Eryon’s hands trembled as he clenched them into fists, his wolf instincts bubbling dangerously close to the surface. His breath came in short, uneven bursts as he turned away from Lyra, staring into the depths of the forest.
The moonlight illuminated his sharp features, highlighting the tension etched into every line of his face.
“I don’t care who I have to kill,” he growled, his voice low and guttural. “The King, Adrian, anyone who stands in my way—they’ll all pay.”
Lyra stepped forward, her movements slow but purposeful. She reached out, her voice steady and filled with determination. “We’ll take her back, Eryon,” she said. “I’ll fight beside you.”
He turned to her sharply, his amber eyes flashing with anger and concern. “No,” he said firmly, his voice hard. “You’re carrying your own pup, Lyra. I won’t let you risk losing it for this.”
Her jaw tightened, her silver eyes narrowing as she met his gaze.
“This isn’t just your fight,” she said. “She’s family. Misery’s child is my niece.”
Eryon shook his head, his expression softening just enough to reveal the pain beneath his anger.
“And that’s exactly why you can’t risk yourself,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Your child needs you. Cassian needs you. I won’t let you put them through the same loss I’ve felt.”
Lyra opened her mouth to argue, but the resolve in his eyes stopped her. There was no changing his mind—not when it came to protecting those he cared about.
“This is my fight,” Eryon said, his tone final. His claws flexed at his sides, the sharp edges glinting in the moonlight. “And I won’t stop until she’s back where she belongs. Misery gave everything for that child, and I won’t let her sacrifice be in vain.”
Lyra swallowed hard, her heart aching for her brother.
“You’re not alone, Eryon,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “Whatever happens, we’ll find a way to bring her home.”
Eryon’s gaze softened, the fire in his eyes dimming just enough to reveal the gratitude buried beneath his pain.
“I know,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But this is something I have to do. For her.”
***
Lyra paced her quarters, her silver eyes darting toward the door every few minutes. The presence of guards just outside was a constant reminder of Cassian’s suffocating grip.
Their heavy boots echoed faintly as they shifted positions, their movements deliberate and unwavering. It wasn’t fear that kept her confined—it was Cassian’s unrelenting insistence.
“It’s for your safety,” he’d said earlier that day, his tone final. “And the baby’s.”
Lyra clenched her fists, her frustration boiling beneath the surface. She wasn’t used to this—being treated like a fragile ornament that might shatter with the slightest strain.
She’d fought battles, survived the unthinkable, and clawed her way through countless dangers. And yet, now, Cassian seemed determined to clip her wings.
When he entered her quarters that evening, his presence as commanding as ever, she turned to face him, her frustration spilling over.
“Enough, Cassian,” she said sharply. “I’m not a prisoner, and I’m not helpless. You’re treating me like I’m made of glass.”
Cassian’s golden eyes softened, but his jaw tightened.
“You’re not helpless,” he said evenly. “You’re the strongest person I know. But you’re carrying our heir, Lyra. My heir. And I won’t take any risks with either of you.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “I’ve survived worse than this,” she retorted. “You know that better than anyone.”
“I do,” Cassian admitted, his voice quieter now. He stepped closer, his large hands resting on her shoulders. “But you’ve already sacrificed so much. Let me take care of you for once.”
Lyra’s chest tightened at the sincerity in his voice, but her frustration refused to subside.
“Taking care of me doesn’t mean caging me,” she said, her tone softer but no less resolute. “I need to feel like myself, Cassian. Not just the mother of your child.”
“You’re more than that,” he said quickly, his gaze locking onto hers. “You’re everything, Lyra. That’s why I can’t lose you.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Lyra looked away, her emotions a tangled mess. She didn’t know how to respond to the depth of his concern without giving up a part of herself. Instead, she stepped back, putting space between them.
“I need air,” she said, brushing past him toward the door.
The guards outside stiffened as she stepped into the night, their eyes flicking toward Cassian for approval. He gave a sharp nod, and they fell into step behind her. Lyra sighed heavily, her frustration mounting as she walked into the moonlit clearing, Cassian’s overprotectiveness trailing her like a shadow.