Chapter 5
1142 Words
Lyra’s POV
Blood coated my hands. My chest heaved with every breath. The battle was over for now, but Kade had escaped again and I knew he wouldn’t stop.
Darius pulled me up, his grip strong, unyielding. “We need to move.”
I pulled my arm away from him. “I don’t take orders from you, get that into your skull!”
His silver eyes darkened as he stared at me. “You will take orders from me if you want to live.”
I knew he was right, but I hated the way he spoke to me. I hated the way he acted like he was a god who could take control anytime. I had fought for my freedom, I wouldn’t let another Alpha claim me.
One of Darius's soldiers, Elias, moved forward and wiped blood off his sword, then smirked. "Kade is backing off, but only temporarily. We need to move before they regroup.”
Looking around us in the dark woods, Elias said, "We ought to go to the ancient wood." “It’s the only safe place left for us at this moment”
My stomach tightened hearing her say those words. The ancient wood?
That place once belonged to my family, before Kade took everything.
Darius hesitated, then nodded. “Let’s move.”
The Escape
The journey through the woods was silent, the tension thick between us. Darius stayed too close to me, his presence like a heavyweight.
I needed distance.
I waited until the trees thickened around us. Then I rushed, without thinking.
I sprinted through the darkness, my breath was sharp as it cut through my throat. The old Lyra would have never done this. But I wasn’t her anymore.
I wasn’t weak.
Branches scraped my skin as I pushed forward, my heart pounding. Freedom was just within reach.
But suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around my waist.
As I was jerked back against a firm chest, I gasped sharply.
Darius.
His voice was a snarl in my ear as he said, "You little...Did you truly believe you could run faster than me?"
I was already holding my dagger as I thrashed in his grasp, but he easily grabbed my wrist.
I screamed, "Let me go."
His silver eyes were blazing into mine as he swung me around to face him.
“Do you even know what you’re running from, Lyra?” His voice was quiet but deadly as he asked me the question.
“I’m running from you; I don't need the deal any longer,” I spat out angrily.
I saw his facial expression change. yes, it was anger, the pain. I wasn't partaking any longer in the deal and that is final.
“I was bound to protect you once.” His grip on me loosened, his voice laced with something almost regretful.
I frowned. “What?”
His jaw clenched. “Your mother.”
My stomach dropped.
“She made me swear a vow,” he paused and gripped for air. “That is to keep you safe,” he added.
My eyes hurt more as he said those words “ No.
I shook my head, my heart slamming against my ribs as I doubted what he said, how would that even be possible“You’re lying, that never happened”
Darius’s gaze was unreadable as he continued “Believe what you want. But your mother trusted me more than you can ever do.
It was like a blow to the chest to hear the truth; how would that be possible? I still doubt he was right, but something in me believes that.
I had assumed that Darius was seeking revenge all along. That he saw me as just another enemy. But this wasn’t about revenge at all.
He had been my mother’s protector.
And now, he wasn’t sure if he wanted revenge or if he wanted me to protect me.
My lips parted, I wanted to speak but no words were forming, but then a scream was heard, echoing through the wood.
We both froze at the same time.
Smoke was coming from a distance, from the ancient wood. I saw Darius' eyes widen as he whispered, “Kade.”
We were too late.
For the first time, I didn’t know if it was Kade he was furious at
Or himself.
Because he had sworn to protect me but I doubt if he was still up with his revenge
And now, he is failing.
Kade hadn’t just set fire to the ancient wood but he had brought war to our doorstep unaware.
Darius grabbed my wrist. “Stay close, don't move”
But I wasn’t listening anymore. My body was already moving with fear that I was going to be dead, all that my mind could do was to focus on one thing that is survival!
Without a word, we raced toward the ancient wood, the stench of burning wood and blood thick in the air Making it hard for us to breathe. Warriors clashed, steel against steel, claws against flesh.
Through the chaos, I saw him.
Caleb.
Standing amidst the fire, a satisfied smirk on his face.
“You,” I breathed, my vision sharpening.
His smirk widened. “Did you really think you could escape us, Lyra?”
Darius snarled beside me. “Where is Kade?”
Caleb chuckled. “Busy tearing down the last of your defenses.” He tilted his head at me. “But I’m here for her.”
I stepped forward, fists clenched. “You betrayed me.”
Caleb’s expression darkened. “No, Lyra. You betrayed us.”
Fury boiled inside me.
I lunged before I could stop myself.
Caleb blocked my attack, his strength unnatural. I barely dodged his counter, my heart racing.
In a second, Darius was at my side, but before he could hit me, there was a loud roar.
I froze with fear on me.
It wasn’t a normal wolf’s howl as expected; rather, It was darker and louder.
Darius’s eyes snapped to mine. “That’s not Kade.”
Fear slithered through my veins. “Then who?”
The ground shook beneath us.
And then I saw him.
A figure stepped through the flames, tall, massive, and radiating an unnatural aura.
His eyes glowed like embers, his presence suffocating.
Darius took a step back, his entire body tense.
I had never seen him afraid before.
“Who is that?” I whispered.
Darius’s voice was quiet. “A warlord.”
I swallowed hard. “Whose side is he on?”
The warlord’s gaze met mine and he smiled.
Darius’s grip on my arm tightened.
“We need to run.”
And for the first time, I didn’t argue.
Because something told me this wasn’t just another battle.
It was the beginning of something far worse.
Something we might not survive.
- Writer
