She tiptoed carefully, each step slow as she made her way toward where Lucas would show up. The pack's big moonlit celebration was already happening. Folks from the pack laughed & danced around a big bonfire, their eyes darting up to the sky now & then, like they were waiting for something or someone special.
Lydia's breath hitched when she spotted him. There he was! Lucas stood tall and strong, looking super intense. His dark hair hung over his forehead in a messy way that only made him look more handsome. His gaze swept over everyone with such power, and Lydia felt a rush of excitement.
Gathering all her guts, Lydia walked up to Lucas, trying hard to push away the nerves swirling in her stomach. She had practiced her words a million times. But now? They just disappeared! "Alpha Lucas," she started, her voice shaky but determined, "I came here to talk to you."
Lucas's eyes turned toward her; a brief flicker crossed his face maybe annoyance? "What do you want?" he asked in a short tone. It felt colder than before. The warmth from the celebration seemed to vanish, leaving just this awkward silence hanging in the air.
Lydia's heart sank low in her chest but she stood tall and met his stare. "I know I'm not part of your pack yet," she said quickly, "But I've been getting ready! I want to show that I can help you all, that I can"
"Show yourself?" Lucas cut her off, raising his voice now. "You're not prepared. You're too green for this life." His eyes seemed so unyielding. "It's rough out here for someone like you."
The rejection hit Lydia hard; it felt like a punch right to her gut. She thought he might resist her or even test her, but not this coldness! Tears threatened as she blinked them away and spoke up louder. "I'm ready!" Her voice broke with feeling. "I've worked hard; I've learned so much-"
"No," said Lucas firmly with an icy look. "Nope! You need to leave right now!"
Lydia's vision blurred as she turned away from him, stepping unsteady on her own feet. The laughter and music faded into a distant sound as she walked off her heart heavy and full of sadness. She stumbled back into the shadows of the trees and tried really hard to pull herself together.
Once hidden from view, she leaned against a tree and gasped for air. That hurtful rejection stung sharp but under it was also this fierce fire inside her this determination! She couldn't let one setback beat her down. Lucas's words only made her want it more!
As she calmed down, something shiny caught her eye among the leaves at the tree's base a small locket peeking out of the dirt. Curiosity bubbled up inside her! She picked it up & started brushing off the grime on it. Wow! It was an ornate locket with a strange symbol that looked familiar but kind of hazy too.
When she opened it, Lydia found a really old photograph of a woman she didn't know at all and behind it lay a note that barely showed any writing: "The truth lies within the blood."
Her heart raced faster than ever as those words echoed in her mind over & over again there seemed to be so much hidden meaning there! Lydia had always sensed there was something deeper about where she came from it suddenly felt even stronger after what had just happened with Lucas.
Just when she turned to leave, a noise behind made her freeze in place! Her heart raced wildly as shadows shifted around her; for a second, it felt like unseen eyes were watching closely! Breath caught in her throat it hit her that maybe she wasn't alone out here in these woods.
A figure slowly emerged from the darkened corners; they were cloaked in shadow but had these glowing eyes shining faintly in the moonlight! As they moved closer,Lydia felt scared yet oddly excited!
"Looking for answers?" The soft voice sent chills racing down Lydia's spine it felt both soothing and eerie.
Before Lydia could say anything back the figure stepped into full view revealing someone whose face looked just like someone she'd seen only in dreams...just like that woman in the locket!