CHAPTER 1 - Broken Her

Lyra’s POV. I never thought I'd end up like this, accidentally pregnant with the most powerful and notorious Alpha Dragon’s child from a one-night stand. Yes, DRAGON, and before that, everyone thought he was a werewolf. *** The smell of sizzling bacon and maple syrup wafted through the air, mingling with the ruffle of my father's newspaper. There was no rest for me. I stood at the stove, flipping pancakes and trying to ignore the ache in my chest. Today was my birthday, but no one seemed to care. My father, Gregory Evergreen, the Alpha of the Wolfsong pack, was too busy reading the morning paper to greet me. His gray eyes scanned the pages with a furrowed brow. He hadn't said a word to me since I'd woken up, not even 'happy birthday.' Viola, my half-sister, was already dressed and ready to go to the open day at Emberwood College. It was the most prestigious and renowned college in our territory, second only to Harbringer University. Neither she nor I had hopes of going to Harbringer. Only the most elite wolves went there, and besides it was deep into enemy territory. Viola sauntered into the kitchen, her long black hair cascading down her back in soft waves. Her green eyes, the same color as mine, flicked over me, a smirk playing on her lips. "Looks like the wannabe wolf is making breakfast again," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to snap back at her. I knew it would only make things worse. Instead, I turned my attention back to the pancakes, pouring more batter onto the griddle. "There were no charity places left at Emberwood for a weak wolf like you," Viola continued, her voice taunting. "But don't worry, there's always next year." I swallowed hard, my heart sinking in my chest. I knew she was right. I was the only wolf above eighteen in my pack who hadn't changed. Because of this, my family despised me and most pack members avoided me, dismissing me as useless. I longed to shift into my wolf form. To feel the power and strength that came with it. But no matter how hard I tried, it never happened. "Come on, Viola, we're going to be late," my father said, finally looking up from his paper. He stood, grabbed a fistful of bacon, and folded it between a pancake before taking a bite. "Would you like a napkin, father?" I asked, hoping he would notice me on today of all days. I should have known better. Like always, he looked right through me as he walked out of the room. Viola followed him, her laughter echoing down the hallway. I stood there, alone in the kitchen, my heart heavy with disappointment. I had always dreamed of attending Emberwood College, but my step-mother, Vivian, had deemed it a waste of pack resources. And with no wolf, I had no hope of getting in on my own. I sighed, turning off the stove and began to clean the kitchen. As I scrubbed, the air grew cold and silence filled the room. My mind wandered to a much warmer place—a place where the heat came not from a griddle but from the intense shared desire between two bodies. My thoughts strayed to Blake's touch. His fingers had been warm against my skin that night by the lake, igniting sparks under every inch they caressed. Blake was my childhood friend and the one person who had always believed in me. He was the only one who knew about my longing to shift into my wolf form, and he promised to be with me even if I didn't get my wolf at twenty-one. Blake had told me this when we were sitting by the lake, watching the sunset. He had reached out, tucking a strand of my golden curls behind my ear, his deep brown eyes gazing into mine. "You're so beautiful, Lyra," he had said, his voice husky. "Your hair is like the sun and your eyes like a tropical green sea. Your curves…" Here he had licked his lips, "are luscious hills and valleys. I'll always be here for you, no matter what." Cringey as his description was, I appreciated it. I never received compliments from anyone except him. He protected me too. As the next Beta, he was the strongest male in our pack besides the current Beta and my father. When I was young, I was destined to be the female Beta. I could run farther, jump higher, and lift more than some of the weaker males and all of the females. I was still strong, yet surpassed by everyone who had shifted. Every time I heard a couple mating or a wolf howling, my heart would sink a little deeper. My skin remained stubbornly human, my strength the despised one of a wolf akin to a human. Both discriminated against by our pack. I shook my head, pushing away the bad memories as I focused on the task at hand. I needed to get to the pack house and help prepare for the ceremony before my step-mother came looking for me. And I sure didn’t want that to happen. Grabbing a bag, I headed out the door. The walk to the pack house was a lonely one, as most members avoided me. Without my wolf, I was an outcast. A reject. I could feel their judging gazes on me as I made my way