Chapter 21: The cure

“Kiss him,” Maya said loudly, looking at Lyra.

Lyra stared at her. “What?”

“You’re a hunter, the herbs only work with a true hunter and that’s you.”

Lyra looked confused. “How do you know I’m a true one?”

“Because you hunt devils,” Maya said. “Just try it, maybe it will work.”

Lyra’s hands shook as she looked down at Damien, he was still and quiet. Slowly, she leaned down, her face close to his. Her heart was beating fast and she kissed him gently.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then Damien gasped.

His eyes opened.“L… Lyra?” he said softly.

She pulled back. “Can you see me?”

Damien nodded. “Yes, I can see you.” He sat up a little and pushed up his sleeve to check his arm, the mark was gone.

“It worked,” Lyra whispered, smiling with relief.

Then she looked at Lydia. “What about Maya?”

“I don’t know,” Lydia said quietly. Her face looked worried. “It might be too late.”

Lyra shook her head. “Let’s try anyway.”

She moved to Maya and gently kissed her, a few seconds passed there was no response, then Maya coughed.

Her eyes opened slowly, she looked at Lyra. “Did you just kiss me?”

“Yes,” Lyra said, smiling. Then she gave her a big hug.

“You’re squeezing me,” Maya said, trying to breathe.

“Sorry,” Lyra laughed and let go a little.

Maya looked around. “What’s happening?”

“Lydia asked me to kiss you guys,” Lyra said, scratching the back of her neck.

“What?!” Damien and Maya both said at the same time, eyes wide.

“The herbs didn’t work on either of you,” Lydia explained, stepping forward. “I forgot… the herbs only work with a true one. That’s you, Lyra.”

She smiled warmly at Lyra, who still looked a little stunned.

Maya slowly stood up, brushing dirt off her clothes. “Well, we passed this test, we have to stay ready for the next one.”

Lyra furrowed her brows. “If this is just one test, how many more phases are there?”

“I don’t know,” Maya replied, her voice calm but tired. “But they’ll keep coming, and we can’t afford to break down.”

Lydia’s face turned serious. “The test of the true Alpha is a hard path, you must all pass it together.”

She looked directly at Lyra, whose confused expression hadn’t changed.

Just then, the door creaked open. Jack walked in, his eyes scanning the room. “What’s going on here?”

His gaze landed on Damien, and his eyes lit up. “Damien! You’re okay!”

He rushed forward and wrapped Damien in a tight hug.

“It’s finally over,” Lyra said, smiling. “Maya is cured too.”

Jack turned to Maya, surprise flashing in his eyes. “Wait, how did she even get the disease?”

“It’s passed among werewolves,” Lydia answered, stepping closer.

Jack’s eyes shifted to Lydia. He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Who’s this pretty lady?”

Maya narrowed her eyes and called his name sharply. “Jack.”

He quickly raised his hands in defense. “I was just asking!”

Lydia chuckled softly. “It’s fine. I’m Lydia, i’m a Lycaon.” She reached out her hand with a calm smile.

Jack shook her hand awkwardly. “Nice to meet you…”

Lydia turned to Maya with a playful smile. “See, Maya? Manners. You should learn something from him.”

Maya rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

“Where were you?” Lyra asked, folding her arms.

Jack grinned. “Had to help my mom with a case.”

Damien turned to him, brows raised. “What kind of case?”

Jack’s smile faded slightly as his eyes shifted. “Pe… Peter Hayes.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “My brother? What happened?” Her voice rose, sharp with worry.

“It’s nothing serious,” Jack said quickly, forcing a smile.

“You’re lying.” Maya’s face hardened. “Spit it out.”

Jack hesitated, then sighed. “Peter Hayes is out of jail.”

The room went still.

“What else?” Maya demanded.

“He’s back in town,” Jack muttered under his breath.

Maya’s body tensed. “This isn’t good, we need to protect Damien.”

“What? Why? What’s going on?” Damien asked, confused.

“My brother’s a hybrid,” Maya said softly. “He’s not like other wolves, he feeds on power.”

“Feeds on power?” Lydia repeated, her brows furrowed.

“He steals other Alphas’ strength,” Maya explained, her voice low and serious.

Jack leaned in and whispered, “Damn. Your family is weird.”

Everyone turned to glare at him.

Jack raised his hands. “Just saying…”

Lyra stepped forward, anxiety flickering across her face. “Just because he’s in town doesn’t mean he’ll come after Damien.”

Maya shook her head slowly. “Oh, if my brother’s in town… things are going to go from bad to worse.”

Somewhere in Oakland…

“Hmm… Excuse me, sir,” a low voice called out from behind an old gas station. “My dog ran into the woods, and I can’t seem to find him.”

The older man, wearing a dusty jacket and a crooked cap, looked up from his cigarette. “Well, go find him then, boy.”

The stranger smiled. “I’m new in town, I don't really know the area yet.”

The man squinted, studying the stranger’s face. He had a pale skin and dark eyes, something about him felt… off.

“Alright,” the man sighed. “Where did it run to?”

The stranger pointed toward the dense trees behind the station. “In there.”

The man grabbed his flashlight and grumbled. “Let’s make it quick, those woods are crawling with coyotes.”

They stepped into the forest, the crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot breaking the silence.

A few steps in, the stranger slowed down, now walking behind the man.

“You know,” he said, his voice now a sinister whisper, “nobody ever taught you not to follow strangers?”

The man turned, confused. “Holy…”

He didn’t finish.

With a low growl, the stranger lunged forward and sank his teeth deep into the man’s neck. Blood sprayed across the trees, the flashlight hit the ground and flickered out.

The stranger straightened, blood dripping from

his chin. He wiped it away slowly and looked out toward the town beyond the trees.

“Hello, Oakland,” he whispered with a wicked grin. “Peter Hayes is back.”