Chapter 9: Maybe This was it

Lyra POV

It was strange, living among the rogues.

After the incident with the rogue wolf that tried to punish me, the tension in the pack had increased.

I could feel it, the brewing hatred they seemed to have for me, but no one dared to touch me. They obeyed their king's orders.

A part of me felt relief that I was safe from harm irrespective of the kind of feelings others held against me, but another part felt guilty.

It was obvious the rogues thought their king was playing a favor card with me, but I knew better.

I was just a pawn.

A useless piece on the chessboard, Alpha Cedric chooses to sacrifice to save his head.

I wondered what kind of horror the Rogue King had planned for me that he wanted no one but himself to mete out punishments.

I wasn’t gullible enough to fool myself that he cared about my welfare. It was a case of fattening the sheep for the slaughter.

I sighed, moving against the small bed I was resting against.

After Mira had attended to my injuries from the small fight, another rogue wolf took me to a room in the palace.

This place was not what I expected.

I assumed the wolves would be living in tents or scattered around, but it was like a normal wolf pack.

Every rogue wolf here had families and friends; they were exiled wolves with stories and scars that would stay forever, but they lived comfortably in houses, and the king had a palace.

The room I was in right now was somewhere in that palace. It wasn't a very large or exquisite room, but it was comfortable. The only furniture was a bed, a dresser, and the wardrobe.

Compared to how grand the palace looked, I assumed this was the servant quarters.

The loud sound of clashing metal caught my attention, and I sat up.

I looked out through the window of my room overlooking the palace grounds and saw a small group of warriors gathered.

They were training.

A strong desire to join them overcame me, and without thinking about it, I rushed out, making sure I was decent.

At first, no one noticed me.

I watched them. The warriors were not just men; there were women too.

Swords clashed against each other as they trained, each one trying to overcome their opponents. Something surged in me.

Excitement, desire.

Whatever it was, it was pushing me to find a sword and join them.

I was so carried away that I didn't know when one of the rogues walked up to me, a sword dangling from his hand.

“You shouldn't be here.” He growled close to my ear.

I jumped back in surprise, giving him a look.

“I just wanted to watch,” I said.

“I don't think you understand your position here, do you?” He snorts. “You don't belong with us. You don't belong anywhere.”

His words hit me.

It wasn't because I didn't know this before; it was because someone finally said it out loud.

I was a castaway.

My people hated me. The rogues hated me.

Pain clawed at my chest, and I squared my shoulders, facing the rogue head-on.

“I am aware.” I said tightly.

He chuckled, eyeing my full body length.

Feeling annoyed at his scrutiny, I took my time to look at him too.

He had a strong physique. His demeanor was anything but friendly, but he only showed it through his eyes.

“You should go back to where you crawled out of before the others spot you.” He said. “You would be a distraction I won't entertain,” he said.

“Understood.” I said

“Finn!” He called out.

“Sir!”

Another rogue wolf I didn't notice was behind him stepped up. His eyes were strange. They were completely white, everything, including his iris.

He was blind.

He took my arm and nudged me to walk forward.

“Finn will escort you to your room,” he said. “Don't be fooled by his lack of sight; he is a smart one.” The rogue warned.

I nodded and allowed Finn to walk me.

We were a safe distance away from the training ground when Finn cleared his throat.

“You shouldn't let what the leader said make you sad. That's just the way he is.” He started.

So that rogue wolf was the leader of the warriors?

I looked at my side. Finn had his face turned to me, and I briefly imagined he could see me. But I knew that wasn't possible.

“Are you trying to comfort me?” I raised an eyebrow.

Finn chuckled. “Am I doing a good job?”

I smiled. “Maybe.”

“Good.” He nods his head.

“Everyone here hates me.” I said softly. “And I don't blame them. I am not supposed to be here.”

“I can't deny that some would prefer if you were not here, but then not everyone. And those who hold a grudge do so because they are scared the king favors you.” He said.

I laughed. “Believe me, he doesn't. I'm just a captive.”

Finn shrugs.

“No captive gets a room in the palace.”

“It's a maid’s room.” I fought back, refusing to accept a contrary opinion.

“It's still a comfortable room.” He said. “You have not been treated as a captive.”

I kept silent.

Finn was right. For the few days I have spent here, despite how the people might have expressed their displeasure at my presence, no one had shown me any form of disrespect except for that rogue I attacked.

They all kept their distance. And I was properly taken care of and fed.

“It might take a while for some to accept, but you belong with us now.” Finn assured me softly.

I suddenly felt a new sense of belonging overwhelm me.

“Thank you,” I said.

“You can always come to me if you need company.” He added. “But I advise, the training ground is off-limits.”

I smiled. “Alright.”

Finn and I shared a comfortable silence all the way to my room.

He bade me a soft farewell.

As soon as I closed the door, a sense of peace overwhelmed me, and I smiled.

Maybe this was it.

Home.