Chapter 181

Chapter 181
Freya's POV

I took the bent silver needle from my pocket and placed it on the table between us. Lyra's face instantly drained of color, her pupils dilating with fear.

"I believe you know what this is," I said, my voice steady but firm. "And why my hand was injured."

Lyra's shoulders slumped, her defensive posture collapsing. She nodded, voice barely audible. "I'll call Olivia."

A few minutes later, Olivia left with Theo, and only Lyra and I remained in the room. Tense silence hung in the air like the calm before a storm.

"Why?" I finally asked, with no anger in my voice, only genuine confusion.

Tears glistened in Lyra's eyes as she spoke shakily: "You were moving too fast! You have a lifetime to live with him, and I only have a few more months at most!" She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions. "It had only been a few days—first the midnight visits, then giving him something with your scent. I just wanted your hand to be injured so you couldn't carry babies for a while..."

Her words were filled with desperation and fear. I walked to her side and sat in the chair next to her.

"Lyra, I understand how you feel," I said softly. "You risked everything to save him, you cared for him, you love him. I see all that and appreciate it from the bottom of my heart."

Lyra looked up at me, surprised by my understanding.

"But you don't just have a few months with him," I continued. "If you're willing, you could be with him for much longer."

Lyra frowned in confusion.

"I want to ask you to be Theo's godmother," I said, voicing the decision I'd been considering for days. "In our werewolf tradition, a godmother isn't just a title, but a lifelong responsibility and connection. You would remain an essential part of Theo's life—helping him grow, teaching him, protecting him."

Lyra stared at me in shock, tears finally falling. "But... but I hurt you... I betrayed your trust..."

"Yes, you did wrong," I acknowledged. "But I believe you did it out of love for Theo, not malice. We both love him, Lyra. I don't want you to disappear from his life—that wouldn't be fair to him or to you."

"I... I don't know what to say," Lyra sobbed. "I thought you would send me away... I thought..."

"We're not enemies, Lyra," I reached out, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. "We both want Theo to be happy and healthy. We can do that together."

Lyra finally succumbed to her emotions, but in a restrained way. She lowered her head, tears falling silently onto her clasped hands. I gave her this quiet moment, understanding that even in vulnerability, the warrior in her fought to maintain some dignity while processing her fear and guilt.

"I'm so sorry, truly sorry," she eventually looked up, voice hoarse. "I shouldn't have done that... I was just afraid..."

"I know," I said softly. "Fear sometimes makes us make wrong choices. But now, we can make the right choice. For Theo."

Lyra wiped her tears and nodded. "I would be honored to be his godmother, if you truly trust me."

"I do trust you," I said sincerely. "Because I've seen everything you've done for him."

Lyra looked up, a new resolve in her eyes. She suddenly rose and moved to a small wooden chest in the corner of the room. After rummaging through various small bottles and pouches, she pulled out a small green vial.

"This will help your wrist heal," she said, returning to me. "It's the antidote to Silver Moon's Thorn. In Bloodclaw, we're trained extensively with poisons and their remedies." She gently took my injured wrist and uncorked the vial. "Every warrior is required to carry antidotes for whatever they use. I should have given this to you immediately."

As she carefully applied the cool liquid to my skin, I felt an immediate tingling sensation, followed by relief from the persistent ache.

"The swelling should be gone by tomorrow morning," Lyra explained, her voice steadier now. "And you'll be able to hold Theo properly within two days." She recorked the vial and pressed it into my palm. "Apply it again tonight before sleeping."

This practical gesture of atonement spoke volumes more than any further apologies could have.

When we left the room to find Theo, I felt a new understanding forming between us. This wouldn't be an easy path, but for Theo, it would be the best choice. We both loved him, in different ways but equally deeply.

---

The next morning, I made my way to the training grounds where dozens of Moonshade warriors practiced their combat skills. The effects of Lyra's antidote had been remarkable—the swelling in my wrist had already decreased significantly, and the pain had dulled to a minor ache.

I was surprised to see Lyra herself on the training field, with Rovak standing beside her. Both were dressed in simple training clothes, their postures confident despite being surrounded by those who had been their enemies just days ago.

"Your stance is too rigid," Lyra was saying to a group of younger warriors. "Against Bloodclaw fighters, this will get you killed. They're trained to exploit that."

Rovak demonstrated a more fluid fighting position. "If you want to defeat Bloodclaw, you should train like this. Their strength comes from unpredictable movements and quick transitions."

I watched, fascinated, as they guided our warriors through a series of exercises. Under their instruction, the Moonshade fighters' movements became more dynamic, their strikes against the straw targets notably more devastating. Even James, who had initially observed with skepticism, now nodded approvingly.

An idea suddenly sparked in my mind. I approached Lyra and Rovak as they took a brief break.

"We still have five Bloodclaw prisoners we haven't decided what to do with," I said. "Do you think you could help convince them to train our warriors too?"

Lyra and Rovak exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them.

"We can try," Rovak said finally. "Most Bloodclaw warriors aren't as loyal to the cause as you might think."

Lyra nodded. "Many are just lone wolves rejected by their original packs. Most packs won't take in strays, especially adult males who might challenge for dominance."

"They're not all vicious killers," Rovak added, his voice dropping slightly. "Many joined Bloodclaw simply to survive. The pack offers shelter, food, and protection—things difficult to find for a lone wolf."

I considered their words, seeing the complex reality behind what I'd previously viewed as a uniformly dangerous enemy. "If Moonshade offered reasonable terms—safety, respect, fair treatment—do you think they'd help us?"

"Some would," Lyra confirmed. "Especially now that Riley's policies have made life in Bloodclaw harder for many. Those who came here might be more willing than most to consider alternatives."

By afternoon, Lyra and Rovak were speaking with the prisoners in a secure room, explaining the opportunity to join training efforts in exchange for gradually improved status within Moonshade. I watched through the observation window as two of the five immediately showed interest, while the others listened with cautious consideration.

Ethan joined me, his presence warm and solid at my side. "This might actually work," he said, surprise evident in his voice.

I leaned against him slightly. "Sometimes mercy isn't just the kind choice—it's the smart one too."