BOUND TO THE BEAST I HATE

A PRISON WITHOUT CHAINS

Lyra didn’t sleep, she sat on the edge of the narrow bed, staring at the door long after he left, her mind replaying every second of the encounter, Mate, the word scraped against her thoughts like broken glass. It made no sense. It felt wrong, impossible. And yet her body remembered the moment he stepped close, the strange pull, the heat rushing through her veins, the way her heart betrayed her, she hated it, hated him, hated herself for reacting.

The door creaked open again sometime later, and Lyra was on her feet instantly, grabbing the small blade she had secretly tucked under the mattress, but it wasn’t him. A woman stepped in, tall, strong, dark hair tied back, her sharp eyes assessed Lyra in one quick glance, “You’re awake,” she said calmly. Lyra didn’t lower the blade, “Who are you?” “Someone making sure you don’t do something stupid,” the woman replied. “My name is Elira.”

Lyra narrowed her eyes, “Another guard?” Elira leaned casually against the wall, “If that makes you comfortable, sure.”

Lyra scoffed, “Nothing about this is comfortable,” her grip tightened on the blade, “You’re all monsters.”

Elira didn’t react, “Then you should probably keep that blade. You’ll feel safer.”

That surprised her. Lyra hesitated, then slowly lowered the weapon but didn’t put it away, “Why am I not dead?” she asked bluntly.

Elira studied her, “You already know the answer.”

Lyra’s jaw tightened, “That’s not an answer.” “You’re important to him,” Elira said simply.

“I don’t want to be,” Lyra snapped, “That doesn’t change anything,” silence stretched between them.

Lyra moved toward the window. It was small, but she could see outside cabins, movement, wolves shifting between human and animal forms, and guards patrolling. She was deep inside their territory, escape wouldn’t be easy.

“You can walk around,” Elira said, “But don’t try to leave, they won’t be gentle.”

Lyra turned sharply, “And you would?”

Elira shrugged, “Depends on the day.”

Lyra pushed past her, “I’m not staying in this room.”

Elira didn’t stop her. The moment Lyra stepped outside, conversations quieted, eyes followed her, suspicion, curiosity, hostility, she ignored them, her posture remained straight, controlled, she refused to look afraid, but inside, her instincts screamed, she was surrounded by predators.

A low growl sounded somewhere behind her. Lyra turned, a man stood a few feet away with broad shoulders, sharp features, eyes filled with clear distrust. He looked her up and down.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said coldly.

“And yet, I am,” Lyra replied.

He stepped closer, “You’re human.”

“And you’re obvious,” she shot back.

His eyes narrowed, “I’m Darius.”

The name meant nothing to her, yet his presence felt important, authoritative.

“You’re the one weakening him,” he continued.

Lyra blinked, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said, “He should’ve killed you.”

Her anger flared, “Tell him that,” “I plan to.” They stared at each other, tension building. “Touch me,” Lyra said quietly, “and you’ll regret it.”

Darius almost smiled, but there was no humor in it. “I don’t need to touch you,” he replied, “You don’t belong here, and eventually, you’ll prove why,” he walked past her.

Lyra watched him go, unease settling in her chest, that man wasn’t just suspicious, he was dangerous. Later, Lyra found herself near the training grounds. Wolves sparred in both human and half-shifted forms. The strength they displayed was unsettling. She studied them carefully, learning, always learning.

“You’re analyzing,” a voice said behind her. She turned, Kael, her heart reacting traitorously again and fast. She forced her expression into a glare. “I’m planning.” He stepped beside her, watching the fighters, “Planning what?” “How to kill you.”

His lips twitched almost with a smile, “You’re honest.”

“I don’t hide my intentions.”

He nodded slightly. “Good.”

She frowned. “You’re not even concerned?”

“No.”

That irritated her, “You should be.”

He finally looked at her. “If killing me helps you heal, I won’t stop you.”

Her anger faltered. “What kind of twisted logic is that?”

“The kind that understands pain,” he replied quietly.

She turned away, “You don’t understand anything.”

His voice softened, “I understand losing control, I understand regret.”

She snapped back toward him, “Regret doesn’t bring them back.”

“No,” he agreed.

Silence, the air between them thickened again, the pull returned subtle, persistent. She stepped back, “Stay away from me,” she warned.

“I’m not the one moving closer,” he said.

She realized he was right. That unsettled her, she turned and walked away quickly. By nightfall, exhaustion weighed heavily on her, but sleep still wouldn’t come. She paced the small room, her thoughts spiraled, mate, bond, him.

A knock sounded, she froze, “Come in,” she said cautiously, the door opened slightly. Mara’s face appeared. No, not Mara. Just someone who resembled her for a split second. Lyra’s chest tightened painfully. It was only Elira,

“You should eat,” she said, holding out a tray.

“I’m not hungry.” “You need strength,” Elira replied.

Lyra took the tray reluctantly, “You trust him?” she asked suddenly.

Elira considered. “I trust his intentions.”

“He killed innocent people.”

“Yes.”

“And you still follow him?”

Elira met her gaze,“Leadership isn’t clean, sometimes it’s choosing who survives.”

Lyra’s voice hardened, “He chose wrong.” Elira didn’t argue, she left.

Lyra sat on the bed, untouched food beside her, her mind replayed his words, If killing me helps you heal… She clenched her fists, she didn’t want healing, she wanted revenge, but something inside her was shifting, cracking, confusing, she lay down eventually, staring at the ceiling.

For the first time in years, she dreamed: fire, screams, but this time, he was there, not as the monster standing between her and the flames. Lyra woke with a gasp, her heart raced, sweat dampened her skin, “No,” she whispered. She refused to let her mind betray her, she refused to feel anything, but deep within, the bond tightened. And somewhere outside her door, Kael stood in the darkness, silent, as if he could feel her unrest.

Neither of them slept that night, and neither of them understood.

yet. That hate, once bound by fate, rarely stayed for long.