Chapter 21 Calyra Returned

Chapter 21 Calyra Returned
Chapter 21: Calyra Retuened

Her POV

I had been quietly sitting in my room, staring at the packed clothes scattered around me. A week had passed since Calyra returned, and in that time, I hadn’t thought of a single plan. I didn’t know where I could go, where I could hide, or even who I could trust. I only knew that I had to leave eventually—before I became a pawn in their games, before the Alpha decided my presence was useless.

I shook my head, trying to think, but the thoughts felt heavy, like stones in my chest. My hands moved automatically, folding clothes, stuffing them into my small bag. I had no destination in mind. Perhaps once an idea came to me, I would just leave, quietly, without anyone noticing.

The soft rustle of fabric barely reached my ears when the door suddenly swung open. My heart jumped violently in my chest. I looked up—and there she was. Calyra. The real Luna. Standing there with that wicked, sharp smile that made my stomach twist.

“So,” she said slowly, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “This girl… you are trying me?”

I froze. Tried? Me? My hands clutched the fabric of my bag tighter. “I… I’m just packing,” I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady. “I… I was… looking for a place to go.”

Calyra’s smile widened, almost cruel. “Where did you come from, exactly? Were you not wandering around before, before you became my substitute? And now… now you think you can just take my place?” Her eyes glittered dangerously. “Just leave. Be the substitute you were always meant to be.”

I wanted to explain, to beg her to understand. “Please… I didn’t want this. I… I just want to leave peacefully. Please… just let me…” My words were trembling, weak, barely audible.

Without warning, her hand came crashing against my cheek. The force made me stumble back, my body hitting the floor hard. Pain shot across my face, and tears welled up instantly, blurring my vision. I curled in on myself, crying silently, feeling small, weak, and completely powerless.

My sobs echoed in the empty room. I could feel my stomach twist and churn, the baby inside me kicking slightly as if sensing my fear. How had my life come to this? Alone, crying, beaten, and yet… still carrying life that I couldn’t even protect fully.

Then, a sound froze me mid-sob—a heavy, determined footstep. Not Calyra’s. Someone else. Someone powerful. Someone I couldn’t ignore. My heart jumped.

“Ronan…” I whispered under my breath, my body stiffening. The Alpha.

Calyra saw him too, and immediately she fell backward, collapsing onto the floor as if I had pushed her. Her dramatic act was perfect—too perfect—but it worked. She looked weak, hurt, helpless, just as she had always done in front of him when it suited her.

The next moment, the door slammed open. Ronan’s presence filled the room, commanding and dangerous. My chest tightened, my heart hammering faster than ever.

“Maltida!” His voice was low but urgent. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

I froze, unable to answer. I didn’t know what to say. My body was still trembling from the pain, from the fear, from the humiliation I had just endured.

Ronan’s sharp eyes immediately caught Calyra on the floor. He moved toward us in a few powerful strides, helping me to stand before he even addressed Calyra. His hands were firm and steady, and for a moment, I felt safe in his presence. Just a little.

Calyra quickly scrambled, her voice dripping with mock innocence. “I came to greet her,” she said, casting me a fleeting glance of venom. “I guess she was angry I am back. She pushed me—but I only acted weak because you are here.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but my voice failed me. What could I even say? Nothing mattered. Ronan’s presence alone made it clear that, no matter what Calyra said, he would protect me. The thought made me feel a strange mixture of relief, fear, and guilt all at once.

Ronan’s gaze shifted between us. His voice was cold, but controlled, sharp and commanding. “Calyra, go back to your room.”

The anger in her eyes was like fire, but she knew better than to argue. With a huff, she turned and stormed out, her hair swinging behind her, her head held high as if daring me to look at her. I didn’t dare. My legs felt weak, my arms trembling.

Once the door closed, I sank to the floor, tears flowing freely down my cheeks. I had wanted to leave. I had wanted to escape this house, this pack, this life. But now… now I realized that I was trapped in more ways than one. I was alone, yes—but I was not helpless. Not entirely. Because someone—Ronan—was still watching, still protecting me, still ensuring I wasn’t completely alone.

Ronan turned toward me. His eyes softened just slightly, a rare warmth that made my chest ache. “Are you hurt anywhere?” His voice was steady, but the concern underneath it was unmistakable.

I shook my head, still trembling. “No…” My voice was a whisper, weak, barely audible.

“If anything happens,” he said, his tone firm, yet gentle, “if you feel unwell, if anyone hurts you… you tell me immediately. Do you understand?”

I stared at him, shocked. He trusted me. Not just with his orders, not just with his presence—but he believed me. He believed I had done nothing wrong, despite the lies, the tricks, the manipulations of Calyra.

I couldn’t speak. My throat was tight. I only nodded slowly, still feeling the weight of the baby inside me, still feeling the fear of what the future might hold.

And yet, even with all the fear, all the pain, all the uncertainty, a small, fragile feeling began to grow inside me. Perhaps… just perhaps… I wasn’t completely alone.

For now. For this moment. Ronan’s presence, his protection, the unseen care he gave—even without knowing all of my thoughts, all of my fears—was enough to keep me from crumbling entirely.

I closed my eyes, letting my tears fall freely, letting myself breathe, letting myself feel a small flicker of hope in the darkness.