174 Truths…
Lyla (Nymeris)
Nymeris’s foot thundered through the pack house as we took the steps four at a time.
I could feel the raw anger coursing through her as we charged toward the East Wing of the pack
house. The Omegas and other packhouse staff yelp!
as she navigated through them, because of
her speed, she literally had everyone falling to the ground.
I felt myself being pushed back into the recesses of Nymeris’s mind as if she didn’t want to have anything to do with me again. The sudden dominance of our shared bond was both exhilarating and terrifying. My mind raced as I tried to reach out to her, regain control, and calm her down, but I didn’t know the first things about calming an angry wolf.
No one taught me because they dismissed me as wolfless. Now, I wish I had learned a thing or two or opened up to someone sooner.
“Nymeris, stop! Please, listen to me!” I pleaded within our bond. “Let’s think about this, about the consequences of our actions. Please…”
But Nymeris growled in response, replying to me immediately. “She lied to us. Deceived us. We trusted her, and I thought she loved you, but I was wrong about it. Do you know how it was for me these past few days? I am not meant to be suppressed. As if the one I’ve suffered for nearly a decade is not enough. She will answer for it.”
Her anger seemed to grow a notch. I could feel the tidal wave of betrayal and hurt that threatened to drown them both. I understood it–gods, how could I not? The pearl around my neck, the one I thought was a piece of jewellery, had been a lie.
The East Wing was in view now. I could see the grand doors leading to it in the light of the corridors. I wanted to write everything off as a mistake from Nanny’s side. She would never hurt me, would she? But a still small voice at the back of my mind couldn’t help but think.
Why had she lied? What reason could she possibly have to hide the pearl that suppressed Nymeris? Most importantly, how did she know? I didn’t tell her about my wolf. I had only informed Ramsey a few minutes ago. So, it couldn’t have been him who told her. What else did she know about me that she was hiding? If Nanny knows, who else does?
The questions churned in my mind, but one truth stood out above the rest–I was terrified of what Nymeris might do.
“Nymeris, please, don’t hurt her. There must be an explanation. Let’s just talk to her first. I’m sure there’s a reason.”
Nymeris’s thoughts filtered to me again, crashing like lightning bolts. “BETRAYAL LIES. NO MORE. I am done, Lyla. I can’t take it anymore. I won’t stand her and watch everyone treat us like we’re dumb. It ends today.
I tried to cry out for help but in this form, Nymeris was in control and I had no voice.
174 Truths…
As we moved past my room, heading towards the High Priestess’s room, a sense of dread filled me. Nymeris didn’t slow. With a ferrous leap, she slammed her forelegs against the door of
from the impact. Mother Liora’s room, causing it to fly open
That was only when she stopped.
Everyone turned and was staring at us now.
Mother Liora’s room was filled with a warm, golden glow, illuminated by the light of several candles. Mother Liora herself lay unconscious on the bed. Her face was pale and serene. Beside her was Nanny, clasping her hands with her eyes equally closed and muttering some words. Standing around the bed was a half–circle of the other priestess, all dressed in their ceremonial robes. The heavy scent of herbs filled the air, and intricate patterns of crystals adorned the floor -it felt as though Nymeris and I had interrupted something important.
Then, Nanny suddenly turned, her eyes meeting with us and immediately, I saw her froze. Her hand went limp as she rose to her feet in slow motion, her eyes wide with fear, but not from us. She was afraid of something else.
Nymeris snarled, baring her teeth with Nanny in her vision. Her growl vibrated through the room and the unmistakable sound of pure rage and hurt followed, showing she didn’t come here to play.
The priestesses immediately drew back in shock, grabbing each other. Only Nanny remained rooted in place, her face still drained of colour as she continued to star
“Nymeris, please… “Please, I appealed to her again. “If you have any iota of love and respect for me, you’d listen to me, turn back and I promise we’ll find out soon. Please, I beg you.”
