Chapter 3
1025 Words
That night, I barely slept. Every time the thunder cracked across the sky, my body would jolt awake. Each time I closed my eyes, it was as if I were back in those woods again.
Only this time, nobody would come to save me.
No Damon making dumb jokes beside my bed, no Elias stroking my cheeks, or Rowan holding my hand while Kael kept the curtains shut tightly.
I was alone.
I had nobody.
Yet somewhere in this estate, Selene was not alone.
She was being cradled by Rowan, probably having her face stroked by Elias and told stories by Damon while Kael ensured that her curtains were secure. They would not be giving me a second thought.
By the time the morning finally came, the storm had passed. The courtyard was covered in puddles and broken branches. Servants hurried around clearing the debris while the borders were checked thoroughly for any damage.
Pushing myself out of bed, I forced myself towards my bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my exhausted reflection.
I looked at how I felt, forgotten and replaced.
“Stop it, Lyra,” I whispered to myself.
Selene had nearly died out there. Rowan had stayed with her for one night; it did not mean anything. It did not mean that I had been replaced.
I repeated those words to myself as I got dressed and brushed my teeth.
Today was a new day.
Selene was not here permanently.
Rowan had said it was only temporary.
I smiled to myself as I went downstairs to the dining hall for breakfast.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
Selene was sat beside Rowan.
In my seat.
She wore one of my dresses, a soft blue one that Rowan had always told me brought out my eyes and made me look stunning. Selene looked stunning in it now. Her blonde hair was brushed and her face bright as she laughed at one of Damon’s silly jokes.
They had not seen me yet.
“You should eat more than that, Selene,” Rowan insisted. He grinned as he pushed a plate of fruit towards her.
She smiled shyly. “I’m not very hungry, but thank you for taking such great care of me. I’d be lost without the four of you and your kindness.”
Kael leaned back in his chair. “Then eat some more to shut him up. Trust me, it’s the only way.”
Selene threw her head back and laughed.
Damon laughed with her.
And then Kael and Elias, and then Rowan.
I stood in the doorway watching the five of them together. They looked quite the picture perfect family. I felt like an intruder, but this was my home. I belonged here.
“Oh, Lyra. I didn’t see you there.” Selene suddenly spotted me, a small hint of smugness in her tone. I swallowed hard.
The four brothers turned in their seats towards me.
“Oh, finally you’re awake then,” Damon spoke first.
“I didn’t sleep well, since, well, you know how I am with thunderstorms.” I forced a smile.
I swear a flicker of guilt crossed Rowan’s face, but he said nothing.
“Oh, Lyra.” Selene jumped up and rushed towards me. She fell to her knees in front of me and grabbed my hands.
I frowned at her little performance.
“I am so sorry, I didn’t realise. The boys were just helping me since I was so weak and afraid. I didn’t mean to cause a problem for you. Please, forgive me?” she cried.
I opened my mouth to say something, and then Selene started to sob.
“Please, forgive me.”
Rowan glowered at me and jumped to his feet. He pulled Selene up and cradled her to his chest. “How can you be so heartless, Lyra? Selene had a traumatic time. We needed to help her feel safe. It was only one night,” Rowan snapped.
I couldn’t say a word. I was in shock.
I felt eyes on us as the commotion disturbed others eating their breakfast.
“Lyra, how can you be so cruel?” Elias asked while Kael shook his head in disgust as Rowan led Selene back to her seat, or should I say my seat?
“But I didn’t say or do anything,” I tried to reason, but Selene only cried louder.
Then Alpha Magnus entered the dining hall.
He looked furious.
“And what is the meaning of all this?” he demanded to know.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that Lyra needed the boys with her last night. I was afraid of the thunder. I’m sorry to be a problem, Alpha Magnus.” Selene bowed her head. “I’m sorry to you too, Lyra. I didn’t mean to take your place.”
I looked at her and, for one heartbeat, her eyes lifted to mine and there was no fear there. No guilt or remorse. Just the flicker of satisfaction. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
“Nobody said you took anyone’s place.”
Kael glanced at me. “Lyra understands, don’t you?”
For a moment, I froze.
All eyes on me.
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.
“Of course. No problem.”
Selene dabbed at her eyes and clung to Rowan as her life depended on it. “I am sorry, Miss Lyra,” she whispered.
“I said it’s fine.”
My voice came out sharper than I had intended.
Selene flinched.
Rowan noticed. They all did. Of course, they did.
Alpha Magnus glared at me and shook his head. “Lyra, you should know better than anyone how Selene is feeling. Perhaps you can sit at the other table for now?”
Alpha’s orders.
“Certainly, Alpha Magnus.” I nodded and kept my head down as I found an empty seat at the other table.
I sat alone at the other table while Selene smiled in my place.
And somehow, without anyone saying the words aloud…I realized I was already being replaced.
- Writer
