Encrypted soul

Chapter 2: A Rogue Among Wolves

The pack moved again.

Not because Lyra wanted it to.

Not because she obeyed.

Because everyone else did.

Alpha Kael turned and walked away without another word. The crowd parted instantly to let him pass.

Lyra watched him go.

He didn't look back.

Good.

She didn't want his attention anyway.

A hand closed around her arm.

Not rough.

Firm.

"Move."

Captain Darius.

Lyra jerked her arm free.

"I can walk on my own."

"Then do it."

His tone carried no patience.

No sympathy.

Just a command.

Around them, whispers spread through the courtyard.

"She looks half-starved."

"Where did they find her?"

"Why bring a rogue here?"

"She'll steal something before morning."

Lyra kept her face blank.

Years as a rogue had taught her one thing.

Never let people see what hurts.

The guards escorted her across the training grounds.

Swords clashed nearby.

Young warriors sparred under the watchful eyes of instructors.

Several stopped to stare.

One woman openly sneered.

A large male wolf spat onto the dirt after she passed.

Lyra noticed everything.

She always did.

The moment you stopped paying attention was the moment danger found you.

A few minutes later they reached a smaller stone building near the edge of the packhouse grounds.

Not the main residence.

Not even close.

Lyra looked at it.

Then at Darius.

"So this is where you keep prisoners."

Darius glanced toward the building.

"It's where guests stay."

She laughed.

No one else did.

That told her enough.

A guard opened the door.

The room inside was small.

A narrow bed.

A wooden table.

A single chair.

One window barely large enough for a person to squeeze through.

No decorations.

No comfort.

No warmth.

The room smelled faintly of dust.

Lyra stepped inside.

The door shut behind her.

A second later she heard the unmistakable sound of a lock turning.

Her jaw tightened.

Guest.

Right.

She crossed the room and tested the window.

Solid.

No luck there.

Then she checked the walls.

The furniture.

The hinges.

Every possible weakness.

Nothing.

Someone had prepared this room specifically to hold people.

She sat heavily on the bed.

The mattress creaked.

Her body ached from days of running.

Bruises covered her arms.

Her wrists still burned from the chains.

The silence felt strange.

For the first time in days, nobody was chasing her.

Nobody was attacking her.

Nobody was demanding anything.

She should have felt relieved.

Instead she felt trapped.

Hours passed.

The sky outside darkened.

Eventually the door opened.

A young maid entered carrying a tray.

Food.

Soup.

Bread.

Water.

The girl's eyes widened when she noticed Lyra watching her.

"You don't look dangerous."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"I'll try harder."

The maid nearly dropped the tray.

Lyra almost smiled.

Almost.

The girl placed the food on the table.

Then quickly stepped backward.

"Everyone says you're a rogue."

"I am."

The maid hesitated.

"You don't seem like one."

"What does a rogue seem like?"

The girl opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

She clearly didn't know.

A voice barked from outside.

"Mina!"

The maid jumped.

"I have to go."

She hurried out before Lyra could say anything else.

The door locked again.

Lyra stared at the food.

Her stomach twisted painfully.

She hadn't eaten a proper meal in days.

Eventually hunger won.

She grabbed the bread.

Elsewhere inside the packhouse, Kael stood near a large window overlooking the territory.

The village below glowed beneath torchlight.

Families returned home.

Children played.

Guards changed shifts.

Everything looked peaceful.

That peace was his responsibility.

A knock sounded.

"Enter."

Darius stepped inside.

Kael didn't turn around.

"How many scouts checked the northern border?"

"Six patrol teams."

"And?"

"Nothing."

Kael frowned slightly.

Nothing rarely meant nothing.

The northern woods had been unusually active for weeks.

Missing livestock.

Strange scents.

Broken patrol markers.

Now a lone rogue appeared.

Convenient.

Too convenient.

"Keep watching her."

Darius nodded.

"You think she's a spy?"

"I think I don't know who she is."

That was enough reason for caution.

Darius studied him for a moment.

"You could have imprisoned her."

Kael's eyes remained on the village below.

"I could have."

"But you didn't."

"No."

Silence settled.

Finally Kael spoke.

"Did she say anything useful?"

Darius snorted.

"Mostly insults."

A faint trace of amusement appeared in Kael's eyes.

Then vanished.

"Good."

Darius looked confused.

"Good?"

"If she starts telling us exactly what we want to hear, that's when I'll worry."

The next morning began badly.

Very badly.

Lyra woke before sunrise.

Years of sleeping outdoors had trained her body that way.

For several moments she simply listened.

Footsteps outside.

Changing guards.

Birds.

Wind.

Routine.

Predictable.

That was useful.

She moved to the window.

The guards below followed patterns.

Every twelve minutes they crossed paths.

Every twelve minutes there was a gap.

A small one.

But enough.

Her pulse quickened.

An escape route.

Maybe.

The lock clicked.

Lyra immediately stepped away from the window.

The door opened.

Two guards entered.

"Alpha wants her questioned."

Lyra crossed her arms.

"No."

One guard stared.

The other laughed.

"She thinks she has a choice."

"I know I don't."

Before they could react, Lyra shoved the nearest guard.

Hard.

He stumbled backward.

She darted through the doorway.

For one glorious second she was free.

Then chaos erupted.

"Stop her!"

Footsteps thundered behind her.

Lyra sprinted.

The cold morning air hit her face.

Freedom lay somewhere beyond the walls.

She only had to reach it.

A guard appeared ahead.

She changed direction instantly.

Another blocked the path.

Then another.

Too many.

Far too many.

She leaped over a crate.

Landed badly.

Pain shot through her ankle.

A large warrior caught her arm before she regained balance.

Lyra twisted violently.

Kicked.

Elbowed.

Bit.

The warrior cursed.

Several more guards rushed in.

Within seconds she was surrounded.

Breathing hard.

Outnumbered.

Again.

Captain Darius arrived moments later.

He looked more annoyed than angry.

"You lasted longer than most."

Lyra glared.

"I'll do better next time."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

The guards escorted her back toward the guest building.

Humiliation burned in her chest.

Pack members watched from doorways.

Some laughed.

Others shook their heads.

One voice rose above the rest.

Female.

Cold.

Mocking.

"Pathetic."

Lyra turned.

A beautiful young woman stood near the training grounds.

Elegant clothes.

Perfect posture.

Confident smile.

The woman looked Lyra up and down as though inspecting dirt on a shoe.

Disapproval filled her gaze.

Then she smiled.

The expression never reached her eyes.

"So this is the rogue causing trouble."

Something about her instantly put Lyra on edge.

And judging by the satisfaction in the woman's face—

The feeling was mutual.