Chapter 2

Lyra’s POV

He rushed in like he was possessed, I was shaken and didn't know how to react, and then his voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"How dare you try to poison me?" There was something about his look I couldn't decipher; he looked like someone who had been possessed.

In a swift second, he pounced on me, holding my neck and violently shaking me before throwing me away. My body hit the floor, and I coughed, grabbing my neck.

Sasha growled, "We can't die like this." I regained my composure and hit him where the sun didn't shine.

He released a loud growl in pain. "You are dead, Lyra.”

I didn't know I had such strength in me as I hurriedly used furniture to create a barrier between us and grabbed a rod from the room to hit him hard so he could be incapacitated while I escaped.

Looking around the room, a quick thought came to mind to use the window, not minding the height. I jumped down.

Taking swift action before he could mind-link the guards on patrol, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

A strange feeling crept over me when I noticed the guard running after me.

I immediately shifted into my wolf form without a care in the world that I'd be naked afterward.

I could sense the hurry in their steps, which became louder, making my heart race faster as I neared the neighboring pack.

Suddenly, I froze, perceiving a sweet smell that made my wolf giggle. This wasn't the time to dwell on the intoxicating scent.

Then, a sharp pain coursed through my paw as I growled in pain. I looked down, realizing I'd run into a trap.

A sudden wave of weakness washed over me. It seeped into my veins, sapping my strength, and pain twisted through me.

My heart pounded with an alarming rhythm; the trap tightened its grip. Fear and confusion enveloped me as the guards pursuing me came to a halt and surrounded me.

Then, I heard a loud growl that shook the earth. He growled again, this time louder. With the trap tightening its grip on me, the world around me blurred.

******************

I woke up with a splitting headache, feeling disoriented as I took in my surroundings.

The room had a high ceiling and white walls, making everything look bright and adding to the confusion in my head.

My head beat harder as I tried to figure out what happened. The room's bright whiteness gave off a cold, clinical vibe.

Questions crowded my mind, and a growing unease settled in. Where was I? How did I get here? The confusion in my head was like a fog, making it tough to gather any clear thoughts.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the dizziness, and focused on my surroundings.

Like a puzzle falling into place, memories started to piece together in my mind.

Panic set in, and I hastily looked around, desperate to confirm that I wasn't in Croftwood territory. The realization hit me that I was in a place I didn't recognize.

There was a sound from outside, and the door opened.

A man entered. He was tall and stood out in the room. His broad shoulders indicated strength and confidence. The way he carried himself suggested he had to be either the Alpha or Beta.

He looked at me for a moment, as if trying to figure out something about me.

"Hi," he muttered, his face revealing a mix of worry and relief, but there was also a stormy expression.

"Hi," my voice was a bit hoarse. The room filled with tension as we faced each other.

Trying to get up, I couldn't let my guard down in this unfamiliar place.

"No, no, no, little one. You need to heal up completely," he said, surprising me with his show of care.

That's when I noticed Sasha, my wolf, remained dormant, sensing a need for recovery.

His voice echoed in the room, "You ran into a trap laced with wolfsbane, so it will take time to feel your wolf again."

Stunned, I looked at him, wondering how he could sense my thoughts.

"Mere coincidence," Sasha said in my head, rolling her eyes.

A smile crossed my face, reassuring me that Sasha wasn't hurt. My reaction prompted the tiniest smiles on his face.

It felt strange to be in the care of someone I barely knew, but in that moment, I chose to trust in the sincerity of his intentions.

His eyes turned glossy as if he was mind-linking someone.

Then the door opened, and a man walked in wearing a white coat and a friendly smile. I assumed he was the pack doctor.

He slightly bowed to the man, who acknowledged with a nod.

I cautiously glanced at his face as he checked my vitals. "How long have I been out?"

"Three days.”

"Everything seems good. Let's take a look at your leg," the doctor said.

As he examined where the wound had been, his eyes widened in surprise.

"This is extraordinary. Wounds like this typically take much longer to heal, and there should be some residual scarring. Your recovery is quite remarkable."

"Beta Zach, come take a look," the pack doctor called.

Zach rushed over, his expression mirroring shock.

I recalled the painful moments when Alpha Tristan had hurt me—choked, slapped, and beaten me for defying instructions or meeting his gaze.

Strangely, within hours, the injuries would vanish without a trace.

The door suddenly burst open, and someone walked into the room. He carried an undeniable aura of authority that seemed to envelop the entire space.

It wasn't just about his posture or the way he carried himself; it was an energy that spoke of a natural leader, someone accustomed to being in charge.

My wolf screamed in my head as his scent hit me like a boulder, my heart racing faster with every breath. The unmistakable scent of an Alpha filled my nostrils.

I observed the pack doctor and Beta Zach baring their necks, a clear sign of respect for the Alpha.

Then my wolf screamed, "Mate." I cursed under my breath, "Fuck my life, Moon goddess, I'm mated to an Alpha."

I took a good look at him in awe and fear. My breath caught as the realization hit me, and my eyes widened for a moment. A shiver ran through my spine.