Chapter 2

Lyra's POV

"I need a way in."

Morning sunlight had barely touched the room when Seraphine started plotting her next move. She sat at her mirror, brushing her golden hair, eyes gleaming with determination.

I quietly packed my healing supplies, trying to look busy. Last night's howling had kept me awake, leaving me on edge.

"Go get those servants," Seraphine ordered. "I need more information about the Alpha."

Soon, three maids shuffled into the room nervously. The eldest spoke first:

"What would you like to know, miss?"

"What does Darian enjoy? What are his interests?" Seraphine cut straight to the point.

The maids exchanged glances. Finally, the older one said with a bitter smile, "The Alpha doesn't care much for anything, except..."

"Except what? Speak up!" Seraphine snapped.

A younger maid quickly interrupted: "Kai! Do you know about Kai? He's the Alpha's son—five years old. The Alpha adores him. If you want his attention, start with the boy."

Seraphine's eyes lit up. "What does he like?"

The maids chattered among themselves:

"The young master likes playing under the old tree..."

"He's always alone, doesn't like people..."

"He's quite shy..."

Listening to their vague descriptions, I found myself speaking without thinking:

"He likes warm wooden toys. Probably apple scents too..."

The words left my mouth and the room went dead silent.

Everyone stared at me, including Seraphine.

"How could you possibly know that?" a maid asked, bewildered.

My heart raced, palms sweating. I had no idea why I'd said those things—it was as if the information had always been in my head.

"I..." I fought to stay calm. "I've spent a lot of time with children in my pack. I know how to care for them."

Even I didn't believe that explanation, but Seraphine clapped excitedly:

"Perfect! We'll do exactly what you said!"

An hour later, we stood beneath the ancient tree at the pack's center.

The massive oak had to be centuries old, its trunk so wide it would take several people to wrap their arms around it. Dense branches formed a canopy of shade overhead.

In that shadow sat a small, solitary figure.

Kai.

Even from a distance, I could feel the loneliness radiating from this child. He clutched a worn stuffed animal, expressionlessly playing with a wooden sword, carrying a silence far beyond his years.

"Remember, this is my gift to him," Seraphine whispered, then approached Kai with the wooden sword I'd carved through the night.

"Hello, little one. This is for you." Seraphine knelt down, using her gentlest voice.

Kai looked up, dark eyes full of wariness. He glanced at the wooden sword in her hands, then at her face, before suddenly dropping his own sword and shrinking back.

"Don't be afraid..." Seraphine kept trying, but Kai had already retreated behind the tree.

"What's wrong?" Seraphine turned to the maids who'd followed us.

They looked at each other uncomfortably. The youngest whispered, "The Alpha's son is mute..."

"Silence!" the elder maid snapped. "The Alpha forbids us to say that! You must never speak of it!"

Mute?

I watched the small figure hiding behind the tree, an inexplicable ache filling my chest.

I picked up the discarded wooden sword and slowly approached the oak.

"Kai?" I called softly.

The little boy peeked out from behind the trunk, fear still clouding his eyes.

I crouched to his level. In that moment, I saw a faint old scar on his forehead, and my heart nearly broke.

Without thinking, I reached out to gently touch his forehead, letting my healing energy flow naturally.

Kai stiffened at first, then... he actually moved closer to me.

His small nose sniffed at my wrist, like a wolf pup recognizing a scent. Then he looked up and whispered:

"You... won't hurt me."

My God.

He spoke.

This child everyone thought was mute had just spoken to me.

The maids gasped. One covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock.

"How is this possible?"

"He hasn't spoken in so long!"

"Someone get the Alpha!"

My hand still rested on Kai's small head, my own shock beyond words. So I really did have a gift with children.

"Lyra! What's happening?" Seraphine rushed over, voice mixing excitement with confusion.

"I... I don't know," I answered honestly. "Maybe because I've spent so much time with pack children. I know how to care for them."

Rapid footsteps approached.

Darian appeared.

He'd practically run here, chest heaving, his handsome face filled with disbelief.

When he saw Kai sitting quietly in my arms, holding the wooden sword, he froze completely.

Complex emotions flashed through his eyes—shock, hope, fear, and something that broke my heart. His fists clenched until his knuckles went white, voice trembling:

"Kai... he spoke?"

Then something unexpected happened.

Seeing his father, Kai instinctively hid behind me, small hands gripping my sleeve.

Darian's face went ashen.

"Yes!" Seraphine quickly moved to the Alpha's side, trying to control the situation. "He was holding the wooden sword I gave him, saying his daddy was amazing!"

But Darian's attention wasn't on Seraphine at all. He slowly approached me, each step careful and cautious, as if afraid of disturbing something precious.

When he knelt before me and gently gathered Kai into his arms, his gaze flickered between Seraphine and me.

"Thank you."

Just those two words, then he turned and walked away with Kai in his arms.