Chapter 48 A Sister's Concern
CHAPTER 48: A Sister's Concern
Author's POV
Lyrin stormed out of the balcony, slamming the doors behind her with enough force to make the air cackle.
Her boots pounded against the stone corridors as she moved through the pack halls, every step carrying the weight of her fury. Her brother had let himself be cornered.. by that woman, that vile, power-hungry Vespera.
Every fiber of Lyrin’s being trembled with hatred for the scheming female who somehow wormed herself into the life of the one person she loved most.
Vespera didn’t love Aric. Not in the slightest. Lyrin knew it with crystal clarity. The woman’s smiles, her whispers, her calculated displays of charm and obedience... they were all performance. Every action was designed to secure her seat as queen, nothing more.. and Aric, bless him, seemed trapped in her web, unaware of how tightly it had wrapped around his mind.
Lyrin ground her teeth so hard she thought she might crack them. How had her brother let this happen? How had he let himself be led around by that snake in Lycan skin?
As she rounded a corner in the halls, fuming and pacing, she bumped into Darius. He was leaning lazily against the wall, a smirk tugging at his lips, clearly caught off guard by her storming presence.
“Heeyyy,” Darius drawled, a hint of mischief in his voice. “You look like you could scare a hurricane. What’s got you all twisted up this time?”
Lyrin paused, threw him a glare that could have set fire to stone and gestured wildly.
“Have you seen what’s happening? My brother... our King... he’s letting Vespera manipulate him! She’s not even pretending anymore, Darius! The woman is power hungry, selfish and she doesn’t give a damn about anyone but herself! And he… he’s letting it happen!”
Darius raised his hands, a playful grin on his face though there was concern behind his eyes.
“Calm down, Lyrin. I’m sure Aric knows what he’s doing.”
Lyrin let out a sharp scoff that could have cut through steel.
“Have you seen Aric lately? You tell me he knows what he’s doing! He’s… he’s like a puppet on her strings. A goddamn puppet!”
She gesticulated again, spinning on her heel before noticing Darius raising an eyebrow.
“Anyway,” she continued, lowering her arms, “where have you been hiding yourself, Darius? You’ve disappeared for days.”
“Busy,” Darius said, shrugging nonchalantly. “Training with the soldiers. Preparing for the next… thing.”
Lyrin tilted her head teasingly.
“Training? You?”
Darius smirked but shook his head.
“Even though the Grimhowl attacks have paused, it’s only temporary. I fear when they strike next, it’ll be massive. I need to be ready.” He paused, glancing at her sharply. “And I will be.”
Lyrin waved him off, muttering, “Whatever. Some inner peace and a break from all this mess sounds better than your doom-prep.”
She spun on her heel and headed toward her quarters.
“I’m going to pack a few things. Travel out of the pack for a while. Find some inner peace… away from this insanity.”
She hadn’t made it far down the corridor when a voice rang out sweet and syrupy but filled with an energy that immediately made Lyrin clench her fists.
“Lyrin! What a surprise!”
She froze mid-step, turning to see none other than Vespera. That perfect scheming smile plastered across her face like it belonged there. She came forward with arms outstretched as if to embrace Lyrin, her eyes sparkling with fake warmth.
Lyrin stopped cold, planting her boots firmly.
“Don’t.”
Vespera blinked in mock confusion, adjusting her smile as she stepped closer.
“Oh, come now. Surely you’re not going to deny me a greeting? I’m so eager. Can’t wait to officially be your sister soon, after marrying Aric.”
Lyrin’s eyes narrowed, cutting through the pretense.
“I see through you,” she said bluntly. “Your fake smiles, your games, your guards lurking behind every corner. I am not moved. You are a power-hungry bitch who’s already scheming and manipulating while wandering around with your precious guards.”
Vespera’s smile didn’t falter but there was a flicker in her eyes... a dark glint of something ugly and violent. Lyrin didn’t notice it as she turned on her heel, head high, voice sharp.
“Keep your fucking distance from me, Vespera. One misstep, one word, and I won’t hesitate. Understand?”
Vespera’s lips twitched into a barely contained smirk.
“Oh, I understand perfectly.”
Lyrin didn’t look back. She walked away, every step echoing her determination. She felt the tension in her chest loosen slightly, her blood pumping with renewed energy.
She didn’t know what Vespera was planning but she knew she had to stay sharp. That woman was venom, sweet on the surface but deadly underneath.
True to her plan, the next morning, Lyrin set out with a small practical escort... some trusted soldiers, a few maids and attendants. She didn’t need a large caravan.
She only needed to get herself away, travel into the neighboring pack territory and stay at her boyfriend’s place until she could think clearly. Peace. That was what she craved.
The forest welcomed her and her escort with its quiet damp breath, the early morning mist curling around the trunks of the trees.
Lyrin rode at the front alert with her sharp Lycan senses constantly sniffing and scanning.
Suddenly, she raised a hand.
“Stop!” she commanded.
The horses skidded slightly, the carriages halting with creaking wooden wheels. The group froze, soldiers and attendants alike looking toward her, puzzled.
“What is it, My Lady Lyrin?” asked Ken, the young Lycan captain riding close beside her, brow furrowed.
“I smell something,” Lyrin said, nostrils flaring. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated, inhaling deeply. “A human. Blood, too. Definitely human. But… it’s masked with nightshade! Someone tried to hide it but it’s wearing off. It’s faint now but it’s there.”
Ken’s ears twitched.
“Could be a human scouting party. Could be a trap.” He glanced at the rest of the group. “We should push ahead with some of the soldiers, check it out. It might be humans planning a surprise attack.”
Lyrin shook her head sharply.
“No. I want to see this myself.” She slid off her horse, boots hitting the dirt with authority. “Captain Ken, lead the way. I’m coming too.”
Ken looked at her, startled.
“Are you sure, Princess? This could be dangerous. We don’t know how many they are.”
“I don’t care,” Lyrin said firmly. “I’ll know more if I see it for myself than if I sit here letting fear decide for me.” Her eyes glinted, serious and unyielding. “Let’s move...”