Chapter 158 Neon Moon

Chapter 158 Guardians of Broken Glass
Gabriel POV

I tightened my grip around Lyra's hand as we walked to the medical center, studying her face with growing concern.

"You're still pale. Taking that negative energy from Eliza was reckless."

She didn't deny it, but the stubborn set of her jaw told me she had no regrets. "She needed rest," Lyra said simply.

Frustration and remorse washed through me in equal measure. "You shouldn't have done something like that."

"Something like what? Helping someone who's suffering?" she challenged, though her voice lacked its usual fire. I could see the effort it took for her to stand upright, the negative energy clearly still churning inside her.

Before I could respond, Callum stepped forward, practically vibrating with impatience. Whatever scent he'd caught on Lyra had triggered something profound in him.

"Can we please go in now?" he asked.

I nodded reluctantly, positioning myself between him and Lyra as we entered the hospital wing. My wolf was on high alert, watching Callum's every movement.

As we approached Eliza's room, Olivia hurried to her feet, surprise and confusion flashing across her face at our arrival.

"Alpha, Luna," she greeted us.

"Jensen is on patrol?" I asked aloud, already knowing the answer but wanting to confirm.

Olivia nodded.

I sent another message through the pack link: "Tell Jensen to come to the medical center immediately. We may need him."

"This is Callum," I said, gesturing to our companion. "He's the Alpha of the Frost Crown Pack."

"What's her name?" Callum asked, his eyes never leaving Eliza's sleeping form.

"Eliza," Olivia replied cautiously. "Eliza Carter. May I ask why you're here, Alpha Callum?"

I kept my posture rigid. "That's what we'd all like to know."

Callum took another step toward the bed. "What happened to her?"

"She was attacked," I explained, preparing to block him if he made any sudden movements. "By someone who claimed to be her mate."

Callum's head snapped up, his brow furrowing. "A mate bond? She has a mate?"

"No," Lyra interjected, and I could sense her drawing a parallel to her own situation. "Not her mate. Someone who tried to use a mate bond to hurt her."

I found Lyra's hand again, squeezing gently. I understood exactly what she was thinking about: Dominic's abuse of their mate bond. My thumb traced small circles against her palm, silently acknowledging our shared understanding. I noticed some color returning to her cheeks, the negative energy she'd absorbed beginning to dissipate under my touch.

Callum's scent changed abruptly, anger rolling off him in waves. "Who hurt her?" he demanded.

The sudden surge of Alpha power in the room disturbed the air, and Eliza stirred in her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, disoriented at first, then widening in terror as they landed on Callum.

Her scream pierced the air, high and terrified.

Lyra reacted instantly, pushing past Callum to reach her side. "Eliza, it's okay," she soothed, placing her hands on the girl's shoulders. "You're safe. You're in the medical center."

Callum stepped forward, his face a mask of distress. "Who hurt her?" he demanded again, louder this time. "Take me to that man!"

"You can't go to him," I said, my voice hardening. "Your cousin's pack member is dead for what he did. He hurt his mate."

Callum's eyes blazed with fury. "My cousin? Dominic's pack did this?"

I stepped closer to him, using my height to my advantage. "What exactly are your intentions here, Callum? Why this sudden interest in Eliza? Are you working with Dominic?"

The door burst open, and Jensen rushed in. "What's happening? I heard—" He stopped short, taking in the scene before him. His gaze landed on Callum, standing too close to his sister's bed.

Callum looked from Jensen to the me, then back to the still-trembling Eliza.

"She's my mate," he said simply.

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

"Who the hell is claiming my sister as his mate now?" Jensen snarled, stepping forward aggressively.

Callum's Alpha presence filling the room. "And who are you to speak to me that way?"

"This is Jensen," I intervened. "Eliza's brother. If she truly is your mate, Callum, then perhaps you should focus on comforting her rather than challenging her family."

"Gabriel," Lyra suddenly called out.

I turned to see Lyra's pleading eyes and immediately understood her intention. Before I could voice any objections, she had already reached for Eliza's hand, drawing out more of the girl's negative energy. Before long, Eliza's breathing steadied, but Lyra's face grew alarmingly pale.

I moved quickly to her side, wrapping my arm around her waist and guiding her to a chair. Callum noticed, his eyes narrowing as he observed Lyra's condition.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked me, though his gaze kept returning to Eliza, who had calmed considerably.

"Nothing that concerns you," I replied tersely, my attention focused entirely on Lyra. "You need to stop doing this," I whispered. "You're going to hurt yourself."

Callum hesitated, then turned to Olivia. "May I... may I see her? Properly, I mean."

Olivia looked uncertainly between Lyra and me, seeking guidance. Lyra's eyes met mine, and I could read her thoughts as clearly as if she'd spoken them aloud: she deserves a second chance at happiness, just like you gave me.

I nodded to Olivia, who stepped aside with visible hesitation.

Callum approached the bed slowly, his movements deliberately gentle. "Eliza," he said softly. "I'm your mate."

Eliza looked up at him, confusion evident in her reddened eyes. "My mate? But I thought..."

"I know you're scared," Callum continued, his voice gentler than I'd heard it before. "But I promise you, no one will ever hurt you again. Not while I'm alive."

He leaned closer, studying her face with reverent attention. His nostrils flared slightly as he breathed in her scent, his expression one of wonder and something like relief.

"That's too close," I warned. I might be willing to give him a chance, but I wouldn't let him overwhelm her.

Callum straightened immediately, though his eyes never left Eliza. He addressed the room at large, but his words were clearly meant for her.

"I swear on my position as Alpha, I will protect her with my life. No one will ever harm her again."

He turned to me. "May I have a moment alone with her? Please?"

"Absolutely not," Jensen objected immediately.

Lyra placed a hand on Jensen's arm. "Jensen," she said softly, "I know you're protective of your sister. But if he truly is her mate, denying them time together will only make things harder."

Jensen looked at her, conflict clear in his eyes. "Luna, after what happened to her..."

"I understand," Lyra assured him. "But Callum isn't the one who hurt her. And if the Moon Goddess chose him as Eliza's mate, there must be a reason."

Jensen's shoulders slumped slightly, though his expression remained wary. He looked to his mother, who gave a small nod.

As I observed Callum's reverent gaze on Eliza, I couldn't help but draw parallels to my own feelings for Lyra: the fierce protectiveness, the instinctive need to care for her.

Perhaps this is indeed a second chance. For all of us.