Chapter 3: The She-Wolf’s Jealous Rage
1594 Words
Lyra didn’t know how much time had passed since Lucian locked her in this enormous, unfamiliar room. Hours? A day?
Her body was exhausted, her throat raw from screaming, but no one came.
No one cared.
She was trapped in a world that didn’t belong to her, bound to a man who saw her as nothing more than a possession.
Tears burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Crying wouldn’t save her.
A loud click made her flinch.
The heavy wooden door swung open, and a woman stepped inside.
Lyra’s breath caught in her throat.
She was stunning—long, silvery-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, sharp green eyes filled with something cold and calculating.
The woman tilted her head, lips curling in a slow, mocking smile.
"So," she purred, arms crossing. "You’re the pathetic little human who stole my mate."
The She-Wolf’s Fury
Lyra forced herself to stand, planting her feet firmly on the ground.
"I didn’t steal anyone," she snapped. "Lucian isn’t my choice."
The woman let out a sharp, humorless laugh.
"Not your choice?" She took a slow step forward. "How adorable."
Lyra’s stomach twisted.
There was something dangerous about the way this woman moved—graceful yet predatory, like a wolf circling its prey.
"You really don’t know anything, do you?" she murmured. "Did Lucian even tell you my name?"
Silence.
Lyra’s pulse pounded.
The woman smirked.
"Of course, he didn’t." She clicked her tongue. "Typical."
She took another step closer, close enough that Lyra could smell her—sweet, floral, laced with something sharp, almost metallic.
"My name is Vanessa. And unlike you, I was supposed to be his mate."
Lyra stiffened.
Vanessa’s eyes flashed with something vicious.
"I’ve been by his side for years. Fighting for him. Protecting him. And then… you show up."
Her lips curled, revealing the faintest hint of fangs.
"A weak, clueless little human."
Lyra forced herself not to shrink under the woman’s piercing stare.
"I don’t want to be here," she said, voice steady. "I don’t want him."
Vanessa laughed again.
"That’s the best part, little girl," she sneered. "It doesn’t matter what you want. You belong to him now."
Lyra’s hands clenched into fists.
She was so tired of hearing that.
Vanessa stepped even closer—too close.
Her hand shot out, fingers curling around Lyra’s chin in an iron grip.
Lyra flinched at the unexpected strength.
"You will never be one of us," Vanessa whispered, her breath warm against Lyra’s face. "You will never be his Luna. You’re nothing but a passing distraction."
Lyra’s blood boiled.
She refused to cower.
"You sound jealous," she said, forcing her voice to remain calm. "Is that what this is? You’re mad because Lucian chose me instead of you?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
Vanessa’s fingers tightened, nails digging into Lyra’s jaw.
The next thing she knew, she was slammed against the wall.
Pain exploded in her shoulder, and she let out a sharp gasp.
"You think this is about jealousy?" Vanessa hissed. "You think I give a damn about his choice?"
Her nails elongated, turning into sharp claws as she dragged them down Lyra’s cheek—just enough to sting.
"I could kill you right now," she whispered, voice dripping with venom. "And Lucian wouldn’t even care."
Lyra’s heart pounded against her ribs.
She was bluffing. She had to be.
Right?
Vanessa leaned in, her lips brushing against Lyra’s ear.
"Do you know what happens to humans who try to play in our world?"
Lyra swallowed hard.
"They get devoured."
Lucian’s Wrath
A deep, guttural growl ripped through the air.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Vanessa went rigid.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Lucian stood in the doorway.
His golden eyes burned with a fury that sent chills down Lyra’s spine.
"Let. Her. Go."
His voice was deadly calm.
Vanessa hesitated—but only for a second.
Then she smirked, releasing Lyra as if she were nothing more than an afterthought.
Lyra sagged against the wall, sucking in a shaky breath.
Vanessa turned to Lucian, eyes gleaming.
"Finally decided to check on your little pet?" she murmured. "Or were you hoping she’d break first?"
Lucian didn’t answer.
Instead, he moved.
Faster than Lyra could process.
One moment Vanessa was smirking.
The next, she was pinned against the opposite wall, Lucian’s hand wrapped around her throat.
Her smirk faltered.
Lucian’s voice was pure ice.
"I warned you."
Vanessa gasped, claws digging into his wrist.
"I-I was just—"
"You touched what’s mine."
Lyra’s breath hitched.
Not who.
What.
Vanessa shuddered.
A flicker of something vulnerable passed through her eyes.
Then, just as quickly, it was gone.
Lucian’s grip tightened.
