Chapter 254 Home Is Where Friends Are

Chapter 254 Home Is Where Friends Are

The pale light of the late afternoon finally streamed into the room and yet, Ryker hadn't moved from his spot on the floor.

His back was resting against the base of the leather sofa, his chin tucked into his chest as he slept.

The dark circles under his eyes were deep, and a thick stubble covered his jawline.

He was completely disheveled, his shirt was still torn and his face was smudged with dried dirt, and he hadn't even brushed his teeth or touched a plate of food since they had carried her through the front door.

He only slept during these brief hours of the morning and afternoon when the sheer physical exhaustion completely overtook his body.

This was when Lyra’s eyelids fluttered open slowly.

The burning heat in her veins had finally cooled down into a dull, manageable ache and her vision was clear now.

She looked down and saw her hand tucked securely inside Ryker’s large, calloused palm.

Even in his deep sleep, his grip was firm, as if he was afraid she would vanish if he let go.

She shifted her weight slightly, the sofa creaking under her movement.

Ryker’s eyes snapped open instantly and he sat up straight, his gaze locking onto her face.

"Lyra," he whispered, his voice rough and incredibly raspy from sleep. "You're awake. How do you feel? Is the burning gone?"

"It’s gone," Lyra said softly, her throat dry as she offered him a small, weak smile. “Where are we?"

“We got back to Mama Olga for shelter. I guess you were too delirious yesterday to notice."

She nodded and then reached up with her free hand, lightly touching the thick stubble on his jaw. "You look terrible, Ryker. Have you even eaten anything since we got here?"

"I wasn't hungry," he muttered, rubbing his face with both hands and letting out a long, sigh of pure relief. "I wasn't going to leave this floor until your eyes opened up."

Just then, Mama Olga walked into the room, carrying a fresh bowl of broth.

She stopped when she saw Lyra sitting up against the pillows, her face breaking into a wide, warm smile. "Ah, the Luna is finally back with us. Your husband has been a stubborn rock, child. Tega tried to drag him to the kitchen three times to get some steak, but he refused to move. He’s been beside you the entire time, only sleeping when his body literally forced him to pass out."

"Thank you, Olga," Lyra said, taking the warm bowl from her hands. She drank the broth slowly, feeling the strength returning to her limbs with every swallow.

But suddenly, she set the empty bowl on the side table and swung her legs out of the sofa. "We need to go. We need to get back to the pack right now."

Ryker frowned, putting a hand on her knee to stop her from standing up. "Whoa, hold on. You just woke up from a royal blood fever, Lyra. You’re not very strong for that journey yet. The mountain passes are rough, and your system needs another day of rest before we hit the road."

"No, Ryker, you don't understand," Lyra insisted as she grabbed his sleeve, her blue eyes wide with genuine fear. "We have to go back home. Please. I have this horrible feeling inside my chest. There is something wrong at the pack."

Wayne walked into the living room from the kitchen, his nose tightly bandaged from the break, followed by Tega.

“You're awake, thank heavens!"

“She's trying to leave right now!" Ryker interjected.

“I think something is wrong back home."

“It can wait, we need you to recover fully first."

Lyra shook her head.

Wayne sighed and got closer. "Luna, the borders are fully manned by Dax and the other scouts. If the vampires try anything, Dax will know what to do. You should listen to the Alpha and rest."

"It’s not the vampires I’m worried about," Lyra said, her voice shaking as she looked between Ryker and Wayne. "I had a bad vision while I was trapped in that fever. It wasn't the Blood King speaking to me. It was a vision of the pack, and it concerns something about Rex losing her mind."

Ryker’s brow furrowed. "Rex? She’s safe in the library, Lyra. I lifted her suspension before we left. If anything goes wrong inside the walls, Dax is there to handle it."

"Dax doesn't care about Rex, Ryker! He thinks she's a liability!" Lyra cried out, her tears starting to form again from the sheer
anxiety. "Rex has been my only friend at that pack. She’s the only one who didn't look at me like I was a monster when I returned as a hybrid. In the vision, she was surrounded by the old archives, and the books were burning, and she was crying out for help. I’m telling you, something happened back home while we were out in those mountains. If we stay here any longer, we’re going to lose her."

Ryker looked at Wayne, then down at the floor, processing her words.

He knew Lyra’s hybrid instincts were tightly connected to the pack’s spiritual shifts now, especially after the submission ritual.

If she was feeling this panicked from across the valley, it wasn't just a simple nightmare.

"Alright," Ryker said, standing up and reaching for his torn shirt. "If you say we go, we go. Wayne, go out to the barn and check the motorcycles. See if Tega's mechanics managed to haul our black bike back from the gorge."

"I already brought it around, Alpha," Tega said, stepping forward from the hallway. "The fuel tank is full, and the tires are clear. If your woman says her gut is turning, you don't waste time talking. A Luna’s instinct is always the pack’s true compass."

Olga quickly drew their baths and insisted on breakfast first.

It was afternoon when they all walked out onto the gravel driveway together. Olga wrapped Lyra in a long, tight hug.

"Take care of that bloodline, child," Olga whispered near her ear. "That vampire might be gone, but you'll always have enemies. Trust your husband to hold the shield, and don't let anything scare you."

"I won't," Lyra said sincerely, pulling back. "Thank you for saving my life, Olga. And thank you for the attic."

Tega walked up to Ryker, extending his large hand for another firm, crushing warrior handshake. "You’re a good leader, Ryker. You swallowed your pride and knelt for your woman. That takes more strength than any Alpha title. If the northern borders are ever in trouble, just send a scout my way and the Fringe wolves will answer the call."

"I appreciate it, Tega," Ryker nodded. "Keep your parameters tight. The King is gone but his bastards are still scattered in the bush."

Wayne slung his leg over his cruiser, nodding to the family. "Thanks for the hospitality, cousin. Tell the boys I'll bring them some mountain wolf teeth on my next scouting run."

Lyra walked over to the heavy black motorcycle. She looked at the front handlebars, then turned her head to look at Ryker, who was walking up behind her.

She reached into her pocket, pulled out the metal ignition key, and handed it directly to his palm.

"You drive," Lyra said softly. "I need to hold onto you. My spirit is still a little shaky."

Ryker looked at the key in his hand, he didn't make a smug comment or boast about his dominance. He just gave her a brief, tender nod, took the key, and climbed onto the front seat.

Lyra swung her leg over the back, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and leaning her chest firmly against his back.

Wayne kicked his engine over, and with a collective, heavy rumble, the two motorcycles rolled down the gravel driveway, leaving the quiet streets behind as they headed back toward the mountain pass.

The ride through the western ridge was slow and Ryker kept the speed steady, making sure Lyra wasn't jolted by the rough road.

The canyon below looked quiet now as there was no sign of the vampires anymore.

As they cleared the mountain peak and began the long descent into the northern valley, the structure of the IronFangs estate finally appeared in the distance.

Finally, the motorcycles rumbled down the final stretch of the dirt road, the tires kicking up dust as they finally arrived at their pack territory.

Wayne slowed down and finally killed the engine as the front gate guards let them in.

Dax was standing by the main steps of the house, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched his brother slide off the bike.

Lyra jumped off the back seat before Ryker could help her down.

"Dax!" Lyra shouted, running up the stone steps toward him. "Where is she? Where is Rex?"

Dax looked at his brother, then down at Lyra, shrugging. "You need to go to the library right now, Lyra. Something happened last night while you were away. We tried to restrain her, but she’s locked the archive gate from the inside, and she’s completely losing her mind.”