Lyra’s POV
At the strike of dawn I and the members of the park woke up to do our daily duties. I watched from the edge, quietly observing as the Blackwood pack members went about their tasks—some gathering supplies, others sharing lighthearted laughter as they worked. The ease and warmth between them felt like a foreign language, one I longed to understand but was too afraid to speak.
I pulled my arms tighter around myself, a small voice in my mind reminding me that this was still new, that I wasn’t like them. The thought settled heavily in my chest, thick and unshakable. But then I saw Rhyker across the clearing. He was speaking with a few of his men, but when his eyes found mine, he gave me a soft, encouraging nod. I felt my heart skip a beat as my cheeks began to heat up.
“Well isn't
