Chapter 64 Collapse of Strength
[Nyx]
Lysander moved nearer to where I stood vigil beside Lilith. Through our bond, I felt his concern—not for Lilith now, but for me.
Nyx, he sent gently. Lilith's safe now. You can rest.
His wolf eyes met mine—warm brown, steady, full of love that made my chest ache even in this form.
I know, I sent back. I just... I need to see her stable. Just a little longer.
But even as I thought it, I felt the exhaustion creeping in. The transformation had taken so much—three years of suppression unleashed in explosive force. The frantic digging with bleeding claws. The terror and relief and overwhelming emotion.
It was all catching up to me.
My legs trembled slightly. I locked them, refusing to show weakness. Not yet. Not while—
Then I felt it. A sudden drain, like something vital giving out. Like a dam breaking, all my remaining strength flooding away in a single moment.
My silver wolf body trembled, legs buckling despite my best efforts.
Nyx! Lysander's mental voice was sharp with alarm.
I can't... My own voice was fading, growing distant. Can't hold it anymore... Sylva can't...
Hold on! Lysander commanded. Just shift back controlled—
But I couldn't. My body had reached its absolute limit.
Before I could respond, my wolf form began to flicker. Not the smooth, controlled transformation I'd learned as a child—but an involuntary collapse. Like my wolf simply... gave out.
Bones restructured with pained cracks that I felt more than heard. Silver fur receded in waves. My body twisted, contracted, my wolf form dissolving whether I wanted it to or not.
In seconds, where Sylva had stood, I collapsed in human form.
Completely naked.
Completely vulnerable.
In the freezing snow.
The cold hit me like a physical blow—knives of ice against bare skin. I gasped, my body convulsing with violent shivers.
Then—warmth.
Lysander moved with pure instinct, faster than thought. His large brown wolf form lunged forward, catching me before I could fully collapse into the snow.
His massive body curled around me protectively, using his bulk to shield me from view. His head pressed over my shoulder, his body forming a living wall around my nakedness. Anyone looking would see only wolf fur—brown and massive, completely concealing me within.
I've got you, his voice filled my mind, steady and sure. I've got you.
I pressed against his warm fur, my naked skin finding comfort in his body heat. My whole body shook violently—from cold, from exhaustion, from the overwhelming release of everything I'd been holding.
Through our bond, I felt his fierce protectiveness. His determination. His love.
The Omega medics stationed nearby saw what happened immediately. One grabbed a thermal suit and blanket, sprinting toward us through the snow.
"Here!" Selene's voice, breathless from running. I recognized the sound of her limp—her injured knee protesting every step, but she was coming anyway.
Lysander adjusted his position carefully, keeping me shielded while allowing access. His body formed a three-sided barrier, his head and chest blocking the view from other wolves while Selene worked from the protected side.
I felt the thermal blanket drape over my exposed back immediately. Blessed warmth.
"I've got you, Ms. Verdant." Selene's voice was thick with concern but steady. "Let's get you dressed."
Working quickly, I felt her hands guiding the thermal suit onto me. Pulling it up my legs—I lifted my hips slightly to help despite the trembling. Guiding my arms through the sleeves—I pushed through, fighting the weakness. Zipping it up the front with fumbling but determined fingers.
One of the Omega medics came to assist, their movements efficient and respectful. Between them, they had me covered in under a minute.
Throughout it all, Lysander kept his wolf body positioned protectively, ensuring no one else could see. His presence was a wall, a shield, a fortress.
"There," Selene whispered. "You're covered now. You're safe."
Only then did Lysander ease back slightly, though he stayed close enough that I could lean against his warm fur for support.
I did, gratefully, pressing my face into his neck. My fingers buried in the thick fur, holding on like he was the only solid thing in a spinning world.
You showed them what a real Alpha is, his voice came through our bond, warm with pride and love.
I managed a weak smile against his fur. I showed them what desperation looks like.
No, he corrected firmly. You showed them what love looks like. What a true Alpha does for pack.
Then I heard it—a distant sound, rhythmic, growing louder. The thump of helicopter blades cutting through mountain air.
"Rescue helicopters incoming!" Owen's voice crackled through someone's radio. "Three birds inbound. ETA thirty seconds!"
Finally, I thought weakly. The full rescue team.
Lysander's ears perked up, his large brown wolf head turning toward the sound. Through our bond, I felt his relief mixing with continued concern for me.
"Clear the landing zone!" Seth's voice barked through the radio. "Get the injured ready for immediate transport!"
The sound grew deafening as three massive helicopters descended, their Moonblade pack insignia visible even through the swirling snow their rotors kicked up. Medical teams poured out before the skids even touched ground—more Omegas, more equipment, emergency thermal suits in their arms.
"Critical hypothermia cases!" the lead Omega shouted over the roar of engines. "Priority transport to resort medical facility! And we need emergency clothing for the wolves—multiple shifts during rescue operations!"
Through the chaos, I saw the medical teams moving with practiced efficiency. They'd come prepared for exactly this scenario—wolves who'd shifted and lost their clothes in the avalanche.
All wolves in shifted form, Seth's voice came through the pack link. Shift back now. Medical team has emergency clothing ready.