CHAPTER 5

LYRA'S POV 

A bright light blinded my vision as I fluttered my eyes open. The sting of it made me wince, forcing my lids shut again. Slowly, I tried a second time, squinting until the room around me came into focus—blurry edges sharpening into unfamiliar shapes.

The room was large- a curious blend of elegance and mystery. Paintings lined the wall, the chandelier hung like a frozen waterfall. Its crystals reflect shiny glitters. The room gave the antique setting of a 1960 movie, but this wasn't a movie and it was certainly not my room.

 My heart pounded as I panicked, Where was I?

“You’re awake.”

A deep voice startled me, cutting through my thoughts as I turned towards a man opening the door with a broad smile. His striking features were sharp and commanding. He was dressed simply in a blue sweatshirt that did little to hide his broad shoulders; his gray eyes were enchanting all at the same time. As he approached me, my breath hitched.

“You’ve been out for three days,” he said calmly, pulling a seat close to the bedside. 

“Three days?” My voice rattled, raw and hoarse. Who are you,...what happened?

“My name is Jake,” he replied, leaning forward slightly. “You were attacked at the park. I found you and brought you to my house.”

“What's your name?” he asked. His tone, steady and calm.

“Lyra,” I murmured, giving him my name as my mind struggled to put together fragments of my memory.

I tried to sit up but dizziness engulfed me like a wave sending me back into the pillow.

“Easy”, he said, steadying me with a firm hand on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch grounded me, though my head still spun. “You’re still recovering”.

My chest tightened as the scent of attraction I couldn't explain hit my nostrils but there were more pressing matters at hand- I had to snap out of it.

“My parents…” The words stumbled out as I looked up at him, desperation clear in my voice. “Did they…?”

His hesitation was all I needed. His lips parted, but no words came. The silence that followed was suffocating.

“No… No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, they…” Tears blurred my vision, streaming down my cheeks. My chest tightened the weight of unspoken words killing me from the inside. “No, they can’t be! I need to find them..they are out there …somewhere!”I sobbed.

“I’m so sorry,” he finally said, his voice low. “Th..there were no survivors.”

The words crushed something within me. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I shook my head in disbelief.

“Whosoever attacked you and for whatever reason you were attacked, obviously took it personally. It's not safe for you out there, Lyra” Jake said. His eyes laced with concern.

Jake slowly sat at the edge of the bed, his hands hung up in the air unsure whether to comfort me. Finally, he placed it on my shoulder slowly pulling me up. I succumbed to his arms. His embrace was firm but careful. Strangely, it felt… safe, like he was holding together the pieces of my crumbling world.

“You’re not alone,” he spoke softly, his voice a balm to my shattered heart. “I'll make sure to keep you safe.”

I looked up at him, tears streaming down my cheek, his eyes fixed on me. He slowly wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb. His hand lingered, slowly tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ears. He slowly leaned in, his gaze dropping to my lips which were just inches away from his.

 My heart skipped confusion and something else I couldn’t put together swirling in my chest. Just as our lips were about to touch the door creaked open

“Alpha Jake, you need to come…..” 

A voice cut through the moment like a sword, and Jake pulled back abruptly, his hands falling from my shoulder. I looked down trying to compose myself, but I could feel the intruder’s gaze on me. 

Jake’s tone shifted, his voice sharp as he addressed the intruder. “What is it, Damien?.”

“Sorry for interrupting,” Damien said. His voice dripped with contempt. “But this can’t wait”.

Jake immediately stood up, redressing his shirt. “Be good,” he said walking out with Damien.

As the door shut behind Jake, I hugged myself tightly, torn between unease and the strange comfort his presence brought.

****

The hallway into the main edifice stretched down almost indefinitely, with each turn exposing magnificent decor that exuded richness and tradition- it was nothing compared to the infirmary where I had been during my recovery. I was lost in admiration until I stumbled upon a lady carrying a basket of laundry.

“Oh my!” she gasped, gripping the basket tightly. Her wide eyes darted to mine, and recognition softened her expression. “You must be the guest Alpha Jake brought in.”

“Argh…,” I blinked, unsure how to respond. “Yes. I didn’t mean to startle you, my apologies.”

She smiled, her demeanor warm and unassuming. “It’s no trouble, miss. Are you lost?”

“I think so,” I admitted, glancing at the endless corridors.

“Let me show you to your room,” she said, setting the basket aside. “You’ve been through enough already. You need to rest.”

I followed her silently, the house seemed endless, each turn revealing more ornate hallways and closed doors. After a few moments, she stopped in front of a room and pushed the door open.

“This is your room,” she said, stepping aside. “There are fresh towels in the bathroom. Call if you need anything.”

“Thank you..argh.” unsure what to call her.

“Abigail.” she quipped. Like she read my mind.

“Thank you, Abigail, I whispered as she left, her footsteps fading into the distance.

I stepped into the room taking in its refined elegance. The room was slightly lit with dim blue fluorescent lighting. The canopy bed with intricate drawings sat at the edge of the room by the window. The walls had vintage paintings perfectly aligned, and my footsteps were muffled by the soft rug.

I exhaled deeply, trying to ease my mind. A hot shower might help, I decided. I walked into the shower, the bathroom was a haven of its own, with smooth marble surfaces and a large mirror reflecting my disheveled state. I turned the shower knob letting the warm water cascade down my skin washing away the tensions of the past days.

Feeling somewhat refreshed, I stepped out of the shower and grabbed my towel, wrapping it loosely around me. My damp hair clung to my back as I opened the door to the bedroom.

“Hey…” A deep baritone voice halted my steps.

A sharp intake of breath escaped me. “Jake, you scared me!” I exclaimed, clutching the towel tighter around me. “What are you doing here?”. I took a hesitant step back.

His gaze met mine, and a faint smirk touched his lips, “Forgive me, I didn't mean to startle you. I was checking up on you”

“Well, knocking would have been a good start,” I retorted, trying to mask the fact I wanted this closeness. 

As though securing himself, Jake's hand hovered close to his glass of wine, his fingers clenching around its edge. His jaw, clenching and relaxing as though he was battling words he didn't want to say. 

His eyes darted to me and back again, as though the weight of his impending confession were going to drown him. 

“As much as I try to fight this, Lyra,” he said, his voice low but firm as he dropped his glass and slowly walked up to me. 

“I’ve tried to resist this… to ignore what every fiber of me is screaming..But it’s impossible.” 

His gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made me swallow hard.

“You are my mate!”

I stood frozen!. 

My mate? An Alpha’s mate? No…that couldn't be true. How was that even possible? I thought to myself. Panic rising in my chest.

“Jake is our mate, Lyra. You can’t run from this.” My wolf, Tara, growled in my head. “This is destiny, he's an Alpha and obviously charming”.

“Just shut up Tara, you can't be making jokes at this point”. I muttered.

“Lyra,” Jake said softly, his voice pulling me back from the edge of panic. But I couldn’t look into his face.

“I…I don’t even know you, Jake,” I stammered.

“You don’t have to understand it all at this moment,” he said gently. “You feel it too, don’t you?”.

Jake took a step closer, his presence overwhelming, his scent—intoxicating.

I knew I wanted to deny it, to tell him he was wrong but my emotions betrayed me. His lips crashed into mine and I didn't resist it.

Suddenly, I stepped away, my hands trembling.

“What is it?” Jake asked.

“Jake, I…I can’t be your mate.” I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. “I’ve never shifted into my wolf form.”

“What!?” Jake exclaimed. His brows furrowed.

His expression made it clear that this revelation was more significant than I realized.