Where we started

Lyra barely had time to breathe after the meeting ended before a familiar voice cut through the packhouse halls.

"Well, if it isn't the prodigal daughter."

Her stomach clenched as she turned to see Selene, Atlas's younger sister, leaning casually against the doorframe. Selene hadn't changed much, still sharp-tongued and unapologetically bold. Her golden hair framed a smirk that Lyra wanted to slap off her face.

"Selene.." Lyra said, keeping her tone neutral.

Selene tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Five years, huh? Thought you'd sworn us off for good. What happened? Did the rogues get tired of you?"

Kade stepped forward, but Lyra held up a hand, stopping him. "Relax." she said, her voice icy. "Selene's just upset because no one warned her I'd be back. I get it, it's hard for her to process change."

Selene's smirk faltered for a split second, but she recovered quickly. "Oh, don't worry. I've processed it just fine. I just find it amusing that you think you can waltz back in here and act like you belong."

"I don't need to belong." Lyra shot back. "I'm here to fix your pack's mess. Whether you like it or not."

Selene opened her mouth to retort, but a low growl interrupted her. Both women turned to see Atlas standing in the hallway, his blue eyes dark with warning.

"That's enough!" he said firmly.

Selene huffed but didn't argue. She cast Lyra one last glare before stalking off, her heels clicking against the wooden floor.

Atlas's gaze shifted to Lyra. "You okay?"

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be? I've dealt with far more worse."

Atlas studied her for a moment before nodding. "Good. Then let's get to work."

The first day of planning was… rocky, to say the least.

Lyra, Atlas, and a small group of council members gathered in the war room, where maps and documents cluttered a massive oak table. Lyra took charge immediately, outlining strategies and pointing out weaknesses in the pack's defenses.

Atlas, however, seemed determined to challenge her at every turn.

"That won't work." He sighed as he leaned against the table.

Lyra huffed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Care to elaborate, or are you just here to disagree with me?"

Atlas's jaw tightened. "The rival pack knows this terrain as well as we do. If we push through the eastern border, they'll see us coming a mile away."

"Then we create a diversion." Lyra countered. "Hit them on the west side while they're distracted. It's basic strategy."

"Basic doesn't mean effective." Atlas snapped.

Kade, who had been quietly observing from the corner, cleared his throat. "You two sure you're focusing on the enemy? Because it sounds like you're just trying to one-up each other."

Lyra shot him a glare, but Atlas let out a grudging sigh. "Fine. Let's hear the rest of your plan."

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Later that night, Lyra found herself alone in the packhouse library. The room was quiet, save for the crackling fire in the hearth. She sat at a desk, poring over old records that detailed the rival pack's movements.

But her concentration faltered as memories crept in. This library had once been her sanctuary, a place where she and Atlas would escape the pressures of their roles. She could still picture him sitting across from her, his nose buried in a book while she doodled maps in the margins of her notes.

Her fingers brushed against the worn wood of the desk, and for a moment, she let herself remember. The sound of his laughter, the way his eyes would light up when he talked about their future…

Stop it.

She shook her head, forcing the memories away. She couldn't afford to dwell on the past. Not when the present demanded her full attention.

ATLA'S SIDE:

Meanwhile, Atlas paced in his quarters, his thoughts a tangled mess. Seeing Lyra again had stirred emotions he thought he'd buried long ago.

He remembered the night she left, the way she'd stormed out of the packhouse, her pink hair glowing under the moonlight. He'd wanted to stop her, to explain that his rejection had nothing to do with her worth and everything to do with his fear of failure. But he hadn't.

Now, she was back, stronger and sharper than ever, and he couldn't ignore the pull he still felt toward her.

Focus, he told himself. They had a mission to complete, and personal feelings had no place in it.

But as much as he tried to convince himself, Atlas couldn't shake the feeling that their story wasn't over.

FLASHBACK: 5 years ago

Fifteen-year-old Lyra sprinted through the woods, her laughter ringing out like music. Atlas chased after her, his legs longer but his steps deliberately slower to give her a chance.

"You're going to have to try harder than that!" she called over her shoulder.

Atlas grinned. "Oh, don't worry I will!"

He lunged, catching her around the waist and spinning her in a circle. Lyra squealed, smacking his shoulder playfully.

"Cheater!" she accused, breathless.

"All's fair in love and war." Atlas teased, setting her down gently.

They stood there for a moment, their laughter fading into comfortable silence. The moonlight bathed them in silver, and Lyra felt her heart race as Atlas looked at her with an intensity that made her stomach flip.

"Lyra.." he began, his voice soft.

She tilted her head, waiting.

"I--" He hesitated, his cheeks turning red.

Before he could finish, a howl echoed in the distance, breaking the moment. Lyra stepped back, her cheeks just as flushed.

"We should get back." she said quickly.

Atlas nodded, but the look in his eyes lingered.

BACK IN THE PRESENT YEAR:

Lyra closed the file she'd been reading and leaned back in her chair with a sigh. She couldn't let herself get distracted. Not by the past, not by Atlas.

But as the firelight danced across the room, she couldn't help but wonder if some bonds were meant to be broken… or reforged.