Chapter 264: What Kind Of Creature Is That?

Chapter 264: What Kind Of Creature Is That?
Rachel

"Just when I thought he was going to finish me off, there was this sound from deep in the cave. A roar that made Orion's voice sound like a whisper. Then something came out of the shadows."

She closed her eyes, as if trying to block out the memory.

"I've never seen anything like it, Rachel. It was massive—bigger than Orion, bigger than any werewolf I've ever seen. And it was old. I could smell the age on it, like something that had been sleeping underground for centuries."

What the hell is living on our territory?

"Orion tried to fight it," Lyra continued, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. "But it was like watching a child try to fight a hurricane. The thing tore him apart like he was nothing, and then..." She paused, struggling with the memory. "Then it looked at me."

"What happened then?"

"Nothing. It just... left. Dragged Orion deeper into the cave and disappeared. Left me there bleeding and half-conscious, but alive."

It spared her. Why would it spare her but attack Orion?

"I'm grateful I managed to make it back to the Alpha House before I passed out," she finished.

But something bothered me about that. "Why didn't any pack members help you when you came out of the forest? You were injured, but no one found you?"

Lyra's brow furrowed. "I don't know. But I definitely didn't get any help. It was... strange."

I leaned back in my chair, trying to process everything she'd told me. There was some kind of creature living on our territory, powerful enough to easily kill a werewolf like Orion. And for unknown reasons, it had chosen to spare Lyra.

This was information Dominic needed to know. Immediately.

"Lyra," I said carefully, "I need to tell Dominic about what you saw in that cave. About the creature. There might still be something dangerous living on our territory."

"Can you describe what it looked like?" I pressed gently.

Lyra shook her head slowly. "I don't know... it was too dark, and I was using all my strength just to stay conscious. I didn't have the energy to really look. I'm sorry, Rachel."

"Hey, that's not your fault," I assured her.

She nodded weakly. "Orion...?"

"Dead," I said simply. "Julian and Avery executed him about an hour ago. He won't hurt anyone ever again."

Relief washed over Lyra's face, followed immediately by a flicker of sadness.

"I know he was a monster," she said softly. "I know he killed Clara and tried to kill me. But part of me still feels sad about it. You know? He wasn't always evil. Before he went rogue, before the hunger took over, he was just... lost."

That's what makes Lyra different from Orion. Even after everything he'd put her through, she could still find compassion for him.

"You're a good person, Lyra," I said seriously. "I think Clara would have liked you if you'd had the chance to meet under better circumstances."

Tears welled up in her eyes at the mention of Clara's name.

"I wish I could have saved her," she whispered.

"Hey." I squeezed her hand tighter. "Clara's death is not your fault. It's not any of our fault. The only person responsible for what happened to her is that bastard, and he paid for it with his life."

Before Lyra could respond, there was a soft knock at the door frame. I looked up to see Ethan peering into the room, his expression carefully neutral, but his eyes betrayed him. They went straight to Lyra, full of concern.

"I thought you were going home to take care of the girls," I said.

"I couldn't stay away," he admitted. "Lyra..."

We're all adults here. I could see there might be something brewing between Ethan and Lyra. They'd make a good match, actually.

"I was planning to go home, but Dominic mind linked me. He can't sleep and wants to figure out what's in that cave," Ethan said. "I came to the Alpha House to find him, and I thought we should discuss what happened. We need more information about what's out there."

"Lyra remembers some details," I said. "We can talk it through together. But let's not wake Avery. She really needs the rest."

I looked at Lyra questioningly. Despite her obvious exhaustion, she nodded. "I've been lying down long enough. I need to sit up and change positions anyway."

The moment I helped Lyra sit up, she made a sharp hissing sound of pain. Her words had been brave, but we all knew getting up wasn't going to be easy.

"Don't push yourself," Ethan said, his voice gentle. "If it's too painful, you can lie on the couch and listen to us talk."

Lyra shot him a grateful look. "Thanks, but I can handle it."

After she got her shoes on, I asked, "Ready?"

She straightened up, and despite her pale complexion and obvious exhaustion, I could see that familiar determination in her brown eyes.

"Ready," she said firmly.