The wind howled through the dense forest, rattling the leaves like a warning only the strong could understand. But Lyra wasn't strong—at least, that's what everyone in the Shadowfang Pack believed.
"Move faster, omega!"
The sharp voice cut through the cold air, followed by a shove that sent Lyra stumbling forward. Her bare feet scraped against the rough ground, small stones biting into her skin. She didn't cry out. She had learned long ago that showing pain only made things worse.
"I'm trying," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Trying isn't enough," another girl snapped. "You're useless."
Lyra lowered her head, letting her tangled silver-streaked hair fall over her face. She kept walking, even as her legs trembled from exhaustion. They had been sent to gather herbs at the far edge of the pack's territory—a task usually given to the lowest-ranking members. In other words, her.
The others walked ahead of her, laughing, talking, acting as if she didn't exist. That was normal. To them, she wasn't part of the pack. She was just… there.
A mistake.
Lyra clenched her fists as that familiar word echoed in her mind.
Mistake.
She had heard it her whole life.
From the moment she was born, the elders had whispered about her strange silver eyes. Some said it was a bad omen. Others said it meant she was cursed. No one had ever called it a gift.
Not even her own parents.
Her mother barely looked at her, and her father… Lyra swallowed hard, pushing the thought away. Thinking about him only made the ache in her chest worse.
"Hey, slowpoke!" one of the girls called. "Hurry up or we're leaving you behind."
Lyra forced her tired legs to move faster. The forest was darker here, the trees taller and closer together. Even the air felt heavier, pressing against her skin. She didn't like this part of the territory.
Something about it felt… wrong.
"We have enough herbs," the tallest girl said suddenly, stopping near a cluster of thick bushes. "Let's go."
Relief flooded through Lyra. Finally.
She turned to follow them, but just as she took a step, one of the girls blocked her path.
"Wait."
Lyra froze. The girl's lips curled into a cruel smile.
"You didn't do much work," she said. "Why should you come back with us?"
"I—I did help," Lyra stammered. "I gathered the—"
"Barely anything," another interrupted. "You're just slowing us down."
Lyra's heart began to race. She knew that tone. She knew what was coming.
"Please…" she said softly.
The tall girl stepped closer, her eyes cold. "Maybe you should stay here. It'll teach you to be useful."
Panic gripped Lyra's chest. "No! I—I can do better, I promise—"
Before she could finish, a hard shove sent her crashing to the ground. Pain shot through her arms as she landed on the rough earth.
"Good luck, omega," one of them laughed.
And just like that, they turned and walked away.
Lyra scrambled to her feet. "Wait! Please, don't leave me!"
But they didn't stop.
Didn't even look back.
Their voices faded into the distance until all that remained was silence.
Heavy, suffocating silence.
Lyra stood there, her chest rising and falling rapidly. The forest suddenly felt too big, too dark. Shadows stretched between the trees, twisting into shapes that made her skin crawl.
"They'll come back," she whispered to herself. "They have to…"
But deep down, she knew the truth.
They wouldn't.
A cold breeze brushed against her skin, and she shivered. The sun was already beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Soon, darkness would take over.
And she would be alone.
A twig snapped somewhere behind her.
Lyra spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. "Hello?"
No answer.
Just the sound of leaves rustling.
Her breath quickened. This part of the forest wasn't just dark—it was dangerous. Everyone knew that. It was close to the borders, where rogue wolves and other creatures sometimes lurked.
"I need to go," she whispered.
She turned, trying to remember the path back to the pack. But everything looked the same—trees, shadows, endless darkness.
Another sound.
Closer this time.
Lyra's instincts screamed at her to run.
So she did.
Branches scratched at her arms as she pushed through the undergrowth, her feet slipping on uneven ground. Her heart pounded wildly, each breath coming faster than the last.
Don't stop. Don't look back.
But then—
A low growl echoed through the forest.
Lyra froze.
It wasn't human.
Slowly, fearfully, she turned her head.
And that's when she saw it.
Two glowing eyes stared at her from the darkness.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her blood ran cold.
This wasn't one of her pack.
It was something else.
Something dangerous.
Lyra took a shaky step backward, her mind racing.
Run.
But her legs wouldn't move.
The creature stepped forward, emerging from the shadows. Its massive form towered over her, muscles rippling beneath dark fur. Its eyes gleamed with hunger.
A rogue.
Lyra's breath hitched.
"I—I don't want trouble," she whispered, even though she knew it couldn't understand her.
The wolf let out a low, menacing growl.
Then it lunged.
Lyra screamed, stumbling back as panic surged through her. She turned and ran again, her body fueled by pure terror.
The sound of heavy paws thundered behind her.
It was faster.
Stronger.
And gaining on her.
Tears blurred her vision as she pushed herself harder, her lungs burning. She couldn't outrun it. She knew she couldn't.
This was it.
This was how she would die.
Forgotten.
Alone.
Just like she had always been.
A root caught her foot.
Lyra fell hard, hitting the ground with a painful cry. She tried to get up, but it was too late.
The growling was right behind her.
Hot breath brushed against her neck.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the end.
But it never came.
Instead—
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
Soft at first.
Then stronger.
Brighter.
Lyra's eyes flew open.
A faint silver glow flickered around her hands.
The air around her seemed to hum, as if something ancient had just awakened.
The rogue wolf hesitated, its growl faltering.
Confusion flashed in its glowing eyes.
And for the first time in her life—
Lyra didn't feel weak.
She felt… powerful.
The silver light pulsed once.
Twice.
And then—
Everything changed.