ible. His smug smile was infuriatingly perfect, the kind of smile that said he had everything under control, even when he didn't. His eyes narrowed with malicious amusement a

feel the weight of their indifference pressing down on her, but she had long since grown used to it. To them, she wasn't even a person. She was a tool,

y presence irritated him. His lips curled into a sneer, and Lyra braced herself. She didn't need to wonder what kind of stun

a mixture of mockery and disbelief, and the pack members around him erupted in laughter, egging him on. It

them see how badly they were breaking her. She had promised herself, long ago, that she would never give them the satisfac

s long as she could remember. Where Kael was the tormentor, Marissa was the instigator. She loved to watch Lyra squirm,

d against Kael's side, her sharp nails curling possessively around his arm. Her eyes flickered to Lyra as t

yra's nerves like nails on a chalkboard. "Probably not," he said w

better than to react. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, her heart hammering in her ch

l glint in Kael's eyes made her blood run cold. Without a word, he grabbed the bucket and swung it toward her. The cold water hit her with the force of a slap, spla

was a dull roar in her ears, drowning out everything else. The laughter was aimed at her, and it wasn't just mocking-it was cruel. They

hem were outright enjoying the spectacle, their eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. Others looked away, pretending they hadn't seen anything. It was

gh-pitched cackle that grated on Lyra's ner

ck in his seat, his grin wide and full of satisfaction.

to. She had learned long ago that showing weakness only gave them more power over her. And th

t even sure why she bothered to hold her head up anymore. There was nothing left to prove. But still, s

llowed her. She heard Kael's voice behind her, his w

e dripping with contempt. "Run off to your l

n, but this time, Lyra didn't fli

a way to break free of the pack's suffocating grip. No matter what it took

she could feel the weight of their eyes on her. She knew what

he didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She knew that voice. And j

el's voice growled, low and dangerous. "No