Three Alphas for the Luna He Discarded

DIFFERENTPULLS

Chapter Four: Different Pulls

Lyra's POV

The common room felt crowded even when it wasn’t. I sat near the window trying to sort through everything when Ronan walked over. He didn’t crowd me. He just pulled up a chair a respectful distance away and sat down.

“You’ve been quiet since last night,” he said, voice steady like always. “The crying. I heard some of it.”

I looked at him. “Eavesdropping now?”

“No. Just paying attention. You don’t have to carry it alone anymore.” He leaned forward a little, elbows on his knees. “In the Wastes, when we found you, you were barely standing. I saw the fight in you. I wanted to give you safety right then.”

I exhaled. “Safety feels strange after everything. Kade was supposed to be that for me.”

Ronan nodded slowly. “I’m not him. I won’t make promises I can’t keep. But when the voice from the Wastes comes, or when the pack pushes, I’ll stand between you and it. Every time. You feel safe with me?”

His words settled something tight in my chest. I met his eyes. “I do, Ronan. You don’t push. You just… stand there. Solid.”

He smiled a little, warmness in his eyes. “Good. That’s what I’m here for. Rest on that when you need to.” He reached out and squeezed my hand once, firm and reassuring, then let go. “We’ve got you.”

Before I could say more, Cassian strolled in from the hallway, that easy smile already in place. Ronan gave him a nod and stepped out to give us space.

Cassian dropped into the chair closer than Ronan had. “Safety is nice, but you look like you need something else right now.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

He laughed softly, leaning in. “A reminder that you’re wanted. Desired. Not just protected.” His voice dropped lower. “In the Wastes, when our eyes first met, I felt the pull. Strong. I wanted to kiss you right there, fire and all.”

Heat rose in my face. “You’re bold.”

“Life’s too short for careful,” he said, grinning. “You feel it too, don’t you? The way your pulse picks up when I get close.” He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face, fingers lingering. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re not wrong,” I admitted, voice quieter. “It’s different from what I had with Kade. This feels alive. Dangerous.”

Cassian’s eyes sparkled. “Dangerous is good. I want you to burn for something other than pain. Let me show you how good that can feel.” He murmured, “Imagine my hands on you, no rejection, no holding back. Just us.”

I inhaled deeply, the pull strong. “You make it sound simple.”

“It can be,” he said, smiling wider. “When you’re ready. I’m not going anywhere.”

He stood up then, leaving the air warmer than before. I needed a moment to steady myself.

Orion appeared next, almost like he’d waited for the others to finish. He sat across from me, quiet at first, just looking.

“You see a lot without saying much,” I said.

He nodded. “I see you, Lyra. Not the discarded Luna. Not the girl with fire. I see the one who survived the Wastes alone and came back stronger. The pain you hide. The strength you doubt.”

I looked away for a second. “Most people just see the power now.”

“I saw you before the power,” he murmured. “In the dunes, when you thought no one was watching. You kept going. That’s who you are. I see all of it.”

His words hit deeper than the others. Tears pricked my eyes. “No one’s ever looked at me like that. Not even Kade.”

Orion leaned forward slightly. “Because they didn’t try. I do. You don’t have to pretend with me. Tell me what you’re afraid of.”

I swallowed. “That this fire will consume me. That I’ll lose myself again.”

“You won’t,” he said softly. “I’ll remind you who you are every day. You’re seen. Truly seen.”

I felt exposed but safe in a different way. “Thank you, Orion.”

He smiled faintly and stood. “Always.”

Kade appeared in the doorway right after Orion left. His face looked tired, eyes full of regret. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“Lyra, please. Let me talk to you. Really talk.”

I stood up, arms crossed. “I don’t want to hear it, Kade.”

He moved closer anyway. “I was wrong. The council pressured me. They said a stronger match would protect the pack. I believed them. But seeing you now, with them… it kills me. The bond still aches every time I look at you. I feel your pain through it.”

“It ached more when you rejected me,” I said sharply. “In front of everyone. Calling me ordinary. Letting them drag me away like trash.”

He inhaled deeply, voice cracking. “I know. I replay it every night. I’m sorry, Lyra. Let me make it right. Give me another chance.”

“No,” I said, stepping back. “The old bond might still pull, but it’s breaking. I have new ones now. Stronger ones. You lost your chance.”

Kade’s face twisted with regret. “Please. Don’t shut me out completely.”

“I already did.” I turned away. “Leave me alone for now.”

He stood there a moment longer, then left, the door clicking shut. The ache in the old bond throbbed, but I pushed it down.

I walked to my room and sat on the bed, trying to breathe. That’s when it happened.

The voice slid into my mind, cold and close, like it stood right behind me.

"Lyra… sweet discarded one. They all want pieces of you. The three. The old one. But I know what you really are. Come back to the Wastes. Join the fire fully. I can give you power without their chains. Or watch them all burn for trying to keep you."

I gasped and stood up fast. The shadowfire flickered across my hands without me calling it.

The voice laughed softly in my head. *Choose soon. I’m already here.*

It faded, but the temptation and warning lingered, heavy in the air. My heart raced. The Wastes hadn’t just followed me. It was reaching out. Personally.

I stepped out of the room. The four alphas were already moving toward me, sensing something wrong.

Cassian spoke first. “What happened?”

I looked at all of them. “It spoke to me. Directly. It

wants me back.”

The shared wing suddenly felt even smaller, and the real fight was just beginning.