Chapter 77 Guilty Ever After
It took two guards to hurl up Rex and rush her to the clinic.
For a few seconds, Lyra had been frozen in place as she watched the flood pour down her abdomen.
Ryker had to stand beside her and lead her away from the scene.
Minutes later, the pack clinic smelled of antiseptic and old herbs which was slightly contrasting to the warmth of the pack house.
Lyra stood just outside the treatment room, arms wrapped tightly around herself, staring at the closed door as though sheer will might make it open.
Ryker stood beside her, silent, his jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched along his cheek.
Blood stained his shirt. He hadn’t noticed. Or maybe he had and simply didn’t care.
They were all waiting and holding their breath down what the doctor would say.
It had been at least half an hour since they got in there.
The door finally opened, and the doctor stepped out.
Lyra lunged forward. “How is she? What's going on?” She asked all at once and clutched the doctor's clothes.
"Uhm, slow down," the man said and slowly disentangled his shirt from her fist.
“I'm sorry," Lyra mumbled and stepped away, trying to act calmer. “How is she doing?"
The doctor raised a calming hand. “She’s stable.”
Lyra sagged with relief, her knees nearly buckling.
Ryker caught her automatically, steadying her with an arm around her shoulders.
“Is she going to be okay?” Ryker asked, his voice and cold in a way that frightened Lyra more than anger ever could.
“Yes,” the doctor replied. “The dagger missed her heart by inches. If it had gone any deeper, she wouldn't have made…” He stopped himself, shaking his head. “She lost a lot of blood, but we managed to stop the bleeding. She’s resting now.”
“When can we see her?” Lyra asked.
“Not yet,” the doctor said gently. “She’s unconscious at the moment, mostly due to the shocks and blood loss. And her body needs time to recover.”
Lyra swallowed. “How long until she wakes up?”
“It’s hard to say,” the doctor admitted. “Hours. Possibly a day. Her wolf took some of the damage, which helped, but she’s exhausted. Her system went into shock.”
Ryker ran a hand through his hair. “Is there anything else we should know?”
“Yes.” The doctor looked directly at Lyra. “She may wake up disoriented. Possibly confused. When she does, keep things calm. No shouting and no emotional confrontations.”
Lyra gave a hollow laugh. “That might be difficult in this family.”
The doctor offered a small, sympathetic smile. “I’ll have a nurse with her at all times.”
Then he paused at the door and Lyra rushed to him.
“What aren’t you saying? What are you not telling us?” Lyra asked quietly. “Will this affect her?”
“She’ll have a scar,” the doctor said. “And nightmares, most likely. But physically, she should recover fully.”
Lyra nodded, tears finally spilling over. “Thank you.”
The doctor inclined his head and walked away.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Ryker’s hands were shaking.
“This is my fault,” she said finally.
Ryker turned sharply. “Don’t.”
“I made him mad,” Lyra continued. “I underestimated him. I failed to protect her.”
“And I was standing right there too,” Ryker snapped. “If anyone failed, I did.”
“You told me not to come, you warned me and I was stubborn."
Ryker looked at her, pain flickering across his face. “He was aiming for you.”
Lyra’s voice cracked. “And Rex stepped in without thinking.”
Ryker hissed and dragged his hands through his hair, visibly shaking now with both rage and guilt.
Just then, the clinic doors slammed open and it was Dax that stormed in.
“Where is she?” he demanded. “I came as soon as I heard.”
Lyra turned. “Dax—”
“What happened to her?" He asked loudly, "what happened to Rex?”
Before Lyra or Ryker could reply, he turned to Ryker accusingly. “What did you do?”
Ryker straightened. “This isn’t about me.”
“It's about Samson and the fact that you went to prison to visit him after the bullshit show he pulled!"
“Hold your tongue, Dax!" Ryker hissed.
“No! It's all you! You let that bastard breathe after what he said yesterday,” Dax cut in. “You let him stand there and disrespect you, your Luna, your pack.”
Lyra stepped between them. “Dax, please—”
“And now Rex is lying in there because you were too weak to end it when you should have,” Dax continued, voice rising. “An Alpha who can’t control his pack is no Alpha at all.”
Ryker growled. “Watch your mouth.”
Dax scoffed. “Or what? You’ll visit me in prison too?”
“Stop it!” Lyra shouted, hands pressed against Dax’s chest. “This isn’t helping.”
Dax looked down at her, his expression softening for a split second. “Lyra, this wouldn’t have happened if—”
“If you say my name again,” Ryker warned, stepping forward, “we’re going to have a very different conversation without our lips.”
They stood inches apart and Lyra could see Ryker's fist moulded, ready to throw a punch.
Thankfully, a guard rushed in at that time, breathless. “Alpha! Samson is secured again and put back behind bars. He didn’t get far.”
Dax’s head snapped toward the guard. “Take me to him. Now.”
“No,” Lyra said sharply.
Dax looked at her, incredulous. “He stabbed Rex.”
“He meant to stab me,” Lyra said, her voice trembling. “Rex jumped in front of me.”
The words hit like a blow.
Dax’s anger faded and he looked about, confused. “What?”
“She saved my life,” Lyra whispered. “She’s in there because of me.”
Her knees gave out, and she sank onto a bench, burying her face in her hands as she began to sob.
Dax moved instinctively toward her. “Lyra—”
Ryker stepped in front of him. “Don’t touch my wife.”
Dax froze, then laughed bitterly. “Your wife?” He looked at Lyra, then back at Ryker. “If she’s your wife, why is she always suffering? Why is she always in danger and you can't save her?”
Ryker’s eyes flashed. “Careful.”
“No,” Dax shot back. “You don’t get to warn me. You’re supposed to protect her. And yet everywhere she gets hurt before you show up!”
“This isn't her fault,” Ryker snarled.
“Then whose is it?” Dax demanded. “Because from where I stand, every time she needs you, you’re one step too late.”
Lyra looked up, tears streaking her face. “Please… stop.”
Dax turned to her instantly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
Ryker’s voice dropped to a lethal whisper. “Leave.”
Dax hesitated, then shook his head. “I’m not your enemy, brother. But if you keep failing her, someone else will step in.”
Before Ryker could respond, a nurse came running down the hall.
“Alpha! Luna!” she called urgently.
All three turned.
“She’s awake,” the nurse said. “Rex is awake.”