Chapter 155 Shadows Recognize Shadows

Chapter 155 Unwanted Guardians
Lyra POV

My blood ran cold at the sound of his name. Dominic. Here, at Silver Moon.

The moment felt surreal—like those nightmares where you're running but your legs won't move. Just when Gabriel had finally started being honest with me, just when I was beginning to piece together the fragments of my past, he had to appear. But this could also be an opportunity I needed.

"I want to see them, Gabriel," I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

"Not a chance." Gabriel's eyes flashed dangerously, his jaw clenching as he turned to Raiden. "Tell them to leave my territory. Now."

My wolf bristled at his command, not directed at me but still setting off alarms. The last time I'd seen Dominic, I'd been desperate to protect Isabella from him. I never imagined he would do something so heinous—using me as a breeding vessel for a child he planned to raise with her.

"I need to face him," I insisted, stepping closer to Gabriel. "I need to confront him about what he did."

Gabriel's gaze softened slightly when it returned to me, but the hardness in his voice remained. "After everything we just discussed? No, Lyra. I won't allow him anywhere near you."

"Then I suppose I'll have to meet him outside your territory." I stood taller, squaring my shoulders. "You're so confident about keeping me safe here—are you equally confident about my safety when I leave to meet my ex-husband beyond your borders?"

I moved toward the door, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had no actual intention of leaving Gabriel's protection, but he didn't need to know that.

Gabriel's hand shot out, catching my wrist before I could take another step. His touch sent electricity racing up my arm, the mate bond between us flaring hot and insistent.

"See them if you must. But not on your terms—on mine," he growled, pulling me back to him. "Raiden, bring the Alphas here. But double the guards."

As Raiden nodded and disappeared, Gabriel tugged me closer, his free hand sliding to the small of my back. Before I could protest, his lips were on my forehead, trailing down to my mouth in a possessive kiss that made my knees weak.

When his mouth moved to my neck, finding the mark he'd placed there, my body betrayed me. I wanted to resist, to punish him for keeping secrets, but the sensation of his lips against my skin sent waves of pleasure coursing through me. My wolf whined with satisfaction, urging me to submit.

"Gabriel," I managed between shallow breaths, my hands pressing against his chest even as my body arched toward him. "This doesn't fix anything."

He continued his assault on my senses, his teeth grazing the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. "Don't hide from me anymore, Lyra," he murmured against my skin. "No more secrets between us. Promise me."

I gasped as he nipped gently at my mark. "Only if you promise the same. Don't keep things from me again, okay?"

"I won't..." he whispered, his lips returning to mine in a kiss that seemed to seal our pact.

Gabriel showed no signs of stopping, his hands roaming possessively over my body as if staking his claim. The thought of Dominic witnessing this display made me uncomfortable, despite the pleasure racing through my veins.

"Gabriel, stop," I said more firmly. "We have visitors coming."

His eyes, dark with desire, met mine. "Let them see," he growled. "Especially your ex-husband. Let him see who you belong to now."

His words sent a shiver down my spine—part indignation at being treated like property, part primal satisfaction at being claimed so thoroughly. Before I could form a coherent response, a knock at the door interrupted us.

Gabriel continued kissing me, calling out, "Come in," without breaking contact.

The door opened, and I heard a throat clearing awkwardly. "Perhaps we've come at a bad time..." Callum's voice held a note of amusement.

Gabriel finally released me, turning toward our visitors with a frosty deliberateness in his gaze. "What are you doing here?"

I straightened my clothes, acutely aware of my flushed face and swollen lips. My gaze moved from Callum's smirking expression to Dominic's venomous glare. The sight of him—the man who had manipulated and used me—made my stomach churn.

"We're here to help you," Dominic answered, his eyes fixed on me.

"Help me?" I scoffed, returning his stare with icy contempt. This is the man who lied to me, who planned to use me as a surrogate and discard me. The man who never intended to mark me or truly make me his mate. "You've done nothing but hurt me since the day we met. What could you possibly help me with?"

Dominic's expression remained impassive. "Your murder accusation. We've discovered that Malcolm has formed an alliance with Kade from Blood Fang. They're determined to find you guilty, regardless of evidence. If you refuse to comply, they plan to force your submission."

I exchanged a quick glance with Gabriel. Could Dominic be telling the truth? Gabriel had suspected Malcolm's corruption, but confirmation from another source was troubling.

"Why would you help me?" I demanded, unable to keep the suspicion from my voice.

Dominic stepped forward, and I noticed Gabriel tensing beside me. "You're the Alpha of Wave Crest. If the Council moves against you, what do you think their first target will be? Wave Crest itself." His eyes hardened. "Isabella is there now. Protecting you means protecting her."

Bile rose in my throat. Of course. It's always about Isabella.

Gabriel's chest puffed with pride. "Lyra is a capable Alpha in her own right. She can protect herself without my help, let alone yours."

Callum cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Alpha Gabriel. May I ask, does Lyra know her true identity?"

I frowned, confusion washing over me. Gabriel's posture stiffened further. "What are you trying to say?"

Callum turned to me, his expression respectful. "You carry white wolf blood. It's very important..."

My heart skipped a beat. I'd only heard about my white wolf bloodline from Ethan. How did Callum know?

"She knows," Gabriel interrupted sharply. "What's your point?"

Callum looked surprised. "You know?"

Dominic seized the opening, stepping closer. "That's the point. The Council is hunting white wolves, coveting their power. And by that, I mean they want Lyra." His voice dropped. "They'll stop at nothing to achieve this goal. When I say nothing, I mean hurting those closest to her—including Isabella. I can't let Isabella be harmed, but I also can't let you be harmed either. You're sisters. If one is captured, the other is at risk. Protecting you means protecting Isabella..."

Something in me snapped at his words. Before I could respond, Gabriel lunged forward with frightening speed, tackling Dominic to the floor. In one fluid motion, he pulled a silver dagger from his waistband and pressed it against Dominic's throat. Blood seeped from where the blade met skin.

"THEY! DON'T! NEED! YOUR! PROTECTION!" Gabriel roared, his face contorted with rage.