Chapter 10 : The Spy and The Seal
I backed away slowly, my heels snagging on the edge of the rug.
Vance didn’t look dangerous. That was the problem.
He looked neat. Polished. Calm. Like a man who filed reports instead of bodies. But the pneumatic injector in his hand said otherwise—sleek metal, thin needle, ready to plunge.
“Don’t make this messy, Lyra,” Vance said mildly. “You’re a valuable asset. I’d hate to damage you before the Alpha gets his turn.”
My stomach twisted.
“You’ve been listening,” I snapped. “Every word. Every breath.”
I slid my hand into my pocket, fingers closing around the silver charm Rune had given me. Cold. Sharp.
“You heard what happened to the last person who tried to handle me,” I added.
Vance laughed—dry, empty. “You mean Seraphina? Please. She’s a child playing with sparks. I clean up after fires.”
He took a step closer.
“Now,” he said, voice smooth, “drop the attitude and come quietly.”
He lunged.
I moved on instinct.
Beta-fast. Too fast.
I dove left as the needle slashed through the air where my neck had been.
“Missed,” I gasped, spinning.
“A lucky break,” Vance snarled, politeness cracking. “Won’t happen again.”
He swung.
I didn’t block. I slipped under his arm and drove my elbow into his kidney.
Hard.
He grunted, stumbling back.
“Rune’s been busy,” he hissed, clutching his side. “But a few gym lessons won’t save a human from a wolf.”
“I’m not just human,” I shot back. “I’m the reason you’re all afraid.”
His face twisted.
Vance roared and tackled me.
We crashed to the floor. The air blasted from my lungs. He was heavier—stronger—pinning my wrists above my head.
I kicked. Twisted. Reached for the charm.
Too slow.
“The Alpha wants the girl,” he muttered, breath hot against my face. “Didn’t say the locket had to survive.”
His fingers closed around the silver teardrop at my throat.
Then he squeezed.
Pain exploded.
White-hot. Violent. It tore through my chest and detonated inside my veins. Not a fever—something worse. Molten. Endless.
I tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
My vision went white.
Wake up.
The voice wasn’t mine.
It was old. Vast. Like wind cutting through a silver forest.
Wake up, Lyra.
My body burned.
The seal is not your cage.
The pain shifted—sharpened.
It is your weapon.
Cold power surged through me. Not gentle. Not kind. Ruthless.
Vance froze.
“What—what are you?” he whispered.
“Let. Go.”
My voice wasn’t alone anymore.
I slammed my forehead into his nose.
Crunch.
He screamed, recoiling. I kicked his hand. The locket flew free, skidding across the floor.
Vance scrambled back, blood pouring down his face.
I stood.
Silver light pulsed faintly along my skin, rising and falling with my heartbeat.
“You’re not human,” he breathed. “The Alpha didn’t say—”
“The Alpha doesn’t know anything,” I said coldly.
The door exploded inward.
Caspian Thorne filled the doorway like a living storm.
He didn’t look at me.
He looked at Vance.
“Vance,” Caspian said softly.
A death sentence.
“Caspian—wait!” Vance scrambled up. “I was following orders! Your father’s! She resisted—she’s dangerous—look at her!”
Caspian moved.
One second he was across the room.
The next, Vance was lifted off the floor by his collar.
“You touched her,” Caspian growled.
“I was securing the asset—”
“She is not an asset!”
The wall cracked as Caspian slammed him against it.
“My father’s spies do not lay hands on what belongs to the heir.”
“Please—”
“You chose the wrong Alpha to fear.”
Caspian hurled him through the open window.
Glass shattered.
The scream vanished into the night.
Silence.
My silver glow faded. My legs trembled.
Caspian stood rigid, staring into the dark.
When he turned, his eyes were feral.
“You didn’t have to—” I started.
“Shut up, Lyra.”
He crossed the room in two strides and slammed me against the wall. His grip bruised. His scent overwhelmed me—storm and frost and fury.
“You let him touch you,” he snarled.
“I didn’t let him!” I shot back. “He had a needle—”
“You think Kael’s maps protect you?” He shook me. “You think Rune’s training makes you safe?”
“You pinned me to a bookshelf and called me a stain!” I snapped. “You don’t get to—”
“That was before!” he roared. “Before your scent invaded my head. Before I couldn’t breathe without it!”
I froze.
“You are a target,” he continued harshly. “Everyone here wants your blood. Kael will trade you. Rune will guard you until someone stronger comes.”
“And you?” I demanded. “You’re different?”
His forehead pressed against mine.
“Let me show you what protection costs.”
Then he kissed me.
Not gentle.
Not tender.
It was desperate. Violent. Claiming.
The last line shattered.
Power surged through me as the seal vibrated in response to his heartbeat.
He pulled back slightly, breath ragged.
“You are mine,” he said hoarsely. “Not the Alpha’s. Not Kael’s. Not Rune’s.”
“Caspian—”
He claimed me again.
And in that moment, I understood the truth.
The house wasn’t my prison.
He was.
And whatever came next would destroy us all.