Chapter 79 An Unworthy Catch
“Let’s look for him!” Ryker grunted as he rose from the prison tunnel and ordered some guards to come take the bodies.
“Alpha, what’s going on?” two of the men asked.
“They were poisoned on duty. Take them to the clinic and make sure they’re given emergency care.”
The men nodded and all ran off.
Dax met up with Ryker as he marched across the fence. “Hey!” he called out. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to find that bastard and make him pay for this madness!”
“You think he’s just going to wait around to be found?” Dax wondered out loud.
“I don’t care, I’m looking,” he barked, jumped over the fence effortlessly, and landed in the forest.
Ryker moved through the trees as stealthily as he could, his boots barely crunching against the leaves.
Dax kept pace beside him, looking everywhere.
“I think it’s best we split up,” Dax finally said under his breath. “If he’s hiding, we’ll cover more ground.”
Ryker nodded once. “Whistle if you see anything. Don’t engage him alone.”
Dax scoffed. “After what he did? I won’t promise that. If I find him, he’s dying right where he stands.”
Ryker shot him a look. “I’m serious.”
Dax held his gaze for a moment, then exhaled. “Fine. I’ll signal.”
They veered in opposite directions and continued to search.
Ryker followed the narrow dirt path leading away from the fence, crouching occasionally to inspect the ground.
Broken twigs and old animal footprints. Nothing fresh.
“Damn it,” Ryker muttered.
Minutes stretched into nearly an hour, and he pushed deeper into the forest, then doubled back toward the road. Still, he found nothing.
Finally, Dax’s whistle sounded, and Ryker ran toward his voice.
Ryker emerged from the treeline and found Dax standing near the edge of the road, hands on his hips.
“Nothing,” Dax said flatly. “If he went this way, he covered his tracks.”
Ryker dragged a hand down his face. “He couldn’t have gone far without a bike.”
“Unless someone helped him,” Dax added grimly.
Ryker didn’t answer, but he knew it was true.
They stood there for a moment, listening to the wind rustle through the trees, both knowing the same truth—this had gotten out of hand quite quickly.
“We go back,” Ryker said finally. “If whoever helped him is still out here, they might try something stupid. Lyra comes first.”
The clinic still smelled of antiseptic and herbs when they returned.
Ryker didn’t slow as he pushed through the doors. His eyes locked instantly on Lyra.
“Lyra,” he said, crossing the room in long strides. He grabbed her hand, fingers tightening. “You’re coming with me.”
She blinked, startled. “What? Ryker, what’s going on?”
“You have to stay in the Alpha Quarters at all times,” he said, already pulling her toward the door.
Her heart lurched. “Why? Ryker, stop! Tell me what’s happening!”
He didn’t answer.
She yanked her hand free. “No. I’m not leaving Rex.”
Rex stirred weakly on the bed. “Lyra—”
“She’s hurt,” Lyra said, her voice shaking. “She almost died. If anyone needs protection, it’s her, not me.”
Dax stepped in at once. “Lyra, please. Stop arguing and go with him. Now.”
She turned on him. “No. You don’t get to drag me around like I’m a child. Tell me what happened. Where is Samson? Why are you both suddenly acting like this?”
Ryker faced her, jaw tight. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll do whatever you say like a zombie.”
Dax swore under his breath. “Samson escaped, Lyra.”
Her breath caught. “What?”
“He escaped prison,” Dax continued. “And he’s probably out there trying to hurt you.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“That… that’s impossible,” Lyra whispered. “There are guards at the tunnels day and night.”
Ryker spoke quietly now. “We found two guards poisoned. They’re here, unconscious. We don’t know when they’ll wake up or if they’ll be able to talk soon enough. I’m not taking any chances.”
Lyra’s hands trembled. “So he’s free?”
“Yes,” Ryker said. “And until we find him, you’re the priority.”
“But Rex—” Lyra began.
“I’ll stay with Rex,” Dax said firmly. “You don’t have to worry about her.”
Rex nodded weakly. “Dax and Ryker are both right. Samson aimed that dagger at you,” she said softly. “If he comes back, it’ll be for you.”
Lyra swallowed hard, guilt burning her throat. Slowly, she nodded. “Okay.”
Ryker didn’t waste another second. He guided her out of the clinic and toward the Alpha Quarters.
Once inside, he shut the door firmly.
“I’ve stationed warriors around the house,” he said. “No one comes near you without my say.”
Her chest tightened. “And you?”
“I’m going back out,” he replied. “I’ll check the roads and forest. He didn’t take his bike; that means he’s on foot, and he can’t be far.”
Lyra couldn’t help the fear she felt. “Please be careful.”
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “For all of this. For not ending this the moment he disrespected you.”
She shook her head. “This isn’t your fault.”
He leaned down and kissed her softly, lingering for just a heartbeat longer than necessary, like he was memorizing her lips.
“Stay inside,” he murmured. “I’ll be back before you know it.” Then he stepped away and closed the door behind him.
The silence and panic hit her all at once.
Lyra stood there, arms wrapped around herself, shaking.
Everything had turned dangerous so fast. She wasn’t even safe inside the IronFangs anymore.
How did her life become so complicated that she had to hide in her own home?
Cassian’s voice and the Blood King’s warning echoed in her mind.
They’d been right all along. The werewolves would never truly accept her back.
She was reborn now, and they’d always see her as an abomination and a threat.
“It’s only a matter of time before they all turn on Ryker for accepting me back,” she muttered and swallowed, tears stinging her eyes.
She felt heartbroken as her gaze drifted to the door, then beyond the window to the forest waiting outside.
“I have to leave,” she decided.