2: Rude Awakening

Lyra 

For three years, I had convinced myself that Caleb was simply a stoic Alpha who buried his emotions beneath his sense of duty. He was always courteous, even-tempered, and never once lost his temper with me.

"I'm not a romantic. I'm not one for grand gestures." That was what he'd told me when I'd wanted surprise.

But judging by the video, he looked ready to hand her an entire garden.

It was painfully obvious who could stir his heart. The truth was simple, yet cruel.

I set my phone down and returned to my task.

Studying had always been the only thing that kept me company. At least it gave me something to do while waiting for him to come home.

I did not want to wait anymore.

I opened the Lycan War Academy portal, navigated to the payment page, and entered my card details. When the green checkmark flashed across the screen, a long, quiet breath escaped my chest.

I was one step closer to leaving this pack—and Caleb—behind.

As dusk settled over the estate, a soft knock sounded at the door. Maddison stood in the doorway, eyes lowered.

“The Alpha’s office just called. He is busy with urgent pack business tonight. He won’t be coming home for dinner.”

I knew what that urgent business was. Seraphina. 

“Won’t be necessary,” I said, rising and reaching for a dark coat. “I’m meeting an old friend for dinner. I’ll be out for a few hours.”

Maddison blinked, gaze darting to my leg. “Out? Alone, Luna? Should I call the drivers—”

She was used to seeing me locked inside the estate for weeks at a time.

“It’s okay.” I gave her a firm nod.

Leaving the estate was a taste of endurance. Every gaze on the street felt like a weight. 

But It was still better than walking beside Caleb, watching the crowd bow to him and then slide their eyes to me, doing the math on their faces.  

I wasn’t meeting a friend. I was heading to the pack’s central training grounds. My pre-admission assessment was tomorrow morning, and I needed the old tactical journals still locked in my warrior locker.

The moment I stepped onto the packed dirt, something in my chest loosened.

This place.

I had run these grounds a hundred times. Drilled formations until dawn. Outrun every warrior in the vanguard. My old commander used to laugh and call me a blade with legs.

A spark of real excitement lit in my chest. I couldn’t shift anymore, I wasn't who I used to be, so the academy would mean tactical command and battlefield logistics instead of frontline combat. But at least I was fighting for a future again.

I drew in a deep breath.

Pine. Iron.

Smoke.

Smoke? 

I turned.

Roasting meat. And beneath it, his scent.

I followed the smell of the bonfire off the path, into the trees, until the light bled through the bushes. I stopped behind a broad pine and looked.

The fire was huge. Nearly thirty people surrounded it—warriors, inner-circle members, bottles passing hand to hand. Music. Laughter.

Then I heard my name.

“…three years of it,” a warrior said, shaking his head. “An Alpha like him, chained to a mate who can’t even walk straight. There’s no wolf in her at all.”

“Careful,” someone laughed. “That’s the Luna you’re talking about.”

The word came out twisted. Like a joke.

"Don't blame Lyra. It's not her fault she isn't strong enough." Seraphina lowered her voice, almost pitying. "But Luna is supposed to stand beside her Alpha, not hide behind him. I can only imagine how exhausting it is for Caleb to carry both the pack and a mate who cannot even stand with him."

My fingers dug into the bark.

Caleb took a slow drink from his glass. His voice was flat. “She saved my life. I owe her.”

 “Then buy her another estate. Give her a lifetime allowance. Sacrificing your own happiness and the pride of the Silvermoon Pack for a pity marriage isn’t honor, Alpha. It’s a prison sentence.”

Owen, Caleb's right hand who always bowed so politely in our house, scoffed.

“A debt isn’t a marriage,” another voice added.

Seraphina let out a delicate laugh and leaned closer to Caleb.

“Enough you guys. You make it sound as if she doesn’t try. I’m sure she does her best around the house… even if basic tasks are a struggle.”

“Basic tasks? Have you seen her try to walk down the main hall when her leg acts up? It’s like watching a broken wooden doll.” Owen stood and stepped into the firelight. 

He bent his right knee, dragged his leg, hunched his shoulders, and flailed his arms for balance. "O-oh, Alpha—" he quavered, putting on a high, breathy voice that sounded nothing like mine. "W-wait for meee... I can't walk so faaast—"

Laughter erupted around them. Fury and humiliation surged through me.

Apparently, Owen's little performance was too good for one warrior to resist joining in. He chimed in, mimicking a helpless whine. "Caleb, why aren't you back yet? I can't reach the TV remote all by myself!"

Another wave of laughter swept through the clearing.

Enough.

I shoved through the bushes and stepped into the clearing.