Luna Kyria: Mated To My Fate

Episode 3:Help in the Darkness

Kyria woke up to blinding lights, her back to the ground, her legs as heavy as lead. The smell of freshly cut grass and morning dew harassing her senses. She scrunched up her face, lifting her hand against the lights obstructing her view. There was nothing in her head to help make sense of anything. Her mind was in disarray. Her head pounded like a hammer driving a nail into dried pine wood.

Why couldn't she remember anything? How did she get here? What is this place? Her perplexity annoyed her even more than the blinding lights. She felt lost. Her palms began to sweat as her gaze swept over the unfamiliar surroundings in confusion.

She shut her eyes tight and tried to steady her breathing. Hot tears trailed down her temples, and her muscles tightened with fear. Seconds passed, or perhaps minutes, before she realized the surrounding presence. Her eyes flipped open to the smell of damp wood and musk. She swallowed her fears and raised her head to a tall, still shadow a few feet away.

At the jolt of her body, it jerked out, maybe startled by her. Then, it began to approach her, and she figured it out. It was a man with heavy footsteps and an outstretched arm towering over her.

“Trust me!” He said. He sounded believable, yet apathetic in a way that suggests he had done this many times.

Kyria shook her head, still trembling. Aria, who had been brooding inside her, finally growled, awakening her memory. “Here comes another Alpha. I hope you listen this time.”

And in a flash, Kyria remembered. The events of the evening replayed in her mind like a cruel spectre. Marcus’s betrayal, the collective gasp of the pack, the humiliation of being publicly rejected all flooded in. It's one chapter of her life she would rather erase, but it's too late. She's stuck with it.

“Why?”

“Who are you?” Kyria queried. He looked out of place, like a diamond in the rough. She wanted to gush at his rugged handsomeness and his most beautiful blue eyes, but no, she didn't. He’s an alpha, and she hates him for no reason already.

She should be afraid, but not this time. The anger in her eyes flared like it was ready to burn this alpha alive. Although wicked contractions pulled on her calf muscles, she refused to allow herself to trust a total stranger.

“I’d rather die than have you touch me.” She spat out.

“Come on, woman! Get off your high horse.” Cade Harold growled impatiently. He knelt to take her hand, but to his surprise, Kyria slapped it off. She was impossible. From the way he stared at her, she had to be the most stubborn woman he had ever met. “Who does she think she is to judge and reject me like that?” He wondered.

Cade stood up to leave. “It was nice meeting you!” he muttered, anger and confusion buried in the furrows of his forehead. The old him would have been more patient with her type, but he lost some of his after a terrible heartbreak.

Kyria knew she could trust him, yet the bruise of betrayal from a fellow alpha was still fresh. She may never recover from the impact of the pain. How much more trust again? He looked mysterious and capable of the worst. That should bother her, considering she's alone with him in the middle of nowhere. Yet she didn't care. All that brews inside her now is revenge, and who better to pay for her suffering than another alpha?

She flared up, cussing him out. “You’re just a typical alpha: cruel, mean, and self-absorbed, but don't you dare think you can take advantage of me.”

Being a natural gentleman, Cade ignored her unkind remarks. Besides, he is more of an introvert than his expressive and opinionated wolf, Captain.

“Feisty! I like her!” His wolf said, trying to influence his opinion of her, but Cade only rolled his eyes, apparently bored. If Ethan hadn’t become leashed to his new girlfriend, he wouldn't have been here today covering for him. He and Lucas are the other two leaders of the Outcast Clan that reside in the shadows of Brookhaven. The trio makes it their responsibility to protect the portal between their mystical world and the human world from unfriendly intruders.

Just when he was almost out of sight, a familiar voice called out.

“Come on, soldier! Don't tell me you're leaving a helpless damsel behind.” Lucas teased.

Cade scoffed at Lucas, pretending to care less. Deep down he didn't really see himself leaving Kyria behind in spite of her stubbornness.

“Right on time, Lucas,” he said.

“You need luck with this drama queen!” But Cade shouldn't have said that, because it made

Kyria’s blood boiled at his sarcasm. “How dare you!” She snapped, ready to pounce at him, but the pain in her legs intensified. It surprised her. Is she losing her power to heal or what?

Lucas, amused by the tension between the Outcast leader and their newest acquaintance, dashes off to Kyria. Kneeling beside her, he reached for her hand warmly, a charming smile beaming on his handsome face.

“Hi! Please call me Lucas, and don't mind Cade. He only gets grumpy when he's attracted to a beautiful lady.”

Kyria grimaced, refusing to be moved by Lucas' sweetness, although his manner of approach coaxed her to sheathe her sword. Her arched brows slowly aligned. His smile, a perfect match for his soft gray eyes, made her feel safe in the strange world.

“Kyria Garrett,” she replied blankly, avoiding eye contact at all costs. As she took his hand, most of the pain in her legs vanished. Her face lit up and her eyes widened in shock. “He’s a healer, though he hardly knows,” Aria whispered. Lucas didn't only help her back to her feet but also relieved her pain with just one touch.

“Thank you!” she said.

She had just begun to pluck dried twigs from her hair when she sighted Cad standing afar. His face registered something akin to concern. He wasn't gone after all. Why did he wait or even care? For obvious reasons, Kyria hated what he did, but deep down, her pride bloomed. He must think she's worth his time, regardless of her disheveled appearance. Their eyes met, and she saw his heart. It was an awkward three seconds for both of them. Embarrassed, Cade hurried out of sight.

“I know you have many questions, but first let's get you home,” Lucas suggested.

Kyria shot Lucas a horrified look. “Home? That's the last place on her mind, and Lucas could tell as soon as her face flushed with worry.

“Don't worry. We're all running from our past, but you’ll find a home with our family here nonetheless.

It was tough for Kyria to trust him, but his dimpled smile charmed her heart.

A dash of hope twinkled in her green eyes as she forced a weak smile. Even her tensed shoulders lowered. Who was she deceiving? She was already tired of running. “What’s this new home?” She asked in anticipation.