Vyra

"He is so dashing!"

The fire we huddled around crackled in agreement.

"Shh!" I said, practically launching myself at a laughing Sonya. I was paranoid that the Alpha was somewhere around, listening. "No, he's not! Did you miss that he's insanely rude to me?"

Sonya sighed, falling dramatically into Petir who rolled his eyes. "Yes! All I could imagine was him saving you and beating the shit out of that rat Cyrus. How dreamy. He cares about you!"

I didn't have the heart to tell her I was just a task for the pack leader to follow through with.

"Get your head out of the dirt Sonya," I said, my embarrassment becoming a sweet ache. With their absence, I realized how much I missed Sonya's spirit and Petir's cynicism. "One thing we can agree on is that he is a man of his word. I'm just glad you're both safe."

The Alpha kept his promise. Neither of them were harmed, and right after the trial he led me to them. For several nights I had been staying in the Outcast hut and talking under the stars.

Petir fixed me with his star-colored gaze, determined. "Why wouldn't we be? Does it have something to do with what happened to the Mistress?"

Taking a deep breath, I told them everything.

Wrapping my blanket tighter around me, I watched their faces fall. Sonya's buzzing energy fell into a dim horror, and I felt terrible for taking it away. Petir remained silent, thinking before speaking as he always did, which worried me even more.

"I understand if you are frustrated. She wasn't a parent by any means, but she was there all of our lives. The Mistress watched over us all."

I was worried about how they fared without me around. The Mistress was our live in guard, making sure we weren't taking advantage of any of the benefits the pack offered. I wondered who was watching them, if they were worse off.

Petir waved me off. "I mean she was never the nicest lady. Downright awful, the way she treated you compared to the pair of us. We can appreciate her raising us, but I think it's better off if she isn't around to hurt you."

Sonya nodded in agreement, her red hair falling around her. "I hate to say it, but if she truly did what she is accused of, then she deserves to be imprisoned. I am sure the Alpha will be fair." She inched closer to the fire, a smile spreading across her face once again. "So, tell us what you've been up to! Heated moments with your mate aside."

I scrunched up my face in annoyance, before relaying my time in the fortress. I stumbled over my room, watching my friends light up and deflate. I quickly smoothed it over by bringing up my training, and explained how I was finally able to change into my wolf form.

I left out my fight with the Alpha before it.

"No way." Sonya perked up, grabbing Petir's forearm. "That means you really are able to shift. We should go hunting together!"

I joined in their laughter, excited to share that experience with them eventually.

More often than not the pair shifted when I was working, or when I was asleep, they were nice enough not to rub it in my face. Which I accidentally did by bringing up my room in the castle. I shouldn't have said anything.

"I am so sorry," I said to both of them, sincerely remorseful. I would do anything to give them the same comfort I had discovered. It was day and night compared to the hut.

Sonya held up her hands to the flame, "No, no. I am sorry if I made you feel guilty for being treated well. Vyra you deserve it. While it hasn't been easy for any of us, you've had it the worst all of these years. We won't hold it against you, will we Petir?"

The man stared at the red head for a beat too long, and of course she didn't notice.

"No, we won't. It was your fortress first anyways," he said, a bit of a rebellion in his tone.

I stared into the open fire, shocked to hear him saying it with so much confidence. We'd never talked about my family like that. We knew the danger behind voicing such opinions.

Whenever they tried to talk about my parents before or my birth, I would shut them down after explaining the basics. I did not want to dwell. My friends must have always felt that way about my circumstances, and I never had the courage to listen.

It seemed like we all had changed.

I looked between Sonya and Petir, telling them to move in closer. "I have an idea."

***

"Welcome back Princess." Titus said sardonically, opening the main door to the fortress.

"Where is the Alpha?" I asked, walking into the large foyer. I tried scenting the air, but it was still too weak to trace the male.

Titus scoffed, "I don't even get a hello?"

"Hello is for friends, are you one of mine or not?" I shook my head, freezing him with a look. "I do not have time for people who I do not trust. Now where is he?"

The guard's brows shot to his hairline, "Well it seems almost being murdered one time too many has changed you. The last time I saw him he was in his room."

Yes, it had.

It was time that I stopped cowering and started to make demands of my own. If I was going to be gone in a year, I needed to make sure everyone I loved was cared for.

"Perfect." I remarked with a smile, before heading up the stairs. "Thank you, friend."

Titus grumbled under his breath, but I saw the hint of a smile on his face before he disappeared behind the wall.

Too soon, I was standing in my room, and in front of the golden door that led straight to the Alpha's.

My hand trembled as I reached for the latch, surprised to find it unlocked. It made a loud, metallic creaking sound when it moved.

Well, there is no turning back now.

I found myself in the same dark hallway, with my right hand tracing the wall. It was pitch black and colder since it was carved out of stone. My breath clouded before me in the cold, and before long I was at the other end.

My heart pounded furiously against my chest, and I suddenly felt feverish. Maybe this was a bad idea. I could be playing my hand way too soon, and then I wouldn't get anything that I wanted.

I stared at the silver toned door for a few more worrisome seconds, before chickening out. I turned, attempting to scurry back to my room. Chastising myself could wait, as I could always try again tomorrow.

That was before the door loudly screeched open, "Vyra?"

I froze. Shit.

Slowly, I turned back towards the Alpha's room.

There he was in all of his glory, so tall his head nearly met the top of the frame. His body was a dark silhouette, backlit by the warm light that emanated from his room.

With my eyes wide, I cleared my throat and inched closer to him. The silver of his eyes glowed in the dark, following my approaching frame.

"Is something wrong?" He called, sounding on edge, "Did something happen?"

"No." I answered calmly, running through my script once again. Once I got closer, I ran my eyes over Seren, "Are you always unclothed?"

