Lyka
Isabella whispered, sliding her blanket closer as she sat on the edge of the bed. Her eyes gleamed with mischief in the dim moonlight streaming through the curtains. "I have a big secret… and when I tell you, you'll never be the same again. You'll leave the rest of your life behind."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my curiosity under control, though my heart had already started racing. "What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice soft, almost sleepy.
Isabella leaned back, propping herself up on one elbow, her dark hair spilling over her shoulder like a cascade of silk. She smirked, that confident, almost predatory smile she always wore when she was about to say something scandalous. "I've been thinking a lot about the kind of man I want," she began, her tone playful, teasing. "And I swear, Lyka… when I finally find him, he'll be everything I've ever dreamed of."
I blinked, trying to imagine who she could be talking about. Isabella rarely spoke like this unless she had some crush or secret plan.
"He's tall… broad-shouldered, strong, with hands that could—" she giggled, a soft, low laugh that made me feel a little uneasy, "—make a girl feel safe, like nothing could ever hurt her. His eyes… oh, Lyka, his eyes! Dark, intense, full of fire, but gentle when he looks at the right person. You know the kind of eyes that see your soul?"
I felt my stomach twist, not knowing why her words made it tighten so sharply. That description… it sounds familiar.
She laughed again, tossing a pillow lightly toward me, but I caught it, holding back a small frown. "Isabella… stop teasing me. Who are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely curious now, a little suspicious.
Isabella's lips curled into a secretive smile. "Ah, that's the best part. I can't tell you yet. Not until the time is right. But when I do… when I finally meet him… he'll be mine. Mine, Lyka. I can feel it."
I laughed nervously, shrugging under my covers. "You always have these crazy ideas, Isa. You don't even know him yet. How can you be so sure?"
She leaned closer, lowering her voice so that it was almost a whisper, yet it carried that undeniable confidence she always had. "Because, Lyka, I know what I want. And when I see him, I'll know. Just like the stories, the legends, the fated bonds we hear about in our pack… I'll know."
My pulse raced, though I didn't want to admit it aloud. Isabella had that way of speaking, the way her excitement lit up the room, that made you hang on every word. I could see it in her eyes—her ambition, her desire, her hunger for something she had already decided she must have.
"And he… oh, Lyka," she whispered with a laugh, tossing her hair back. "He's brave. Protective. Loyal to the bone. I can see him standing up for me, even against danger I can't even imagine. And you know what else?" She paused, eyes twinkling in the dim light, "He'll be mine in every way, Lyka. Mine. And no one, not even fate, will take him from me."
A chill ran down my spine, though I didn't understand why. The way she described him—it sounded so familiar, so specific, and yet I laughed it off, shaking my head. "You're imagining things again, Isa. That could be any Alpha."
But Isabella only leaned back, giggling softly, curling her fingers around her blanket. "Oh, Lyka, no… you don't get it. Not just any Alpha. He's exactly the one I've been waiting for. And when I finally meet him…" she trailed off, her laugh soft but victorious, "I'll have him."
I lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling a strange pull in my chest I couldn't name. Why did my stomach tighten when she said that? Why did her words feel… like a warning?
Isabella yawned, stretching, her eyes still glittering with mischief. "Go on, Lyka, tell me about your dreams. Do you even have anyone special in mind?"
I smiled faintly, shaking my head at my sister's theatrics, but inside I was practically glowing. My excitement bubbled over, and I couldn't help but whisper, leaning slightly toward her, "I don't need to tell you, Isa… you already know. My chosen one… the one I'm meant to have… he's already in my heart."
Isabella's eyes sparkled, half teasing, half curious. "Oh? And who might that be, little Lyka? Don't leave me hanging."
I giggled softly, the sound warm and light, feeling a thrill rush through me. "You already know me too well to need names," I whispered back, my hands fidgeting with the edge of my blanket. "I've felt it for so long… the bond, the pull, the way my heart races every time I see him. I just… I just know he's the one."
Isabella leaned back, her head tilted, smirking knowingly. "Mmm… I suppose. But you're acting like it's all so perfect. Tell me, Lyka—what does your Alpha look like? How handsome is he? Surely he must be breathtaking if he's your fated mate."
My cheeks warmed at the mention, but I couldn't stop myself from grinning ear to ear. "He's… everything. Tall, strong, broad-shouldered… with eyes that see through me. Like he can read every hidden thought I have. And his presence… Isa, it's like he commands the air around him without even trying. You just… know when he's near."
I paused for a moment, giggling softly, then whispered with a sparkle of mischief, "Honestly… I don't even know how anyone could compare to him. I can't imagine anyone being… more than my Parker."
A small shadow of curiosity crossed Isabella's face, but she laughed lightly, brushing it off. "Hmm… I see. Sounds like you've found a treasure there, Lyka. But I must say, I can't help wondering… if my future husband—the one I've been dreaming about—could be as handsome as the one you've picked for yourself. According to the description I've been thinking about tonight, he might just… rival your Parker."
I froze for a heartbeat, my mind spinning. Rival? My Parker? My fated mate? I blinked quickly, shaking off the thought. It had to be some random Alpha she imagined. Still, I couldn't help the tiny flicker of unease that danced in my chest.
"Rival him?" I said softly, trying to keep my voice playful, though my pulse had quickened. "Oh, Isa… I highly doubt anyone could ever be more than my Parker. You might think your dream man is handsome, but I've already seen the man I'm meant to be with. He… he's perfect for me."
Isabella laughed, a rich, teasing sound, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "We'll see, Lyka. One day, I'll meet him, and you'll understand why I'm sure he's meant for me."
I pressed my hands to my face, hiding the shiver that ran down my spine. Why did that statement make my heart skip a beat? I shook it off, letting a joyful laugh escape me instead. "We'll see indeed," I whispered, curling under my blanket, my heart light and fluttering.
Even as I laughed and teased back, I felt a surge of excitement that kept me wide awake. The night was full of possibilities, of dreams, of hope—and I couldn't wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow, I would see Parker again. Tomorrow, I would be closer to telling him the truth, to sharing the joy that had made my heart soar all evening.
And though Isabella's words lingered in the back of my mind, I pushed them aside. For now, all that mattered was the man I was destined to be with, the Alpha I had chosen without question, and the bond that tied me to him, stronger than anything else in the world.
Curling deeper into my blanket, I closed my eyes, a soft smile tugging at my lips. Sleep teased me, but I wasn't ready for it yet—not with excitement thrumming in my veins, and dreams of Parker filling every corner of my mind.