The cracked leather cover groaned as I shut the ancient history book with more force than necessary. Dust puffed into the air, stinging my nose. Another night wasted.
I'd risked sneaking it from the pack's library—Avana distracting the guards while I slipped inside—only to find the same useless, half-burnt records that never gave me the answers I craved.
Not that I had a choice. If I wanted to understand what I was, where my bloodline came from, and how to control the power crawling beneath my skin, I had to dig through scraps of forgotten history. Otherwise… I'd get caught. And caught meant exposed.
With a frustrated sigh, I leaned back onto the cool grass, letting the sky swallow me.
Cavo's voice burst into my head, loud enough to rattle my skull. "Lyca, get your ass to the field!"
I groaned, pressing my palms over my ears even though it wouldn't help. "I'm busy."
"Busy?" His tone dripped with disbelief. "You're always busy reading useless books. What are you gonna do, bore the rogues to death with history lessons?"
I rolled my eyes, flicking the grass between my fingers. "At least I'm educating myself. Some of us like using our brains, Cavo."
"Brains won't save you when Alpha Turner finds out you're late again."
"Piss off, Cavo. Stop yelling—my ears are bleeding," I snapped, severing the link.
Peace lasted all of five seconds before both Cavo and Avana screamed my name through the bond. I jolted so hard I nearly bit my tongue.
"Moon goddess, do you two have a death wish?!"
Avana's voice was sharp with panic. "Do you even know what time it is?"
"Nope."
"It's three-thirty!" she huffed. "Training. And guess who the Alpha is asking about?"
"Shit!" I scrambled to stuff the book under a tree root. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Cavo's laughter rattled through the bond. "Because I'm not your nanny, princess."
Avana snorted. "You practically are."
"Both of you are useless," I growled, already sprinting toward the field. Stopping at the entrance to take deep breath's.
Look who finally decided to show up," a smooth, mocking voice purred behind me.
I didn't have to turn. Nadia. The Beta's darling daughter, second-in-command of the female warriors, and full-time tormentor of mine. Her scent hit first—cloying sweet, like poisoned honey—followed by the shuffling footsteps of her shadows.
Venessa and Veronica. The twins. Snakes with the same face.
"Is this how you greet your superior?" Venessa sneered, her lip curling as if I smelled foul. "Late again. Do you think you're special enough to show up whenever you please?"
Gods, her voice. Nails on a chalkboard. My hands curled into fists.
"You should've been locked up years ago," Veronica chimed in, her laugh sharp and ugly. "Alpha Turner must be getting soft. Keeping a waste of space like you alive."
Heat crawled up my neck, the urge to bare my teeth riding high. I forced myself to breathe. Their words didn't matter. Not anymore.
"Are you deaf?" Nadia's voice sliced through, sharp and commanding.
I sighed, rolling my eyes, and started walking past. "Not in the mood."
That was my mistake.
Fingers tangled into my hair, yanking hard enough to burn. Instinct roared alive inside me, and before I could stop myself, I twisted her wrist. Hard.
For a heartbeat, satisfaction lit my chest—until Nadia shoved back with brutal precision, her nails digging into my scalp. Pain flared white-hot. I hissed, rage clawing at my throat.
I could drop her. Break her. Make her choke on her own superiority.
But no. Not here. Not now. Showing strength would make me the threat. And I knew how that ended.
"Don't you dare," Nadia whispered coldly, eyes glittering as she shoved me away like I was nothing. "Next time, I won't be so gentle."
I clicked my tongue and kept walking, every nerve screaming for a fight I couldn't afford.
I forced my legs to move, each step heavier than the last. Three figures waited at the edge of the field, their presence impossible to ignore.
Alpha Turner. Broad-shouldered, towering, every line of him radiating dominance. His eyes—hard, golden, sharp as blades—locked onto me the moment I approached. Beside him stood Beta Venkur, lean and watchful, his expression unreadable. And then there was Luna Maya, her lips already curved in disdain, as if the mere sight of me soured her air.
My heart hammered, but I lowered my gaze and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Alpha Turner. Greetings, Beta Venkur. Greetings, Luna Maya."
The Alpha's response was a curt nod. The Beta inclined his head politely. Luna Maya said nothing. Her silence cut deeper than any words.
"Where have you been?" Alpha Turner's voice rolled over me like thunder—firm, measured, the kind of voice that didn't need to rise to command obedience.
I kept my head bowed. "I lost track of time, Alpha Turner. My deepest apologies."
For a breath, silence stretched. Then a sharp, shrill laugh broke it—Luna Maya's.
Her gaze raked me up and down with open disgust. "You are always losing track of time, Lyca." She bit down on my name like it was poison. "You shame this pack with your carelessness." Her eyes glittered, cold and merciless. "You will be punished. And I will see to it."
She didn't wait for a reply. She never did. With a swish of her gown, she turned and stalked away, as though my presence had tainted the ground beneath her feet.
The Alpha's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more.
"Yes, Luna," I murmured, bowing again before retreating.
I jogged over, spotting the twins at the edge of the field. Just seeing them made my chest lighten. The only two people—besides Avana and Cavo—that reminded me I wasn't completely alone.
"Hi," I greeted, grinning.
Lance didn't miss a beat. He reached out and ruffled my hair like I was some lost pup.
I slapped his hand away with a glare. "Really?"
He smirked. "What? You like it."
"Do I look like I like it?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Yep," he shot back, teeth flashing in a boyish grin.
"Children," Ace cut in, his voice sharp as a blade. He looked between us with that Alpha glare that made most wolves flinch. "Let me guess—you lost track of time again, Lyca?"
I crossed my arms. "Duh."
Lance burst into laughter, and I couldn't help but join in. Ace's glare darkened until both of us snapped our mouths shut.
"See what I deal with?" Lance grinned, throwing an arm lazily around my shoulders. "Always so serious. One day his face is going to crack from all that glaring."
Ace rolled his eyes. "One of us has to act like the future Alpha."
"And one of us has to make sure Lyca doesn't go insane," Lance countered smoothly, squeezing me closer before letting go.
Warmth bloomed in my chest. He always knew how to make me feel… safe. Like I mattered.
Lyca."
Lance's voice snapped me out of my trance. His hand came up fast, blocking my face from view as his body shifted in front of mine. To anyone else, it probably looked casual. But I knew what he was doing—shielding my eyes.
My cursed silver eyes.