Chapter 4 4

LYRA's Pov

My eyes fluttered open, but the brightness stung, forcing them shut again. It took a while before the light stopped burning.

I was in my room... on my bed.

How?

I tried to sit up, but pain ripped through my head like a blade. I winced, groaning low.

The door creaked open and my mother stepped in, a tray of herbs in her hands. Her white healer's gown flowed around her ankles, the red woven belt tied firm around her waist.

She looked worried. "Are you okay now?"

"What happened? How did I get here?" I asked fast, the words tumbling from my lips.

And then it hit me...Tasha... her minions...

Hazel!

"Where's Hazel?" I pushed myself up, ignoring the sharp sting in my spine.

"She's fine."

"What happened? I can't remember anything," I mumbled, pressing my hand to my forehead, trying to dig through the fog in my brain.

Tasha... Hazel... the fight.

Hazel stood up for me...

Then what?

I clenched my eyes, thinking harder. A deep groan escaped me.

"You don't have to force it," my mother said softly, brushing my hand away from my head.

"But I feel... strange. Like something cracked open inside me."

"I know," her voice cracked, thick with emotion. "It's alright now, everything is fine."

I hated that word.

Fine.

Everything's always 'fine' when it's falling apart.

"Your father carried you on his back all the way here. If he had been a moment late... it would've been worse."

"Why? What's going on? You...you're not telling me something."

"You... you are..."

"Bring her out!" a deep voice boomed from outside, cutting her off.

I froze. My mother turned, eyes wide.

"Stay right here," she whispered, rushing out of the room.

But I didn't sit still.

I stood slowly, careful not to trigger the pain again, and tiptoed to the door. My hand hovered over the knob... but I remembered her words. Stay right here.

So I pressed my ear against the door.

"Where is she?" the voice came again, louder, harsher.

"She's sick! You can't just drag our daughter like some beast!" My father's voice shot back.

Daughter?

My pulse quickened.

Who were they?

I pressed closer to the wood.

"Please... let her go," my mother cried through tears.

Suddenly, a crash echoed...wood splitting, something breaking.

Then I heard her cry out in pain.

Footsteps thudded toward me. I stumbled back from the door, heart pounding.

They were coming.

The door didn't open.

It crashed in.

The wood splintered and slammed to the floor with a thunderous bang.

I covered my ears, flinching.

Two palace guards stepped in, dressed in dark uniforms with silver blades strapped to their sides.

My heart stopped.

"What... what did I do?"

One stepped forward, dagger pointed. "Witch," he spat. "Take her!"

Two more stormed in, grabbed my arms roughly. Their grip bruised, unkind.

"What's happening?! Let me go!" I yelled, kicking, twisting..but they were stronger. So much stronger.

My mother ran back in, trying to block them, but they shoved her aside like she was nothing.

They dragged me out.

Outside, people gathered. Pack members. Their eyes... oh moon goddess... they were filled with disgust. With rage.

"Witch!" they screamed, throwing cabbage, tomatoes, spoiled fruits at me.

I sobbed. My tears were silent, blending into the rain of rotten food hitting my body.

"Stop it!" my father yelled, shielding me as best as he could. My mother followed behind, sobbing, helpless.

What did I do?

What did I do?

The question echoed in my head until...

The wind.

My hair is flying wild.

The birds circling.

The power.

I gasped, my knees nearly giving way.

No.

No, no, no.

I turned to my mother. Her eyes... she already knew.

Tears streamed down her face.

We reached the palace.

The crowd fell silent.

The palace was ancient...tall stone walls carved with history and scars. Every step inside felt like judgment.

They dragged me into the courtroom. Elders sat in high seats, their eyes piercing.

The guards threw me to the floor.

I landed hard.

Gasps echoed.

"Banish her."

"Kill her."

"Don't let her go."

They whispered, but it was loud enough.

I trembled.

Then the massive doors creaked open.

The room silenced as if the air had been sucked out.

He walked in.

Alpha Donovan.

His presence was a storm wrapped in flesh....tall, broad, power rolling off him in waves. His gaze swept the room, cold and commanding.

Until he saw me.

He froze.

Eyes locked.

The air changed.

It thickened, charged with something ancient and wild. I couldn't move. My chest rose and fell fast.

His jaw clenched. His eyes...sharp, wild, burning.

My breath hitched.

A pull dragged me toward him, unseen but unshakable.

"M-Mate?," the word fell from my lips.

And in the same breath, his voice echoed mine.

"Mate."