Chapter 252

Lyra’s POV

Five days later, we were still at it.

The Unbound Lands was filled with blood, looking almost like an ocean. And the creatures that lived in it were the bodies of my people, and those of Azythar’s soldiers who were scattered everywhere. From what I had heard, two packs had secured victory already because they had paid to lend the swords. But it wasn’t good news. The only reason they were victorious was definitely not due to having a strong army, but had everything to do with the fact that Azythar was concentrating his main forces elsewhere—here and in SilverClaw. If he took us down, and maybe RedClaw, then he would easily take over the werewolf race.

I stood, leaning against the stair railings, trying to catch my breath and get some rest. Fighting pregnancy through war was hell. Recently, Adeline had given birth to a beautiful little girl who looked just like her, and it was depressing that she had to do it in the middle of a war.

I rested my hand over my own stomach even though it did absolutely nothing to ease the ache that never seemed to leave my lower back. There was also the constant nausea that came with it, especially with the metallic tang of blood. Once while fighting, I had thrown up over an enemy—it had given me a slight advantage though.

But right now, I wished I could just be in a field of roses and maybe lemon. Something that won’t make me want to vomit.

“You should be sitting down,” Qamar said as soon as he sighted me from below. He began walking up the steps with a clean damp towel in his hand. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a week—I mean, two hours of sleep every two days wasn't going to cut it—the dark circles under his eyes were deep and bruised. My heart aches.

“I’ve been sitting for a few hours,” I told him, “I should get back outside."

“Do you wish for death?” He asked, looking at me as if I had gone mad. “You are pregnant Lyra. And getting heavy, you need rest.”

“I am not sitting back to watch my people die.”

“Lyr—“

“How are Adeline and the baby?” I asked, changing the topic swiftly to avoid a lecture.

“They are sleeping,” Qamar replied, a faint smile touching his lips for just a second. “Adeline is just like you. She was yelling at the midwife to give her a sword ten minutes after the baby was born. You two do not like yourselves.”

I let out a short, tired laugh. “That sounds like her. But please, she needs rest.”

“So do you.” He retorted.

“Have you named her yet?”

“She wants to name her Rivena,” he added softly, looking down at the floor. “After him. If that's alright with you, Luna.”

My chest ached, filling with grief but I nodded quickly to hide it. “It’s more than alright. He would have loved that.”

Qamar gave me a respectful nod and turned to head back down the stairs, leaving me alone on the landing. I leaned my head against the bannister, closing my eyes for a few seconds as if that was going to help me recover.

Before I could even take a deep breath, I heard the sound of a door being pushed open.

A scout rushed into the hallway, his clothing was torn at the shoulder and his face was covered in mud. He didn't even stop to bow as he looked up toward the stairs.

“Luna Lyra!” he called out, his voice was hoarse probably from all the times he had to shout over the noise of the raging war outside. “A rider just came in. He is carrying the SilverClaw crest.”

My eyes flew open, and my heart suddenly began beating rapidly as soon as I heard the words.

I pushed myself off the railing, ignoring the searing pain in my hips and lower back as I hurried down the stairs. “Is it Kade? Is he here?”

“No, Luna,” the scout answered, shaking his head as he tried to catch his breath. “It is one of Alpha Kade’s personal messengers that came. He’s badly injured, but he says he has an urgent letter that must be delivered directly to your hands.”

“Who is injured? The scout or Kade himself?” I asked, panic rising in me. After Riven—who I still hadn't healed from—I could not afford to lose another mate.

“The scout,” he replied, handing me the letter. “He has been taken to our physician.”

“Thank the goddess,” ì heaves a breath of relief and then felt guilty about it immediately. I had been thanking the goddess that it wasn't Kade, when someone else’s life was at stake.

Just as I was about to break the seal, Thorne appeared out of nowhere, his hands wrapping around my shoulders. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Got a letter from Kade. About to read it.”

“He sent me one too,” remarked Thorne, pulling a letter with the same seal out. “Now I am even more curious. Same or different content?” he grinned.

“There’s only one way to find out,” I say, taking in a deep breath as ì unfold the paper.

The moment my eyes scan the first line, my blood runs cold.