down the winding forest path. Every day my heart ached with longing. Every day I wished I could join my pack mates in their wolf forms as they frolicked through the woods. But at my age of twenty, twenty-one today, I still hadn't shifted. Most got their wolves by eighteen, some even as early as sixteen, like my perfect half-sister Viola. I pictured her smug face when she came home yesterday boasting about her acceptance to Emberwood College. I hadn't even bothered applying. Not with my status. Yet somehow, they could afford to send lazy, spiteful Viola. Rage simmered within me at the injustice. I was brought out of my brooding when the pack house came into view up ahead. It towered over me, dark and foreboding. I knew the evil that waited for me inside. With a deep breath I trudged up the steps, pushing open the heavy wooden doors. Inside, the main hall was already bustling with activity as pack members prepared for tonight's ceremony. Some were stringing up decorations while others arranged tables and chairs. The air was filled with excited chatter and laughter. A pang of loneliness went through me as I stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure where to begin. Then my eyes landed on Vivian, my 'e-vile' step-mother, across the room. In a cream silk suit, she directed people with her usual commanding presence. When she spotted me, her eyes narrowed. "About time you showed up," she said briskly, not even bothering with a hello. "We need help setting up the banquet hall. The tablecloths and centerpieces still need to be put out." I bit my tongue to stop a rude retort. "Of course, Vivian," I replied as respectfully as I could. I moved to pick up a stack of tablecloths, feeling the harsh gazes of the other pack members on me. Their whispers and sideways glances made my face burn. I was used to being the outcast, the girl who still hadn't shifted, but that didn't make it sting any less. Determined not to fail at so simple a task, I gritted my teeth, carefully placing each tablecloth so that the seams were even. No matter what my haters threw at me, I would show them my worth. Next were the glowing centerpieces. I had to climb a ladder and lift the wrought iron creations in order to hang them just right. By the end, the banquet hall looked magnificent. I stood back to admire my work with a small sense of satisfaction. That feeling faded quickly when I saw Vivian looking it over with a critical eye. "Hmm, it's passable," she said. "Now go help the kitchen staff with the food preparations." Passable. That was the most praise I could ever expect from her. I held back a retort and simply nodded. As I made my way to the kitchen, I vowed that someday, somehow, I would earn my place in this pack. Wolf or no wolf. The kitchen hummed with activity as the cooks diligently prepared dishes for the ceremonial feast. Eager to contribute, I swiftly began chopping vegetables, aiming to lend a hand. My mind wandered as I worked. Why hadn't my wolf emerged yet? Was there something wrong with me? The rest of the pack had given up hope that my inner wolf would ever surface. Even Blake's patience was starting to wear thin. He never said so, but I saw it in his eyes. The tightness of his jaw when he was forced to run alone… Lost in thought, I didn't notice the head cook come up behind me until she barked, "Pay attention, girl!" I jumped, nearly slicing my finger. "Sorry," I mumbled. She shook her head. "No wolf, and now you're useless with a knife. Why are you even here?" The cook's words cut deep even though they were nothing I hadn't heard before. Blinking back tears, I resolved to focus on my task. I may be just like a human to them, but I refused to be seen as incompetent. I finished prepping the vegetables and moved on to helping finish up the hall. By myself I lifted oak tables, moved heavy chairs, all without breaking a sweat. As I worked, pack members streamed in and out, casting disdainful looks my way. My face burned, but I kept my gaze fixed ahead. I would not let their scorn break me. The hall slowly filled for the evening's festivities. My heart sank when I realized Blake had not arrived. He'd promised to take me to the ceremony tonight, despite my shame at still being wolfless. After waiting what felt like forever, I knew Blake wasn't coming. Tears pricked my eyes. The one day I needed him the most and he didn't even bother to show up and support me. Did no one care it was my birthday? I snuck out the back door, cool air enveloping me. My arms pebbled with goosebumps. I folded them, rubbing my hands over the raised flesh to take away the chill. The laughter from inside mocked me, reminding me of my shortcomings... Breathe, Lyra. Just breathe. One long inhale led to more. Positive thoughts emerged. ‘Your wolf will come tonight. Just wait and see,’ I told myself. Holding onto that hope, I left the wall and headed towards Blake's, to find out what was keeping him.