Chapter 10: Twisted Games

Lyra's POV 

I turned the door knob and slid quietly into the room. Anya was fast asleep, and so was Freya. In the darkness, Saana's bed seemed empty. 

“Where did they take you?"

I almost jumped out of my skin when her palm landed softly on my shoulder.

Why was she behind me? Her voice was very low, but soft.

“Nothing important. It wasn't Elder Mordecai anyway. Lady Seraphina just wanted to scold me some more." 

I shuddered at my own response. Is this how I was starting off? Lying to the only person who genuinely cares about me right now? I lowered my head in shame.

“Okay. I think you should be off to bed then. The days following today are going to be way longer than you ever imagined," she advised softly.

“Why so? Will the hours be added to?" I tried to sound as casual as possible.

“The stigma of your situation will make you drag your feet, and you'll think the days are just unnecessarily longer," she explained as she threw the covers over herself. “And be careful of what you say to the nobles. They'll snitch on you to save themselves. Good night." 

My heart pounded in my ears in the darkness as I lay on my bed, gazing at the dark ceiling. Scenes from the meeting flashed before my eyes, along with the faces of the council members at the various times I looked at them.

The wicked spark in Elder Mordecai's eyes. The greed in Lord Ulric's touch as his fingers touched my upper arm when he examined me. Lord Vance's vacant eyes. Lady Seraphina's malicious smile.

I sighed heavily into the darkness, hoping that as I turned to look at the window, I'd see rays of sunshine fall through the window. Really, time will drag its feet remorselessly these days; just to increase my pain.

I could hear boots in the hallway. The guards were constantly on patrol. There was no means of escape. And I wouldn't risk getting caught.

I forced my eyes shut and counted to ten, hoping I'd be comfortable with the darkness around me and lose myself to sleep, but it failed.

I turned over and looked at Saana's silhouette in the darkness as she lay on her bed, fast asleep. I wished for that privilege now more than ever. I looked up at the ceiling again. Maybe I could get tired by doing that.

Gradually, I closed my eyes.

“Lyra, what have you done with yourself?" 

That voice was way too familiar to miss. I turned and saw my mother, walking up to me with a deeply concerned look in her eyes.

“Mother?" 

She reached up and cupped my cheek with her right hand. It felt so soft and warm.

“Look at my baby, all grown up. But you've suffered too much. I feel your pain everyday." 

Tears flowed down my cheeks uncontrollably. 

True. I've been strong for too long, and it was beginning to weigh me down. 

I had to struggle to understand why my father died the way he did, and why the Pack was so quick to brand my mother and I outcasts. I wanted to know my roots, and why I still haven't gotten my wolf.

“Mother, I've been meaning to ask: why did father have to die like that? Why were we sent away like outcasts? Why did you leave me alone to fight for my life everyday?" 

My mother pulled me into a warm embrace, and patted me on the back while I cried freely. I was sobbing so heavily that I couldn't hear a word of what she whispered to me.

“Lyra, I have to go now." 

“Mother, you're always leaving. Why don't you stay; even if it's just this once?" 

She cupped my cheek again, but I could feel her warm touch burn, as if registering her touch deep into my skin.

“I'll always be with you, baby. Don't ever think you're alone." 

With that, she stood up and walked away to the other end of the open field where we were.

“Wake up, slut!" 

My palm quickly went to my cheek and rubbed it to cool off the burn I felt there.

When I opened my eyes, I could see Anya and Freya standing over me. I looked over at Saana's bed. She wasn't there. Anxiety gripped my heart out of its place.

“Anya, you didn't have to be so cruel," I complained.

My one time best friend stared at me with wide eyes.

“You even have the guts to talk back?" She rolled her eyes and then looked at Freya. “Could you believe that?"

Freya shook her head disapprovingly and snorted.

“I’m not a slut, Anya. The Alpha came at me; I didn't seduce him," I tried to vindicate myself.

“That's what sluts do; sell us the ‘true love’ story while playing their twisted mind games." 

I shook my head and got out on the other side of my bed. I wanted to leave a lot of space between us. I didn't understand why Anya was so mad at me. 

“Stop playing innocent, Lyra. I know this was your plan all along!" She yelled, her pain evident in her eyes. She looked to Freya for support.

“Yes, we know people like you." 

Then the realization hit me suddenly. 

Could Anya be angry at me because she harbours feelings for the Alpha? The thought alone amused me, and gave me a strange satisfaction. A knowing smile played on my lips.

“People like me, Anya?" I began. “I've been trying to figure out why you're so angry at me, even when you're just another omega in the Alpha's eyes. Did you have eyes for him?" 

It seemed my question hit home.

Bullseye! Anya tensed up, and her eyes lost focus.

“I…I do not understand what you are saying,” she stuttered. 

Freya seemed frozen in disbelief.

"Is that it, Anya?” She questioned with pain and disappointment in her tone. "I thought we were on the same side?”

Anya looked at Freya with pleading eyes.

"Yes, we're still on the same side. Don't tell me you want to believe what she's saying. She is trying to drive a wedge between us.”

"But your reactions, Anya. You're suddenly on edge; like you've been stripped in public.”

There was a deafening silence in the room. 

I was both satisfied and shocked by this new discovery.

This could turn out both ways. Now, I've overpowered her.

What if she tries to get back at me? 

What if she somehow teams up with L

ady Seraphina?

I looked her over once more.

Then the door creaked open.

“Lyra? You're needed at the Alpha's court."