eyes of the packs
1062 Words
Morning came slowly.
A thin line of light slipped through the small window, resting gently across the wooden floor. The air felt different from the night before, calmer, but still unfamiliar.
Lyra opened her eyes.
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
Then everything came rushing back.
The ocean.
The betrayal.
The storm.
The man.
Her body tensed immediately.
She pushed herself up, this time managing a little better. The pain was still there, but it was not as strong as before. Her strength was slowly returning.
“That is good,” she whispered to herself.
She needed her strength.
More than anything.
A soft knock came at the door.
Lyra froze.
Her heart began to beat faster.
“Come in,” she said carefully.
The door opened slowly.
But it was not the man from last night.
Instead, a woman stepped inside.
She looked calm and gentle, her movements soft. Her eyes were warm, unlike the cold gaze Lyra had faced before.
“You are awake,” the woman said with a small smile.
Lyra nodded. “Yes.”
The woman walked closer, carrying a wooden tray filled with food and a small bowl of water.
“You should eat,” she said. “Your body needs it.”
Lyra hesitated, then nodded again.
“Thank you.”
The woman placed the tray beside her.
“My name is Elen,” she said kindly. “I help take care of those who are injured.”
Lyra gave a small smile. “Lyra.”
Elen studied her for a moment, her eyes thoughtful.
“You are not from here,” she said gently.
Lyra shook her head. “No.”
Elen did not ask more questions.
Instead, she simply nodded. “That is alright. You are safe here for now.”
For now.
Lyra noticed the words.
“Thank you,” she said again, softer this time.
Elen gave her a reassuring look before stepping back.
“Eat,” she said. “You will need your strength.”
Then she left the room.
Lyra stared at the food for a moment.
It looked simple, but warm.
Carefully, she picked it up and took a small bite.
It tasted different.
Strange.
But not bad.
As she ate, she tried to think clearly.
She was inside a pack.
That much was obvious.
The man from before…
He was their leader.
An Alpha.
Lyra had heard stories about wolves before. Powerful creatures who lived in groups and protected their territory fiercely.
That meant one thing.
She was not safe.
No matter how kind the healer seemed, this place was not her home.
And if they found out what she really was…
Lyra pushed the thought away.
She could not let that happen.
After finishing the food, she slowly stood up.
Her legs felt weak, but they held her weight.
“That is enough,” she whispered.
She needed to see where she was.
Moving carefully, she walked toward the door.
She hesitated for a moment before opening it.
The hallway outside was wide and built from strong wood. The air smelled different, filled with scents she could not recognize.
As she stepped out, a few people turned to look at her.
Lyra froze.
Their eyes were sharp.
Watching.
Judging.
Whispering.
“That is her,” someone said quietly.
“The stranger.”
“She smells strange.”
Lyra’s heart began to race.
She kept her face calm and continued walking.
Step by step.
Trying not to draw attention.
But it was too late.
Everyone was already watching her.
A tall man stepped into her path.
He was strong, with a serious expression and sharp eyes.
“You should not be walking around,” he said.
Lyra stopped.
“I needed air,” she replied quietly.
He studied her closely.
“I am Ronan,” he said. “The Beta of this pack.”
Lyra nodded slightly. “Lyra.”
“I know,” he said.
That made her uneasy.
Ronan crossed his arms.
“You should return to your room,” he continued. “You are not trusted here yet.”
Lyra swallowed.
“I understand,” she said.
But before she could move, another voice spoke.
“Let her walk.”
The air shifted.
Lyra turned.
Kael.
He stood at the end of the hallway, his eyes fixed on her.
The room fell silent.
Ronan glanced at him. “Alpha, she is not—”
“I said let her walk,” Kael repeated.
His voice was calm.
But firm.
Ronan stepped aside immediately.
Lyra felt every pair of eyes on her as she slowly moved again.
Her heart was pounding.
Kael watched her closely as she passed.
His gaze did not leave her for a second.
Lyra felt it.
Like a weight pressing against her.
But she did not stop.
She walked past him, keeping her head steady.
Only when she turned the corner did she allow herself to breathe.
Outside, the air felt different.
Cool.
Fresh.
Free.
Lyra stepped out slowly, her eyes widening slightly.
The land stretched far beyond what she could see. Tall trees surrounded the area, and the ground felt solid beneath her feet.
So different from the ocean.
So strange.
She took a deep breath.
For a moment, she almost felt calm.
But that feeling did not last.
Because she knew the truth.
She was being watched.
From the shadows.
From the windows.
From everywhere.
Back inside, Kael stood still.
His eyes remained on the empty space where Lyra had been.
Ronan stepped closer.
“You trust her too easily,” he said quietly.
Kael did not respond immediately.
“I do not trust her,” he said finally.
“Then why let her walk freely?” Ronan asked.
Kael’s gaze darkened slightly.
“Because a trapped animal hides,” he said. “But a free one shows its true nature.”
Ronan frowned.
“And what do you think she is?”
Kael’s eyes shifted toward the door.
“Not human,” he said.
Outside, Lyra stood still, unaware of the full weight of his words.
But she could feel something.
A shift.
A change.
This place was not just dangerous.
It was watching her.
Testing her.
Waiting.
And she had just taken her first step into a world where one mistake could cost her everything.
- Writer
