Chapter 204

THIRD PERSON POV

Two days later, Lyra woke up in what appeared to be a lab. She was woken by the hissing sound of what appeared to be gas, but when she woke up and turned towards the direction of the sound, her legs gave way under her. Not far off were bodies tied up in the most gruesome position ever, with blood seeping out from their flesh.

She screamed and looked at her surroundings, and noticed to her horror that the bodies whose blood was spilling into what looked like a boiling cauldron were not the only people in the room. Some were naked in freezing tubes. Their eyes looked lifeless, but she could see their hearts beating.

“Wait! Don’t tell me they are alive,” She gasped and looked around, wondering where she was. She stood up gradually and noticed the door. She hurried over and noticed the door was locked.

“Great,” She released a harsh breath and felt a shudder pass through her spine as she turned to look at the sight before her. Her eyes widened as it dawned on her that this was a lab for some sick experiment.

“Where am I?” Just as she spoke, she had a low groan. She looked around. The men and women around were too weak to make a sound. They all seemed helpless, like they had given up completely. Then she heard the groan again. This time louder. She traced the sound and approached the door that read Do not cross. Then she pushed it. It creaked under her touch, and she stepped in. Surprised to find herself in a hallway, but as she walked quietly, she realized she was walking through the passage of what seemed to be holding cells.

She finally stopped by a cell and saw a man groaning in pain. He clutched his lower belly and cried, chanting a name.

Lyra paused, then gently opened the cell door. She noticed the silver chains that were used as a barricade. The groaning man looked up and saw her face. He was stunned. Surprised to see such a beauty there.

Am I dead? Are you a goddess?

Lyra paused. Then spoke. “No, you are not dead. What is this place? Who are you? Do you know those people in that room?”

The man winced, and his eyes widened. “You saw them? Did you see Martha?” He sat up and gripped her hand tight.

“Martha, I don’t know—”

“Help me up. I need to get to her. They will bleed her dry. Her body can’t take anymore.”

Lyra pursed her lips and held him up quickly, then looked around. “Why are you the only one here?” She asked as she observed him.

“I tried to fight one of the guards. They dug the silver into my blood, and it’s contaminated. Contaminated blood cannot be used for any experiments, so I was left here, alone to die from the pain.

“Experiments. What experiments?” Lyra’s heart rate spiked as she supported the man before he fell. He was barely standing.

“The search for immortality,” He gasped. “These men are beasts. They bleed us dry until our bodies can't take any more, and then they burn our bodies after they give up. What’s worse is that they keep bringing in new people.” He said in between labored breaths, and together they walked back to the lab. As soon as they stepped into the lab, the man started looking around, calling for Martha frantically. Lyra watched him go to one of the frozen chambers housing a brunette. He cried and started banging on the glass frantically.

Lyra rushed over, biting down on her inner cheek as her legs almost gave way. She was very weak, not to mention famished, but she needed to get out of here. And if this man could help her, she would help him too.

“Let me,” She stopped him and looked around, noticing how all the machines were working nonstop. She bit her lips for a hot second, unsure of how the connection worked. So, she went to a switch and turned it off. And the equipment shut down instantly. The bodies that were upside down were turned upright by the machines. She noticed how the freezing chamber suddenly lost its chill gradually.

“Okay,” She muttered, how do we get you open?” She muttered to herself and looked around while the man looked at her expectantly. While she was still thinking of what to do, the doors of the freezing chambers opened on their own. Slowly, the werewolves began to groan in pain as they fell to the ground after the machines holding them released them. It appeared that the machines were designed to release their prisoners once the function to shut down had been initiated.

The woman whom the man called Martha looked up at the man and cupped his face with shaky hands and cried, “Thomas, I want to die.” She cried. “This pain is too much for me to bear. I can’t take this anymore,” She wept.

Lyra watched them hug each other and looked around.

“What is this place? How do we get out of here?” When Lyra finally spoke, only then did Martha see Lyra standing fully clothed beside them.

“Who are you?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She looked at Lyra like a savior. Her breath held as she observed Lyra.

“Lyra, that’s my name. Do you remember how you got here? Is there a way to leave this place unnoticed?”

Martha nodded. “I’m Martha. This is Thomas. My mate. Thomas—” She turned to look at her mate and noticed his forehead drenched with sweat.

“What’s wrong? Thomas?”

“Don’t worry, Martha,” He held her hand. His grip was tight. Then he turned to the others who were beginning to watch them through hazy vision. But as Lyra turned to look around, she noticed a familiar face. She frowned, thinking perhaps she was seeing things.

Sophie?

Lyra hurried over to the omega who had once made a move to seduce Ryker. Sophie was covered in blood; she looked so pale and drained, and gaunt. Nothing like the beautiful woman those months ago. Her body was covered in cuts, brutal, long gashes.

Lyra knelt beside her and held her gently.

“What happened to you?” Her voice was laced with shock, worry, and dread. Sophie, who was slipping in and out of consciousness, opened her eyes to meet a familiar face.

“Luna,” She gasped. Shocked.

“Sophie? What happened to you? How did you get here? Who brought you here? What the hell is this place?” Lyra asked too many questions and looked around as she looked for an exit. Sophie’s lips trembled. She was unable to speak, as she was equally weak and in severe pain.

Lyra released her gently so she could search for a way out. But she was suddenly gripped by Sophie so strongly she couldn’t pry the woman’s hands from hers. When her eyes met Sophie’s, she met the young woman’s fearful eyes. ‘Don’t leave me here, please. Don’t leave me here.”

“Who brought you here?” How are you in a place like this?” Lyra asked again.

Sophie closed her eyes, almost succumbing to unconsciousness. Lyra tapped her face hurriedly. “Sophie,” She sceamed, “Say something. Don’t faint on me, not now, gosh,” She cried in frustration. Just then, Sophie’s eyes snapped open.

“Lord Varkas, he—he brought me here as punishment for not doing my job well. Please don’t leave me here,” She pleaded and lost consciousness.

Just then, Lyra heard a loud blast from somewhere in the building. It was so close, yet she couldn’t pinpoint where the sound came from.