THE WORTHLESS MATE OF THE ALPHA

Chapter 7

Lyra woke with Ronan's words echoing in her head.

I'm falling for you.

She touched her lips. She smiled. Then she remembered. He had kissed her. He had held her. He had promised to protect her.

And she had believed him.

She lay in bed for a long moment, staring at the ceiling. Her heart was full. For the first time in twelve years, she felt something other than fear and pain.

She felt hope.

She dressed and made her way to the training grounds. Marta was already there, waiting with crossed arms and a knowing smile.

"Good morning," Marta said. "Ready to work?"

Lyra nodded. She wanted to train. She wanted to get stronger. She wanted to prove to everyone, including herself, that she was not worthless.

She closed her eyes and reached for her wolf. The connection came easier now. Her wolf surged forward, eager and strong.

She shifted.

Her wolf was bigger than before. Stronger. Her fur gleamed silver in the morning light. She could feel the power humming beneath her skin.

Marta smiled. "Good. You're getting faster."

Lyra ran. Her paws pounded against the earth. The wind rushed past her. She felt free. She felt alive. She felt like she was becoming who she was always meant to be.

When she shifted back, she was breathless but smiling.

"You're getting stronger every day," Marta said. "Your wolf is healing. I can see it in your eyes."

Lyra nodded. "I feel it. I feel different."

"Good. Because you'll need it."

Lyra looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Marta's expression turned serious. "The pack is talking. About you. About the Alpha. Not everyone is happy."

Lyra's heart sank. "Sera?"

"Sera is part of it. But not just her. Some of the elders question why the Alpha is so focused on you. They think you're a distraction. A weakness." Marta paused. "They think he's losing his edge because of you."

Lyra looked down. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm holding him back."

"No." Marta's voice was sharp. "You're not a weakness. You're his mate. That means something. But you need to be strong. For yourself. For him. You need to show them that you're not the broken servant they think you are."

Lyra nodded. She understood.

She had to prove herself. To the pack. To the elders. To Sera.

To everyone who thought she was worthless.

***

Later that afternoon, Lyra walked through the pack grounds.

She felt eyes on her. Whispers followed her like shadows.

"She thinks she's so special just because the Alpha kissed her once."

"Wait until he gets bored. She'll be nothing again. She's always been nothing."

"Look at her. Acting like she belongs here. She doesn't even have a proper wolf."

Lyra kept walking. Her hands were trembling. But she didn't stop.

She was tired of being afraid. Tired of hiding. Tired of believing she was worthless.

She stopped. She turned to face the whisperers. Three of them stood together, watching her with cruel smiles.

"Is there something you want to say to me?" she asked. Her voice was steady. Strong.

They stared at her. Silence filled the air.

She held their gaze. Her heart was pounding. But she didn't back down. She refused to be the victim anymore.

"That's what I thought," she said.

She turned and walked away. Her legs were shaking. But she didn't show it.

She had stood up for herself. For the first time in twelve years, she had fought back.

***

That evening, Ronan came to her room.

He stood in the doorway, his silver eyes fixed on her. His expression was unreadable.

"I heard what you did today," he said. "You stood up to them."

She nodded. "I was tired of hiding. I was tired of being afraid."

He stepped inside. His presence filled the room. "How did it feel?"

She thought about it. "Terrifying. But also... freeing."

He smiled. It was a small smile. But it reached his eyes. "I'm proud of you, Lyra."

Her heart swelled. "Really?"

"Really." He stepped closer. His hand reached out and brushed her cheek. "You're stronger than you know. Don't ever forget that."

She leaned into his touch. His warmth seeped into her skin.

"I won't," she whispered.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Soft. Tender.

"Get some rest," he said. "Tomorrow, we train together. I want to see what you can do."

He left.

Lyra stood in the middle of her room, her heart pounding.

Tomorrow, she would train with Ronan. Tomorrow, she would show him what she could do.

For the first time in twelve years, she wasn't afraid of what the future held.

She was ready.