Chapter 103 The Arms She Clings
Ryker had faced death more times than he could count, but nothing prepared him for the sight of Lyra floating helplessly in midair.
“Lyra,” he called again, louder this time, his voice echoing off the cold stone walls of the cave. “Lyra, can you hear me?”
But there was still no response.
She hung there like a broken puppet, her body rigid, her hair drifting as though she was underwater. Her chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths, but her eyes remained shut, lashes resting against skin that had gone too pale for his liking.
Ryker took a careful step forward.
The air around her felt almost electric. Like whatever force was keeping her afloat wasn't from this realm.
He should have been scared. But he knew he couldn't afford to be. He had to make sure she was safe first and foremost.
“Okay,” he muttered under his breath. “Okay, take it easy.”
He reached out slowly, fingers stretching toward her ankle.
The moment he touched her, a sharp jolt of force surged through his arm, throwing him back a step.
He hissed, shaking out his hand, staring at her in disbelief.
“What the hell!” he breathed.
He tried again, this time bracing himself for the force when he gripped her calf firmly
But she still didn’t budge. The force was so strong it was like trying to pull down a mountain.
Whatever was holding her wasn’t physical, but it was strong. Stronger than him, stronger than anything he’d ever encountered.
Ryker stepped back, heart pounding.
His instincts screamed danger. He knew this was some sort of dark magic and ancient magic. The kind that werewolves were not immune to.
He could tell it had something to do with her halfbreed nature. Precisely her vampire side.
He lifted his shotgun, sweeping the cave with the beam of his flashlight, finger tense on the trigger.
He had to be sure that she was alone. That there was nobody controlling her from somewhere.
“Show yourself,” he growled. “You want her? You’ll have to come through me.”
But all he could hear was the echo of his own loud voice in the otherwise empty cave.
Lyra’s body twitched suddenly, a sharp jerk that made his stomach drop.
“Lyra!” he shouted, rushing forward again. “Hey, look at me. I'm here, look at me.”
He hated the fear creeping into his voice and hated how small and useless he suddenly felt when he couldn't help her.
He lowered the shotgun slowly. Whatever this was, bullets wouldn’t fix it.
So he did the only thing left, he tried to talk to her even if she clearly wasn't completely conscious.
“Lyra,” he said softly now, stepping closer and ignoring the pressure pushing against his chest. “It’s me. Ryker. You’re not alone.”
He reached up, gently brushing his fingers against her hand.
This time, the force didn’t throw him back, but it didn’t let her go either, it seemed to hold her in place and her skin became so cold that it bit him.
“Hey,” he murmured. “You promised me, remember? You said you wouldn’t leave me again.”
But still there was nothing from here. No sign of her being aware of his presence.
He swallowed hard and kept talking.
“I know you’re scared,” he said quietly. “And I know things don’t make sense right now. Hell, they don’t make sense to me either. But you’re stronger than this. Stronger than whatever’s trying to pull you away.”
Her brows twitched faintly as he said those words and he became hopeful somehow.
“That’s it,” he whispered. “I’m right here. Come back to me.”
He lifted himself onto a rock beneath her, bringing his face level with hers.
“I need you,” he said simply. “I need my wife. Please, come back.”
He didn’t know where the next thought came from. Maybe it was some desperation to bring her back.
Before he could second-guess himself, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, holding the back of her neck.
The effect was immediate.
Lyra gasped sharply, her body jerking as her eyes flew open, pupils dilated in shock. The invisible force shattered like glass, and she dropped.
Ryker caught her just in time.
He staggered back, falling to his knees as he cradled her against his chest.
She was shaking violently now, sobbing as fingers clutched his shirt like he was the only solid thing left in the world.
“I’ve got you,” he said hoarsely, wrapping his arms around her. “I’ve got you.”
He stripped off his jacket quickly, wrapping it around her shoulders, then fumbled with her clothes, dressing her as fast as his shaking hands would allow.
He pressed his forehead to hers, rubbing her arms softly.
“You’re safe,” he kept repeating. “You’re safe. I won’t let anything take you.”
She whimpered, burying her face into his chest, clinging to him like she might shatter if she let go.
Moments later, hurried footsteps echoed through the cave and they both turned around.
“Ryker!” Dax’s voice rang out, sharp with panic. “Ryker, what the hell happened?”
Dax skidded to a stop when he saw them, eyes widening at the sight of Lyra trembling in Ryker’s arms.
“What did you do?” Dax demanded. “What happened to her?”
Ryker looked up, jaw tight. “I found her like this. She was floating.”
Dax blinked. “Floating, as in—”
“Levitating,” Ryker snapped. “Unconscious.”
Dax swore under his breath. “That’s not possible.”
“It is,” Ryker said grimly. “And I think I know why.”
Dax’s gaze moved to Lyra, who was crying softly now, fists still twisted in Ryker’s shirt. “The Blood King,” Ryker said quietly.
Dax stiffened.
Ryker didn’t explain further, he just stood, lifting Lyra carefully into his arms.
“We’re going back,” he said. “Now.”
They moved quickly through the forest, Ryker carrying Lyra the entire way.
She refused to let go of him, her arms locked around his neck, her face pressed against his shoulder.
When they reached camp, he noticed that all the men were now awake and discussing heatedly. As he appeared, the conversations died instantly.
All the pack members stared openly as Ryker strode in with Lyra cradled against his chest, her face pale and her body limp with exhaustion.
“It’s nothing,” Ryker said when murmurs started. “She just got tired of walking.”
A few nervous chuckles followed, but no one truly believed him.
Dax stopped short and turned toward the pack. “Stop lying to them,” he said loudly. “There’s something wrong with Lyra. And you all deserve to know the truth.”
Ryker froze.
Dax took a step forward to make the announcement but all his brother said was…
“No,”
Every eye snapped to him.
“It doesn’t matter what my brother says,” Ryker continued loudly. “This woman is your Luna. You owe her loyalty and if you doubt that, if you question her place among us, then choose.”
He paused, his eyes scanning their faces.
“Choose who will lead you. Me,” he said with a cold voice. “Or my brother.”
Without another word, Ryker turned and carried Lyra into the tent, leaving the pack standing frozen.