CHAPTER 2
873 Words
The moment she stepped outside, the forest greeted her with cool morning air.
Dawn was just beginning to stretch across the sky, painting the horizon in streaks of pale gold and violet.
Down the hill, the pack training grounds buzzed with activity.
Lyra could hear the sounds before she reached the clearing:
Laughter.
Footsteps.
The dull thud of fists striking padded targets.
Her Beta’s voice shouting instructions.
When she finally stepped into the clearing, several wolves immediately straightened.
“Alpha!”
The greeting rolled across the field like a wave.
Lyra gave a small nod in acknowledgment.
“Morning.”
Her Beta, Marcus Hale, jogged toward her.
Marcus was nearly as tall as she was, with sandy hair and sharp green eyes. His build was powerful, thick with muscle earned through constant training.
He had been her closest friend since childhood.
And her most trusted second-in-command.
“You’re late,” Marcus said with a grin.
Lyra raised a brow.
“By two minutes.”
“Still counts.”
She crossed her arms.
“Want to challenge me over it?”
Marcus chuckled.
“Hard pass.”
The surrounding wolves laughed.
Despite her intimidating reputation, Lyra encouraged this kind of atmosphere. A pack that laughed together fought better together.
Her gaze swept across the clearing, counting faces.
Thirty-two present.
Eight more would join after patrol rotation.
Good.
She stepped into the center of the field.
“Alright, wolves,” she called, her voice carrying easily. “Today we’re focusing on endurance and combat coordination.”
A few groans rose from the younger members.
Lyra smirked.
“Oh don’t worry. I’ll make sure you suffer evenly.”
More laughter.
She gestured toward the sparring circle.
“Pairs. Now.”
The pack moved quickly.
Marcus leaned closer to her.
“You’re sparring too, right?”
Lyra cracked her knuckles.
“When do I ever sit out?”
His grin widened.
“Good. Some of the new recruits think they’re fast.”
Her eyes gleamed faintly silver.
“Then let’s remind them why they’re not.”
Within minutes the clearing erupted into movement.
Wolves sparred across the training ground while others ran obstacle drills along the forest edge.
Lyra stepped into the circle opposite a young recruit named James
He looked nervous.
“Relax,” she told him calmly. “I won’t break anything important.”
James swallowed.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Marcus called out from the sidelines.
“Begin!”
James lunged first.
Fast.
But inexperienced.
Lyra sidestepped the attack effortlessly and grabbed his wrist, twisting just enough to send him stumbling past her.
The watching wolves chuckled.
James flushed but attacked again.
This time Lyra met him head-on.
Their movements blurred in a rapid exchange of strikes and blocks.
She moved like water—fluid, precise, powerful.
Within seconds James found himself flat on his back staring up at the sky.
Lyra offered him a hand.
“Better,” she said. “But you telegraph your right hook.”
He took her hand and stood, breathing hard.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Marcus clapped slowly.
“Still terrifying.”
Lyra rolled her eyes.
“You’re next.”
His grin faded slightly.
“Ah.”
The pack cheered.
Marcus stepped into the circle.
“Let’s give them a show.”
Their sparring match was faster. Harder.
Marcus was one of the few wolves who could truly challenge her.
Their fists collided with sharp cracks while their movements circled the clearing like predators testing each other’s strength.
Finally Marcus lunged, attempting to tackle her.
Lyra pivoted smoothly and used his momentum against him, sending him crashing into the dirt.
The pack erupted in cheers.
Marcus groaned from the ground.
“I swear you’re getting faster.”
Lyra smirked and offered her hand.
“Keep up, Beta.”
Training continued for another hour.
Lyra stood at the edge of the clearing, watching the pack finish their drills. Most of them were laughing now, the earlier intensity of training replaced with easy camaraderie.
Her wolves.
Her family.
Marcus joined her again, handing her a water bottle.
“You’re quiet,” he said.
“Just thinking.”
“About?”
Lyra hesitated.
Then shrugged.
“Nothing important.”
The morning sun had barely begun to warm the forest when Lyra felt it.
That strange pull.
It had started during training—faint at first, like the brush of a whisper across her senses. But now it was stronger.
Persistent.
Something was coming.
Her silver eyes scanned the tree line.
Marcus noticed immediately.
“What is it?” he asked quietly, stepping beside her.
Lyra inhaled deeply.
The scent riding the wind was unfamiliar.
Human…
But not entirely.
Her brow furrowed.
“That’s strange.”
Marcus stiffened slightly.
“You smell it too?”
She nodded.
“Yeah.”
The scent was wrong in a way she couldn’t quite explain.
Human sweat.
Pine sap.
Leather.
And beneath it all…
Wolf.
But weaker.
Unfinished.
Marcus crossed his arms, his expression sharpening.
“Rogue?”
Lyra shook her head slowly.
“No.”
“Something else.”
Marcus followed her gaze toward the forest path leading up the mountain.
“Well,” he said calmly. “Looks like we’re about to find out.”
- Writer
