Chapter 93 A Game of Masks

Chapter 93 A Game of Masks
NYRA

I froze immediately with my mind spinning for just the few seconds that I tried to control myself from falling and gain my stamina.

For a second, the world narrowed to just the two of us standing there as I looked up finally.

Time felt still, like something fragile had just been disturbed and neither of us wanted to be the first to move.

Samantha stood right there before me. She was so close, that I could smell her lavender cologne that always seemed to precede her.

In a way she looked different… In a way I couldn't explain.

Her gaze dropped briefly to where we had collided, then rose back to mine calmly.

“Well,” she started, her lips curving faintly, though there was no warmth in it. “If it isn’t Nyra.”

There it was. That edge that was always in her tone. I could almost hear the version of her that wanted to say more. Something meant to provoke. But I didn’t give her the chance.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly.

The words came out before she could say hers, and for a moment, it threw her off. I saw the flicker of surprise that crossed her face before she masked it with a puzzled look

“I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I muttered.

That wasn’t entirely a lie. My mind had just been elsewhere…It was in the cave…On the promise I had already broken in my head.

Samantha tilted her head slightly, studying me like she was trying to find the trick in what I’d just said.

“Right,” she replied after a pause. “That’s… new.”

I ignored the sly comment hoping that she doesn't push it.

Stepping past her, I moved into the healing quarters, letting the familiar scent of herbs settle my nerves. It didn’t work as well as I wanted it to.

I could feel her still there. Still watching in quite an amusing way.

“Did you need something?” she asked from behind me, her tone more neutral now, though I didn’t trust it.

I turned slowly telling myself this was it. If I was going to do this, I couldn’t hesitate. Not now.

“Yes,” I said.

Her brows lifted slightly. Silence stretched between us again, but this time it felt different.

“Do you know what I think?" I took a step closer. “I think… we need to stop this,” I said carefully.

“Stop what?” she asked, though I could tell she already knew.

“This,” I gestured lightly between us.

“Whatever this is. The tension. The fights...”
Her expression didn’t change.

“And why would we do that?” she asked.

“Because it’s not helping anyone,” I replied. “Not the pack. Not us.” I hammered on.

She let out a soft breath, almost like a quiet laugh. “You’re serious.”

“I am.” I repeated.

She crossed her arms, her posture shifting just enough to show she wasn’t dismissing me outright anymore.

“That’s interesting,” she murmured. “Considering you’ve been avoiding me and don't seem to like me.” She muttered.

“I haven’t been avoiding you and I don't hate you.” I rolled my eyes.

“You do, I understand why though.” She muttered.

I didn’t deny it. Instead, I held her gaze. “Then maybe that’s exactly why we need to fix this.”

That seemed to land well as for a moment, neither of us spoke.

“I don’t trust this,” she said finally, blunt and honest.

“I don’t expect you to,” I replied just as honestly.

That surprised her again.

“But I’m still saying it,” I continued. “Whatever is going on… whatever we don’t know… we’re better off not working against each other.”

Her eyes searched mine, deeper this time, like she was trying to peel through every layer and find the truth underneath.

“And you just decided this now?” she asked.

“Yes.” I muttered.

Another stretch of silence filled the room then, slowly, she uncrossed her arms.

“…Fine,” she said. “Fine,” she repeated. “We’ll… try.”

It wasn’t much. But it was enough to make a smile form on my face.

“Good,” I said, allowing a small nod.

I turned away again, moving further into the room, pretending to look over the arranged herbs and supplies, even though I wasn’t really seeing any of it. Because my mind was already moving ahead.

This was working. Or at least… It looked like it was and that was what mattered.

Aria’s reaction came sooner than I expected. I had just started sorting through a set of dried leaves when the door opened again, and her voice followed immediately after.

“I brought—” She stopped in her tracks.

I didn’t have to turn to know why.

“…Food,” she finished slowly.

I glanced over my shoulder. Aria stood just inside the doorway, holding a bag , her eyes moving between me and Samantha like she had just walked into something she didn’t quite understand. Which, to be fair, she had.

Samantha didn’t say anything. She simply gave Aria a small nod before stepping back slightly, creating space like whatever this was, didn’t concern her

“I’ll leave you to it,” she said, her gaze flicking to me briefly before she turned and walked out.

