Chapter 21
Orion's POV
Northern Territory, Blackwood Manor.
I lifted my head from the documents, pinching the bridge of my nose in an attempt to ease the inexplicable restlessness churning within me.
My wolf, Kaelum, had been agitated since this afternoon, making it nearly impossible for me to concentrate on the work spread before me.
I drew a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil of my wolf spirit.
But that uneasy sensation didn't weaken—instead, it grew stronger.
As though something terrible was happening somewhere beyond my reach.
The feeling was foreign, something I had never experienced before.
I set down the file in my hands and rose, crossing to the floor-to-ceiling window where the view stretched endlessly across snow-covered plains, moonlight spilling over the white expanse in cold, silvery waves.
My gaze fell to my wrist, landing on the Patek Philippe watch, and my fingers unconsciously traced the leather strap as memories surfaced—Lyra handing me the gift box with that nervous expression, the flush that crept to her ears when she hastily looked away.
Those images felt so vivid, as if they had occurred only yesterday.
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth unbidden, and it had been days since our last meeting—perhaps I should find an excuse to visit Chicago, to see her again.
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Lyra's POV
Just as I closed my eyes in despair, surrendering to the hopelessness that had consumed me, the dungeon door suddenly burst open with a violent kick.
"Stop!" a familiar voice commanded sharply.
My eyes flew open, and through the blur of tears, I saw Sera rushing in with Bran close behind her.
The rogues startled at the sudden intrusion, whirling around in confusion. One of them snarled angrily, "Who are you? This is the Alpha's order—who dares—"
"Mira is awake!" Sera cut him off, her tone carrying a fierceness and determination I had never heard from her before. "Kael personally ordered her release. Get out, now!"
The rogues exchanged uncertain glances, clearly reluctant to let their prey slip away so easily.
While they hesitated, Bran strode forward and kicked the rogue nearest to me, sending him sprawling to the ground with a pained cry.
"Leave," Bran said coldly, his hand resting meaningfully on the gun at his waist. "If I see you again, I'll break your legs."
The rogues looked at each other, then at Bran's hand on his weapon, and finally retreated with muttered curses.
Once they were gone, Sera rushed to my side, and when she saw the whip marks and burns covering my body, she froze completely.
Her hands reached for the silver chains binding me, but they trembled so badly she couldn't manage the locks.
Her eyes reddened instantly, tears spilling down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"Lyra... God, what did they do to you..." Her voice broke with a mixture of fury and heartbreak.
Bran stepped forward and quickly unlocked the chains.
The moment the restraints fell away, my body went limp, and though Sera tried to support me, I had no strength left to stand.
I opened my mouth to speak, but only coughed up blood instead.
The scene before me began to blur, the sounds around me growing distant and muffled.
Then everything went dark.
When I woke again, I was lying on a soft bed.
The room was filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs, warm sunlight streaming through the window. I tried to sit up, but the pain radiating through my body forced me to abandon the attempt.
"Lyra, you're finally awake!" Sera jumped from her chair and rushed to the bedside.
Her eyes were swollen and red from crying.
She threw her arms around me, her whole body shaking. "I thought... I thought I was going to lose you..."
"Sera..." My voice came out hoarse and weak. "Thank you for saving me."
Sera released me and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, forcing herself to calm down.
"It was Bran who noticed something was wrong. He's the captain of the guards—after you were thrown in the dungeon, he kept monitoring the situation. When he heard those rogues went in, he immediately realized what was happening and came to find me. Thank God... thank God we got there in time..."
Her voice broke again as fresh tears streamed down her face.
I squeezed her hand, feeling the warmth of her palm.
If not for Sera and Bran, I couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened.
After Sera's emotions settled somewhat, she took a deep breath, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
"Lyra, there's something I don't know if I should tell you."
I looked at her questioningly, and she bit her lip as though making an important decision before speaking. "When Bran was patrolling the border before, he overheard a conversation between Kael and that masked man."
My heart lurched, and I immediately became alert.
"Bran said they discussed specific details about purchasing Nightfall," Sera whispered, lowering her voice. "He heard Kael buy three years' worth of Nightfall from that person."
A chill rose from the soles of my feet and spread rapidly through my entire body at her words.
The poison that had left me so weakened—its source was the Blood Moon Cult.
If I wanted to uncover who was behind the cult, I would need to trace Nightfall's complete supply chain.
But Nightfall was an extremely rare forbidden drug specifically targeting werewolves, and its distribution channels were deeply hidden. I had barely any contact with it before.
I felt momentarily lost—where should I even begin? How could I follow this lead?
Sera read my thoughts almost instantly, gently taking my hand with concern in her eyes.
"Lyra, you're so badly hurt. You need at least a few days to recover. Everything else can wait until you're better."
She fed me medicine—an herbal remedy that promoted werewolf healing. It tasted bitter but was effective.
Soon I felt drowsiness washing over me, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment.
Just before sleep claimed me completely, an image surfaced in my mind—a memory from three years ago when I still participated in underground racing.
The roar of engines echoed in my ears, wind howling past as I rode my motorcycle along winding mountain roads at breakneck speed.
Back then, I had been free and fearless, not an accessory to anyone, never compromising myself for the sake of so-called love.