Leandros’s POV I felt empty, and devastated. I tried Lyra’s phone innumerable times, but she didn’t take my call. For the past three weeks, I had protected her with everything I had. Now, a momentary distraction had cost me my mate! What would I do? Where would I look for her?I followed her footprints when I heard Stavros calling me from his car. I paid no heed to him. It was because of his arrival here that I was distracted. Now the Flame Hounds have snatched my mate away from me. I had no time to listen to their lectures. The footprints faded on the road and I could see the fresh tyre marks of a car, which may have just pulled away. “Are you looking for someone?” I whirled around to find a cleaner of the site standing behind me. “Yes, the girl who was with me. Now she has disappeared. Have you seen her?” He shook his head, crushing my hopes totally. “No, but a car was here since morning and three men were keeping a watch on you. I overheard a green-eyed guy mention a place c
Leandros’s POV The sniper team gave me the exact location before leaving for the Tower Lakes region. I bought enough weapons and ammunition to survive the ordeal. I had to be ready for war.It was late afternoon when I reached the Echo Bay area. The sun was about to set when I landed at Sault Ste. Marie's heliport and took a cab towards my destination.The cab driver drove along Highway 638 until we came to Sylvan Valley. Beyond it was a secluded forested area we would have to cross to reach the Tower Lakes. At the north end of the lake was a trail that climbed up deep into the forested area, leading to their hideout, in an underground cave on a ridge covered with vegetation. That was the last update I received from the head of the sniper team, Greg Williams.“I’m sorry I can’t go further, sir. You need to travel the rest of the distance by foot.” I gaped at the cab driver, offering him more money, but he was adamant. There was no other option than to pay him and get out of the cab.
Leandros’s POV I followed Felixe as he opened the trap door and eased himself slowly down the flight of stairs that stretched inside. The steps were slippery and filled with slush, and rotting foliage, and one false step would have us hurtling down to the cave floor. The cave was deep, formed of layers of sedimentary and volcanic rocks. We followed the steps to the eroded floor of the cave, yet there were no signs of habitation. We detected no movement from within. Were we in the right place? We couldn’t communicate except through the mind link. ‘Are we at the right cave?’ Felixe asked through the mind link. ‘I’m seriously having doubts now.’ We stealthily moved ahead, keeping an eye all around us. We didn’t locate any surveillance cameras along the way. So was the enemy watching us approach them? It was difficult to ascertain what was going on. The tunnel opened up to a junction and branched out into three tunnels. We were in a dilemma, not knowing which route to follow. Carl
Leandros’s POV Carl involved more members of his team, and we trudged towards the site. On reaching there, I frantically looked for my mate. Finally, I detected her scent and rushed into the cave to see her crouched on the floor with an older female. The moment she saw me, she rose and ran towards me. “Leandros, I thought they would kill us. Please save uncle Felixe and uncle Derrick. They’re still trapped inside!” Tears streamed down her face and she looked too traumatized to speak. “We’ll check up on them, Lyra. You’re injured!” Her grandmother came forward, and I gasped at the sight of her wounds. They were more severe. These two needed immediate first aid! “I’m fine, Leandros. You don’t understand the situation. My uncles have only two hours to live. Alpha Athos has given him the ultimatum until sunrise. If he doesn’t join them and sign off all his wealth and business to them, they will kill him.” “Lead the way to your escape route,” said Zephyrus, drawing Lyra’s attention t
Leandros’s POV We reached the nearest hamlet in the Sylvan Valley and spoke to their alpha. It was a small cluster of shifters who owned some farmlands around and lived a peaceful life. It was they who had provided the Flame Hounds with their necessities during their stay in the forests beyond. Their Alpha, Dylan Stewart, opened a sprawling farmhouse for our stay. It was rustic but comfortable enough, with plenty of rooms to accommodate us. We thanked him and paid for his hospitality. He summoned his pack doctor to tend to Felixe, Derrick, Lyra, and Ebony. While Lyra and Ebony’s wounds were just superficial scrapes and cuts, Felixe and Derrick sustained deep gashes that needed dressing. Derrick needed stitching and had to be taken to the nearest hospital. He was dehydrated too and hadn’t gained consciousness yet. Felixe gained consciousness now and then, and Ebony looked after him.I gazed at my sweet little innocent mate, dying to talk to her. Ever since she arrived here, she ha
Lyra’s POV The cab sped down the streets of Yellowknife, leading us towards our destination. Where were we staying? A strange thrill coursed through my body at the prospect of spending a few days here with my mate. Life was a roller-coaster ride in Leandros’s company. There never was a dull moment. Ever since I met him, my entire life has turned upside down. “Are we going to a hotel?” He shook his head and asked the cab driver to pull up ahead in front of a huge residential complex with four luxurious towers.He paid the cab driver and led me out of the cab towards a tower. “Why are we here, Leandros?” I noticed the strange glances I was receiving. My clothes weren’t up to the mark since I had left all my good clothes in Hay River. Why did humans pay so much attention to clothes?“I have an apartment here. We’ll stay here for a few days. I’ll buy you anything you want from the mall nearby.” My heart skipped a beat with excitement. I loved shopping! “Can we head to Hay River on our
Leandros’s POV I couldn’t help the restlessness in my heart as I led her from shop to shop, buying her everything she might need. Her words echoed in my head all the time. What was she about to tell me? Why did she stop? I tried to get my mind off it but couldn’t. I had asked her four times already, but she just shrugged instead of admitting the truth. Why was she being so secretive? Was it the confession I was dying to hear? I wanted to be sure about her feelings before confessing my own. What if she didn’t love me? I would look like an old fool confessing his love to a teenager.At last, our shopping was over, and Lyra was on cloud nine.“I’ve never bought so many things in my life at one go. Thank you, Leandros.” I smiled as I followed her out with the shopping bags like a lost puppy. “Do you wish to change into one of these dresses?” She clasped her hands, excited at the idea. “Yes, please. Wait, I’ll choose.” I stood patiently while she chose a dress. It was a beautiful ivo
Lyra’s POV The song ended, and I gasped at the sight of Leandros giving me a standing ovation. It made my heart fill with satisfaction. I was sure he loved the song I composed and sang for him. If fashion design hadn’t been my passion, I would surely have taken up music as my career.Leandros came forward, and I smiled at him shyly. Had I confessed too much? Did he understand what he meant to me? Did he feel my love for him? He enveloped me in his warm embrace without a word! Even amidst the loud applause all around me, I could feel his heart thumping wildly in his chest. Was it because of me? “I’m touched, Lyra. I’m deeply touched. Thank you for the wonderful gift. Did you compose it?”“Yes,” I whispered breathlessly.His mouth brushed against my forehead and I wondered if he kissed me there. He released me and led me to our table. I couldn’t meet his probing gaze. It was a different thing to sing from a distance, but now, seated across from him, I felt conscious of myself. The