Lyra’s POV
The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and earth, and I walked through the trees, lost in thought. Rhyker’s words from last night lingered in my mind, his promise of patience, his unwavering belief that I deserved to be here, with him. I clung to that feeling, letting it ease the remnants of doubt that still clung to me like shadows.
But as I stepped into the clearing, I sensed another presence, a weight pressing down on the space around me, turning the air thick and uncomfortable. I stopped, heart pounding as Zara stepped into view, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
“Lyra,” she said, her voice smooth but carrying a hard edge that sent a chill down my spine.
“Zara,” I replied, keeping my tone steady, even as her presence unsettled me. She moved clos
