The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 37 - The Goon Squad

Lyra

I stumbled, catching myself against the wall. I spun around to see a tall she-wolf glaring at me, flanked by two other girls. Her eyes were narrowed, and her lips were curled into a sneer.

"I saw you with Ryan near the Cells," she hissed, her voice low and threatening. She flipped back her light-brown hair and narrowed her hazel eyes. "Stay away from him, or you'll regret it."

My heart pounded in my chest, a knot of fear forming in my stomach. I opened my mouth to respond, but she and her goons had already turned on her heel and stalked away.

What did she mean, she saw me with Ryan? And why did she care? Wait... was she his girlfriend? Or was she one of many, jealous of any female attention he received?

I leaned against the wall, trying to calm my nerves. I didn't want any trouble, especially not with someone as intimidating as a wolf who looked like she could chew me up, spit me out and still have room for dinner.

***

Another week went by. I avoided the blonde, who I later learned her name was Brittany. Gorgeous. Sang like an exotic bird and could snap me in two.

Of course Ryan bedded her. On more than one occasion if gossip proved correct.

I caught glimpses of him every now and then, striding up to campus for various meetings, gearing up for the Luna Trials just a week away. I always found myself ducking behind a tree, my heart pounding in my chest. Several girls in my dorm were buzzing with excitement, practically vibrating with anticipation at competing.

Not me.

I was too busy studying and training like a madwoman. My instructor, an older wolf with a buzz cut, even said he'd never seen a she-wolf with my strength. Thankfully, we hadn't had to shift into our wolf forms yet. That wouldn't happen until our last year at Harbringer. The university's governing body had wisely decided to avoid a campus full of naked werewolves running amok. After all, we had other supernaturals on campus too, and their sensibilities needed protecting. Things were going great. I stayed away from Brittany, Ryan was out of sight- if not out of mind, my classes were fascinating, and Sally and Whitney felt like the best friends I'd always wanted.

So of course the time was ripe for my world to fall apart again.

Taking heed from what happened between Ryan and me, I decided to tell my friends that I didn't have a wolf. That would also put an end to them bugging me about the Luna Trials. I was sick to death of hearing about them.

And feeling that slice of pain when Ryan's name was mentioned. The farther I could distance myself from it, the better off I would be. That was why I gathered up the courage to let them know.

My heart raced as I approached Sally and Whitney at our usual lunch spot. Sally had gotten over her jealousy of Whitney as though not quite best buds, they were polite to each other. They greeted me with warm smiles, but I couldn't return them. Not yet.

I took a deep breath. "I have something to tell you both."

Whitney raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Lyra?"

"I... I don't have a wolf."

Silence. Sally's eyes widened. Whitney's jaw dropped.

"What do you mean?" Sally asked softly.

I explained everything - my rejection from my old pack, the lies I'd told to fit in here. By the end, tears streamed down my face.

Whitney pulled me into a hug. "Oh, Lyra. I'm so sorry."

Sally joined the embrace. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Their support filled me with warmth, but also dread. What if others found out?

Both of them promised... they swore they wouldn't leak my secret.

And I believed they hadn't, when the next day, my fears came true.

Smiling I walked through the halls. Whispers started to follow me. Stares bored into my back. Then Brittany appeared, a smirk on her face.

"Well, well. The wolf-less wonder." She laughed cruelly. "How pathetic."

I tried to walk away, but she blocked my path. "What's wrong? Can't handle the truth?"

Suddenly, Sally was there, glaring at Brittany. "Back off. Lyra is worth ten of you."

Brittany scoffed but left. I turned to Sally, my heart sinking. "How did everyone replace out?"

She shook her head vehemently. "I swear it wasn't me. I have no idea what's going on."

Her eyes, wide and sincere, met mine. I believed her instantly. Sally was pure sunshine, a heart too kind to even consider betrayal. Sure, Whitney had a bit of an edge to her, but I couldn't imagine her doing something so cruel either. Ryan? He was the only other person who knew. Had he betrayed me?

In class, I tried to focus on Professor Harbringer's lecture, but I could feel his eyes on me. His calling on me more than usual, as if testing my knowledge, made me feel lower than low.

As I left the classroom, I couldn't shake the feeling that my world was unraveling, and I didn't know who to trust anymore. I clutched my books to my chest and started to run, not caring where I was going.

That familiar voice, the one that had guided me through countless challenges over the years, suddenly echoed in my mind.

'The woods. Go to the woods.'

The words pulled at something deep within me. The direction absolute. I would replace what I was seeking there.

Besides, I knew that voice, trusted it implicitly. As it was the one thing that had never led me astray before.

A sense of urgency washed over me as the message repeated itself, Leaving no room for doubt. Without a moment's hesitation, I changed direction and set off towards the trees, my feet carrying me swiftly as if drawn by an unseen force. The woods beckoned, promising...

Peace?

Answers?

Or perhaps something more profound that I couldn't yet comprehend?