Chapter 89 Tethered
The road stretched endlessly ahead of Lyra, dark asphalt leading through the quiet countryside as she sped off.
The engine of her bike growled beneath her, the vibrations traveling up her arms, into her chest, shaking loose thoughts she didn’t want to hold anymore.
Wind tore at her hair, rushed past her ears, and drowned out everything that she wanted to forget. The memories, the guilt, the fear.
Behind her, she knew Rex followed.
She didn’t need to look back to sense her. She'd heard her get on her own bike and ride after her as soon as she left the arena.
And farther down the road was also Dax, who jumped on his bike and followed her too.
“Don’t slow down,” she muttered to herself as she held the handle, twisting the throttle harder.
The evening air was cold, and all the dust had settled from earlier rides, leaving the air pretty clean.
The sky above was slightly cloudy, sunlight quickly vanishing into an orange hue.
She needed this moment alone. She needed this ride.
“Just breathe,” she whispered.
Rex’s engine hummed steadily behind her as she began to slow down.
She rode until the road curved toward the old bridge, the one that arched over the deep, black river below.
It was a very familiar place. It had once been her favorite spot with Cassian.
Right now, it was empty and quiet enough to think.
Lyra slowed and pulled over near the guardrail, cutting the engine.
The sudden silence made her glance around, wondering if Rex had lost track of her.
She swung off the bike, breathing hard.
A moment later, Rex stopped behind her, and Dax rolled in not long after, dismounting swiftly.
“You okay?” Rex asked immediately.
“I’m fine,” Lyra said, though her voice betrayed her.
“You rode like you were being chased,” Dax said, walking up beside her.
“Maybe I was,” she replied.
Rex frowned. “By what?”
“My own head,” she said quietly.
Dax leaned against the rail, staring out at the dark water below. “This is where you come when things get loud.”
She glanced at him. “You noticed.”
“Hard not to,” he said. “Ryker told me about it. And frankly, you always choose places where the world feels suspended.”
Rex shifted awkwardly and looked at both of them. “I’ll give you two some space. We can't be out here for too long. There are still bloodsuckers around.”
Lyra nodded. “Yeah, thanks.”
Rex stepped back, keeping a respectful distance, though her eyes never left them.
Dax broke the silence. “The funeral rites will be at dawn.”
She swallowed. “Already?” Then she sighed. “I don't think Ryker will like the idea of Samson being buried,” she mused.
“That’s tradition,” he said. “Regardless of how he died.”
Lyra hugged her arms around herself. “Did the pack accept it?”
“They accepted the outcome,” Dax corrected. “Not all of them liked it.”
“They never do,” she murmured.
Dax sighed. “The Una’Rah went exactly how it always does. Blood, pride, and someone paying the price.”
“Samson didn’t deserve to die like that,” she said softly.
“No,” Dax agreed. “But he chose his own end. I couldn't stand by and watch him hurt you. He'd done enough already.”
She turned to him. “Do you regret it?”
He stiffened. “Do I regret saving you?”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Dax exhaled slowly. “I regret that it came to that. I regret that Ryker had to stand there and watch it happen. And I regret that the pack will whisper about this for years.”
“They’ll blame him,” she said.
“They already are,” Dax replied. “And they’ll blame you too. Even if they don’t say it out loud.”
She flinched. “I never wanted any of this.”
“I know,” he said gently. “That’s what makes it unfair. You're too kind for those fools.”
“They're my family,” she replied, even though she didn't believe it one bit.
Before Dax could say anything, bright headlights suddenly flared behind them.
Lyra stiffened as she saw Ryker's bike. “He followed us.”
Dax frowned. “Of course he did.”
Ryker’s bike came to a stop nearby. He stepped out, eyes immediately finding Lyra.
“Care to tell me why my mate is speeding off into the night?” he asked.
Lyra crossed her arms. “I needed air.”
“You needed to disappear?” he shot back.
Dax cleared his throat. “I’ll, uh—”
“Get lost,” Ryker snapped, eyes never leaving Lyra.
She bristled. “Don’t talk to him like that.”
Ryker’s gaze flicked to Dax. “Why are you still here?”
“Because she asked,” Dax replied calmly.
Something dark flashed across Ryker’s face. “Of course she did.”
“Ryker,” Lyra warned.
He exhaled sharply, turning away. “I don’t like finding you alone on the road with him.”
Dax raised both hands. “Easy. I was just leaving.”
“Good,” Ryker muttered.
Dax leaned closer to Lyra. “Funeral at dawn,” he said quietly. “Get some rest.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He glanced once at Ryker, then walked back to his bike and rode off, Rex following soon after.
Silence fell again.
Ryker turned to her slowly. “You could’ve told me you wanted to ride out.”
“I didn’t want a fight,” she said.
“And yet here we are.”
She sighed. “You’re just jealous, Ryker.”
“I’m worried,” he corrected.
“About me or about losing me to your brother?” she challenged.
He paused. “Both.”
“Dax and I share nothing. He's just a dear friend,” she stepped closer.
“That's not all he wants.”
“It's not my fault you can't trust your own brother,” she stated.
“I'm not blaming you,” he sighed. “The pack is just going crazy right now.”
“This isn’t my fault.”
“I know,” he said immediately. “None of this is.”
“Then why do I feel like I’m poisoning your world?” she asked.
“Stop it, Lyra.” He cupped her face. “Stop trying to carry guilt that doesn’t belong to you.”
She leaned into his touch. “Samson died because of me.”
“He died because of his choices,” Ryker said firmly. “And because of ancient laws he invoked.”
She closed her eyes. “I don’t belong here.”
He frowned. “Don’t say that.”
“I mean it,” she whispered. “Everywhere I go, something bad happens.”
Ryker rested his forehead against hers. “You are mine, and I'll protect you.”
She opened her mouth to respond, and then it hit her.
A sudden searing pain.
“Ahhhh!” she shrieked in agony, grabbing her head as her body convulsed violently.
“Lyra!” He grabbed her arms. “What’s happening?”
She screamed as she felt the summon coming so strong that she couldn't hold back the darkness.
Her vision blurred red.
“The Blood King,” she choked. “He’s calling me.”
Ryker’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I can’t.” Her knees buckled. “I can’t fight it.”
Her body lurched forward with a strength that was no longer her own.
“Lyra, stay with me!” Ryker shouted, gripping her tighter.
But she was already slipping, her foot caught the edge of the pavement, and she toppled over the edge.
“Ryker!” Lyra cried out as the guardrail broke.
And she plunged into the dark, roaring river below.