WOLVES OF ASH AND FIRE

Lyra's POV As I stood in the middle of the huge hall, the dress's weight felt more like chains than silk. Everyone in the room looked right at me, and their silent opinions hurt more than words could say. I felt cold all over, including the stone under my feet. Alpha Matthias, the guy I was being told to marry, caught my eye. His huge frame stood in front of the altar, and even though he couldn't see, his presence was overwhelming. Behind him was Alpha Calder, my uncle, and the man my parents had sworn to protect them. This was the first person I had ever trusted. When they were dying, he told them he would take care of me like I was his own child. He was the one who planned this deception, not them. Calder had said to Lyra the night he told her the bad news, "You're doing this for the pack." "You'll make alliances that will help us stay alive." But he didn't say how much it would cost: my freedom, my heart, and even my soul. The rosethorns hurt my hands as I grabbed the bunch tighter. Immediately, I thought of the reasons why this forced union happened. Matthias guarded the pack next to her, which was one of the strongest in the area. He would protect both places from rival tribes and renegade raids if she married him. Calder made it sound like a job, like I had to make a sacrifice for other people. Keeping your debt, I had no idea that Matthias had helped Calder rebuild after a terrible war. Although the loan was big, Matthias offered me an alternative if Calder couldn't pay it back. Being the last member of the Moonlit line, my blood had a special quality that made it unique. Calder said the partnership would protect the pack and make sure our lineage stays strong. But I knew in my heart that he had sold me a pawn to keep Matthias in line. Before this horrible dream, Kieran was there. During a rare quiet time, I saw him at the edge of the woods where our areas met. I was taking care of a hurt wolf pup when he came out of the shadows like a ghost. His golden eyes were bright with interest, and the wind was messing up his red hair. While he was looking at me, he said, "You're brave." "And you're trespassing," I said, having doubts about how strong my words were. On that day, which lasted for years, we ran away to the forest to get away from the hard parts of pack life. I wanted him to be kind, brave, and loyal, but he was also a bad guy. Prior to Calder's arrival. "Kieran is dangerous to this pack," Calder had said in a poisonous voice. He will be avoided, or I will go after him. The present came crashing back as Calder's words came from behind me. He told them, "Do it for the pack." It made my voice shake with anger as I turned my head. It was your promise to my parents that you would keep me safe. It was a sharp, "This is protection" sound. "Protection for all." Lyra, don't be so spiteful and self-centered. Looking at Matthias, I raised my head. He looked at me with cold, unwavering eyes. His words, "You belong to me now," made me shiver. A voice yelled, "No!" in a strong, familiar way. The room gasped when Kieran walked in. He had golden eyes that were glowing with determination. My heart jumped when I saw him, but fear quickly followed. When I said "Kieran," I was filled with fear. Seeing Matthias, Kieran said, "This isn't her choice." You can't make her do this. Mathias smiled. "Who are you to challenge, Renegade?" "I'm the one she loves," Kieran replied. The room began to mutter a lot. The angry look on Calder's face turned into a laugh, but Matthias only laughed. The sound was dark and scary. Matthias said in a very cool voice, "Love doesn't matter here." "This is about power." He walked over to Kieran and was immediately noticeable. "Leave now, before you cannot undo a mistake you make." However, Kieran was not giving up. Instead, he looked at me with soft eyes. Simply say "Lyra," and we'll leave. At this time. My heart hurt when I looked at him—the man who had given up everything for me. Calder was talking, though. You should not run because he will die. We cannot allow that to happen. And as Matthias grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him, my voice broke. "Time's up," he said in a weak voice. Before I could say anything, the doors blew open, and a group of armed soldiers charged in. Someone shouted, "Rogues!" There was a lot of chaos, and Matthias pushed me behind him. The order he gave was "Stay close." One last look from Kieran. "I will go back to get Lyra." Admit it. After that, he disappeared into the chaos while Calder's men fought the attackers. The world burned around me, leaving me a prisoner in my own life. As renegade fighters collided with Calder's troops, the place went into anarchy. My heart thumping in my chest, each pulse louder than the next, I battled to understand what was happening. Matthias had pushed me behind him, his strong frame obscuring the melee from view. His voice had a harsh, directive quality. Lyra, keep behind me. But I was looking somewhere else. My gaze flew to the other side of space, where Kieran had disappeared into anarchy. Within me I battled longing and fear. "This isn't over, Matthias," I hissed, attempting to free myself from his hold. "I'm not among you." With their intensity, his dark eyes fastened on me, captivated. Lyra, you'll quit battling me. Right now, you are my mine. You might really survive this night if you accept it. I felt a flash of rebellion, but before I could respond, a renegade tore across the guard line. The warrior surged toward us, his blade shining in the low light. Matthias moved at terrible speed. He pulled his blade for one seamless move to block the attack. The room echoed with the resonance of metal on metal. "Is this what Lyra wants?" Matthias snarled as he sent the renegade with merciless speed. "Toss your life away from a man unable to shield you?" I pointed at him, my voice quivering with anger. "Kieran has no need to protect me. Not a possession, he sees me as his equal. His lips drew into a threatening smile. "He will never have the will to protect you from coming events. Soon enough will help you to see. Kieran emerged from the chaos, his golden eyes blazing with anger. Every move he made ensured safety, and he fought with a fierce grace, eliminating rogue after rogue. I felt my chest tighten when I saw him. He came up to me with his hand outstretched. "Lyra, come with me. Now. I was stuck between two forces that were pulling me in different ways. Kieran was a lifeline, but Matthias's grip on my wrist felt like an iron chain. Kieran let her go, but his voice was low and scary. Matthias smiled and shook his hand tighter. She's not going anywhere with you. Kieran warned, "I'm giving you one chance to step aside." His voice was very calm. There was a thick, suffocating buzz in the air from their fight. As I became aware that this could not end without violence, my heart raced. "Enough!!" I yelled, my voice cutting through the tension. Men looked at me with their eyes fixed on mine. I'm not a prize that needs to be fought for. It's my life, so I get to decide what to do next. A loud crash shook the room before I could say anything else. The chandelier above us broke, sending crystal pieces falling all around us. The bad guys were pulling away, but their boss, a huge man with a scar down his face, stepped forward, his eyes burning with anger. "Lyra Moonlit," he said, and his voice was rough. "You're coming with us." My heart sank. How did he know my name? Matthias took the lead, and he stood in a protective way. "Over my dead body." The criminal with the scars laughed. "That is something one can arrange." Kieran came over to the other side of me and stood there just right to protect me. She is not going anywhere with you. The bad guy looked between them and then at me. Are you not even aware of who you are? "What are you speaking of?" My voice was shaking as I asked. "You are the key," he whispered, his smile dark and scary. "The prophecy" says that your power will change everything. I'm going to take it. Matthias cut, and his voice was a low rumble. Over my dead body. The bad guy laughed softly in the dark. "That's the strategy." Before anyone could respond, the scarred outlaw charged forward at superhuman speed. I got ready because I thought I might be taken away. But he sliced a brilliant knife across my arm, not grabbing me. I cried out, gripping my arm as a weird, silver light started to pulse from the wound. A searing pain shot across me. "What did you do to her?" Matthias yelled, and his voice was angry. The thief smiled, and his eyes were wild with joy. "The waking has started." When my knees gave out, Kieran caught me, and his touch made me feel stable even though the world around me was getting fuzzy. He whispered, "Lyra." His voice was full of worry. “Stay with me. Please.” But before I fell asleep, the last things I saw were the scary smile of the scarred rogue and the dark glow of my own blood on the floor.