The Alpha's Second Chance

Chapter 16- Secrets and Healing

Silas POV

The morning sun bleeds through the curtains in my room, casting long shadows across the floor. I sit in the bed with Lyra in my arms. Every time I have tried to move, she whimpers in her sleep and grabs my shirt to pull herself closer to me. I can see that it is her instinct, and when she wakes up, she will most likely be putting distance between us. So I am making the most of having her in my arms while I can, my wolf purring in delight at his mate being close to him.

I am pulled from my thoughts by a soft knock at the door.

"Enter," I mumble, knowing that the person on the other side heard me.

The door opens, and Dr Aris walks into the room. He takes a quick look around the room and then smirks slightly at the small human huddled up in my arms.

"Alpha," he mumbles, bowing his head before closing the door quietly and walking silently to the bedside.

I shift slightly, giving him better access to Lyra. I watch silently as he does his checkup in silence. Fenrir wakes up and watches as well.

Lyra is still looking pale, the dark circles under her eyes contrasting sharply with her pale face and the silver of her hair framing her face.

"How are you feeling, alpha?" Dr. Aris asks.

"Me? I am fine. But Lyra, I can feel pain and fear coming through the bond." I reply honestly.

"That is to be expected. She has gone through a lot in 24 hours, more than most people. To top it off, she has awakened her powers. I am sure that she is drained. She has significant muscle strain and signs of extreme exhaustion. Added to that, she is also malnourished; it is clear that she has been living a hard life, sir. I will prescribe some medication to help with the malnutrition, as well as a diet and exercise plan, plus some bed rest for a few days. I will return in three days and see if there has been any improvement. Obviously, feel free to call me back before then if she doesn't improve."

I nod my head.

What else? I ask through mind link.

I do not know if she can hear us, but... well, I am worried alpha. Her powers are unknown. If she is the enigma wolf you claim she is, then we are in unknown territory. Dr Aris says nervously.

Just treat her as a human for now, after all, her powers appear to have receded again.

Yes alpha.

About an hour after Dr Aris left, Lyra starts to stir awake. I quickly but gently remove myself from her grip and move to my chair next to the bed. Fenrir grumbles, but like me, he also doesn't want to make her feel any more uncomfortable than she already is.

Lyra opens her eyes and immediately stares out of my window, her breathing sounding normal yet monotone at the same time. I can hear the brokenness in her breathing.

"Are you in any pain?" I ask her.

Lyra slightly shrugs her shoulders, her face contorting in pain.

Yes. Fenrir mutters.

After an hour of silence and just staring, Lyra finally breaks the silence.

"I am bored already," Lyra mutters, her fingers picking at the duvet, "And I'm confused. Everyone keeps calling you 'Alpha.' And the doctor mentioned 'the pack.' Is this... is this a cult? A private military group?"

Fenrir huffs a laugh. A cult. That’s a new one.

I pull my chair closer, trying to shrink my body so that I do not scare her. "It’s not a cult, Lyra. It’s just how we organise. We’re a close-knit community. 'Pack' is just an old term for our extended family. And 'Alpha'... it just means I’m the one responsible for keeping everyone safe." I am not technically lying, also not telling her the full truth, but right now I am not sure if she could handle it.

She tilts her head, silver hair spilling over her shoulder. She isn't buying it. I can see the gears turning. "It sounds intense. And the men in the hallway?"

"Security," I say, leaning on the half-truth. "We have high security because of people like the ones who broke in. I’m sorry you were caught in the crossfire."

"I don't remember the struggle," she whispers. "I remember the window breaking, and then... nothing. Just silver. Like I was standing in the middle of a mirror."

"Shock does that," I lie, the weight of the deception heavy in my gut.

She lets out a long, dramatic sigh. "Three days of bed rest. I’m going to lose my mind, Silas."

My name on her tongue feels like a heaven I never deserved. I look at her tiny frame, then at the door. Dr. Aris will have a stroke, but I can't let her sink into the dark.

"What if I give you a tour?"

Her face brightens for a heartbeat.

"No walking. Doctor’s orders." I say, and her face crumples. I stand up, a smirk playing on my lips. "He said no walking. He didn't say anything about being carried."

A dusty pink flush creeps up her cheeks. "You... you’d carry me? All over the house?"

"I’ve carried heavier logs for winter prep," I tease. "Deal? You stay off your feet, and I show you the place and the gardens."

I lift her with careful precision. She is light—too light—like she has not had a decent meal in far too long. As I pull her against me, she instinctively tucks her head into the crook of my neck. Her scent—vanilla, fresh snow, and that hidden, electric spark—nearly brings me to my knees.

I carry her through the hallways, pointing out paintings—skipping the ones that look too predatory.

"This place is huge," she whispers. "How many people live here?"

"About thirty in the main house. Hundreds in the valley. We have our own schools, clinics, and laws."

"So it’s a small country? And you’re the King?"

"Alpha," I correct. "It’s about responsibility, Lyra. Every soul out there is someone I’ve sworn to protect."

As we pass a window overlooking the training grounds, Lyra goes rigid. Below, Kaelen is leading scouts through drills. They are moving with inhuman speed, leaping over ten-foot barriers.

"What are they doing?" she asks, her voice trembling. "Silas, no one can move like that."

The sweat rolls down my neck. "They're just highly trained. Like Olympic athletes. Fitness is... a big part of pack culture."

She doesn't believe me. She looks back at me, her gaze searching my face. "You're all so... different," she whispers. "The way you smell. The way you move. Even the way you're carrying me without getting tired."

"We're just a different breed of people, Lyra," I say.

I turn toward the library, but she suddenly clutches my shoulder. "Silas... stop."

Her eyes are fixed on an ancient tapestry: a massive, silver wolf standing atop a mountain, stars falling from its fur like rain. The Enigma wolf from our legends. We have never seen one, yet images of what one might look like have been passed down for centuries.

Her breathing hitches. "I've seen that. Not in a book. I've seen it... in my head."

My blood turns to ice. "It’s just an old legend."

"No," she says, her voice dropping into a haunting, hollow tone. "It’s not a legend. It’s a mirror."

She suddenly winces, her hand flying to her chest. "Silas, my chest... it feels like it’s cracking open!"

I don't wait. I turn and bolt back toward her room, her moans of pain echoing off the walls. I tried to hide the truth to keep her calm, but instead, I ended up causing my mate more pain. The enigma wolf inside of her is trying to wake up, trying to make sense of what is going on and control its powers, yet hurting Lyra at the same time.

But, no matter how powerful the enigma wolf may be, I swear to always protect Lyra. Even from herself if needed.