CHAPTER FOUR

LYRA

I felt something was wrong the moment the car stopped. It was not wrong in a loud or obvious way. Just wrong in the way your body knows before your mind catches up.

The road had disappeared. One second we were driving through something that still felt like the city, and the next minute, the world had transformed into something vast and uncontained. The land stretched endlessly ahead of us, green rolling hills folding into thick forest, the sky was wide and pale above it all.

I sat straighter in the back seat, my fingers tightening around the hem of my jacket.

“Where are we?” I asked.

Willow leaned forward slightly, peering out the window. Her eyes widened, just a little. “I… don’t know. This doesn’t look like anywhere I’ve been before.”

The car slowed, then passed through tall iron gates that hadn’t been there a second ago. They were old, black metal, twisted with symbols I didn’t recognize. Wolves, actual wolves, were carved into the posts, frozen mid-snarl, mid-run.

The gates closed behind us with a heavy sound. Something in my chest tightened.

The land inside the gates felt different. The air was cooler and cleaner, with a hint of crispness. The trees were thicker, their branches weaving a canopy overhead. Houses were scattered, spaced out with deliberate intention, blending into the surroundings.

Some were large, stone-built structures with wide porches and tall windows. Others were smaller, tucked into the trees like they’d grown there instead of being built.

People stood outside as we passed. And then something stranger happened. They stopped what they were doing. The conversations were cut off, the movements were slowed. Heads turned to our direction. And then, one by one, they all bowed.

Not the deep and dramatic one. Some only lowered their heads. Others placed a fist to their chest. But every single one of them acknowledged the car. Or rather, they acknowledged Him. The one in the car

I held my breath a little, shocked from what I saw.

I glanced toward the front seat, toward Zeviar. He didn’t react or look around to even acknowledge them. He just kept his eyes on the road. His posture was calm and controlled, like this was normal and he was used to it.

“What is this place?” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

Willow swallowed. “Lyra… I don’t think we’re in Iceland anymore.”

The car finally came to a stop near a massive structure set slightly apart from the others. It was built from dark stone, wide and imposing, with tall pillars and broad steps leading up to heavy wooden doors.

People stood near the entrance. All of them were watching us closely.

Then the door opened before we even reached it.

Zeviar stepped out first.

I stayed frozen in my seat, my heart pounding loudly against my chest.

Willow nudged me gently. “Come on.”

As I stepped out of the car, that was when the weight of it really hit me. Every eye turned to me. They didn't look like curious or friendly stares. It felt like an assessment. Like they were trying to assess my entire self.

Their stares suddenly made me feel painfully aware of myself. Of how the clothes I wore were borrowed and, of how the way my hands trembled slightly at my sides. And the feeling of being an outsider among people who seemed to belong.

They looked at me. Their stares were a mix of dismissal, judgment, and confusion.

I heard murmurs and low voices. It was not loud enough for me to understand, but it was clear enough to know that I was the subject of discussion.

Zeviar turned slightly, his attention finally on me. “Stay close,” he said.

I nodded.

The building's interior was just as impressive, with high ceilings, stone floors, and warm light streaming through large windows. The air was filled with the scent of wood, earth, and a wild, untamed aroma.

“This is the packhouse,” Darius said as we entered.

Packhouse.

I latched onto the word, even though it didn’t help.

Another voice chimed in. “The Alpha council should be assembling soon.”

Alpha? These terms were new to me.

I stumbled slightly, and Willow grabbed my arm.

“You okay?” she whispered.

“I think so,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I really was.

We were guided through winding hallways that led to large chambers. Murals of wolves, battles, and unfamiliar symbols adorned the walls. I paused at one, captivated by a depiction of a giant wolf towering over kneeling figures.

Zeviar was pulled aside near the center of the hall, immediately surrounded by people speaking quickly, urgently.

That was when I saw her.

She moved confidently through the crowd, tall and elegant in a red dress. Her eyes immediately met Zeviar's and softened. She didn't seem surprised to see him. She walked straight up to him and placed a hand on his arm.

"You're back," she said softly, her voice intimate.

I felt a pang of jealousy.

Zeviar stiffened slightly, but he didn’t pull away.

“I told you I would,” he replied.

She glanced at me. Her looks were quick, sharp, and assessing. Then, she smiled.

“Oh,” she said, tilting her head. “You brought… company.”

The pause before the word made it sting.

Zeviar turned. “Morgana, this is Lyra and Willow.”

Morgana’s eyes slid to Willow briefly, then back to me.

“How… interesting,” she murmured. “I didn’t realize we were hosting guests now.”

Her words made me feel vulnerable, like I didn't belong here.

Zeviar’s jaw tightened. “She’s under my protection.”

Morgana’s smile didn’t falter, but something colder settled behind her eyes. “Of course she is,” she said lightly. “You always were… generous.”

She leaned in closer to him, lowering her voice, though not enough. “But you should be careful. People talk. Especially when rules are bent.”

Her gaze flicked to me again. It was dismissive and spiteful. Then she turned and walked away like I didn’t exist.

I felt embarrassed and confused.

Willow squeezed my hand. “Ignore her,” she whispered. “Please.”

“I’m trying,” I said, though my voice shook.

Zeviar was pulled away again, dragged into another conversation.

“You’ll be shown around,” he said quietly. “Just… don’t wander too far.”

I nodded.

“This way.” Darius - who I didn't notice was there all this time - said quietly, falling into step beside me.

His voice was calm and welcoming. “You’re safe here.” I wasn’t sure if he was reassuring me, or warning me.

He showed us to a side hallway and left. A woman was waiting by the door.

She looked to be in her early thirties, with warm brown skin, soft eyes, and her dark hair braided neatly down her back. There was nothing threatening about her. If anything, she felt like she was more familiar and experienced in this place.

“Hi. I’m Mira, an omega. And I'll take you to your rooms.” she said gently.

Omega? What's that? I thought to myself.

Willow sighed in relief the moment we entered the room.

It was large, comfortable, and surprisingly homey. It had soft lighting layered with thick curtains and a wide bed that looked far too inviting.

“I need to lie down,” Willow admitted, already sinking onto the mattress. “My head is spinning.”

Mira nodded. “You should rest. Someone will bring food shortly.”

Mira offered a small smile. “If you’d like, I can show you the gardens.”

I hesitated, then nodded.

Willow caught my hand before I could step away.

"Stay close," she said softly.

“I will.” I promised.

I meant it.

The grounds behind the packhouse were expansive. Gardens rolled into open fields, paths winding through stone arches and flowering trees. Everything felt maintained but untouched, like nature was respected instead of controlled.

As we walked, I noticed eyes on me again.

“People are curious,” Mira said gently, noticing my discomfort. “You’re new. And you arrived with the Alpha.”

That explained nothing and everything at the same time. Halfway through the gardens, movement caught my eye.

A small white shape darted between the hedges. It was a bunny.

It paused, its ears were twitching, then it suddenly bolted toward the trees. I smiled without thinking.

“I’ll be right back,” I said instinctively.

“Lyra…” Mira started.

I went off the path. The forest got quiet and cold but I kept going, just to realize the bunny had vanished and the packhouse wasn’t visible anymore. The trees looked strange. I felt nervous and looked around, scanning the forest.

“I shouldn’t be here,” I whispered.

I looked around one more time, and that's when it dawned on me.

I was alone and lost.