Lysander’s POV

I sprinted through the winding corridors, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. I took a sharp turn, my feet pounding up the narrow staircase that led to the attic.

I pushed open the creaky door and slipped inside, slamming it shut behind me. For a moment, I leaned against the door, panting, my eyes scanning the dimly lit space.

“Fuck! that was a close call,” I whispered, my heart still racing. I hadn’t expected Ryker to do that. Why did he hate me so much? The questions swirled in my mind, but I pushed them aside.

I wasn’t properly dressed, and I needed to stay here till the coast was clear before I returned to my room. I knew after today Ryker wasn’t going to back down again.

Hours passed in the attic, the silence pressing down on me. Finally, I gathered the strength to slip out, careful to avoid any Pack members lingering in the hallways. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as I walked, every step a reminder of the fight and the fear.

Suddenly, a sound broke the silence. It was a low, muffled sound, like someone trying to stifle a cry. My head snapped up, my eyes locked onto the door at the far end of the hallway. My mother's room.

Could she really be in danger again?

Without hesitation, I moved swiftly and silently down the hallway, my dagger at the ready. I reached my mother's door and listened, my ear pressed against the wood. The muffled sounds grew louder, and my anger flared.

I slowly turned the handle and pushed open the door, my eyes scanning the room. What I saw made my blood boil. Elder Davon was pinning my mother to the bed, his hands roaming over her body.

My mother, Luna Vynessa, was crying, her eyes pleading for help. “Get away from my mother," I growled, my voice low and deadly. Elder Davon turned to face me, a sneer on his lips.

“And who do you think you are to order me around, you pretty little boy?” Elder Davon replied. I was not in for any talk; over the years I had been called weak, but all I did was stand up for my mother.

Some bullied me because I looked like a girl, but they didn’t know I was actually a girl. "Get away from her right now!" I strode purposefully toward the bed, raising my hand to hit Elder Davon, but I paused, knowing he could die in just one hit.

So I grabbed him, pushing him forcefully away from my mom. With that, he hit his head on the floor, exposing his naked self while my mother clutched herself with the sheets, crying uncontrollably, her eyes red and swollen.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” I pulled her into my arms, giving her a tight hug. "It’s not your fault, Lysander." She replied softly.

“You pushed an Elder of the Shadowborn pack to the ground!?” Elder Davon rose angrily. “The filthy Luna Vynessa is mine; I fucking paid for her. She’s mine!” I just couldn’t believe this bastard still had the audacity to speak.

“If you lay your filthy hands on her again, I swear I’ll kill and bury you, Elder Davon.”

"I’m in for whatever punishment the Alpha king gives me.” I stated coldly. “But you will not live to witness me get punished, so choose wisely.” Elder Davon’s eyes widened as he stood there half naked, staring at me.

“The Alpha will surely hear this,” he snarled, grabbing his clothes before marching out of the room. “You don’t have to keep saving me from this monster, Lysander. I don’t want you to keep getting punished because of me,” she said with teary eyes.

"I do not care about any punishment.” I whispered, looking at my mother’s battered body which made my eyes sting with tears. I felt a lump form in my throat but I held back my emotions, trying to be strong for her.

My father hid my identity of being a girl because his throne was at stake. He needed a male child to take over, but since he had a female child instead, he decided to train me up as a man.

My mother was indeed a lively person, but it all ended when we lost my father, and our uncle, Alpha Voras, made my mom an object of satisfaction. She was a rare and special wolf who didn’t age like other wolves.

This made her look way younger than her age. I prepared the bed for her to rest. She lay carefully on the bed, closing her eyes, but I noticed she was still crying.

“I wonder what tomorrow will be like since it’s the Alpha’s gathering, and Alpha Voras had threatened to sell me to the Lupercus Lycan King.”

“He is rumoured to be mad,” she whispered. “I won’t let anyone touch you” my voice cracking with emotion. My mother's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled weakly at me.

"I love you, Lysander."

I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I replied, "I love you too, Mum. Wherever you go, I go,” I said, holding her hands tight.

I watched as she slowly drifted off to sleep. I tucked her in before leaving her room for mine, which looked like a room for animals. I wasn’t even treated properly, given that I’m the true heir to the throne.

After Alpha Voras killed my father, which I witnessed. He had made life a living hell for my mother and me, giving my mom as a sex slave to whoever he pleased.

As I entered my room, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but notice how much softer my features had become. The longer I hid as a boy, the harder it was to ignore the girl I really was underneath.

My fingers traced the curve of my jaw, a silent reminder of the truth I couldn’t show the world. Maybe that’s what made Ryker suspicious. And I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like living as a girl.

To not keep hiding my identity. I always imagined finding my mate, getting married, and also having kids of my own. Someone who I would love deeply and keep me safe. But deep down I knew it would never happen.

I quickly changed into fresh clothes before curling into myself under the thin blanket, wishing I could sleep without fear. My heart was heavy, my mind full of worry—about my mother, about tomorrow, and Ryker.

I felt my eyes grow heavy, and the world around me blurred as I slipped into sleep. The steady rise and fall of my breath was the only sound—until I noticed something else. A low, ragged breath close by.

My skin prickled as thick fur brushed against my arms. The weight pressing down wasn’t sudden; it grew heavier, like a shadow creeping closer, until it pinned me beneath it.

My heart froze as its glowing eyes locked onto mine. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. The huge wolf towered over me like his prey, ready to devour, or shall I say a beast, the most terrifying I had ever seen.

A Lupercus Wolf!

I turned my head away, but it leaned in closer, breathing against my neck. I felt its sharp teeth. It didn’t bite yet, but I knew it would.

"Oh my goodness,” I felt my breath seize as panic set in. Of all the beasts in the world, why does it have to be a Lupercus wolf!? What have I done to deserve this?

And then with a swift movement, he sank his fangs into my neck, marking me as his!