155 You’re awake?
Lyla
After I was sure we were far away from Ramsey and the warriors, I returned to my
human form.
I lay on the ground panting. The sky was bright now, birds chirped in the trees, and my dress was soiled. So, this was how I got all the clothes stains and bruises? I was still trembling but filled with a sense of peace I hadn’t experienced before.
“What were you thinking?” I lashed out to Nymeris. “Your behaviour with Ramsey was completely inappropriate!”
“Inappropriate?” she scoffed. “He’s our mate, Lyla. Wanting to be with your mate is hardly considered inappropriate.”
“First, he’s not our mate. We’ve rejected each other a lot of times and…”
“Rejecting your mate without a wolf is not valid, not to mention that he marked Your little stunt with wolfsbane did not diminish the potent of his mark,” she interrupted me.
“Didn’t you mention moments ago that you like Nathan’s wolf, Ragnar?”
you.
“Yes!“she laughed languidly. “And I also like Lax and don’t mind having both of them. The more, the merrier
My face turned red. I would have sworn it was someone else if she hadn’t been a part of
“Why do you want to be with more than one person? We can’t even handle one, and you’re here pinning for two men?”
“Speak for yourself,” she huffed. “And they are three, actually,” she murmured. “That’s including Xander, and they’re the things I like: one badass evil, one good boy and another badass in bed. Since you’ve been with neither Nathan nor Xander, I can’t tell if they’re as good as Ramsey. I hope they are.”
I was practically shining red now.
“Y–You want to sleep with three people?”
“I don’t mind,” she answered again. “The tendency of laying with either of them is high. They’re connected to us in a way I cannot explain, so I’m keeping my options open.”
“But you said Ramsey is our mate!”
“Yeah! But that doesn’t stop us from having fun. Since you’re not officially together, you can be with Nathan or Xander”
“Will you stop calling Xander? He’s evil…”
“And sexy as hell…” she whispered the last part.
I just stood there, frozen, deciding if laughing or crying would suffice for the thousand emotions running through me. My wolf was acting like an unhinged slut, on
“I’m not a slut, Lyla…” she responded, reading my mind. “Rather, we’re not, but I have a big appetite, in case you haven’t noticed. When we’re in heat, we would need to double the pleasure. Also, that’s one of the easiest ways to strengthen me if I’m weak.”
“You’re vulgar, Nymeris… I’m sure the goddess must have made a mistake because there’s no way you’re a product of me. I am nothing like you.”
“You think?” she sneered. “You slept with a man in the middle of a garden? You can pretend and suppress all those fantasies in your head from everyone, but you cannot hide them from me. I am a product of your thoughts for your information.”
“Just shut up!” I bristled, fanning myself. Her accusations were true.
“Yeah!” she laughed softly.
“I mean it, Nymeris when I said I don’t want anyone to know I have you yet. I’m still navigating through my Moonsinging abilities. I don’t want to feel pressured.”
“Fine!” she sighed. Just make sure we’re never near Ramsey. I can’t control myself.” I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose as the pack house came into view. “This isn’t about not being able to control your strength. Until we understand what our roles are, we should be careful. You’re going to get us both discovered with stunts like that.”
Her only reply was a dismissive huff before she added, “I need to rest; talk to you later.”
With that, she went silent.
By the time I reached the pack house, I was exhausted. I just had enough energy to tiptoe around the room, careful not to wake Nanny and change out of my soiled dress, which I threw under the bed before collapsing on the bed.
My eyes fluttered close as exhaustion weighed on me like a stone. I don’t know how long I slept, but the faint sound of movement woke me. I blinked groggily, letting out a soft yawn. My vision swam before it settled on the familiar figure of Nanny stretching in her
chair.
“Good morningt daar Vou’re swaba cha caid softly touching my forehead. Her eu
155 You’re awake?
“Good morning, dear. You’re awake, she said softly, touching my forehead. Her eyes widened. Your fever… it’s gone!”
