Chapter 3 Being Locked in the Basement

Lya's POV:

I stared at my reflection for what felt like eternity, mesmerized by the creature I'd become. The luminous silver-blue fur, the unnatural red eyes with their thin silver-blue rings, the elongated fangs that no pure werewolf would possess. My paws trembled as I touched the black crescent moon marking on my hip.

"We need to shift back," Kate urged, her translucent form pacing beside me. "You've been gone too long. They'll be looking for you."

"How do I change back?" I asked, panic rising in my chest.

"Focus on your human form. Visualize it. I'll help guide you through."

The shift back was less painful but equally disorienting. My bones contracted, fur receded into skin, and my senses dulled slightly—though still far sharper than before. When it finished, I lay naked by the water's edge, gasping.

"You need to return to the Pack House," Kate said, her voice now inside my head. "Act normal. Pretend nothing happened."

"But how do I explain where I've been?" I scrambled to find my clothes, discovering only tatters. My transformation had shredded them completely.

"Say you felt sick and needed air. Remember your sunglasses."

I found an emergency stash of clothes I kept hidden in a hollow tree near the falls—just a t-shirt and shorts, but better than nothing. As I dressed, I noticed my movements were different—more fluid, precise. Everything around me seemed hyper-clear, from the individual droplets in the mist to the heartbeats of small creatures yards away.

"The scents..." I whispered, overwhelmed by information flooding my brain. I could smell the Pack House nearly a mile away, distinguish individual wolves, even detect the subtle notes of champagne and cake.

"Your senses are enhanced now that we've connected," Kate explained. "You're experiencing what you truly are."

And what exactly am I? I thought, but pushed the question aside. First, I needed to survive the night.

I hurried back toward the Pack House, rehearsing my excuse. The walk that normally took twenty minutes felt different now—my body moved with newfound grace and speed. The sounds of music and laughter grew louder as I approached. The engagement celebration was still in full swing.

I paused at the edge of the clearing, adjusting my sunglasses. "Deep breaths, act normal, don't draw attention," I whispered to myself.

"Stay calm," Kate urged. "Emotional fluctuations will make your eyes change. Control your breathing."

I slipped in through the kitchen's back entrance, quickly grabbing an apron and tying it around my waist. Most of the staff were busy preparing the final course—desserts for the Alpha table. No one seemed to notice my entrance.

The head chef glanced my way but was too preoccupied to question me. "Where have you been? Take these desserts out! The Alpha and Luna have asked twice already!"

"Yes, right away," I mumbled, relief washing over me. Perhaps I could finish my duties and sneak back to my room without further incident.

I carefully balanced a tray of elegant pastries and headed toward the main hall. Just as I rounded the corner, I collided with the last person I wanted to see—Victoria, my mother.

The dessert tray crashed to the floor, pastries smashing against the polished wood. For a moment, we both stared at the mess. Then her eyes slowly lifted to mine, anxiety morphing into rage.

"You ungrateful little wretch," she hissed, fingers digging into my arm. "Where have you been? Disappeared the entire evening!"

"I—I felt sick, needed some air—"

"On your sister's most important night?" Her nails bit deeper. "Do you know how significant this engagement is to Alpha Richard and Luna Isabella? You've brought shame to our family!"

She dragged me into a nearby storage closet, slamming the door behind us. My heart hammered against my ribs as she clicked the lock.

"Where were you? Answer me!" she demanded, her face inches from mine.

"I really was just feeling unwell—"

In our struggle, my sunglasses slipped. My mother froze, her expression contorting in horror as she caught the reddish tint in my eyes.

"Your eyes... that disgusting color again! What about the herbs? The ones I make you take every morning?!"

"I took them this morning, but—"

"But what?!" she spat. "Look at you! Do you know what people would think if they saw you like this? What it would do to our family? We've worked so hard to arrange Elaina's marriage to Damian!"

The truth hit me like a physical blow. The bitter herbs she'd force-fed me for years—they weren't medicine. They were suppressants, designed to hide whatever I was.

Her hand cracked across my face with such force that I slammed against the wall. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You've always been jealous of Elaina! Jealous she has the Alpha's favor!"

"No, that's not true—I didn't—"

"Shut up!" she snarled, partially shifting in her rage. Her nails elongated into claws, slashing my arm.

She forced my sunglasses back on, wrapped her jacket around me to hide the fresh claw marks, and dragged me out, avoiding the celebration and straight to our Beta residence.

"You will not breathe a word of this to anyone," she threatened as we walked. "If your father or anyone asks, you were ill. Understand?"

"How long will you keep me locked up?" I asked as she shoved me toward the basement door.

"Until your sister's engagement celebrations are completely over. Until you learn your place in this family and in this pack!" She pushed me down the stairs. "Tomorrow I'll prepare stronger herbs. You must control that... that disgusting trait. I won't let you ruin Elaina's future!"

The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of multiple locks engaging. In the darkness, I felt the cold bite of silver chains that my mother kept specifically for punishing me. The metal burned against my skin worse than ever before.

Alone in the freezing basement, I curled into myself, processing everything that had happened—my first shift, Kate's appearance, and now confirmation that my mother had been suppressing my true nature for years.

"I'm still here," Kate's voice whispered in my mind. "You're not alone anymore."