterns through its fur. It eyed Lyra as if she were a bird with a clipped wing. It’s trill was contemplative, as if questioning her. Lyra’s stomach twisted with dread as the creature drew closer, lunging in

LyraLyra raced to keep up with Garrick, rain falling in torrential sheets. Grass whipped against her legs. The storm drowned out everything, as Garrick veered left, heading toward the base of a rocky hill. The grass was thick here, shoulder-high, but Garrick never slowed. He pushed through the dense growth to a patch of large rocks nestled within the hill’s slope. A small path ran between them, only visible if you were looking for it.“Welcome to the man cave.” Garrick said, glancing at her over his shoulder. His lips twitched in a wry smile.Lyra blinked, confused at first, but then he stepped aside to reveal the entrance. A narrow opening hid behind jagged rocks.He motioned for her to follow him inside, a welcome relief from the downpour. Garrick lit a small lantern hanging on a wall.Lyra admired the inner cave. The walls were made of sparkling rocks that caught the light, casting a soft glow over the dirt floor. Along one wall, crates were stacked, and a makeshift cot lay again

LyraThe sun had barely risen when they finally made it back to the den. The aftermath of the storm clung to the world, the ground still slick and muddy beneath their feet. Garrick was still naked, carrying his garments in one hand. No one seemed to notice.And Lyra’s mind was a whirlwind of its own. Wild and untamed healing power had coursed through her unlike anything she ever felt before. The energy, tied to her so deeply, healed Garrick before her very eyes... It was more than just magic. It was her.But what did it mean? And more importantly, how could she hide what she had done? The whole experience, from the storm to the cave, left her more empowered and vulnerable than she’d ever felt before, even if Garrick had no memory of what had happened. What if Veyron found out? If anyone knew what she had done, it wouldn’t take them long to trace her back to her pack. And Veyron thought he had wiped them from the earth. Would he kill her or would he forgive her for infiltrating his ho

LyraThe low murmur of voices filled the dining hall, blending with the quiet clatter of plates and the occasional scrape of a chair. Lyra checked the settings, ensuring everything was in place for the evening meal. She had spent the day drowning in tasks, grateful for the distraction, yet her nerves frayed with the knowledge that soon, she would have to face him.She hadn't seen Veyron since he nearly took her. Since she felt the full weight of his hunger, his need to possess her, to break her, leaving her trembling in his bed.The great doors opened, and the atmosphere in the hall changed instantly. The easy conversation among warriors stilled to a hushed awareness, eyes turning toward the entrance. Veyron entered, his broad frame cutting through the room like a blade through silk. He moved with that effortless command, the kind that required no announcement, no force. Lyra stiffened. She had been trained to blend in, to work with her head down and her hands busy. But she remembere