Chapter 44 Long Way Home
The ride was so fast that the forest road blurred past the wheels as Dax sped through the night.
The motorcycle was growling like a beast ready to collapse, leaping through logs and tree roots.
Lyra held onto him tightly from behind, her injured shoulder throbbing every time the bike hit another bump on the road. But she didn’t complain. Not after everything they’d been through just to escape with their lives.
At least they were alive, what was a little bumpy ride?
Or so she thought.
Because just as the relief came over her, it was snatched away as the engine sputtered and jerked.
Then suddenly the bike began to zoom forward at such speed that Lyra almost fell back.
Lyra frowned. “Dax? What’s wrong? Slow down.”
But he didn’t answer, his hands rolled over the handles and his body slumped forward.
“Dax?!” she yelled and tried to grab the handle, but it was too far off.
She nudged him, but he didn’t move.
The bike kept surging forward in a wild, uncontrolled sprint, drawing even closer to the spiky trees.
Lyra screamed and grabbed the handlebars from behind, trying to steady them, but Dax’s limp weight pulled the bike sideways, tossing them into the air.
“Dax!” she shrieked.
It was too late.
The bike skidded violently before flipping sideways and crashing hard into the dirt. Lyra hit the ground shoulder first, a sharp cry tearing from her throat as pain exploded through her arm.
But despite the pain, she forced herself up.
She dragged herself onto her knees, groaning. “Dax, Dax! Oh goodness!”
He lay several feet away, sprawled on his back, unmoving.
Lyra staggered to him, her legs barely obeying her. “Dax!” she yelled, shaking him. “Wake up! We’re almost home, come on, don’t die on me!”
She shook him with what strength she had left. No doubt the silver bullet was weakening him even more every second.
After a long, terrifying moment, his eyes fluttered open and he squinted at her.
“Hey.” His voice cracked. “You’re alive.”
“Yes, I’m alive!” she snapped breathlessly. “And you’re going to stay alive too. Come on. Let me get you up. I’ll drive us the rest of the way.”
He lifted a shaky hand, touching her cheek. “No. You can’t drive. You’re hurt. If you strain the shoulder, it won’t heal properly.”
She laughed hysterically. “Dax, I don’t care about a stupid shoulder wound! You’re bleeding out, you idiot!”
She tried to lift him under the arms, but he slipped from her grasp and she almost collapsed under his weight. He was too heavy. His muscles were dead weight and completely limp.
Dax touched her hand, squeezing weakly. “Lyra, listen to me.”
She looked down at him, breath trembling.
His eyes softened. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I’m sorry you went through all that alone. I hope that mad Alpha didn’t hurt you.”
“Shhh, stop talking,” she snapped, wiping her tears angrily. “Save your breath. I’m getting the bike upright and we’re leaving.”
She turned to stand, but Dax caught her wrist again. His fingers, despite being weak, were firm enough to stop her.
“Lyra,” he whispered, voice trembling. “It is too late to save me. But before anything happens…”
She froze, feeling air stick in her lungs.
He cupped her face with both hands, thumbs brushing her cheeks.
“I’d be happy,” he whispered, “if you kissed me once. Before I die.”
Lyra’s heart stopped at his words and tears poured down her cheeks. She shook her head violently.
“No, you’re not dying!”
He held her face tighter. “Please,” he whispered. “That’s all I ask.”
She choked. “No! I’ll kiss you when you wake up. You hear me? When you wake up. Because you’re not dying today, Dax. I can see the roof of the IronFangs from here!”
And with a strength she didn’t know she had left, she slid her arms under him, grunted through the agony in her shoulder and hauled him onto her back. His weight crushed her but she didn’t stop.
She wouldn’t stop.
Step by staggering step, she started walking.
Her legs wobbled, her knees buckled and twice she nearly dropped him. Her arm burned from the gunshot. Blood seeped down her elbow, dropping on the dirt road.
Lyra was gasping for breath, barely holding on. But she trudged forward.
Every few steps, she whispered, “Hold on, Dax, please hold on.”
Sometimes she stumbled so badly she fell to her knees, scraping her skin, rocks digging into her palms. She bit back cries of pain and forced herself up again, lifting him each time like he weighed a thousand pounds.
They finally reached the entrance path of IronFangs territory, the giant iron archway barely visible through the trees.
Just a little farther and they’d be within sight.
But Lyra never got there when her ankle twisted under Dax’s weight.
She screamed and crashed to the ground, landing hard. Dax slipped off her back and fell right beneath her, her body collapsing on top of him.
She sobbed, grabbing his shirt desperately. “Dax, please don’t die! We’re here, we’re almost home, please!”
His breathing was shallow and his face even more pale. His lips were now blue as he blinked painfully.
Still, he managed a faint smile when he looked at her.
“I’m glad you’re alive,” he whispered. “That’s all that matters.”
“No,” she cried, shaking her head. “Don’t you dare say that!”
He lifted his hand and touched her neck softly, fingertips trembling against her skin. His touch was featherlight, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
She closed her eyes.
And something inside her broke.
She didn’t know why, but she knew she had to fulfill his last wish, just in case.
She lowered her face to his, her lips hovering inches from his mouth, then she kissed him.
It wasn’t gentle or careful.
It was desperation, pure, raw desperation. Her lips crashed into his and her bloody hands cupped his jaw.
Dax groaned, whether from pain or pleasure she didn’t know, but his fingers slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
His mouth opened beneath hers. His tongue brushed hers and the kiss deepened hungrily. She felt him try to sit up, but his body failed. Still, he kissed her like he was clinging to life through her lips.
For a moment, she forgot the blood and pain. Nothing made sense but the sensual kiss.
Dax closed his eyes, breathing in her smell, drinking what was left of her scent as his senses began to fade.
Until a scream shattered the moment.
“LYRA?!”
She flinched and tore her mouth away, gasping. Her eyes shot upward and she saw a figure sprinting toward them from the iron gate.
“It’s the Luna!” someone shouted behind him. “She’s returned!”
Lyra blinked, dizzy when she finally saw him.
Ryker stood there, staring at her in shock, disbelief and something else she couldn’t name.
“Lyra?” he breathed.
She opened her mouth to respond but her vision swayed, her body went numb and the world slipped away as she collapsed into darkness.