Fated to defy

Episode6:Welcomed or not

Lyra’s POV

I wrapped my arms around Rhyker's neck, feeling relief wash over me as he lifted me onto his back. I was exhausted, my legs aching from the run and my body still reeling from the shift.

As we entered the pack's premises, I was greeted by a chorus of warm welcomes. Rhyker's men smiled and nodded at me, their faces friendly and open. The maids, too, smiled and curtsied, their eyes sparkling with kindness.

But then, a figure emerged from the crowd, and I felt a pang of curiosity. She was beautiful, with long, curly brown hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a flowing white dress, cinched at the waist with a golden belt, and her skin glowed with a warm, golden light.

As she approached us, I noticed her eyes widen in shock, her gaze fixed on me. But I didn't dwell on it, unsure of who she was or why she was staring at me.

Rhyker, however, seemed to sense her tension, and he smiled warmly as she approached. “Zara, it's good to see you,” he said, his voice low and smooth.

Zara's eyes flicked to Rhyker, and she smiled, her face lighting up with warmth. She reached out, touching Rhyker's arm, her hand lingering on his skin. “Alpha Rhyker, it's so good to see you too. Welcome back,” she said, her voice husky.

I felt unease at her touchy behavior even though it had nothing to do with me, but Rhyker seemed oblivious, smiling at her with a friendly warmth.

“Umm…” Rhyker gestured at me as he tried to know my name

“Lyra,” I said

“Right. Lyra, this is Zara,” Rhyker said to me, his voice warm as he gestured at her. “She's the only strong female beta wolf in my pack and my childhood friend,”

Zara pushed off the little rock on the ground and walked towards me, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked me up and down. I felt a shiver run down my spine as she approached, but I tried to brush it off.

“Nice to meet you, Lyra,” Zara said softly and with a sweet gesture. But as she smiled, I saw a flicker of something else in her eyes - something that looked almost like annoyance.

Rhyker didn't seem to notice, though. “Zara and I have been friends since we were kids,” he continued as his eyes shined with fondness. “We've been through thick and thin together,”

Zara's smile faltered for a moment, and she frowned. Her eyes flashed with something that looked like hurt, and her body language changed - she crossed her arms again, and her shoulders stiffened.

But then, just as quickly, the moment was gone. Zara's face smoothed out, and she smiled again. “Yeah, we've been friends for a long time,” she said, her voice light.

I saw the whole thing, but I wasn't sure what to make of it. Maybe I was just reading too much into it. Maybe Zara was just having a bad day.

“Nice to meet you too, Zara," I said, trying to sound friendly.

“Zara, I need a favor,” Rhyker said with a low voice. “Can you have the maids set the bathtub ready for Lyra? She's had a long day,”

Zara's eyes flicked to me, her gaze lingering on my face before she nodded, her smile still in place. “Of course, Rhyker. I'll see to it myself,”

I found myself in thoughts as Zara walked away. Who was she, and why did she look at me like I seemed so familiar? Should be worried about anything… or not? But then I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the warmth and kindness of Rhyker's pack.

Rhyker, too, seemed to sense my exhaustion, and he tightened his grip on me, his arms warm and comforting. “Don't worry, Lyra,” he whispered. “You're safe now. You can rest,”

Why is he so nice? I managed to ask myself. He was too nice and it was starting to get me scared. Or was I just overthinking the situation?

I heard Zara's voice calling out to me as she found her way back to the pack clearing where I was still with Alpha Rhyker and his pack members. “Lyra, the bathtub is ready," she said softly, but to me, her voice betrayed her. She was trying to be sweet, but her sarcastic tone gave her away.

Rhyker and I followed her, my legs still trembling beneath me, as we made our way to a chamber deep within the clearing. Zara opened the door, revealing a cozy room with a large bathtub in the center. “You'll be staying here," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness as she gestured at the bigger and well-decorated room different from the washing room. “The alpha has given you this chamber, and you'll be safe here,”

I turned to Rhyker, who was standing behind us, and said my thanks. He nodded, his expression serious. “Freshen up, Lyra, and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day for you,”

I raised an eyebrow immediately, curious. “How do you mean?”

Rhyker's eyes locked onto mine. “I noticed you just found your wolf. Tomorrow will be your training day on how to master your shapeshifting and grow your strength,”

I felt really excited at only the imagination and thought of that but then my joy was mixed with fear. I had so many questions, but before I could ask any of them, Zara interrupted. “Yes, because we can't have you running around like a wild animal, now can we?”

Her tone was biting, and I found myself getting annoyed by her words. But then Rhyker just chuckled and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Don't mind Zara, Lyra. She's just trying to help,”

I nodded, trying to push aside my doubts. I was exhausted, and the bath tub was calling my name. I made my way over to it, my legs still aching but then I felt sort of relieved as I sank into the warm water.

While I soaked in the bubbled warm water, I critically thought about how my life had changed in just a few hours. I had gone from being a slave, weak and wolf-less omega to a werewolf, shapeshifting like a real werewolf would do and I was still trying to wrap my head around it.

A few minutes after my bath, I got out and put on a night dress with the robe that Zara had left for me. I felt a little better, but I was still exhausted. Then I made my way to the bed and collapsed onto it, feeling like I was going to sleep for a week.

But just as I was trying to drift off, I felt trepidation. What would tomorrow bring? I thought. Could I really do it? Growing from weak to strong, really?

I shook my head vigorously, trying to clear off the negative thoughts in my head. Then gradually, my mind drifted off to Zara. She had been acting strange since I got here, and I couldn't figure out why. Was she jealous of me? Or was there something else going on?

I pushed the thoughts aside and closed my eyes, letting sleep take over.

But my mind wouldn't shut off. I kept thinking about Rhyker and Zara, and how they seemed to have a history together. I mean, I just couldn’t be the only one who saw how Zara was all over him. It was like she was trying to mark a territory or something. I wondered if Rhyker felt the same way about Zara, or if he was just oblivious to her feelings.

And then there was the alpha, Rhyker. Why did he decide to help me? What did he want from me? Why had he given me this chamber, and what did he expect from me?

I sighed, feeling overwhelmed. I had so many questions and no answers. But for now, I just had to rest and prepare for tomorrow.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and I had to be ready.

“Lyra, you should stop!” my wolf spoke up. How long had she been holding that in?

“I’m sorry, Tera but I can't stop thinking about tomorrow,” I said aloud, knowing she was listening and would hear me.

“Lyra, stop worrying,” Tera replied, her voice stern but gentle in my mind. “You're exhausting yourself with all these thoughts,”

“But what if I'm not good enough?” I asked, my doubts creeping in. “What if I fail?”

“Lyra, you're not even giving yourself a chance,” Tera scolded. “You're assuming the worst before it even happens. Trust in yourself, trust in Rhyker, and trust in the moon goddess's plan,”

I sighed, feeling a bit guilty. “You're right, Tera. I'll try to relax,”

But Tera wasn't finished. “And another thing, Lyra. Stop worrying about Rhyker. He's not what you think he is,”

“What do you mean?” I asked, curious.

Tera's voice was hesitant as if she wasn't sure if she should reveal a secret. “Rhyker...he's your second chance mate, Lyra,”

My mind went blank. What was Tera talking about? Second chance mate? How was that possible? Growing up, I was made to believe that it was one wolf, one mate. How do I then have a second chance mate? What would happen to Alpha Colin even though I would never choose him again?

“Tera, what do you mean?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

But Tera remained silent, leaving me with more questions than answers.