Chapter 91 A Cave

Chapter 91 A Cave

NYRA

Guess the hardest thing for someone to do was sleep when it felt like the world was falling apart.

For me I had trouble finding sleep amidst my chaos.

I haven't slept well since the night I saw Samantha walking back from the woods and tonight was no different.

The moment I closed my eyes, I saw her again slipping between the trees, her cloak brushing against the darkness like she belonged to it, perhaps she did and then nothing. She was just… gone.

By morning, I had already made up my mind.

If I wanted answers, I couldn’t keep clashing with Samantha.

Not like this. Not when she clearly knew more than she let on.

I had to play this differently as I had promised myself the last time but the hardest part was what I had promised Rowan two nights ago and that was the fact that I had to make peace with her at least on the surface.

The thought alone left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I pushed it aside as I stepped out of my room and into the hallway.

The manor was quieter than usual, the early morning air still and heavy, like it was waiting for something. Or maybe that was just me.

I exhaled slowly and made my way outside just to clear my mind off its trouble.

Times like this I wished that I could drown all my sorrows in a drink but I wasn't much of a drinker.

The garden greeted me with a soft breeze, the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers filling the air.

Normally, it would have calmed me but not today.

Immediately I walked into the garden, I could see someone in the distance looking out o to the woods as well lost in thought. It turned out it was Cyril who was already there.

He stood near the stone path, hands tucked into his pockets, his posture relaxed but his face gave him away when he turned to face me.

The moment his eyes landed on me, I saw that intense look in his eyes. The last time I had seen him I was reporting my nemesis.

“Morning,” I said, forcing a small smile as I approached him.

“Morning, Lady Nyra. ” he replied, though his tone lacked its usual warmth.

I smiled sheepishly at his formality even if I wasn't a lady yet on paper.

We stood there for a second too long after that, the silence stretching awkwardly between us with each tickling seconds that passed.

I hated that there was nothing to talk about while I waited hoping he said something. Anything.

“I heard what happened yesterday,” he finally said.

Of course he did. I looked away, pretending to be interested in the flowers lining the path.

“People talk too much.” I muttered in a jocular tone. In this case I was referring to Aria.

“They talk because it matters,” Cyril said quietly.

That made me glance back at him. His gaze was steady now, searching mine.

“I know the Alpha didn’t believe us,” he continued, a hint of frustration slipping through. “And I don’t like it either but you need to be calm before making our next decision…That includes myself.”

I couldn't help but think if that actually puts him at our side as well. I shrugged lightly, though it felt forced.

“Maybe we didn’t give him enough reason to.”

“That’s not true,” he said immediately.

The firmness in his voice caught me off guard.

For a moment, neither of us spoke again as the conversation hovered between us, unfinished, uncomfortable. I almost let it drop…Almost.

Just then the memory of last night pushed forward again.

“I followed her,” I said suddenly.

Cyril frowned. “Followed who?”

“Samantha.” I said quietly as if confessing a grievous sin.

That got his full attention. “Really?"

“I saw her leaving,” I continued, my voice lowering slightly. “She was trying not to be noticed. So I went after her.”

“And?” He asked curiously this time.

I hesitated, the frustration from last night bubbling up again. “She disappeared.”

His brows pulled together. “Disappeared?”

“Yes.” I let out a sharp breath. “One minute she was there, the next… nothing. No sound, no movement. It was like she vanished into thin air.”

Cyril didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied me carefully, like he was trying to decide something. Then he sighed.

“There’s something you should know,” he said.

I stilled.

“What?”

“There’s a cave,” he said slowly. “Deep in the woods. Right in the middle.” He explained.

My heart skipped. Now that explains everything in full detail.

“A cave?” I repeated.

He nodded. “Not many people go there. It’s… not exactly our territory.”.

That made my stomach tighten. “You think she went there?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Cyril admitted. “But if someone wanted to disappear without being seen that would be the place to do it.”

A strange mix of excitement and unease settled in my chest. So I wasn’t crazy.

“There’s more,” he added.

I looked at him and rolled my eyes wondering what more he wanted to make out of this.

“You shouldn’t go there.” He said finally.

Of course. I let out a small, humorless laugh. “And why not?”

“Because Rowan won’t like it,” Cyril said plainly. “And because it’s dangerous.”

Dangerous? That word again.

I folded my arms, unconvinced. “Everything around here is dangerous.”

“This is different,” he insisted.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Talking about me?”

My heart jumped as I turned—and there he was. Rowan stood a few steps away, his expression unreadable, though there was a faint curiosity in his eyes.

For a split second, none of us spoke. Then—

“No,” Cyril and I said at the same time.

Rowan raised a brow. I felt my face heat up slightly under his gaze, and suddenly, standing there felt too much. Too exposed.

I dropped my eyes, brushing invisible dust off my sleeve.

“I should go,” I muttered.

Neither of them stopped me. I could still feel Rowan’s eyes on me as I turned and walked away, my steps quickening the further I got from them.

By the time I reached the hallway, my heart was already racing again but not from him. It was from what Cyril had said.

From that cave right in the middle of the woods.

I pushed open my door and stepped inside, closing it softly behind me.

For a moment, I just stood there.Thinking…

Then I exhaled slowly, my resolve settling into place.

“Fine,” I murmured to myself.

If Samantha thought she could stay ahead of me.She was wrong.

I glanced toward the window, the woods visible in the distance, shadows still lingering beneath the morning light.

A faint chill ran through me.But I didn’t back down.

“I’ll find it,” I whispered.

With that promise hanging in the air, I began to get ready. Because one way or another…

I was going to that cave. Today or whenever.