The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 50

Lyra.

The scene in the trees disappears, and like a broken reel, my life flickered before me, each frame pulling me deeper into the past.

I was five again, staring up at my father's face. His gray eyes shone with warmth and a pride that once seemed eternal. But the warmth dimmed overtime, replaced by a chilling indifference that sliced through me like a winter wind. A voice, soft and soothing, threaded through my memories. 'I'm here with you. I will protect you. Wait for me... a little while longer.'

I had turned seven, clutching a drawing of our family - Daddy, Vivian, Viola, and me. "Look, Daddy! It's us!" I said, my heart bursting with hope. He glanced at it briefly, barely acknowledging my effort. Muttering a curse, he turned back to his work. The sting of his dismissal carved a deeper wound in my already broken young heart.

The voice returned, wrapping around my pain. 'You are not alone. I see you. I believe in you. Wait for me... a little while longer.'

On my tenth birthday, the pack celebrated Viola reciting Wolven Lore. I stood in the shadows, holding a single candle on a makeshift birthday cupcake. Blowing it out, a tear slipped down my cheek, unnoticed in the midst of the applause. 'Stay strong. Your time will come. Wait for me... a little while longer. The voice had become a soft reassurance in my deepening solitude.

At fifteen, I stand in my father's study. Vivian's laughter rings in my ears as he tears up my Emberwood College application. "A waste of pack resources," she sneers, crushing my dreams with a flick of her hand.

'Hold on, Lyra. I will protect you.' By then I no longer believed anything would happen to remove me from the life I was in.

And that is why I haven't come.

I opened my eyes slowly, feeling achy and confused. I was in a dark cabin with shelves full of jars filled with liquid... and things I didn't want to inspect too closely. Different herbs hung from the ceiling, making the air smell earthy. Glowing symbols were carved into the wooden beams, giving off a spooky light.

A person in a cloak came into view, her eyes shining with knowledge and power. It was the witch from the woods, standing over me. Her presence made me feel both comforted and uneasy. "So glad you have awoken," she said in a light, musical voice. "There is someone here to see you."

My heart raced as the witch's words echoed in my mind. Someone was here to see me? Could it be... Ryan? A flicker of hope ignited within me, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him coming to my rescue.

I tried to sit up, wincing as pain shot through my body. The witch gently helped me, propping me up with soft pillows. "Easy now, dear. You've been through quite an ordeal."

I nodded, my thoughts still consumed by the possibility of Ryan being here. Despite our complicated history and the secrets between us, a part of me longed for his presence, for the comfort and safety I felt in his arms.

The door creaked open, and my breath caught in my throat. I craned my neck, trying to see who had entered. Footsteps approached, and then... there he was, concern etched on his handsome face.

"Lyra," Professor Harbringer breathed, his voice a mixture of relief and something else I couldn't quite decipher. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're alright."

He crossed the room in a few strides, kneeling beside the bed. His hand reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I looked up at Professor Harbringer, my eyes wide with confusion and a flicker of hope. "Professor, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

He gave me a reassuring smile. "I am here to help you, Lyra," he replied. "You still have a bit more to see before we can explain everything."

Suddenly, the room around me faded away, and I found myself standing at the edge of the forest. I was seventeen again, listening to Blake's empty promises. "I'll always be here for you, Lyra," he said, but the doubt in his eyes betrayed his words.

As the memory dissolved, the familiar voice echoed in my mind. Trust in who you are. Your path is unique. Wait for me... a little while longer.

I blinked, and I was back in the witch's cabin. The witch looked at me with a mixture of kindness and mystery in her eyes. "You have a unique destiny, child," she said, her voice gentle yet cryptic. "Great challenges lie ahead, but so does great power. Stay true to your heart."

My stomach churned as Professor Harbringer's words sank in. He stood, his silver gaze locked onto mine. "Lyra, there's so much you need to know," he began. "Your past, your lineage... it's entwined with forces you cannot yet comprehend. You are much more than you realize."

My mind spun and a swirl of emotions rose within me - anger, confusion, hope. I felt like I was drowning in them. My hands shook and my vision blurred with unshed tears.

"Why now? Why didn't anyone tell me the truth before?" I demanded, my voice cracking. "My father... is my uncle. His love and then his coldness. My parents..."

I couldn't finish the sentence. A lump formed in my throat as I thought about all the years I'd felt like an outsider in my own family, never understanding why. The pain of their rejection, the loneliness of always being different, it all came rushing back.

The professor's expression softened. "I'm sorry for the secrecy. Protecting you meant keeping certain truths hidden. But now, it's time for you to embrace who you are and what you are destined to become."

Suddenly, a memory flashed before my eyes. I was eighteen, standing alone under the full moon, praying for my wolf to emerge. But nothing happened. The disappointment and isolation had crushed my spirit.

I am here. I will protect you. Wait for me... just a little while longer. The constant voice echoed in my mind, a whisper of hope amidst the chaos.

The witch placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Your wolf is closer than you think. The connection between you two is profound, transcending realms. Soon, you will understand."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My resolve strengthened. "What do I need to do?" I asked, my eyes flitting between the witch and Professor Harbringer.

"First, you must rest and gather your strength," the witch advised. "Your journey will be arduous, but remember, you are not alone. We," she gestured between herself and Killian," along with your bond with your wolf will guide you."