Aria watched her go then she looked at me.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “What just happened ?”

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I walked over, took the tray from her hands, and set it down on a nearby table.

“Come with me,” I said.

That was all…Her suspicion didn’t fade, but she followed me anyway.

We didn’t stop until we were far enough down the corridor, away from listening ears.

Aria folded her arms the second we did.

“Nyra.” She muttered.

I leaned lightly against the wall, exhaling.

“It’s part of the plan.”

Her brows furrowed. “This is very risky if you ask me.”

“I need to find more about the cave.” I explained.

That got her attention instantly. “You’re still going,” she said flatly.

I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to as it was easy to tell my mind was made up.

She groaned softly, dragging a hand over her face. “Of course you are.”

“If Samantha knows something,” I continued, ignoring that, “then getting close to her is the easiest way to find out what.”

Aria stared at me. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.” I sighed deeply.

There was a pause that filled the room then she shook her head slightly, a disbelieving smile tugging at her lips.

“To catch a fox…” I started. “…you act like a fox,” I finished.

That earned me a look. “A fox?” she repeated. “Nyra… we’re wolves.”

Despite everything, I let out a small laugh.

“Just telling you the details." She didn’t laugh.
Instead, her expression softened, just a little.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” she said quietly.

“I know.” I muttered.

“And if this backfires—”

“It won’t.” I replied.

“You don’t know that.” she grimaced.

I met her gaze. “No,” I admitted. “I don’t. But I know doing nothing won’t get us anywhere.”

That silenced her. For a moment, she just looked at me then she sighed.

“…I don’t like it.” she muttered.

“I didn’t expect you to.” I replied. “But I get it.”

That was enough for her to understand as we both sat still lost in our individual thoughts.



By evening, the vicinity had settled into that quiet rhythm it always found just before night fully took over.

I needed air at least that was what I told myself as I stepped outside into the garden, the cool breeze brushing against my skin.

But the truth was I needed space to think about everything…

About the cave, about Samantha and the promise I had made earlier that day to Rowan. It all came running through my mind at once.

My chest tightened slightly at the memory and
I pushed the thought away.

Just then footsteps broke through my thoughts.
I didn’t turn as I already knew who it was from the deep cologne noting only to myself how my senses had been heightened of late.

Rowan walked in quietly with his presence filling the space without needing to demand attention. He stopped beside me and I only looked up briefly to acknowledge him.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then—

“I heard,” he said, pausing for a heartbeat. “That you spoke to Samantha.”

I glanced at him again briefly. “News travels fast.”

“It does when it matters.”

I faced forward again, my fingers lightly brushing against the leaves of a nearby plant.
“It seemed like the right thing to do.”
.
I felt his gaze on me, heavier than before.
“…Thank you,” he added.

That caught me off guard. I turned slightly, just enough to see him.

“For what?” I asked.

“For choosing peace,” he said simply.

Something in my chest shifted. Before I could respond, he stepped closer and then pressed a brief kiss to my forehead.

It was soft and quick. Gone almost as soon as it happened.

“Goodnight, Nyra,” he said.

Just like that, he turned and walked away like he had something else doing. I watched him go. For a moment… I smiled.

It was small and faint. But it was there. Then it faded slowly.

“I won’t be a fool twice,” I murmured more to myself.

“Twice?” Aria’s voice came from behind me.

I stiffened slightly as I hadn’t heard her. I turned to find her leaning casually against the garden arch, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

“How long have you been there?” I asked.

“Long enough.”

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she spoke again.

“Do you ever wonder,” she started slowly, “How is your former mate doing?”

The question hit harder than I expected.
It wasn’t what I thought she would ask.

For a second, I didn’t answer. Because I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“…Sometimes,” I admitted.

Aria nodded slightly, like she had expected that answer.

“Just sometimes?” she asked.

I let out a quiet breath, looking away. “Not enough to matter.”

That was a lie and we both knew it. But she didn’t call me out on it. Instead, she pushed off the arch and walked over to stand beside me.

Neither of us spoke after that. We just stood there in the quiet. In the weight of everything unsaid.

“Sometimes." I repeated again.