The Wolf Who Never Came

“Move, Kyle! Get away from there!”

Lyra's shout cut through the morning noise.

The boy stood frozen beside a fallen tree, staring at the grey wolf blocking his path. Its lips curled back from its teeth. Several young wolves stopped training to watch, but none moved to help.

Lyra dropped her basket and grabbed a fallen branch.

“Stay still, Kyle!”

The wolf turned toward her. She approached carefully, holding the branch in front of her. Without a wolf of her own, she had no enhanced senses or strength to rely on.

She struck the ground.

The wolf lunged.

Lyra jumped aside, but its claws caught her arm. Pain shot through her as she stumbled.

“Run, Kyle!”

He scrambled past her. Before the wolf could attack again, a guard's whistle sounded. The animal hesitated, then disappeared into the forest.

Lyra pressed a hand against her bleeding arm.

“Are you mad?” Rafe demanded.

“Kyle could have been bitten.”

“And what would you have done if it had torn your throat out?”

Lyra glanced at the boy, now safe among the others.

“I'd rather take that chance than watch him get hurt.”

Rafe snorted. “Easy to say when you don't have a wolf to lose.”

The others laughed. Lyra picked up her basket and walked away.

Near the packhouse, Kyle hurried after her.

“Are you angry with me?”

“Why would I be?”

“I didn't run when you told me to.”

“Then listen next time.”

He glanced at her bandage. “My brother says you don't have a wolf because you're not a proper member of the pack.”

“How old is your brother?”

“Fourteen.”

“Old enough to know that being cruel doesn't make him clever.”

Kyle considered this before asking, “Will your wolf ever come?”

“I don't know.”

“But you want it to?”

“Of course.”

He smiled and ran off.

Lyra continued toward the packhouse, tired of answering questions about the wolf that had never come.

“Lyra Vale.”

Alpha Garrick stood near the steps with two guards.

“Come here.”

She approached him. “Yes, Alpha?”

“I hear you interfered with the wolf this morning.”

“I helped Kyle escape.”

“You put yourself in danger. You have no wolf and no proper combat training, yet you act as though you can do what the others do.”

“I was trying to help someone.”

“Good intentions won't protect this pack,” Garrick replied. “You need to understand your limitations.”

“I understand.”

“Do you? You seem determined to become a problem I must eventually deal with.”

Her fingers tightened around the basket.

“Am I being punished?”

“Not today.”

He turned back to the guards.

Lyra left without another word.

At the healer's room, Mara immediately noticed the blood on her sleeve.

“What happened?”

“Nothing serious.”

“Sit down.”

Mara cleaned the cut and wrapped it with fresh cloth.

“Is Kyle all right?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Lyra watched her finish the bandage. “Why does everyone act as though I've done something wrong?”

“Perhaps they're more concerned with criticising you than admitting nobody else stepped forward.”

“Garrick could hear you.”

“I'm aware.”

Mara sat across from her.

“You cannot spend your whole life trying to earn a place among people who refuse to make room for you.”

Lyra looked down at her bandage. “Do you think my wolf will ever come?”

“I don't know. No one can promise you that. But whatever happens, you still have choices.”

Lyra nodded and left after Mara finished treating her arm.

On her way back to her room, she heard voices coming from the council room.

“The incident this morning proves my point,” Garrick said. “She has no understanding of her limitations.”

Beta Ronan answered, “She was trying to protect the boy.”

“And nearly got herself killed.”

Lyra stopped outside the open doorway.

“What do you intend to do with her?” Ronan asked.

“I've allowed this situation to continue long enough. The pack cannot keep carrying someone who may never be able to defend herself.”

“She has lived here all her life.”

“And that is why I've been patient.”

Lyra tightened her grip on the basket.

“What are you saying?” Ronan asked.

“If her wolf doesn't manifest soon, we will have to reconsider her place in this pack.”

Lyra stepped back, her heel catching a loose stone.

It struck the floor with a sharp click.

The voices stopped.

“Who's there?” Garrick demanded.

Lyra turned to leave, but the door opened before she could move.

Beta Ronan stood in the doorway.

“Lyra?”

Behind him, Garrick rose from his chair.

She looked from one man to the other. There was no pretending she hadn't heard.

She had heard what he intended to do.

And now he knew it.