I forced a smile, sitting up slowly. “I’m feeling much better,” I said, sounding casual.
She studied me intently, obviously not convinced by my miraculous healing. “You look different,” she murmured, tilting her head. “Yesterday, you were so sick – barely hanging on, but now, you’re practically glowing. Even your pulse feels strong.”
I laughed nervously, looking away. “Thanks for your care,” I deflected, hoping to end the scrutiny, but she kept gazing at me. “Nan, it’s nothing really. You’ve hardly left my side. If anything, you look like you need to really rest, and you should.”
She ignored me as her hands continued to hover all over my body. After a few minutes, her frown deepened, but she nodded. “Well, I suppose that’s good news. But you still need to take it easy, okay?”
“I will,” I promised quickly, eager to steer the conversation away from me. “I’d like to bathe and dress myself this morning. I’m feeling much better.”
She stared at me for a few seconds before nodding. “All right, but don’t push yourself.”
Once she left the room, I hurried to the full–length mirror to look at my body, but I was surprised to see that all the scratches and bruises I’d sustained earlier had healed. I look brand new except for the scrape of a Feral’s teeth on my ankle.
I smiled to myself. “So, this is what it meant to have a wolf.”
As I dressed later, I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection. Getting my wolf had truly changed me, both physically and emotionally. The silver lines on my hair had faded completely, and I felt a sudden burst of energy, something I could never relate to. The anxiety that I was just too was now a distant memory, too.
Satisfied, I decided to see Mother Liora first.
Her room was tucked in the far corner of our wing, and when I approached, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. Getting closer, I caught Ramsey’s scent, and I froze.
Curious, I crept closer to the door and leaned in as the voices inside reached me.
…it was the most beautiful werewolf I’ve ever seen. It attacked and killed a lot of Ferals. There were more than two dozen and several Trinaxes, too. That would explain why we’ve not sighted any of them for nearly a week now.”
“Unusual,” Mother Liora murmured. “But are you sure it wasn’t one of your warriors?”
“It wasn’t, Mother, Ramsey replied, his voice was filled with frustration. “We’re Lycans,
36
“It wasn’t, Mother, Ramsey replied, his voice was filled with frustration. “We’re Lycans, not werewolves. She was a werewolf, and she looked stronger than we were. She moved twice as fast as a Lycan would and defeated the Ferals. Can you imagine that?
Something none of us have been able to do since the attacks started, and yet someone. singlehandedly did it. It’s a shame that she left; now I’m dying to know who she is. I need to show my gratitude, at least.”
I felt my pulse quicken. I pressed closer, straining to hear.
“Did you notice anything else about her aside from your description?”
There was a slight pause before Ramsey said animatedly. “She had a forked tail like it was two but attached to one tail.
“A two–tailed werewolf?” Mother Liora’s voice was filled with awe. “Goddess! That’s a good omen. They’re rare… very rare, and a special breed; we call them a beautiful mistake made by the Moon Goddess because she does not create them in a way. An unlikely pairing forms them or…” she paused. “I’m not sure you’ll understand but that a good sign, Alpha Ramsey”
“Yeah, but is there a way we could find it? I need to meet her.”
“What makes you think it’s a she?” Mother Liora asked.
“She came to me, rubbed herself against my leg, purred, more like,” Ramsey chuckled. “Can you help me find her?”
“I’m sorry, but there are limits to my powers, and a two–tailed wolf cannot be forced to do what it doesn’t want to do. Since she ran away, she doesn’t want to be found. Perhaps
next time?”
“I don’t know…” I heard Ramsey say. “She just looked so…” he trailed off. “I can’t stop thinking about her. I need to meet her.“”
“Alpha, you already have enough women’s problems to deal with. I wouldn’t advise you to add another one to it.”
“Tell him!” I said under my breath.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and entered the room. Both Mother Liora and Ramsey turned, their brows arched in surprise.
“Lyla,” Mother Liora said, eyes wide. “You’re…awake?”
