The Imprinted Maiden (18+)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Breakfast was tasteless for me. Matthew did what he could to make me smile, and he didn't exactly fail, but there was a dark cloud hanging over me.

The brothers were supposed to be sentenced today, and it pained me. I wasn't allowed to be there to support them since the council felt if the boys were to lose, which was likely, I didn't need to hear it. Nate had expressed to me that I should leave before they announce the sentencing, but I refused to leave until I knew.

Nick and Matthew supported my decision since they were worried about the boys just as I was. I spent about an hour pacing before Matthew finally tried to convince me to sit. "Stressing too hard won't help you Lyra," he said, pulling me into a hug. "We just have to be patient, alright? The brothers said someone was coming to help, so all we can do is wait and pray."

I pressed up against my brother, hiding my face in his shoulder. "I can't lose them, Matt. We've gone through so much."

"I know," he replied softly, rubbing my back gently. "We just have to be patient okay?"

I nodded, holding him tighter than before. Aside from Matt, Nick was in the living room with us, sitting on a couch that was closest to the largest living room window as he stared outside. He had a tired look on his face, one that was soon replaced with surprise.

Unable to help myself, I asked, "Hey, is everything alright?"

Nick stood and scraped his fingers through his curly black hair. "Yeah, I think. There are some newcomers though, and they don't look friendly."

Curious, I approached the window and looked outside. The pack's guards were standing in front of four individuals; all men. "I wonder why..." My words left me when I looked closer. "Wait, I think I know them!" Before anyone could react, I grabbed my coat and ran to slip my shoes on.

"Lyra, hold on!" I could hear my brother and Nick following me but I didn't slow down for them. I barely had my coat or boots on correctly as I slipped and ran down the snowy steps.

I was breathless when I reached the bottom but I didn't stop running, calling out to him when I got close enough. "Justin!"

The familiar pale-faced werewolf turned to me, allowing me to enwrap him in a hug. I didn't know what he was doing here, but I was overjoyed to see a familiar face. He wrapped his arms around me tightly and whispered, "Hey, human."

I giggled and loosened up my grip to look up at him. "You're here? How? And why?"

"I'll explain in a minute," he assured me, stiffening before holding me to him. Confused, I turned my head to see Nate approaching us. I noticed Matthew and Nick standing at the stairs, stopping once catching sight of the chief.

"Who are you?" he demanded, already sizing Justin up as he stopped a few feet before us. He then glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. "Lyra?"

"He's a friend," I assured Nate, wiggling my way out of Justin's grip before glancing at the other three members. I then brightened and said, "They all are. Jean, you came!" The werewolf in mention simply nodded his head, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face for a moment.

The other two were faces I hadn't seen in a long time, but before I could say their names, Nate did it for me. The alpha approached the two and said, "Kai...and Bruce." He placed his hands on their shoulders, gripping them as he smiled. "It's been a long time."

Kai glanced at me but it was Bruce who spoke up. "It's nice to see you again, Little Sister," he said with a bright smile, bowing at me.

I blushed and giggled, curtsying as I said, "Likewise Bruce. But why are you here?"