THE WORTHLESS MATE OF THE ALPHA

Chapter 10

Lyra woke to sunlight streaming through her window.

She lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling. The events of yesterday replayed in her head. Sera's cruel words. The pack's laughter. Ronan's rescue. The water splashing across Sera's face.

Ronan had defended her. Publicly. Brutally. No one had ever defended her before.

She dressed and decided to take a walk. She needed fresh air. She needed to clear her head.

The pack grounds were peaceful in the morning. Wolves moved around her, going about their daily lives. Some nodded at her. Some smiled.

No one laughed. No one whispered.

She walked toward the edge of the territory, where the forest met the pack grounds. The trees were tall and green. The air smelled like earth and pine.

She sat on a fallen log and closed her eyes.

For a moment, she felt at peace.

***

Then she heard footsteps.

She opened her eyes. Sera stood in front of her, flanked by two warriors. Their expressions were cold. Cruel.

Lyra's heart sank.

"Well, well," Sera said. "Look who's all alone."

Lyra stood. "What do you want?"

"Just to talk." Sera stepped closer. "You think you're safe now? Because the Alpha defended you?"

Lyra said nothing.

Sera laughed. "He won't always be there to protect you. He has a pack to run. A legacy to fulfill. He'll get bored of you eventually."

Lyra's hands shook. But she held her ground.

"Is there a point to this?" she asked. "Or are you just wasting your breath?"

Sera's eyes narrowed. Her smile vanished.

"You think you're so special," she said. "You're nothing. You've always been nothing. And I'm going to prove it."

She lunged forward. Her hand grabbed the front of Lyra's dress. She yanked.

The fabric tore.

Lyra gasped. The dress ripped down the front, exposing her shoulder and part of her chest. She stumbled backward, clutching the torn fabric to her body.

Sera laughed. "Look at you. Pathetic. Broken. Worthless."

Lyra's eyes burned with tears. But she refused to cry. She refused to give Sera the satisfaction.

"Enjoy your walk," Sera said. "I'm sure the pack will love seeing you like this."

She walked away, her warriors following.

Lyra stood alone. Her dress was ruined. Her hands were shaking. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

She wrapped her arms around herself and tried to breathe.

***

She was still standing there when Ronan found her.

He had been searching for her. His silver eyes found her immediately. Then they widened.

"Lyra." He rushed toward her. "What happened?"

She couldn't speak. She just stood there, holding the torn fabric to her chest.

Ronan's jaw tightened. His eyes blazed with fury.

"Sera," he said. It wasn't a question.

Lyra nodded.

Ronan pulled off his jacket. He wrapped it around her shoulders. The warmth of it seeped into her skin.

"I'll kill her," he said. His voice was cold. Deadly.

"No." Lyra grabbed his arm. "Don't. It'll only make things worse."

"Worse?" He stared at her. "She tore your dress. She humiliated you again. I won't let her get away with it."

"Please." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I don't want more trouble. I just want to go back."

Ronan looked at her. His expression softened.

"Fine," he said. "But this isn't over. She will pay."

He put his arm around her. He led her back to the pack grounds. She kept his jacket wrapped tightly around her.

The pack watched them pass. They saw his protectiveness. His rage. His love.

No one said a word.

***

That evening, Ronan came to her room.

He sat beside her on the bed. His hand found hers.

"I should have been there," he said. "I should have protected you."

She shook her head. "You can't be everywhere. It's not your fault."

"It is my fault. I knew she was dangerous. I should have banished her when I had the chance."

Lyra squeezed his hand. "She'll try again. She won't stop."

"Then I'll be ready." His voice was firm. "I won't let her hurt you again."

She leaned into him. His arms wrapped around her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For being here. For caring." She looked up at him. "No one has ever cared about me before."

He kissed her forehead. "Get used to it. I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled. But deep down, she knew the truth.

Sera would try again. And next time, she might succeed.