Chapter 76: Blood Ties

Lyra's POV

The ancient prophecy's words echo in my mind, a relentless drumbeat drowning out all other thoughts. I pace the length of Xander's study, unable to shake the feeling that we're hurtling towards a destiny we can't escape.

"The Alpha of alphas, whose choice will determine the fate of all," I mutter, casting a glance at Xander. He sits rigid behind his desk, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on some distant point.

"We don't know that's about me," he says, his voice tight with barely contained frustration. "This whole prophecy could be a manipulation, another of the Puppet Master's tricks."

I whirl to face him, exasperation bubbling up. "And what if it isn't? What if this is real, Xander? We can't just ignore it!"

He slams his fist on the desk, the sound reverberating through the room. "Damn it, Lyra! I won't let some ancient words dictate our lives. We make our own choices, our own fate."

The tension between us crackles like lightning, the ma