Chapter 038: Loyalty Test

 Ava's POV

Though the evening was still, I couldn't get rid of the impression that something was developing—something buried in the quiet. The pack had discovered an unusual calm in the days following our encounter with the remnants of the Raven, but I felt uncomfortable, as though waiting for the other shoe to fall.

Jackson had sensed it too, but none of us had discussed it very much. An underlying tension persisted even as we were trying to soothe the pack and lead them through this phase of rebuilding.

But tonight that quiet was disturbed.

While patrolling close to the packhouse, I came upon Lyra slinking through the woods, her visage darkened by the low light. She hadn't spotted me, but her motions were deliberate, slow, as though she wanted no one to follow her. I decided to follow when a sting of mistrust passed through me.

Keeping small feet, I followed her over the deep woodland, anxiety and curiosity twisting in my gut. Every so often she stopped, peering over her shoulder, then carried on into the forest. As we left the pack's central territory, the air grew colder and my instincts heightened, wondering just what she could be doing late, alone.

Lyra halted finally, looking about as though she were waiting for something—or someone. My pulse accelerated when a low voice too soft to discern reached my ears. I paused when yet another person emerged from behind the trees.

One of the Raven's former adherents, I knew from the group we had captured, but he had somehow escaped the wary eye of the warriors. His expression stern, Lyra and he spoke softly.

Approaching closely, I strained to hear their talk without making a sound.

Lyra was saying, her voice tight, "We're supposed to keep low, not draw attention."

The man snorted, a sour laugh breaking out. You believe that hiding is the solution? We must let them know they have not won. From us, Lyra, they took everything. Do you not wish for retribution?

Lyra stopped and my heart dropped. She had seemed dedicated to restoring pack confidence and to leaving the Raven's impact behind. But now uncertainty darkened her features, her allegiance wavers in the face of this residual wrath.

She shook her head, but I could see the struggle in her eyes. "Revenge will just drive us apart. Enough loss has already been done.

The man laughed incredulously. "You're starting to fit among them, terrified to defend yourself."

Lyra answered, "I'm not afraid," her voice stiffening. "I simply don't want to destroy the one family I have left."

Her words gave me a flutter of optimism, but the man's expression twisted with scorn. "Then you're less strong than I had assumed. But you will not stop me.

He did one quick turn and slid back into the darkness. Lyra stayed, the weight of the exchange slumping her shoulders. I knew this was the time to be visible; she stood alone, lost in thought.

I moved forward to be sure she noticed me approaching. Her eyes went wide with astonishment, remorse blazing across her face.

"Ava," she said, her voice shaking. "You... were you following me?"

I nodded, maintaining a steady voice. I became concerned. And today I see I had cause to be.

Lyra sunk in her shoulders, her face a mix of guilt and defiance. "I wasn't..." I wanted no one to be betrayed. He is just enraged. The Raven caused him so much loss; he is not sure how to let it go.

I inhaled deeply, and felt her words weigh me. And then what about Lyra? Have you released yourself?

She looked at me, honest yet disturbed. "I'm working on it. Still, it's challenging. Everything the Raven imparted to us Even if you know it was incorrect, it is difficult to just delete all.

I nodded, seeing. Lyra, none expects you to delete it. If you are really with us, though, you have to decide whether to stay living under her shadow or onward.

Lyra's face softened, her eyes weighed with her own uncertainties. She turned away and peered into the darkening woods. “I want to believe in the pack again, Ava. But a part of me… a part of me feels like I don’t belong.”

I placed a hand on her shoulder, delivering a reassuring squeeze. You do belong, Lyra. Still, it's up to you to allow yourself to once more join this family. You are not alone.

Her posture eased as she seemed to digest my comments. She turned to face me, a flash of will in her eyes. "Then I'll act anyway it takes." I am not ready to keep on battling. I want to go back home.

Though I knew her road was far from done, I felt relieved. But when I saw her decision and her readiness to let go, I became quietly hopeful.

"We will tackle this together, Lyra," I said. " ONE step at a time."

Lyra joined us in the main hall the next day; her appearance drew conflicting responses. While some fighters watched her carefully, their trust still not totally restored, others greeted her with wary acceptance. After Jackson and I briefed the council on what had happened, they realized how crucial it was to let Lyra prove herself.

Jackson spoke calmly but forcefully from the front to the assembled pack. "We have surmounted many challenges, and every time we have come out stronger. Although the Raven's influence almost split us, it's time to put that behind us once and for all.

He looked at Lyra, a quiet motivator in his eyes, and she moved forward with a firm voice. "I appreciate those of you doubting me. But I'm here because I want to rebuild and win your confidence. I am finished with the shadows.

A murmur rippled through the assembly, and I could feel the tension starting to relax to be replaced by a wary acceptance. The troop was prepared to go ahead, to bid the gloom behind farewell.

But a tremendous smash came from outside as the relief started to settle, and then there were frenzied yells. Jackson's body stiffened with anticipation, his face hardened and he beckoned the warriors to move.

As we hurried to the courtyard, where a tiny gathering of strange people stood with weapons drawn and their faces contorted with anger, my heart raced. Among them was the man I had seen with Lyra the evening before, his sneer more evident as he noticed her among the audience.

"You could just move on, thought you could?" He teased, his voice full of poison. "You are just followers hiding behind hollow pledges."

Jackson moved forward, his posture exact. Our family is bound by loyalty and trust. You are the ones living in the past if you wish to carry on the fight of the Raven.

The man's face stiffened, then he raised his weapon and fixed Lyra. And you, traitor: you went away from us. There will be expenses for that.

He surged at her, anger burning in his eyes before I could respond. Lyra's face went white, but she didn't flinch; her posture was firm as she met his eye.

The pack shot forward in that instant, encircling the invaders with an unbreakable force derived from oneness. Together, Jackson and I intercepted the man before he could reach Lyra, our combined weight pushing him back.

Though brief, the battle was fierce; the intruders realized they were outnumbered right away. They turned themselves one by one, their faces changing from resistance to defeat. We guided them back toward the boundary of the territory, making sure they realized they belonged nowhere here. The conflict sapped them.

Lyra came up to me as we got back to the packhouse; her face was white but her eyes were focused. " Thank you, Ava. I doubt I could have confronted him by myself.

I grinned, pride swarming in my chest. "You were not obliged of course Lyra, we are here with you Usually.

She nodded, with a subdued will in her eyes, and I knew she had chosen. Lyra was at last free as the power of the Raven lost its grip.

A sense of tranquility descended upon us as the pack assembled once more; the residual shadows vanished under the illumination of our unity. Bound by trust and resiliency, we had emerged from the storm stronger.

And as I watched our pack gather by Jackson's side, I knew silently that this, our family, was indelible.