She ignored me, scratching her foot as she slowly advanced towards Nanny.
One priestess, a younger woman with wide frightened eyes, took a hesitant step back and gasped. “It’s a two–tailed wolf. It’s impossible… how can this be?”
My heart sank. I have seen Nymeris and I know she was beautiful, plus the two–tail wolf indeed. But something about the priestess’s words, about the way everyone was looking at us with a mixture of fear and awe, made Nymeris angrier and made me sceptical.
Was this the kind of reaction they’re supposed to have? Why were they afraid of me?
Nanny’s expression shifted, melting into a soft smile. “Please…” she took a step towards Nymeris, who was still snarling. “I’m sorry.”
At her apology, Nymeris took a threatening step forward, her eyes blazing with fury.
“Miriam,” one of the older priestesses ventured. “Do you know the wolf? Quick, we must try to bind her. She’s angry.”
“No!” Miriam shook her head and took another step closer. “Let me talk to her. Please.”
“She’s a two–tailed wolf and angry, Miriam. Are you trying to kill yourself? Quick, ask the warriors to come. We alone cannot bind her” Priestess, Diana shouted.
174 Truths….
Two of the apprentice priestesses rushed to the door, but Nanny closed it with a flick of her hand as she turned cold eyes to Priestess Diana. “Didn’t you hear me? Let me talk to her. She’s not harming anyone and, if anything, she came for me.”
“She came for you?” Priestess Diana scoffed. “This is forbidden within these walls. If the
Leader…”
Lycan
“The Lycan Leader would only know if it’s reported to him and if any of you want to die first, please go ahead and snitch. Nanny’s eyes were blazing with annoyance. “I can’t wait to make an example out of you all.”
Then turning back to us, she went on her knees, raising her hands towards Nymeris as if beckoning her.
“Nymeris,” she murmured, with a quiet smile. “Please, come… listen to me.”
Instead, she received another snarl. How did Nanny know her name? I didn’t tell her? I didn’t even tell Ramsey when I had told him earlier. Suddenly, Mother Liora stirred and all the Priestesses gasped with shock as she struggled to sit up in her bed.
Her eyes scanned the room, finally falling on Nymeris. “So,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “The seal has finally broken.”
Seal? What seal? I pushed the question through our bond, but Nymeris, focused solely on Nanny, coiled her body, ready to spring.
“I know you’re angry,” Nanny continued, “You have every right to be. But there’s so much you don’t understand–so much and all I’ve ever wanted is to protect you from them. If the White Moon Council should know of your existence, they will hunt you and have her killed.”
“I don’t need your protection!” Nymeris exploded, though it came out as another disgruntled. growl. “You lied!”
“Nymeris, please, control yourself, I begged again. “This isn’t the way!”
But Nymeris wasn’t backing down. Slowly and deliberately, she paced toward Nanny, eyes fixed on Nanny, refusing to let go.
“You don’t know this, but it was a two–tailed wolf that killed the former Lycan Leader and his mate. They were considered taboo because they weren’t creations of the goddess. They’re formed when two unlikely pairs come together. They attacked the former Lycan Leader and his wife, killing them right on their bed, Nanny said.
“But they said it was a rogue attack?” One priestess asked.
“People say that to hide the truth because it’s shameful that they were killed in the pack house. “If they had exposed the truth, everyone would live in fear, Nanny replied.
“I know because it was I and Mother Liora who performed the burial rites and did the cleansing. That was the last thing I did with her before I left.”
Mother Liora, who had gotten up now, nodded.
174 Truths…
“If Elder Eldric finds out that there’s a two–tailed wolf here, he’ll hunt her down like he did them the last time. There was a time when the appearance of a two–tailed wolf was considered a blessing and…”
I felt Nymeris stoop, her hackles rising, ready for an attack. Nanny was right in front of her.
“Nymeris!“I screamed through our bond.
She leapt…
