Lyra
My fingers clawed desperately at the vines wrapped tightly around my ankle.
They were thicker than they looked. rough, stubborn, refusing to snap no matter how hard I pulled. My nails scraped uselessly against them, breaking, bending, doing nothing.
Panic rose higher in my chest.
Behind me, the sounds were getting closer.
Branches snapping.
Footsteps.
Wolves.
"Come on… come on…" I whispered under my breath, my voice trembling.
My hands shook as I tried again, digging my nails harder into the vines.
Nothing.
They wouldn't break.
My breathing turned uneven, my chest tightening as fear clawed its way up my throat.
I'm not going to make it.
The thought hit hard.
Too real.
Too close.
And then...
A sharp, unfamiliar sensation shot through my fingers.
I froze.
My hands trembled as I stared at them.
Slowly… something shifted.
My nails extended.
No.
Not nails.
Claws.
Long. Sharp. Pale gold at the edges, glinting faintly in the moonlight.
For a second, I just stared.
Then relief rushed through me.
A shaky breath escaped my lips.
"Finally…"
Without wasting another second, I brought my hand down and sliced through the vines.
They snapped instantly.
Clean.
Like they had never been strong at all.
I pulled my leg free and pushed myself up quickly, my body still weak but adrenaline forcing me forward.
Run.
I had to run.
I turned...
And didn't get the chance.
A massive weight slammed into me.
The force knocked the breath out of my lungs as I hit the ground.
Before I could react, we were moving, rolling down the slope beneath us, dirt and leaves tearing at my skin as we tumbled.
My head spun.
My body hit the ground hard again.
And then everything stopped.
I gasped, trying to catch my breath, but a large hand clamped over my mouth instantly.
"Mm...!"
I struggled, panic flaring, my hands pushing weakly against the arm pinning me down.
"Stay still."
The voice was low.
Cold.
Controlled.
My movements froze.
My eyes lifted.
And met his.
Silver.
Bright even in the darkness.
Sharp. Focused. Unyielding.
My heart stuttered.
Alpha Lucian.
Up close, there was no mistaking him.
Even without the ceremonial armor, even without the crowd around him, his presence was overwhelming.
Dominant.
Dangerous.
His wolf was right beneath the surface.
I could feel it.
His scent surrounded me...dark woods, steel, something raw and powerful that made my pulse quicken despite everything.
His hand remained firmly over my mouth, his body close enough that I could feel the steady strength in him.
Behind him, just above the slope, his wolf stood guard.
Massive.
Covered in thick, dark fur that seemed to swallow the moonlight.
Silver eyes glowing faintly as it scanned the surroundings.
Protective.
Alert.
My breathing slowed slightly despite myself.
Then...
Footsteps.
Many of them.
Voices followed.
Close.
Too close.
Lucian's gaze sharpened instantly, his body going still as he listened.
I did the same.
"They said she came this way," a voice called out.
Another followed, sharper. "Lena said her eyes were glowing gold. And her hair...did you see it?"
A third voice spoke, uneasy. "We need to find her. Whatever she is… it's not normal."
"She could be a spy," someone added.
"Or worse," another muttered. "An enemy."
My chest tightened painfully.
Enemy?
The word hit deeper than it should have.
"We've been harboring her all this time," one of them said. "Right under our noses."
"Spread out," another ordered. "Check everywhere. She can't have gone far."
My heart pounded wildly.
They're hunting me.
Not just avoiding me.
Not mocking me.
Hunting.
The same wolves.
The same Betas and omegas I had helped in the medical wing.
The same ones I had treated, cleaned wounds for, stayed up nights helping them recover.
Now…
They were searching for me like I was something dangerous.
Something to be caught.
Something to be feared.
A bitter feeling settled deep in my chest.
I always knew they didn't like me…
But this?
This was something else entirely.
Lucian's hand remained over my mouth, firm but not harsh.
His grip wasn't hurting me.
It was keeping me quiet.
Keeping me hidden.
The footsteps moved closer.
Branches rustled just above the slope.
For a moment, I thought they would find us.
My body tensed.
But they didn't.
"Nothing here," one of them called after a while.
"Keep moving," another replied. "She has to be nearby."
Slowly…
Gradually…
The sounds faded.
The voices disappeared into the distance.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Lingering.
Lucian didn't move immediately.
He stayed still for a few more seconds, listening, making sure they were truly gone.
Then slowly…
He removed his hand from my mouth.
Cool air rushed in as I took a quiet breath.
"Speak."
The word came out like an order.
Cold.
Controlled.
Unquestionable.
I didn't respond.
I stayed where I was, still crouched, my thoughts spinning too fast to form words.
Everything felt unreal.
My claws.
My strength.
The way they were hunting me.
And now…
The Alpha himself hiding me.
Same man who had rejected and humiliated me in public.
Lucian's gaze remained fixed on me.
Sharp.
Waiting.
"When it's extremely late," he said after a moment, his tone steady, "you can leave through the East."
Leave.
The word echoed in my mind.
Leave?
Leave where?
Leave how?
Leave everything?
My chest tightened again.
I finally spoke, my voice softer than I intended.
"I have nowhere to go."
He scoffed lightly.
A quiet, almost disbelieving sound.
"You had nowhere to go," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly, "and you were running?"
I swallowed.
"I… I…" My voice faltered.
I didn't even know how to explain it.
Fear.
Instinct.
Survival.
"I just..." I stopped, shaking my head slightly.
He watched me for a moment longer, then his expression hardened.
"Suit yourself," he said as he straightened. "I've saved you from being caught today."
And just like that, he turned to leave.
Panic rose instantly in my chest.
"Wait!"
The word came out before I could stop it.
He paused but didn't turn.
"Why?…" I said, my voice steadier now despite everything. "why are you helping me?"