Lyra's POV
The hall in Orion's mansion had always struck me as a little too formal for our wild kind.
High ceilings, golden chandeliers, it gave it an air of ancient power. But today, it was more than just a room. It was a war chamber.
The round table had been polished to a shine. Orion sat at the head, his expression unreadable but sharp as always.
Keto was beside him, silent and alert. On Orion's other side were four werewolves I didn’t recognize, strong, older, and clearly from high-ranking lines.
Kira, Kate, and I slipped into seats across from them. I could feel the shift in energy the
Lyra's POVWe stood there for a moment, watching it go out through the gates. Then Kira sighed softly. "I hope everything goes okay.""Me too," I said softly.We returned inside, but my thoughts remained with Kate. Encountering her brother after all these years. I couldn't even start to think of what that would be like. A mix of excitement and terror, no doubt.When we returned to the dining room, Orion remained seated there, his arms crossed over his chest in a lounging manner. His dark eyes locked onto mine, not blinking. "Come with me," he said.I got a brief glimpse of Kira as I followed Orion. We entered into one of the side rooms, a spacious sitting room that was full of tall windows through which shafts of light streamed."You will have to be prepared for tomorrow," Orion said to me. "Working out with me is not going to be easy. I am not going to go easy on you just because you are…" He paused, searching for the right words."I did not think that you would," I said, folding m
Lyra's POV "Orion, I think it's a bit risky, though. With all that's been happening. I mean, Kate going by herself is one thing, but there are so many unexplained things lately. Who knows what might happen?"Orion turned to me, his own face a mask. "She's not going alone," he answered curtly. "She'll be going alone to visit her brother, but she won't be going alone the way you're saying it."Kate's eyes widened in bewilderment. "What are you even saying? If I'm not going with Kira or Lyra, then who am I going with?"Orion leaned back in his chair, his gaze held steady upon her with quiet firmness. "I've had some of my men offer to ride with you, just to provide guard. You won't be alone, Kate. I'm just seeing to it that your brother isn't scared of any non-humans who may be out."Kira's eyes widened in surprise, her initial concern eased somewhat. "So you're bringing people with her, but not someone who would frighten her brother?"Orion nodded. "Right. He's human. We need to be caut
Lyra's POVBut I couldn't help but ask, "Do you know him well? Lucas?"Orion's eyes flew towards me again, this time more harshly. "Well enough." He took a sip of water. "He likes to make a spectacle of it. Always has. But he seeks control. That's his weakness."Kira tilted her head. "If you know his weakness, then maybe you do have an advantage.""Maybe," Orion replied, but the intonation of his voice suggested that he was not actually going to answer anything else.The room grew silent for a moment aside from the soft clinking of silverware.I could see Kira glance between the two of us as if she felt some tension that had been left unspoken.Kate cut across the silence. "Will you and Lucas be fighting on your own? Or will there be backup?It will be one of the alphas," Orion said. "The tournament rules do not allow for interference. But that does not necessarily mean there won't be surprises.""Surprises?" Kira echoed, furrowing her brow.Orion looked down at his plate, cutting the
Lyra's POVWe sat down together, and the maids brought breakfast, warm bread, eggs, and slices of roasted meat. We didn't waste any time; we started eating.We were halfway through breakfast when Kira spoke, her voice quiet but certain."I don't think Orion would want your brother to come here," she continued, staring over the rim of her teacup at Kate.Kate's fork hesitated in mid-air. "Why not?"Kira set down the cup. "He's not a werewolf. And Orion doesn't particularly like having human houseguests in his mansion."Kate blinked and nodded slowly. "That's fine. I understand. My brother's safety is all I care about."I tilted my head, intrigued. "Is he your brother?""Yes," Kate answered with a small smile. "Just me and him. I don't even know my dad. Our mom raised us by herself.""Where is your mom now?" I asked softly.Her smile faded. "She died three years ago."There was a second of table quietness. I leaned over and squeezed her hand gently. She squeezed back, her look gentle b
Lyra's POVMorning sunlight slipped through the curtains, and my eyes fluttered open, my head still fuzzy from the long night. Kate and Kira were curled up beside me, their breathing slow and even. I smiled. They'd talked and talked throughout the whole previous night, sitting up, reminiscing about their childhoods and gossiping about the southern packs.I'd thought they'd be gone by the time I'd slept, but by appearances, they hadn't. There was a pleasant thing about waking up and finding them still there.I sat up slowly between them, not wanting to wake either of them. I snuck into the bathroom.I went in and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face to shock me out of sleep fog.I brushed my teeth and showered hurriedly. I came out and discovered Kira waking, sitting up, and rubbing her eyes."Morning," she rasped, with the breath of one who has a sleep-dry throat."Morning," I smiled at her.She blinked at me and tilted her head to the side. "Why did you not wake
Lucas POVI leaned back into the deep, leather couch in my study, the cigar between my fingers burning slowly. My mind kept circling back to Ruth, the way she had walked into my mansion today, poised but calculated, every word dripping with caution.She was the last person I expected to pay me a visit, but what was even more surprising than her visit was the fact that she wanted us to work together. She wanted me to attack her son-in-law's pack.I didn’t get where I am by missing what people try to hide.“Cole,” I called, my voice cutting through the stillness.The door swung open, and my beta stepped in, his broad frame nearly blocking the light from the hallway. Cole has been with me for years. Loyal. Efficient. Not easily rattled.“Yes, Alpha? You called for me," he said, bowing his head slightly as a sign of respect.I tapped ash into the crystal tray on the table beside me. “You’re certain Ruth is Ravenna’s stepmother? I still can't believe my eyes."“Yes, Alpha. Without a doub