Chapter 26: Shattered TrustKaida’s fingers trailed over Lyraeus’ chest, her touch like fire against his skin. Lyraeus’ mind was foggy and he tried to push her away, but his limbs felt like lead. The potion she’d given him was too strong, rendering him almost helpless. Zephyr growled in his mind, a mix of fury and desperation. “Stop, Kaida,” he managed to whisper, his voice weak and slurred. “Shh, Lyraeus,” she whispered back, pressing her lips against his neck. “Just relax. I’m here now.”In the training ground, Aria felt a sudden wave of unease wash over her. Lila stirred, her anxiety palpable. “Something’s wrong,” Aria said aloud, her voice shaky. “Lyraeus is in danger.”Ryker looked at her, concern etched on his face. “Let’s go find him.”They hurried through the hallway, Aria’s heart pounding with fear and anticipation. As they approached Lyraeus’ quarters, she split off towards his office while Ryker headed for his bedroom. Ryker reached Lyraeus’ bedroom door and pushed it op
Chapter 27: ResolveAria stumbled, her legs weak, but Ryker’s firm grip kept her steady. She leaned on him, finding solace in his presence. For a moment, she allowed herself to rely on him, to let his strength be hers. As they moved away from the room, Lyraeus’ half-conscious eyes followed them. Zephyr’s desperate attempts to break free echoed in his mind, but his body refused to respond. The effect of the portion was still strong. Outside the room, she collapsed against Ryker, my sobs growing louder. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I’m here, Aria,” he murmured, his voice soothing. “I’m not going anywhere.”Ryker’s mind raced, torn between his duty to protect her and his desire to see me happy, even if it meant with someone else. But seeing her like this, knowing how much she was hurting, he couldn’t just stand by. “You deserve better,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You deserve someone who will always be there for you, who won’t hurt you like thi
Chapter 28: Solace Aria’s POV:I burst out into the night, the cool air hitting me like a slap. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I needed to get away from the accusations, the guilt, the unbearable weight of my past and present colliding. My feet pounded against the ground as I ran, the darkness swallowing me up, my thoughts a chaotic mess. Kaida’s words echoed in my mind, each one a dagger to my heart. Destroyer. Poison. I couldn’t outrun them, couldn’t escape the truth they carried. As I ran further into the dark, a sense of hopelessness wrapped around me, tight and suffocating. Where would I go? What would I do? The questions had no answers, only a yawning void of uncertainty and fear. In the depths of the night, with the shadows closing in around me, I felt more lost and alone than ever before.The path to the lake was familiar, each twist and turn a reminder of the countless times I’d sought solace there. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting an eerie g
Chapter 29: Fate InquiryAria’s POV:The rustling in the darkness grew louder, more insistent. I stood frozen by the lake, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from my chest. Fear clawed at my throat, making it difficult to breathe. Every shadow seemed to shift and move, every whisper of the wind sounded like a threat. “Who’s there?” I called out again, my voice trembling. There was no response, only the oppressive silence that seemed to press in around me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I felt an overwhelming sense of dread. The rustling grew louder, closed as if something— or someone—was moving through the trees, circling me. I backed away from the lake, my mind racing with fear. I could feel my wolf, Lila, stirring weakly within me, sharing in my terror but too drained to offer any real strength. “Please!” I cried out, my voice breaking. “Moon Goddess, if you’re listening, help me! I don’t want to die like this. I don’t want to die at all!”
Chapter 30: Ancient Prophecy Revealed. Aria’s POV: With a wave of her hand, the world around us shifted. The tranquil lake vanished, replaced by a scene of chaos and bloodshed. I found myself standing in the midst of a burning village, the screams of the dying filling the air. The smell of smoke and blood was overwhelming.“This is your pack,” the Moon Goddess said softly, her voice echoing in my ears. “Watch, and see what they have done.” I turned,my eyes wide with horror as I saw familiar faces–my pack members –engaged in ruthless slaughter. They moved with a cold, calculated precision, cutting down anyone who stood in their way. I watched as a young boy tried to protect his mother, only to be struck down without mercy.“No,” I whispered, my heart clenching in my chest. “This can’t be real.”The Moon Goddess remained silent, her expression unreadable. The scene shifted again and I found myself in a different village, one I didn't recognize. The air was thick with the stench of de
Chapter 31: Perilous EscapeAria’s POV: The night air was thick with the weight of the revelations, each step I took away from the lake felt heavier than the last. The Moon Goddess’s words echoed in my mind, intertwining with the haunting images of the past she had shown me. I felt a strange mix of resolve and despair, my heart torn between the truth and the pain of accepting it.As I walked, the forest around me seemed to close in, the shadows growing darker and more menacing. A rustling in the underbrush made me pause, my senses suddenly on high alert. I scanned the area, my eyes straining to see through the darkness. For a moment, everything was still, and then a sudden gust of wind brought with it a faint, acrid smell that made my stomach churn. Wolf’s bane.Panic surged through me, and I spun around, trying to pinpoint the source. The rustling grew louder, more insistent, and I realized too late that I was surrounded. Figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with
Chapter 32: DefianceLyraeus’ POV: As the last attacker fled into the darkness, I stood amidst the carnage, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My eyes tracked the movement of the feeling figure, a snarl curling my lips. The thought of Aria being in danger was what woke me out of my prolonged sleep. I had searched for her when I woke up but couldn’t find her, nor could I find Ryker. I had felt the need to rest my mind feeling that they might have gone out together but the lingering feeling of her being in danger called me out to the woods. I knew who would have the audacity to attack Aria, who would be ruthless enough to use wolf’s bane. My suspicions pointed to one person, but now was not the time to hunt down the perpetrator. Now, I needed to tend to Aria.I turned back to her, my fierce softening as I knelt beside her still form. Blood trickled from the wounds on her side, and her breathing was shallow, each breath a painful rasp. I carefully gathered her into my arms, my touch ge
Chapter 33: Dark SidesLyraeus’ POV:The night was eerily silent, the tension between Aria and I almost palpable in the dense forest air. The moonlight barely penetrated the canopy, casting long shadows that danced around us as we stood in a standoff, words cutting deeper than any weapon could. My heart pounded in my chest, my mind reeling from Aria’s words.``You hate me so much and I can feel it in my bones… why don’t we just cut off this mate bond between us, Mr Lycan. Reject me!” Her demand echoed in my ears, a command that struck at the very core of my being.“Reject you?” I repeated, my voice shaking with a mix of disbelief and rising anger. “You think that’s what I want?”Aria stepped closer, her eyes burning with defiance. “It’s clear you don’t want me. “You think I’m weak, a burden. You don’t care about me–you’re just trapped by this bond.”I felt my control slipping. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “You don’t understand anything, Aria. I care about you m