Chapter 8
1052 Words
“What do you mean I can't go out? Do I look like a prisoner?” Lyra snapped at the guard, blocking the entrance of the pack house.
“Alpha’s orders," he said, not moving an inch from the door.
Lyra was growing frustrated. It's been two days since she left the confines of the pack house. Two days since she was attacked and healed, and staying indoors any longer would only make her grow crazy.
Seeing as the guard wouldn't budge, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
Without saying a word, she turned on her heels, going back up to where she came. But instead of going to her room, she went to Killian's.
She raised a hand to knock, hesitating for a bit. This would be the first time she stood in front of his bedroom door.
“If I can't have a good morning, he can't either,” she muttered to herself and knocked twice.
No answer.
She knocked again.
Nothing.
She balled her fists, ready to pound aggressively on the door. She didn't care who she would wake up. The door swung open, her fist colliding with a warm, hard surface.
“Do you know what time–” Killian was cut off as he took a blow to his chest.
Lyra retracted her fist immediately. She scanned Killian's appearance — hair disheveled, dark circles beneath his eyes, his bare chest on display…
She cleared her throat, taking her eyes back up to his face. “Why did you give the order that I can't go outside?" She crossed her arms.
Killian groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s barely 6am and you want to go outside?
“Did you forget how you were nearly killed just by the lake?"
Lyra swallowed, subconsciously touching her side. The wound might have healed but the memory didn't.
“I wasn't prepared. I can handle myself."
“I don't care. You are staying under my rules and under my watch."
“And wasn't it under your watch that I got attacked?"
Killian's jaw ticked. She didn't just insult him but also pointed out how he failed to protect her.
How he failed to catch the culprit.
If he couldn't keep her safe, how would he keep his subjects safe?
"Go to your room.” He stepped back inside, instantly shutting the door.
"I'm not your child!” Lyra huffed and kicked at his door. She placed her hands on her face and let out a deep breath.
"This isn't you, this isn't you,” she said to herself like a mantra on her way back to her room. "A man shouldn't get you worked up like this.”
As she closed the door behind her, she found Andrea on her bed, holding a tray of pastries. "Oh, I wasn't expecting you,” she said, walking up to her.
"I came to apologize. I've been a terrible friend. I shouldn't have left you that day. I'm sorry I didn't–”
“Slow down." Lyra put her hands on her shoulders, “it wasn't your fault.”
“If I hadn't left you, you wouldn't have been attacked."
“Still, it wasn't your fault.” Lyra looked down at the tray in her hands, “those look yummy."
Andrea extended the tray towards her, “they're for you. I had the chef make croissants, cupcakes, shortbread..”
"I need to leave, Andrea.”
Andrea paused in her ramblings and looked at her like she'd grown horns.
“Just the pack house. I need fresh air."
“But Alpha gave strict orders–"
“Screw what he says." Lyra rolled her eyes and laid on her bed. “I'm getting sick of staying indoors.”
The room was quiet for a while. If Andrea hadn't been sitting next to her, Lyra would've thought she left.
Andrea sighed, “I’m sorry, but I can't help you with that. I might get in trouble with Caleb."
“It's fine. I understand."
Andrea's eyes glazed over for a bit. Mind link. Regaining herself, she stood up quickly. “I have to go real quick. Trouble in the kitchen,” she said as she dropped the tray on the nightstand.
“I'll be back," she said, picking up a croissant as she dashed out the door.
Lyra let out a deep sigh as she heard the door close. As if knowing she wasn't a part of the pack wasn't enough, it hurt more to see glazed eyes everywhere.
Everyone but her was connected. She could only wonder what they said about through the mind link. Not like she could change that.
Her mind went back to her younger days when she was still at Crimson Moon. How she and Gabriel would pass on snide comments through mind-link during council meetings.
“When you become Alpha, and I become your Beta, we'd change these stupid rules,” he'd say through mind-link.
Back then she believed him. Except he already knew she wouldn't.
Lyra blinked away her tears, the ceiling coming into focus. “I need to get out," she said, getting up from the bed.
As she opened her bedroom door, she noticed the house sounded a bit quiet. She closed the door behind her and descended down the stairs.
No guard in sight. Not even a random pack member was roaming the hallways.
Not waiting a second more, she got to the entrance door and slipped out.
****
The town also shared the same silence as the pack house. Stalls were closed. Homes were locked shut. Even the kids that played on the streets were nowhere to be found.
That's when she felt it. Her arm burned like it was being passed over a flame.
She paused in her tracks, her hand shot up to her right shoulder as the heat intensified.
Her birthmark.
It felt hot beneath her fingers. She clawed at it as if that would lessen the pain. A scream escaped her lips as she doubled over in pain.
She staggered, black dots began to cloud her vision.
Arms wrapped around her amd immediately the burning stopped. A cool, relieving sensation washed over her as she relaxed onto the stranger's body.
"I've finally found you. My mate.”
- Writer
