Lyra had been ordered to stay in bed for the entire day by both her father and Donovan. She knew why. Her entire body ached from the disastrous shift yesterday, and Juno was too drained to even speak. There had been a moment, brief but terrifying, when Lyra thought she might not make it through the transition. She’d felt stuck, trapped between forms, and afraid of what might happen if she couldn’t finish it. It had taken the last bit of hers and Juno’s combined strength to force the shift through.
She remembered Jake carrying her back to the house, his arms strong and steady around her. Everything after that was a blur. Just bits and pieces. She’d woken up alone, her heart sinking when she realized he wasn’t there. Donovan had explained that Jake would’ve stayed if their father hadn’t hovered like a hawk the whole time he was in the house.
Now, Donovan sat by the window while she picked at her breakfast in bed. The food was good, but she didn’t have much of an appetite.
“Where’s Dad?” she asked, breaking the silence between bites.
“At Rosa’s shop,” Donovan said without looking at her. “One of her coolers stopped working again.”
She nodded slowly, watching him. Something about his posture, the faraway look in his eyes, didn’t sit right.
“Are you okay?”
He turned to her, his face unreadable. “Yeah. Just thinking.”
“About what?”
He hesitated, then shrugged. “I was thinking maybe I should find something to do in the pack
like a job or something.”
…
She froze, her fork suspended in midair. “What?”
He bit his lip. “I mean, if you want to stay with Jake, I’m going to need to do something, right? I can’t just sit in the house for the rest of my life.”
A wave of conflicting emotions rushed through her; shock, guilt, a tight squeeze of love for the brother who had always needed her. She set her fork down carefully, studying his face.” Where is this coming from?”
“I don’t think you should have to give up your mate just so you can take me to Chicago,” he said softly. “I want you to be happy.”
1/5
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< Chapter 33
+25 Points
She didn’t know what to say to that. Her throat tightened. She shoved the tray aside and sat up straighter, her body protesting every movement.
“There’s a lot stacked against Jake and me. It’s not just about you,” she said, her voice low.
He turned to the window again. “I know. I’m just saying… I’d understand if you wanted to stay.
Lyra stood, ignoring the sharp ache that shot through her legs. She gathered the plate and headed for the kitchen, stubbornness overriding common sense.
“I can do that,” Donovan called after her. “You’re supposed to stay in bed. Jake said you need
to rest.”
“I’m fine,” she lied, jaw clenched. She wasn’t. She was far from fine.
Being considered weak was something she had learned to live with, but today, she truly felt it. Her limbs were heavy, breath shallow. By the time she reached the sink, she had to grip the counter to steady herself.
“Megan’s coming to get me,” Donovan said gently from behind her. “I’m going to look through some more journals. Will you be okay on your own?”
She didn’t turn around. “I’m an adult, Donnie. I know how to take care of myself.”
His voice was patient, not condescending. “I wasn’t suggesting you didn’t.”
**
After Donovan left, Lyra tried to rest, but her mind refused to settle. Thoughts spun relentlessly. The fear. The pain. Jake’s expression when she nearly failed the shift. Her own disappointment.
She needed to be stronger.
She couldn’t lie around all day and wallow in what went wrong. If she gave in now, she might never find the strength she needed. And no one in this pack was going to accept a Luna who couldn’t even complete a shift properly.
Her body screamed in protest as she pulled herself out of bed and dressed. She ate a small lunch, though it felt more like a formality than a need. Luckily, her car had finally been repaired and the mechanic was within walking distance.
Retrieving the car took more effort than it should have, and by the time she reached the training grounds, she was already exhausted. Still, she kept her head down and moved quickly toward her group, silently praying Jake wasn’t nearby.
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<Chapter 33
Lexi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Lyra? Alpha said you wouldn’t be here today.”
26 Pointe
“Change of plans,” Lyra said with a careless shrug, though it took effort to keep her voice steady.
Lexi didn’t question her. If she suspected anything, she didn’t show it. They started with running, just like yesterday. Every muscle in Lyra’s body burned. Her breath caught with each step, but she pushed through, unwilling to let herself quit.
“You okay?” Halle glanced sideways at her.
“Just sore,” Lyra muttered, gritting her teeth.
Halle didn’t push. Instead, she launched into a story about a guy she met last night, her chatter a welcome distraction. Lyra let it wash over her, clinging to the normalcy.
They were halfway through combat drills when it happened.
“Lyra!”
The sound of Jake’s voice froze her in place. She didn’t even need to turn to know he was behind her. She could smell him as he drew closer.
Halle’s eyes widened. “He looks pissed,” she whispered.
“Probably because I’m not supposed to be here,” Lyra replied with a sigh.
Jake reached them, his expression thunderous. He grabbed Lyra’s shoulder and turned her around.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Training,” she said coolly.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
Lexi rushed over, worry written across her face. “Alpha, I didn’t realize the Luna wasn’t supposed to be here.”
“Luna?” someone muttered behind her.
Jake didn’t even look away from Lyra. “I’m sure my mate didn’t tell you that. Not your fault she doesn’t listen.”
Lyra crossed her arms. “I don’t need your permission to train. I can decide for myself what I’m capable of. I’m not going to lie around like I’m fragile.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
