The room they gave her was beautiful.
Cold.
But beautiful.
High ceilings, dark velvet curtains, silver-lined furniture, and a massive window overlooking the endless forest that surrounded the werewolf palace. It was the kind of room meant to impress... to assert power without saying a word.
Lyra stood in the center of it, silent.
Unmoved.
"Your belongings will be brought shortly, Princess."
The servant who spoke kept her head lowered, her tone respectful-but distant. Too careful. Too measured.
Lyra noticed it immediately.
Respect... forced by title.
Not given by choice.
"I won't need help," Lyra replied calmly.
The servant hesitated for a second, as if unsure whether to leave.
Then she bowed quickly. "As you wish."
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
And just like that-
Lyra was alone.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Unfamiliar.
Her gaze slowly moved across the room, taking in every detail, every shadow, every hidden corner. This place... it didn't feel like a home.
It felt like territory.
Claimed.
Controlled.
Her fingers brushed against the edge of a nearby table as she walked, her expression unreadable.
"Prison..." she murmured under her breath.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"No."
Her voice sharpened, firmer now.
"I won't let it be one."
A sudden knock interrupted her thoughts.
Before she could respond-
The door opened.
Lyra turned.
Three women entered, dressed elegantly-but their eyes...
Cold.
Judging.
Werewolves.
She didn't need to ask.
The one in front stepped forward, her lips curved into a faint, mocking smile.
"So," she said, her voice smooth, almost sweet.
"This is the human princess."
Lyra didn't respond.
Didn't bow.
Didn't greet.
She simply looked at her.
The woman's smile twitched slightly.
"...You're quieter than I expected."
"And you talk more than necessary, Lyra replied calmly.
The air shifted instantly.
The two women behind her stiffened, their expressions darkening.
But the one in front only laughed softly.
"How amusing," she said. "A human with teeth."
She circled Lyra slowly, like a predator sizing up something new.
"Tell me," she continued, her tone dropping slightly, "do you actually believe you belong here?"
Lyra didn't turn to follow her.
"Do you?" she asked instead.
A pause,
Then-
The woman stopped.
Right behind her.
Close enough that Lyra could feel her presence.
Her breath.
"You should be careful," the woman whispered.
"Creatures like you don't last long in places like
this."
Lyra finally turned.
Their eyes met.
"And yet," Lyra said quietly, "I'm still standing."
For a moment-
Neither moved.
Then the woman stepped back, her expression
no longer amused.
"Enjoy your stay, Princess," she said coldly. "While it lasts."
The three of them left without another word.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Lyra exhaled slowly.
Her hands were steady.
Her expression calm.
Sharp.
Focused.
"They're testing me," she murmured.
Of course they were.
To them, she wasn't a queen.
She wasn't even a guest.
She was an outsider.
An intruder.
A temporary inconvenience.
Lyra walked toward the window, pushing the heavy curtains aside.
The forest stretched endlessly before her, dark and alive, as if it held secrets she wasn't meant to understand.
Her reflection stared back at her from the glass. A princess.
Trapped in a world that wanted nothing to do with her.
Her gaze hardened.
"Then I'll make them deal with me."
Elsewhere in the palace-
Kael stood in the training grounds, his movements sharp, precise, controlled.
A sword clashed against another with a loud, echoing strike.
Again.
And again.
Faster.
Harder.
Until-
Crack
The blade in his opponent's hand shattered.
The man staggered back, breathing heavily,
Kael lowered his sword slowly, his expression unreadable.
"Again," he said.
The man hesitated. "Your Highness, I-" "Again."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
The man swallowed and nodded, grabbing another weapon.
They clashed once more.
But this time-
Kael's focus slipped.
Just for a second.
A voice.
I don't bow to beasts.
His grip tightened.
The next strike came harder.
Too hard.
The man was thrown back, hitting the ground with a painful thud.
Silence fell over the training grounds.
Kael didn't move
Didn't look at him.
Enough," he said finally, turning away.
The others quickly rushed to help the fallen
warrior.
Kael walked off without another glance.
His jaw clenched slightly.
Annoying.
Everything about her was annoying.
Her voice.
Her defiance.
The way she looked at him-
Not with fear
But challenge.
He exhaled slowly.
"This changes nothing."
The words felt hollow.
That evening-
Lyra entered the grand dining hall And everything stopped.
Conversations died instantly.
All eyes turned to her.
Some curious.
Some cold.
Some openly hostile.
Lyra ignored them.
Of course she did.
↓
She walked forward calmly, her steps steady, her expression composed.
At the head of the table-
Kael sat.
Already waiting.
Their eyes met across the room.
And just like before-
The tension returned.
Sharp.
Unavoidable.
Lyra took her seat without asking.
Without permission.
Without hesitation.
A servant stepped forward, placing food in front
of her.
She didn't touch it.
Neither did Kael.
For a long moment-
Silence ruled.
Then-
"When is the wedding?"
Lyra asked.
Straight.
Blunt
The entire room froze
Kael's gaze lifted slowly to meet hers
His expression unreadable.
"You're eager," he said.
Lyra's lips curved slightly.
"Hardly," she replied. "I just prefer to get unpleasant things over with."
A few quiet gasps echoed through the hall.
Kael stared at her.
Then-
A faint, dangerous smile appeared.
So soon.
But her expression didn't change.
"Good," she said calmly.
Kael leaned back slightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Try not to run away before then, Princess."
Lyra met his gaze without hesitation.
"Try not to regret it, Alpha."
Silence.
Heavy.
Electric.
Around them, the werewolves watched carefully.
Because something was clear-
This wasn't just a marriage.
And the war...