MasukLucien’s POV I’d knocked her out cold, I’d had to. There was something off about her, and I was going to push her until she broke. Her not tapping out was proof that she wasn't like the humans they had last year from Aurelia, because they tapped out within the first ten seconds of us even lunging at them. But Lyra was different; she acted as if she enjoyed the fight. And he was going to get to the bottom of it. Sitting in the dining hall with Kael and Cassian, he was picking at his food, which for him was highly unusual. “Come on, man, pull yourself together. Just because that chick is hot and made you actually do something during an assessment doesn't make her automatically some kind of wolf killer,” exclaimed Cassian as he cut his giant ribeye, “we have bigger problems to figure out, like which girl is going to become our Luna at the marking ceremony this year.” “That’s right, Luc. Loosen up a bit, man! We have a little over a month before the blood moon, and this is our S
Lyra's POVThe light was so bright as if it were blinding me. I struggled to open my eyes, and my head was pounding. I barely got my eyes open to see the overhead lamp shining directly overhead, illuminating my entire body. I was in some room; the walls were stark white, almost glowing, with not a stain to be seen. This must be some hospital wing.I moved my head slightly to the right, and that's when I saw her. A girl about my age was sitting on a chair next to me, her head lolled sideways up against the wall.I had no clue who she was or why she was here.Her jet-black hair was tied up in a messy bun, with strands falling around her sleeping face. She was shorter than me, probably around 5'2ft tall, with a curvy body hidden under a pair of pastel pink sweats. Her skin was pale and covered with freckles, definitely nothing like my olive skin.I tried to move even an inch, but my body wasn't cooperating. Damn, what kind of beating did I take from Lucian? I've never allowed myself to ge
Lyra's POVIt was as if time had stopped; the world around me was frozen in place, and I was the only one still able to move. This wasn't like me—I'm not shy or timid; I was a badass who faced danger and death with a grin. But now, I was walking up to a smiling Lucian, who I knew was ready to wipe the floor with my blood.My feet hit the solid wood of the gymnasium floor. I took in a breath, flexed my back, knowing there was no turning back now. I had to face the blows coming my way, whether I liked it or not.The mission came first.Skye, the gym teacher, stepped between us and announced the rules: "The rules are simple. One minute to make your opponent tap out or knock them out cold. This test measures your defense and offense skills, with whom you'll be partnered for the rest of the semester, and what level of training I think you require. Now let's get the show going. On the count of three, it will begin."These rules seemed simple enough, but there was no way, at least with Lucia
Lyra's POVBy the time I made it to gym class every single ounce of self control I had left was gone. I felt so frustrated that, for once in my life, I didn't pay attention to my surroundings until I was already immersed in the growing crowd. I gave myself a second to breathe, then looked around at the massive structure I was standing in. For some reason, I had always imagined this to be outside, like some rustic gladiator-style training ground where the weak were not permitted.But yet it definitely wasn't any of these things.We were inside a large brick gymnasium that could have housed thousands, yet there were only about forty of us. The floors were a cherry oak finish, so slick and gleaming they looked as if they were hand-polished with beeswax. There was training equipment everywhere as far as the eye could see. From mats, weight equipment, weapons, rubber sparring dummies, and so much more, I couldn't even properly begin to describe. A lot of these items I've never even seen b
If I paced any more, whether in my human or wolf form, I might just wear a hole right through the floor of my study. Nearly forty-eight hours had passed since the humans arrived, and little had changed since their red-haired commander had fled the scene. Grabbing the whiskey bottle from my desk, I didn't even bother with a glass. I tilted it back, feeling the warm liquid burn as it slipped down my throat. It takes a lot for a werewolf, especially an Alpha, to get drunk — but tonight, I was determined. When I saw those two at the gates, they seemed... different. Too different. The others we'd encountered were scrawny, malnourished, submissive, and kept to themselves, yet they attended every class, no matter the circumstances. They stayed in the smallest dorms we had. That was the way we wanted them — submissive. But not these. They were staying in suites, arranged by their own council, rivaling those of our beloved heirs. They appeared to be humans who'd learned a thing or two fro
Lucian’s POVThe human girl, they call her Lyra, is now sitting beside me in the dimly lit classroom. I had tried to object, to move away or protest, but I knew Professor Judith would quickly call my dad or, worse, my mom—both known for their strict discipline and no-nonsense attitudes. That sounded like something a pup would say, not an alpha heir. But deep down, I understood my parents would see this as a sign of weakness—my backing down from a challenge or threat—they would see it as a failure. That alone would warrant severe punishment.She did her best to sit as far away from me as possible, shifting slightly in her chair, her shoulders tense and stiff. Yet, that did nothing to mask or hide her scent! My nostrils flared as her aroma hit me—an intoxicating blend of freshly cut cedar wood and bright mandarins. Her fragrance was exotic; each scent shone distinctly on its own but blended seamlessly, creating a complex mosaic of aromas that teased my senses.Glancing at her from the c
Lyra’s POV We sped through the snow-covered common areas, racing to building 101, where our first block class, Diplomacy, was held. We passed other students, their low growls threatening us at every turn. I guess all the others, along with the heirs, hated humans as much as we hated them. Openin
Lyra’s POV I quietly slipped out of the bed, my senses alert as I observed that Rowan was taking his time. I swear, he could be more prissy than a woman. But then again, what I had said to him earlier, especially after us having sex, might have gotten him in his feelings more than he let on. With
Lyra’s POV His mouth crushed fiercely on mine, possessive and intense. His hands slid deliberately down my sides, one cupping my right breast as he moaned softly through the kiss, “It's too many clothes." Without hesitation, he tore my shirt clean in half. Breaking the kiss, I stared at him, loo
Lyra’s POV “Welcome to Alpha Academy” Not trying to look at the Alpha any longer than necessary, we both muttered, “Thank you, Alpha.” This man is seriously creepy, but in an odd way, why did he look vaguely familiar? Shaking it off, I grabbed Rowan’s hand, and under the order of the comman