For a second—just a second—Lyra thought he might kill her.
But then he released her, stepping back as if she disgusted him.
"Leave," he commanded, voice thick with authority.
Vanessa hesitated—then lowered her head.
"Of course, Alpha."
She turned to Lyra, lips curling one last time.
"This isn’t over," she whispered.
Then she was gone.
The Aftermath
Silence filled the room.
Lyra pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her erratic heartbeat.
Lucian didn’t speak.
He didn’t move.
Then, slowly, he turned to face her.
Something dark lurked in his gaze.
Something unreadable.
Lyra swallowed, forcing herself to meet his stare.
"I don’t need your protection," she whispered.
Lucian’s lips twitched.
"Is that so?"
He took a step forward.
Lyra’s back hit the wall.
He lifted a hand—not to hurt her.
Just to trace the faint scratches on her cheek.
His touch was gentle. Too gentle.
"You’re weak, Lyra," he murmured.
Her heart clenched.
"But you’re mine."
He leaned in, his breath fanning against her lips.
"And I don’t share."
A Dangerous Game
Lyra’s breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling rapidly as Lucian’s fingers lingered against her cheek.
His touch was unnervingly soft—a contrast to the ruthless Alpha everyone feared.
Her skin burned where his fingertips brushed, but she refused to show any weakness.
"I’m not yours," she whispered, voice trembling despite herself.
Lucian’s lips curled in amusement, his golden eyes flashing with something unreadable.
"You keep saying that," he murmured, "but your scent tells me otherwise."
His other hand lifted, fingers trailing down the side of her throat—right over the mark he’d placed on her.
Lyra flinched.
The mark tingled, sending shivers through her body.
Lucian noticed. His smirk deepened.
"You feel it, don’t you?" he whispered, voice dark and velvety.
Lyra clenched her jaw.
"Whatever this is, it’s not real."
Lucian’s expression hardened instantly.
"Not real?" he echoed.
His eyes darkened, something dangerous lurking in them.
"You think fate binds mates for fun, little human?"
His fingers curled around her chin, tilting her face upward.
Lyra refused to look away.
"I think fate made a mistake."
A growl rumbled deep in Lucian’s chest.
"Careful, Lyra," he warned, voice low and threatening.
Lyra swallowed hard, heart hammering.
He was too close. Too much.
Every breath filled her lungs with his scent—a mixture of cedarwood, smoke, and something inherently wild.
It made her dizzy.
Lucian leaned in slightly, his lips hovering just inches from hers.
"You can fight me all you want," he murmured, his voice almost gentle now. "You can deny me, scream at me, hate me. But you’ll never escape what you are."
His thumb brushed against her lower lip, a featherlight touch that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
"My mate," he whispered.
Lyra’s stomach twisted, her mind screaming at her to push him away, to fight—
But she was frozen.
Trapped between fear and something she didn’t understand.
Lucian exhaled softly, his breath warm against her skin.
Then, just as quickly as he had closed the distance, he stepped back.
The moment was broken.
Lyra gasped, sucking in air like she had been drowning.
Lucian’s expression was unreadable again, his gaze hooded.
But there was something in his eyes—something raw, something dark.
Something that told her he wasn’t done with her.
Not by a long shot.
Vanessa’s Last Warning
A sharp laugh echoed from the doorway.
Lyra snapped her head around to see Vanessa, standing there with her arms crossed.
Her emerald eyes burned with jealousy and rage, but her lips curled in a slow, mocking smirk.
"Interesting," Vanessa mused. "For someone who doesn’t want a mate, you sure seem… attached, Lucian."
Lucian barely spared her a glance.
"Leave."
Vanessa tsked, shaking her head.
"Funny," she said, stepping further into the room. "You tell me to leave, but you let this pathetic human stay?"
Lucian growled. "Vanessa."
She ignored the warning.
Instead, she turned to Lyra, taking a step closer.
Lyra didn’t flinch this time.
Vanessa smirked.
"Enjoy your little fairytale while it lasts, human," she murmured. "Because once Lucian grows tired of you, there won’t be anyone left to save you."
Her eyes gleamed with something cruel.
"And trust me—that day is coming soon."
Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the hallway.
The door slammed behind her.
Silence filled the room again.
Lyra’s heart was still racing.
She turned back to Lucian, expecting him to deny Vanessa’s words, to tell her that she was wrong.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he just stared at her, his expression carefully blank.
And in that moment, a terrifying realization settled in Lyra’s chest.
He wasn’t going to deny it.
Because maybe, just maybe… Vanessa was right.
- Writer
