Chapter 151 End

Chapter 151 End
~ Taren's POV ~

After confirming that we had truly won the battle against the Void Wolf and that Lyra was actually still alive, a much needed sense of peace finally settled in my heart.

It was the first time in what felt like forever that I could breathe without feeling like my chest was being crushed by fear. Even then, my prayers did not stop. Every day and every night, I found myself hoping for the same thing. I prayed that she would recover quickly, wake up soon, and return to us because Iron Fang still needed her just as much as we always had.

It had been three days since the battle, and despite everyone's determination to restore order, nothing had been easy. The damage left behind ran far deeper than broken walls and blood stained grounds.

Most of our warriors were still trapped under the spell Dagan had placed on them, leaving us unable to trust the very people who had once stood beside us as loyal protectors of the pack. We had managed to secure them safely, but until the spell was broken, they remained prisoners of a will that was not their own.

Although River was part witch and her mother was a full witch with remarkable abilities, neither of them possessed the power needed to release the warriors from the spell. Elder Cross had been right from the very beginning. Lyra was the only person capable of undoing what Dagan had done, and until she opened her eyes again, there was very little any of us could do except wait and hope.

Still, out of everything weighing on my mind, nothing troubled me more than seeing Kaitlin among those still trapped beneath Dagan's influence. Every time I looked at her, I was reminded that none of them had chosen this fate. They were victims just as much as the rest of us, and knowing that did nothing to lessen the frustration of being unable to help them.

Kaitlin had been discovered inside one of the upper storerooms together with several other warriors. According to those who found them, they had overpowered Brenda before injecting her with an unknown substance that caused her to lose the child she was carrying.

She would have bled to death if her father had not reached her when he did.

Even so, one good thing had come out of everything we had endured.

I met my mate.

River's quiet presence became a source of comfort I had never realized I needed. Her calm nature, gentle reassurances, and unwavering patience helped me recover far better than I ever imagined possible.

Arriving outside Alpha Kael's room, I raised my hand and knocked twice before waiting patiently.

When permission came from inside, I pushed the door open and stepped in.

Several elders had already gathered, along with a number of distinguished visitors and dignitaries from neighboring territories. They had all come to discuss the future of the packs, and determine the next course of action after everything that had happened.

Alpha Kael was expected to lead the meeting, but the moment my eyes landed on him, it was obvious where his attention truly was.

Lyra still lay unconscious on the bed exactly where she had been since the battle ended.

Alpha Kael sat faithfully beside her, his hand wrapped gently around hers as though letting go was something he simply could not bring himself to do. His eyes never strayed far from her face, silently watching for even the slightest sign that she might wake up.

The sight struck something deep inside me.

For a brief moment, it felt as though my heart wanted to break all over again. Even so, I forced myself to remain composed. Now was not the time to let emotions take control.

Alpha had been like that for days. He barely ate, barely slept, and hardly left Lyra's side. The only time he ever stepped out of the room was when something truly important demanded his attention, and even then, he never stayed away longer than necessary.

"Alpha, the elders have been waiting for quite some time now, and some of them are beginning to grow impatient," I informed him respectfully. "Elder Rowan said it would be best if you attended to them, even if only briefly, so they do not feel ignored."

Alpha Kael let out a long sigh. His hand slowly slipped away from Lyra's before moving to his head, where he dragged his fingers through his hair in obvious exhaustion.

"You should go and attend to them," Alpha Vale said gently. He was still in the room together with his wife, both of them keeping Lyra company over the past few days whenever they could. "We will stay with her, and the moment anything changes, we will let you know immediately."

Alpha Kael did not argue.

He simply gave a small nod before pushing himself to his feet and making his way toward the door. Every movement carried the reluctance of someone who hated the idea of leaving, even for a few moments. Still, duty called, and he intended to answer it.

However, the instant his hand touched the door handle, a soft moan escaped Lyra's lips, and he froze.

Without a second thought, Alpha spun around and hurried straight back to the bed, his eyes searching her face anxiously for the slightest sign that she was finally waking up.

My own heart immediately began pounding faster.

Excitement rushed through me so suddenly that I almost forgot to breathe. I had been waiting for this moment ever since I woke up.

To me, Lyra was far more than the Luna of Iron Fang. Her half sister was my mate, which meant we were family now in every way that mattered. I had been looking forward to telling her the news ever since I woke up, and now that moment finally seemed within reach.

"Baby, are you awake?" Alpha asked softly when she made no further sounds and remained still.

For several long seconds, nothing happened. Then her brows slowly drew together.

A moment later, her eyelids fluttered before she gradually cracked her eyes open.

The quiet sighs of relief filling the room made it obvious that I was not the only one who had been desperately waiting for this moment. Every person present had been holding their breath, hoping she would return to us.

"Kael?" she called weakly, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Yes, my love. I am here," Alpha answered immediately, leaning closer to her without taking his eyes off her face.

"Are we dead?"

A faint smile touched Alpha's lips despite the exhaustion written all over his face.

"Not on my watch, baby. We are still very much alive, and we will remain that way until we are ready to leave."

His voice carried a quiet reassurance that seemed to calm everyone in the room.

Then he finally lifted his gaze toward me.

"Tell the elders that the meeting has been postponed indefinitely," he instructed without the slightest hesitation. "I have a far more pressing matter to attend to, and I will personally communicate a new date to them when the time is right."

I didn't argue. I already knew there was no way alpha would leave this room in the current situation. I knew exactly what to tell the elders to ensure no one felt slighted, and I intended to handle it exactly like that.