Chapter 44
“Our pack is under attack,” his voice echoes through the mind-link. “Who dares come to my territory?” My mind is in a frenzy as I hold Lyra tightly to me, feeling a mix of protectiveness and anger.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
In a swift motion, I storm toward Tristan. “How dare you!” I shout, shock and fear evident on his face.
“How dare you attack my pack,” I continue. “You didn’t bring Lyra to me when I called you two days ago. And now you choose to attack my pack?” My anger burns hot.
He looks at me with fear evident in his eyes, stammering, “I didn’t do anything.” I lock eyes with him, trying to decipher if he’s telling the truth or not.
But he had no hand in the attack. I grip my hair in anger, frustration boiling over.
“Let’s go!” I roar to my men, my hand finding its place on Lyra’s lower back. As I touch her, I sense a spark-a feeling I’ve missed deeply. These sparks bring emotions I wasn’t ready to acknowledge.
Lyra abruptly stops, and I feel a surge of concern. “What’s happening?” I ask urgently. “I can’t leave her alone here.”
I look at her with a questioning expression. “Who?”
“Cara,” she responds.
I immediately order one of my men to fetch Cara. Tristan dares not refuse my order.
He steps out and returns with a petite red-haired lady. Her face looks familiar, but I can’t quite place it.
Her face lights up with joy as she engulfs Lyra in a hug, muttering “thank you, thank you” repeatedly.
“Who is she to her?” I wonder aloud. She shyly greets me, and I respond with a nod of acknowledgment.
I ask Zach through the mind-link, “How is the situation at the pack?”
“Under control,” he responds promptly. “Most of the rogues are dead, but we were able to capture one alive. Some of the wounded wolves from our pack are being attended to by the pack doctor.”
“We need to find the mole in our pack,” I declare, “This is becoming alarming. First, it was Lyra, and now a rogue attack when they know I and some of my men are out of the pack. Someone is giving out information.”
I look at Lyra, noticing she’s lost in thought. I pull her closer to me, hugging her tightly. Sparks erupt as I sniff her, and it seems to calm me.
Right on time, we arrive at my pack, and I rush out with Lyra by my side. I’m not ready to let her leave my sight again. I’m ready to give us a shot. The thought makes Dolph purr in my head; he seems to have a great relationship with Lyra’s wolf.
Annie’s deadly glare pierces through me as she sees Lyra beside me. She doesn’t know she’s my mate, and I can anticipate her shock when the revelation hits her.
Seeing Annie again fills me with regret, and dread washes over me as memories of our time together flood back. How could I have let go of my self-worth during my weak period? I should have held firm for Lyra.
Lyra, noticing Annie’s presence, swiftly moves away from me, taking Cara’s hand and walking to her room. I can see emotions crossing her eyes.
“God damn it,” I mutter under my breath. “She knows. She sensed it when Annie and I were intimate. This is not good.” Just when I thought I should give us a chance, I dared to soil it with just one mistake.
“Will she ever forgive me?” I wonder silently, my heart heavy with uncertainty.
Then I call her Lyra, she stops, bowing her head in respect, and responds, “Yes, Alpha.”
I’m stunned. She called me by my name, so why the formality?
“Alpha, I’m so grateful for saving me,” she continues. “I can’t begin to express how happy I am for bringing Cara with me and helping me escape that hell hole.”
Despite everything, she still shows me respect and gratitude. But deep down, I know I have a long way to go to earn back her trust and forgiveness.
I’m speechless at her sudden change in attitude. I don’t blame her; seeing Annie again must have dredged up painful memories of our time together.
Moving closer to her, I instinctively reach out to hold her, but she flinches under my touch. I quickly retract my hand, clenching my jaw in frustration.
I mind-link Julie to let her know that Lyra is back, and I can feel her happiness radiating through the link. Julie had pleaded and cried non-stop when Lyra was away.
Julie rushes down to meet us, and when she sees Lyra, she engulfs her in a bone-crushing hug. “Oh Lyra, it’s so good to see you,” she exclaims, turning her around in a joyful embrace.
As Julie takes in Lyra’s appearance, tears stream down her eyes, and she draws Lyra closer into a tight embrace. Lyra reciprocates the hug.
Meanwhile, Cara stands awkwardly nearby, unsure of how to blend in with everyone around her. Sensing her discomfort, Lyra takes Cara’s hand and introduces her to Julie. I’m relieved to see Lyra taking charge and ensuring Cara feels welcomed and included.
Just then, Zach rushes down, his gaze locking onto Cara. His breath hitches in his throat, and he looks at her as if she means the world to him. At that moment, it’s clear that no one else matters to Zach except her.
Zach’s voice breaks the silence. “Mate,” he says softly, his eyes filled with awe as he moves closer to Cara. She reciprocates, drawn to him as well.
He gently holds her cheek, asking for permission with a silent glance. Cara nods, and they share a blissful kiss, lost in the moment.
As I observe them, I can sense Lyra’s erratic heartbeat and see longing in her eyes. I wish I could understand what’s going on in her head, but she shakes her head and looks away from me, her gaze landing on Julie. I feel a pang of disappointment as she avoids my gaze.
“Zach,” I call out to him through the mind link, wanting to discuss the situation privately.
Zach breaks away from kissing Cara and looks at me, a broad smile spreading across his face. He whispers something in Cara’s ear before stepping back.
As they separate, we all disperse. Julie, Lyra, and Cara walk to Lyra’s room, leaving Zach and me alone for a moment.
Annie approaches me, extending her arms for a hug, but I give her a cold glare, causing her to step back.
“My Alpha, good to know you are back with your mate,” she says, shaking my hand. But she adds the word “mate” only for my ear to hear.
“I fucking met my mate! I’m happy!” Zach exclaims, pumping his fist in the air. I just roll my eyes at his enthusiasm.
“I’m happy for him,” I think to myself, knowing that Chloe rejected Zach to be with Tristan.
“Lover man, we need to be somewhere,” Zach reminds me, breaking me out of my thoughts. We make our way to the dungeon, ready to address the pressing matters at hand.