Chapter 27: Arranged to Marry

\- Maximus's POV -

The fire was still burning inside me. Even though the battle was over, I couldn't calm down. Every time I closed my eyes... I saw her falling, pale and weak.

Lyra.

It's been fucking 2 days, and she should've woken up by now.

I stood in my chambers, the night air cold through the open window, but it wasn't enough to cool me down. My jaw was tense. My hands wouldn't stay still. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now.

"Caspian," I called.

The door opened soundlessly. Caspian stepped inside, dressed in black from head to toe, his expression empty as always. His presence was like a shadow-silent, cold, and sharp.

He bowed his head. "Master."

I turned slowly, facing him. "How's Lyra?"

"She is stable now," Caspian answered without hesitation, his voice low and lifeless. "She just woke up. The royal healer said her body was recovering well. No injuries remain."

A weight I didn't want to admit dropped from my chest. Alive. She was alright.

I looked away, hiding the storm in my eyes. "Good." My tone was flat, but my hands tightened into fists.

For a moment, silence filled the room. Only the sound of the wind through the window remained.

"Tell me," I ordered. "Everything about what happened at the southern border."

Caspian didn't blink, "The vampire attack came sudden, stronger than what scouts reported. They broke the outer defenses... and many of our men died before reinforcement lines could hold."

My jaw tightened. "And?"

His eyes flickered slightly, like he was recalling something important. "One of the soldiers... claimed he saw the girl."

"Lyra?" I cut in sharply.

"Yes, Master," Caspian said, lowering his head slightly. "He said she was glowing."

The words slammed into me. My chest tightened, my breathing slow but sharp. "Glowing?"

"Yes," Caspian confirmed. "But... the soldier was not certain. He said, he saw it only for a moment and the girl fainted soon after. Her body was weak. He thought it was an illusion caused by the chaos of battle. But..." Caspian's cold voice slowed, almost thoughtful. "He was not the only one who noticed something unusual. Several claimed the air shifted before she collapsed. They felt... pressure."

I stared at him, my eyes narrowing. My thoughts burned with questions I couldn't silence.

Glowing.

Pressure.

Who are you really Lyra?

I remembered how she felt in my arms. Too light. Too fragile. But something... something burned under her skin.

I didn't know if it was my mind playing tricks on me. Or if she was something far more than I know.

"Find out everything," I said darkly, my voice dropping lower. "Where she came from. Who her parents were. I want every detail."

"Yes, Master." Caspian bowed his head.

I turned back to the window, staring at the blood-red moon hanging in the sky. My eyes were sharp, and cold. But my chest was not calm.

She was not normal.

And I needed to know why.

"Master," Caspian spoke again, his tone careful. "There is something else."

I didn't move. "Speak."

His lifeless eyes locked with mine. "The Alpha King is furious."

My jaw clenched. "Furious?"

Caspian's voice stayed even. "He believes you showed weakness by leaving the palace for a servant kid. You rode into the southern border yourself. Many packs were already whispering about it."

Weakness.

That word made my blood boil.

I saved her because-

I stopped the thought. No. I didn't need to explain myself. Not to Caspian. Not to anyone.

Still, my father always saw me as a weapon. And weapons didn't protect anyone unless it served him.

Caspian lowered his gaze. "Because of this, the Alpha King has decided... he is arranging your marriage."

My head snapped toward him, "Marriage?" my voice like ice.

"Yes, Master," Caspian confirmed without hesitation. "To Lady Veyra, daughter of Alpha Darius of the Ironfang Pack. Their pack is strong. Their armies rival ours in the east. The King believes this bond will erase any doubts about your strength."

My teeth ground together, I could even feel my blood boiling.

Lady Veyra.

I had seen her once. She had this ambitious eyes. She wanted power, and everyone knew it.

And my father, who put my Lyra in danger, would tie me to that woman like a pawn on his chessboard.

A sharp laugh slipped out of my chest, humorless, and cold as I held a glass of whiskey.

Caspian said nothing. He didn't need to.

I took a sip and turned fully to him as my eyes were burning with fury. "I do not belong to anyone. Not to Lady Veyra. Not even to your King."

Caspian bowed low, his voice quiet but firm. "Yes, Master."

I put the glass of whiskey as the silence stretched again. I stood up from my chair and walked near the window, looking outside, my thoughts were circling back to her.

Lyra... Lyra... her name calms the beast inside of me.

Glowing huh...

I didn't know anything about her.

But one thing is certain-

She's mine.

Suddenly, a soft knock at the door broke the silence.

It wasn't loud, just gentle, but it sliced through the tension like a blade.

I sensed Caspian looked toward it. His eyes narrowed, waiting for my order. I raised my hand, and Caspian walked forward silently, his steps soundless like a shadow.

When the door opened, a scent rushed in.

Roses.

The air changed instantly. My chest felt tight, my heart pounding harder against my ribs. I didn't even need to turn. I already knew.

It was my little Lyra.