The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 42

Lyra

I rushed out of "The Business of Being a Werewolf" class, my head still spinning from the weekend's events. Instead of focusing on the professor's lecture about career options and financial planning, my thoughts were consumed by the mysterious note, the terrifying trap in the woods, and the missed meeting with Ryan.

The first two mysteries would take some serious unraveling. But the last one... that I planned to straighten out after my last class. All weekend, I'd agonized over whether to tell Ryan the truth about why I'd stood him up. Secretly, I'd hoped he'd come to me, maybe even visit my dorm room again. But that hadn't happened, and I'd wasted precious time clinging to that foolish hope. Now, it was up to me to seek his forgiveness.

In the path, a few she-wolves approached from the opposite direction, their eyes darting away as they whisper behind their hands. One giggled loudly, quickly shushed by the others as they passed.

A wave of loneliness washed over me. Things were no longer looking so bright at Harbringer.

In Werewolf History and Culture with Professor Harbringer, who I learned was a visiting scholar, I had Whitney by my side. And in Pack Dynamics and Hierarchy, Sally's presence was a comfort. But those were the only two classes where I had the support of friends.

Scent Tracking and Sensory Enhancement? A total nightmare. Every pair of eyes in that room felt like they were burning holes into me. They all knew, that without a wolf, I couldn't really use those skills.

During class, I refused to let them get to me. I held my head high, pushed through it.

At least my next class, Inter-species Communication and Diplomacy, was a lot better. It even gave me some hope. When the professor told us to form groups, I was surprised and relieved when a few she-wolves waved me over. Apparently, not everyone here was out to get me, unlike back in Wolfsong.

I climbed the small hill towards the training field, my thoughts turning to my next class: Combat and Self-Defense for Werewolves.

I had a complicated relationship with it.

On one hand, being outside, feeling the sun and the breeze on my face, those bursts of strength in my body... was amazing. It made me feel so strong... so alive.

But on the other hand, I know wasn't going to be easy. Sure, Sally and Whitney were there, but so was Brittany. And now that everyone knew my secret-that I was a wolf without a wolf-I could only imagine the crap I'd have to deal with. It would be Scent Tracking and Sensory Enhancement times a hundred.

On second thought... make that a thousand.

Ryan, looking downright tasty in a tight black t-shirt that showed every muscle and every line and a pair of sweats that did nothing to hide what he had, stood in front of the class. Whitney and Sally stood off to the side and as I took my place by them, I felt his eyes on me, burning into my face. I shuffled my feet, my cheeks burning with shame. I knew I owed him an explanation for standing him up, but the words stuck in my throat.

I kept my eyes glued to the ground, unable to face him. Not yet. Not without a chance to tell him what really happened.

"Shift, now!" His voice was a whip crack, the command echoing like a gunshot, leaving no room for explanation or excuse.

I felt a surge of heat crawl up my neck as every eye turned to me. He knew I couldn't shift. This was a deliberate humiliation, a public display of my weakness. A cold dread settled in my stomach as I realized this was his way of punishing me for my deceit.

After a beat of undressing, a whirlwind of fur and teeth erupted as the other she-wolves transformed. I stood frozen, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"What are you waiting for? Go!"

His sharp tone jolted me into action. I sprinted, my legs burning as I tried to match the pace of the wolves. They blurred past me, their powerful strides effortless compared to my clumsy human gait.

But I refused to give up. I pushed harder, lungs screaming, legs aching.

My feet pounded the dirt, sweat pouring down my face. As I struggled to keep up with the pack, a voice whispered in my mind, "Faster, Lyra. You can do this. Run!"

I gritted my teeth, pushing myself harder. The voice grew louder, more insistent. "Dig deep, Lyra. Find that inner strength. Show them what you're made of!"

With a burst of determination, I surged forward, my legs pumping, my heart racing. I refused to be left behind, refused to let my lack of a wolf define me. One step at a time, I closed the distance. I could feel his eyes on me, tracking my progress, and something in his gaze shifted from disdain to surprise. I crossed the finish line third, gasping for air, but triumphant.

"Good job," Ryan called out, a hint of warmth in his voice.

Relief flooded me. Maybe I wasn't a complete failure in his eyes after all. I approached him, my heart pounding a frantic apology in my chest. But before I could utter a word, Brittany - still in wolf form - barreled into me, sending me sprawling. Pain shot through my ankle as I hit the ground.

We exchanged words and I heard a low chuckle rumbled from Ryan. I snapped my head up to see a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. Score one for me.

He asked to speak to me, away from the watchful eyes of the other students. I complied. Mainly because he didn't once look at Brittany in all her naked glory. "You held your own out there," he said his tone gruff.

In my mind's eye, I pictured him employing that very same gravelly tone, assuring me I was the one and only, while his tongue teased my nipples and his lips sucked at my neck, preparing it for the Mark of Mating... "He's waiting for an answer, Lyra!" the voice in my head screeched.

I gave him one, not really knowing what I said until he asked me about the other night. Sure, I wanted to confide in him about the incidents. But not before I had solid evidence pointing to who - let's just say Brittany -was behind all those assaults against me.

I met his blue eyes and nearly drowned, "I know. And I want to tell you everything, I do. I just need to figure out some things first."

He cursed under his breath and frowned. "Have it your way then."

Ryan walked away and I trailed behind him, wondering if we were ever going to get on the right track.

Tall and proud, and every bit the Alpha, he positioned himself at the head of the class once more. "Next exercise," he ordered, his tone more biting this time. "Navigating obstacles while running. Find a partner."

A frenzy of movement as everyone found partners. Sally, ended up next to me while Whitney stood next to another girl we sometimes had lunch with.

We took off, weaving between trees and leaping over fallen logs. But as we rounded a corner, something hit my shins and I stumbled. I went down hard, scraping my palms in the dirt and stones, a sharp pain flaring in my side

As Ryan rushed towards me, I caught Brittany's smirk out of the corner of my eye. From the way his gaze narrowed, I knew he suspected her involvement.

I did as well. But neither of us could do anything about it without proof.

"Class is over," he shouted, helping me to my feet. Goosebumps erupted over my flesh as the heat of his touch came through my clothes. Despite everything that had happened between us, the attraction was still there, simmering beneath the surface.

"I'm sorry she hurt you," he said. "We had a thing in the past and I guess she's still holding on."

I had to chuckle, knowing I was in the same boat. "I don't blame her."

His fingers tightened around my waist, branding me. It was all I could do not to shiver. "Damn. I expected you to go stomping over to her, fist flying. Not laughing about it."

"Oh, I'm waiting for the perfect moment."

He dropped his hand and faced me. Our eyes met and-

Whitney and Sally came rushing up, shouldering me on each side while Ryan looked on with an air of bemusement. "Lyra, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said trying not to wince as I held a hand to my side. I'd had broken ribs before, this wasn't even a sprain. In fact, it was getting better with every breath. I'd probably have a nasty bruise for a bit though. With mirrored desire in his gaze, Ryan uttered, "I'll let you two handle her."

He strode away without a backward glance, and halfway down the hill, Brittany dashed towards him.

My heart throbbed as I watched them vanish behind some trees.