Not Allowed

Chapter 4 – Not Even Allowed to Breathe

Lyra’s POV

I should have stayed asleep.

Maybe in sleep, my heart wouldn’t hurt so much. Maybe I wouldn’t feel so small in a world that

never wanted me.

But the sound of angry voices woke me.

Loud. Sharp. Echoing across the stone hallway like thunder.

I sat up quickly, my heart pounding.

I didn’t know who was shouting, but I knew that voice didn’t belong to a maid or a guard. It was

older. Firmer. Full of power and rage.

Then another voice joined. A woman. Her words were colder than ice.

“In the mating ceremony, she accepted that girl? How dare she! That cursed

child!”

Cursed.

They were talking about me.I moved closer to the door, holding my breath. My heart beat so loudly, I thought they’d hear it

from outside.

“She’s filth,

” the old woman snapped.

Ronan!”

“You’re shaming your bloodline,

Ronan.

He was there too.

“I accepted her because she could be useful,

” Ronan said.

His voice was quiet. Calm. But sharp like a knife.

My hands shook.

Useful?

So that was it. That’s what I was to him.

Not a mate.

Not a girl.

Not a person.

Just… useful.

Tears filled my eyes, spilling onto my cheeks. I bit down on my sleeve to keep from making a

sound. My chest ached. My throat burned.

All this time, I told myself maybe — just maybe — he was starting to care.

But I was wrong.

Of course I was wrong.

Why would an Alpha like him want someone like me?

Why would anyone?

I curled up tighter on the bed, shaking.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps.

Many of them.Then a deep voice barked:

“Search the estate. If she’s not here, she ran.”

My stomach dropped.

They were looking for me.

The grandparents.

I moved to the edge of the bed and held the edge of the blanket tightly. Panic hit me like cold water.

They were going to find me.

And if they did…

I didn’t want to think about it.

“Start with the maids’ quarters!” the woman shouted. hiding in the dirt. ”

“If she’s here, she’s...

I heard running. Doors opening. Slamming. Shouting.

My breath grew faster.

“Check the prisoners’ cells!” the old man growled.

I was crying now. Shaking.

I wiped my face quickly and looked around the room.

They’ll check here next… I know they will.

I stood up and ran to the corner of the room where an old wardrobe stood. My hands fumbled

with the handle. I pulled the doors open and stepped inside, my heart thudding wildly.

It was dark. Dusty. I had to bend my knees to fit.

I pulled the door almost closed, just enough to let in air.

And I waited.

I could hear everything now. The heavy boots. The cold voices. The anger.

And Ronan… quietly following behind them.“This room?” the old man asked.

“What is this?”

My heart stopped.

My room.

They were at my room.

“It’s abandoned,” Ronan said.

“We don’t use it anymore.”

“You said the same about the west hall, and yet we found a trail there!” the

woman snapped.

“You’ve been hiding her, haven’t you?”

Ronan didn’t answer right away.

Then he said,

“There’s no one here.

”

Please… please let them believe him.

I closed my eyes tightly, whispering to myself.

Please just go.

But then, as I moved slightly to adjust my weight… my leg bumped the wooden panel.

A soft thud echoed.

Too loud.

Too real.

“What was that?” the old man shouted.

“Something moved,” the woman hissed.

“Open it!”

The wardrobe door swung open.

Blinding light. Cold air. Angry eyes.

The old man’s eyes landed on me like I was filth.

The woman stepped forward, her lips curled in disgust.

“There she is. The disgrace.”

The old woman moved closer, her voice sharp with disgust.

Into this bloodline? After all that was lost because of her kind?”

“You brought her into this house?Ronan didn’t say a word.

He didn’t even look at me.

He just stood there. Tall. Quiet. Cold.

Like he wasn’t sure whether to stop them or let them do what they wanted.

The woman raised her hand, her palm swinging toward my face.

I shut my eyes and flinched.

But nothing came.

A beat passed.

I opened my eyes — and saw Ronan’s hand wrapped around hers.

He didn’t say a word. Just held it there, stopping her without meeting her gaze.

She looked stunned. Furious. But she didn’t speak either.

Ronan slowly let go of her hand, as if warning her without words.

The silence between them was thick with tension.

“I see,” the old man finally said.

“You still remember the rules of respect. Good. But this… this girl does not belong here. And if she remains, we both know what will follow.”

The woman hissed under her breath.

“Mark my words, Ronan. You’re gambling with your entire No name. With the prophecy. With every drop of blood your father died to protect.”

Ronan said nothing.

He simply stepped aside, allowing them to leave the room.

And they did — without another glance at me.

But just as they reached the door, the woman turned and gave me one last look.

It was a look that burned through my skin.

“She will bring nothing but death,” she said, her voice like ice.

“You’ll remember we warned you.”

Then the door shut.

And silence fell.I was paralyzed.

Ronan didn't even look my way.

He rubbed his hand over his hair, then walked over to the window, staring out like I wasn't even there.

I attempted to speak.

To say anything — anything.

But my throat was dry.

My eyes filled with tears I didn't want him to see.

I opened my mouth… then closed it.

Because what was the point?

He didn't stop them for me.

He didn't speak up for me.

He didn't stand up for me because I was worth it.

He just did not want trouble.

I backed away against the wall, pressing myself into it, small and silent. Not sobbing too loudly.

Not panting too hard.

He finally turned halfway. His voice was distant.

"I am sorry I could not defend you more, my grandparents are not easy people to deal with… I am sorry"

That was all he said.

He then departed.

And I remained — cold, vacant, and trembling.

Not even allowed to be seen.

Not even allowed to breath