Chapter 5

Lyra

Two Years Later

“And that’s a wrap!” the shoot coordinator announced.

Cheers filled the studio as everyone clapped. The photographers began packing up their equipment while the makeup artists and stylists gathered their kits. Models slowly changed out of the outfits for the campaign, and the busy studio that had been buzzing all day finally started to quiet down.

I let out a long breath and stretched my sore muscles before walking over to my manager and best friend, Vera. She was already waiting for me with my jacket in her hands.

She smiled as she draped it over my shoulders. “Please tell me my schedule is clear for the next few weeks,” I said with a tired smile. “I need a proper break.”

“Of course.” Vera grinned. “You finally get to go on the trip you have been talking about for months.”

I smiled, it had been two years since I walked away from the werewolf world, and not once had I looked back. Leaving had been the best decision I had ever made.

The only thing that still hurt was my mom. I couldn't see her. I couldn't tell her that I was safe. I couldn't tell her that I was doing well or show her everything I had achieved. Sometimes I wished I could sit beside her for just a few minutes and tell her my story, but that was one thing I couldn't risk.

Still, I had built a life I never thought was possible.

I walked through life with confidence now. I held my head high without worrying about who was staring at me. I wore the clothes I loved without feeling ashamed of my body. No one here mocked me for being plus-size or made me feel like I wasn't beautiful enough to dress the way I wanted.

For the first time in my life, I truly felt comfortable in my own skin.

The past two years had been peaceful, but I never completely let my guard down.

There were still days when I found myself looking over my shoulder, expecting someone to be following me. During the first year after I left, Rowan and I moved from one city to another until he was certain Kyon had lost our trail. We eventually settled here, and little by little, Kyon stopped coming after me.

You would think that after getting engaged to my stepsister, he would have forgotten about me. Instead, he kept searching, I never understood why. Thankfully, Rowan had always known how to keep me hidden. And because of him, I had no intention of ever going back.

Vera looped her arm through mine as we walked out of the studio together. “We should hit the club tonight,” she said. “Just to loosen up these tired muscles.”

I smiled. “Sure. I will call Rowan and ask if he wants to come.”

I pulled out my phone as we walked toward the parking lot. Rowan worked as a stylist for a fashion house, so we rarely saw each other during the day. Most of the time, we only met in the evenings after we were both done with work.

Vera glanced at me before shaking her head with an amused smile. “When are you two going to make it official?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. “You two are obviously into each other.”

I couldn't help but laugh. “He isn't into plus-size women,” I said.

Vera looked at me as if I had just said the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. “But he's planning a trip for just the two of you,” she reminded me. “No man plans a vacation with a woman he doesn't have feelings for, especially when it isn't a work trip.”

I smiled to myself, she wasn't wrong. Rowan had planned the trip weeks ago after finding out I would finally have a break from work. He had insisted that we both needed a vacation, and after thinking about it for a while, I agreed.

Even so, I never allowed myself to read too much into it. We had always remained friends.

There were moments when I had tried to take a step beyond friendship, but Rowan would always remind me that there was no need to rush anything. He believed we should take our time and figure out what we truly wanted before changing what we already had. Eventually, I stopped trying, maybe friendship was enough.

By the time we reached the parking lot, Vera drove me back to my apartment. She stopped in front of the building and smiled at me.

“Be ready by eight. I will come and pick you up.”

I nodded before getting out of the car. “See you later.”

She waved as she drove away. I turned and walked toward my apartment building.

One of my neighbors, a friendly man who had always admired my work, greeted me with a warm smile. He complimented me as I walked past him, and I thanked him with a smile before continuing toward my apartment.

I reached my front door and pulled out my keys, for some reason, I paused. A strange feeling settled over me, I slowly looked over my shoulder.

The neighbor had already disappeared, and the hallway behind me was empty. Still, it felt like someone was watching me. I frowned at the uneasy feeling but quickly shook it off.

I unlocked my apartment door, stepped inside, and quietly closed it behind me.

Hours later, I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, giving myself one last look. I had changed into a short, body-hugging black dress that hugged every curve of my body perfectly. Over the past two years, I had worked hard to stay in shape. I was still a plus-size woman, but I was much fitter now. My waist was more defined, my stomach was flatter, and I had learned to love every inch of my body instead of trying to hide it.

I no longer dressed to make myself look smaller, I dressed to feel beautiful. After finishing my makeup, I slipped into a pair of black heels and grabbed my purse from the dresser.

Just then, my phone rang, it was Vera. I answered immediately. "I'm outside," she said.

"I will be right there." I ended the call and turned back to the mirror one last time.

A smile spread across my face, I looked flawless. For a brief moment, I admired the woman staring back at me. Two years ago, I would have picked myself apart, searching for flaws. Now, all I saw was someone who had fought hard to become comfortable in her own skin.

I blew my reflection a playful kiss before grabbing my purse and hurrying out of the apartment. Vera was already waiting beside her car. The moment she saw me, her eyes widened dramatically.

"Rowan is going to be drooling over you tonight... Girl, you look breathtaking. Gosh..."

I burst into laughter. "Girl, you look freaking gorgeous too."

She looked stunning as always. Unlike me, Vera was slim, with long legs that seemed to go on forever. Her striking blue eyes were easily the prettiest I had ever seen, and she carried herself with the kind of confidence that turned heads wherever she went.

She laughed and gave herself a playful twirl. "Let's hope I find someone who thinks I'm attractive tonight."

We both laughed as I climbed into the passenger seat. Before Vera started the car, I pulled out my phone to send Rowan a quick text, letting him know we were on our way to the club.

Before I could type a single word, a notification from an unknown number appeared on my screen. I frowned, a strange feeling settled in my chest as I opened the message.

“I am closer than you think, and I am watching you.”

My smile disappeared instantly, a second message came through. It was a picture, my fingers tightened around my phone as I opened it.

It was me, the photo had been taken that afternoon as I walked into my apartment building.