CHAPTER 10 - Welcome Surprise

Lyra's POV A knock at the door stopped my retort. "Enter," Ryan commanded, his rigid posture relaxing. A girl my age came in, eyes downcast on the floor. "Alpha, you wanted to see me?" "Yes. Lyra, this is Sally Wagstaff, she will show you where you will stay." It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Ryan if I could stay with him instead. But before I could get the words out, he picked up a folder from his desk, sat in his chair, and swiveled it to look out the window, effectively dismissing me. My heart sank at the clear rejection. Once again, I was being sent away, cast aside like an unwanted burden. I swallowed back the lump in my throat, trying to maintain my composure despite the sting brought on by his coldness. Squaring my shoulders, I turned to follow Sally out of the Alpha's office. I wanted to scream, to demand his attention, but pride held me back. I wouldn't beg. Not even for him. Sally shifted nervously beside me, her gaze darting between the exit and me. "Come on," she whispered, tugging at my sleeve. "I'll show you to your room." I allowed her to lead me out, my feet heavy as lead. The door clicked shut behind us, a sound of finality that echoed in the empty hallway. Sally walked briskly, her steps light and quick compared to my leaden pace. As we walked outside, I silently berated myself for daring to hope for anything more from the high and mighty Alpha Ryan Thornton. I had been such a fool… holding his hand, looking into those deep blues of his. I should— "I heard you had a rough start." Sally’s voice was so soft, it nearly was carried away by the wind. "Yeah, you could say that." "I'm sorry about...well, everything," she said, glancing at me sideways. "Outsiders don't come through our lands. No one knew how to act." I scoffed, "Seemed like they knew enough to toss me in a cell for no reason." The words were out before I could stop them, deflecting blame for the fight I'd started with Ryan. Sally bit her lip, her brow furrowing. "If Ryan...the Alpha... had been… awake, he would not have treated you so." "You think that, do you?" The sarcasm in my voice stung, even to my own ears. Sally flinched, her eyes widening, and a wave of guilt washed over me. I'd taken my anger out on her when she'd done nothing but offer kindness. "I'm sorry, Sally. The Alpha is a sore spot with me. Let's start over and talk about something else." Sally pointed out buildings as we walked - the schools for different ages, the hospital, the library. A park echoed with the playful shouts of pups splashing in a pond. I tried to focus, to truly see this place, but my mind snagged on a different image: Ryan's gaze, the burning intensity in those fathomless eyes. I swore they had held a promise, a silent vow of something more. A tremor ran through me. Had I conjured those feelings up in my head? Was it just desperation twisting my hopes for a yearning connection with… someone? I came back to the present when Sally said, "It may seem far from town, but I love walking the road to campus." We had reached a building alive with movement, females chattering as they came and went through the turnstile doors. A wave of nausea washed over me. Was this where Ryan planned to humiliate me? Some twisted punishment to break my spirit? I swallowed hard, trying to push away the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. Whatever he had planned, I would face it. Head held high. Sally stopped at one of the doors, her hand shaking slightly as she pulled a key from her pocket and slid it in the lock, her gaze straight ahead, shoulders tensed. My hands curled… "Welcome, Lyra," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of my racing heart. "I hope you don't mind sharing a room with me while we attend university." I stood there, staring at Sally in disbelief. "University?" I echoed her words, my mind racing. "You mean, Harbringer University?" She nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "Yes, isn't it wonderful? Ryan arranged everything." The mention of Ryan's name sent a jolt through me. I couldn't help but wonder what his motives were. Did he genuinely want to help me, or was this just another one of his twisted games? "Lyra?" Sally's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Are you okay?" I shook my head, trying to push away the doubts and take his offer for what it was- an olive branch. "Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "It's just...a lot to take in." Sally gave me a sympathetic look. "I know. But trust me, Harbringer is a great place. You'll love it here." I wanted to believe her. I really did. But after everything that had happened, it was hard to trust anyone, even someone as kind and sincere as Sally. "Come on," she said, taking my hand. "Let's get you settled in. You can start classes tomorrow." I followed her to our room, my mind still reeling. As we entered, I took in the small but cozy space. There were two beds, a desk, and a dresser on each side of the room. A large window let in plenty of natural light, making the room feel warm and inviting. In the closet were racks of clothes. Sally’s on one side, mine on the other. Again, Ryan’s thoughtfulness melted me like butter. Under such consideration, it was hard to keep hating him… "This is your bed," Sally said, pointing to the one on the left covered by a quilt that matched my eyes. "And your desk and dresser are over there." I nodded in a stupor, sitting down hard on the bed. I couldn't believe this was happening. Just a few hours ago, I was locked up in a cell, and now I was enrolled in university. Harbringer no less. It was surreal. "Lyra?" Sally's soft voice held a tremor. "Can I ask you something?" I turned, raising an eyebrow in question. "Sure." "Are you and Alpha Ryan… together?" My jaw dropped. "No! Absolutely not." The denial was automatic, my voice laced with a disgust at the lust I couldn't fully hide. Sally's gaze fell to the ground, a blush staining her cheeks. "Sorry. Didn't mean to pry. Just... Daddy wants me to..." She trailed off, her face flaming. "Never mind." "Let me guess, he wants you to be the Alpha's Luna?" The words were like acid on my tongue. Imaging Ryan with her… with anyone, put a knife in my heart and twisted. Her eyes widened before she managed a nod. "No way I'd survive those Luna trials. I'd be dead on day one." A jolt of icy fear shot through me, uncertainty tightening its grip on my heart. My posture stiffened, shoulders tensing. "Luna trials? What the hell are those?"