I saw him narrow in the dark, his arm still propped high on the frame over me. He showed his teeth, "No Vyra, but next time I will take the time to look more presentable for you when I think you're in danger."

My face heated. That was not what I meant at all. "Why would you assume that I am in danger?"

The Alpha twitched, "Why else would you be at my doorstep late at night smelling like..." he paused, choosing his words carefully. "I know you've been staying at the shack. Your scent is mixed so strongly with others, it's like you practically slept on top of each other."

His shadow leaned closer, and I swore I saw him intake more of my scent through his nose. I panicked and started rambling, "Well, we are a very close-knit group. Outcasts and all. It is a bit cold out in this hallway. Mind if we spoke for a moment in my room?"

The Alpha hesitated, before opening his own door wider. My mouth parted in surprise.

"We can talk in my room." The male told me, holding his arm up higher so I could step through. "I am not the one who bites."

I walked under his arm, quickly taking in the Alpha's space. It reminded of his cabin further out in the woods.

It was structured, warm, and neat. It mirrored my room, with everything in the exact opposite placement. He had a large four post bed against one wall, covered in thick black furs. His walls were lined with more bookshelves than my own, with an ornately stitched floor tapestry.

His fireplace was made out of onyx, which turned the room to bronze. The ceiling glittered with gold leaf, contrasting with the rest of the dark feel of the room. I looked out the large windows, and saw they faced my balcony. His bathing room was hidden behind blue satin curtains.

There wasn't anything super personal about the room, except a dark wooden desk shoved in the corner, covered with several books and papers.

It felt strange to be here, in his space. My breath caught as Seren closed the door, shutting us in alone together.

The Alpha crossed in front of me and leaned back on his desk, slyly closing a notebook and pushing it to the side. Probably hiding his sketches from me. I smiled secretly at the thought.

"Sorry." I said, in reference to the bite. I looked down at his forearm, which he crossed in front of his very bare chest.

I now knew the feel of his skin.

His veined hand trailed over the still red wound. It was strange, since it usually did not take this long for Lycan to heal. "I gave you a reason to do it. Didn't I?"

Seren looked up, our eyes meeting and suddenly there wasn't enough air in the room.

I looked away, swallowing.

"So, why are you here?" he questioned in a hurried manner.

Licking my lips, I paced before the relaxed male. I avoided his eyes, since he seemed to be in a foul mood. My presence more than likely made it worse.

"I have been thinking..." I paused.

Why was this so hard?

"Vyra?"

"Yes?"

"Can you look at me?" The Alpha requested, leaning back further.

I took in a shaky breath, thinking of Sonya, of Petir. I could do this.

My black eyes met with silver once again, my heart skipping a thousand beats. I thought myself impervious to the metal and could no longer say that was true.

My friends had to come first.

"I will do everything you say without fighting you anymore. I will do my best to complete all of the trials and the final battle." The Alpha appeared intrigued, his brow lifting. I waited before adding my condition. "If the Outcasts are moved to better lodging."

Holding my breath, I waited for the Alpha to deny me immediately at best. At worst, I expected to be thrown out of his room for disturbing him with something considered impossible.

What I was asking for was unheard of. No Outcasts were allowed past the square, let alone into other clan territories. So far, I have been the only exception.

He had no reason to say yes. Either way, I had to train willingly or not. The only thing I could do was refuse to shift into my other form, which like he mentioned, would render me useless.

"Done." Seren said, his expression impassive.

I nearly tripped standing still. I wasn't even finished speaking, and he said yes?

He must have heard me wrong.

Continuing with disbelief, I waited for his delayed denial. "I want Sonya to be my lady's maid. She will dress me and fix me up for mating ceremonies."

"Fine." He huffed out.

Was I being pranked? "Petir will learn how to be a guard from Titus. Within the castle."

He tensed, his arms flexing on the desk. "No."

Crossing my arms over my chest, I walked closer to him. His eyes tracked the movement, ending on my cold face.

"I refuse to shift then." I was bluffing, but he didn't have to know. "We both know you can't make me. You've gone the farthest you can go to enrage me."

"Fuck." His head fell back, the veins of his neck sculpted by golden light. He fixed me with an exasperated glare, "Fine. You know this will cause outrage among the clans?"

If there was any word of what Seren was allowing, there would be upheaval. He would be accused of breaking the rules for his mate, and another male would challenge him for his title.

Now, I had protection for my friends and something to use against him to keep my friends safe in the future. Seren knew this, examining me with new eyes.

I shook my head, my body nearly bursting with victory. "Not if they don't know."

"Right," he nodded, his voice soft.

I backed further away from him, nervously giggling. He hadn't turned his attention away from me this entire conversation, and the room was growing increasingly hotter.

"Oh and one more thing. I would like sewing and weaving materials sent to my room. I would like to start making my own clothing."

This seemed to stub Seren more than anything else. "You like to weave? I thought-"

"You thought what?" I interrupted accidentally, mystified.

"Nothing. It will be done. Just tell Titus what colors and fabric you want." He gave me a wry smile, seemingly impressed that I had been able to negotiate with him. I couldn't deny the flare of pride I felt in return, "Meet me at dawn tomorrow morning. You haven't completed the first trial yet."

"Yes, I will. Thank you Seren," I said, letting his true name slip.

He sent me another look I couldn't interpret, one that made me want to run and move closer all at the same time. The first option was definitely safer, I decided, as I went to exit.

"Wait," Seren called to me when my back was turned, hand on the latch.

"Yes?" I listened, waiting. I wasn't sure what for.

The wolf whispered softly, "Goodnight Vyra."

I nodded, closing the door gently behind me. Running back to my room without the same cautionary steps I took to get there.

His voice played through my head all night, and with each repetition I lost a piece of myself.