CHAPTER 7
816 Words
THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE
Author's POV :
Cassian Draven couldn't sleep.
He stood alone in his chambers staring at the empty chair where Lyra had sat during the ceremony.
He remembered her face.
The disbelief.
The pain.
The question.
Did you ever want me?
He had lied by remaining silent.
The truth was worse.
He had wanted her.
From the moment he'd seen her.
The bond had struck him so violently that he'd nearly lost control of his wolf.
But then Councilman Varis had reminded him of the prophecy.
The Nocturne blood.
The war.
The alliance.
The thousands who could die if the territories fractured.
Cassian had chosen the kingdom.
He'd told himself it was sacrifice.
Now, for the first time, he wondered if it had simply been cowardice.
A knock sounded.
"Enter."
Councilman Varis walked inside.
"The girl has crossed the northern border."
Cassian's expression tightened.
"How do you know?"
"Our hunters found evidence."
"Where are they?"
"Dead."
Cassian turned.
"What?"
Varis looked uncomfortable.
"Something attacked them."
Cassian's wolf stirred.
"Lyra?"
"We don't know."
He stepped toward the window.
"Where is Darian?"
"We sent him after her."
Cassian's jaw tightened.
"You sent my enforcer without telling me?"
"You rejected her."
The words were blunt.
"You have no claim."
Cassian stared at him.
"Leave."
Varis hesitated.
"Alpha—"
"Leave."
The councilman obeyed.
The door closed.
Cassian stood alone.
His wolf paced inside him.
Find her.
Cassian clenched his fists.
"No."
Find her.
"She is safer away from me."
His wolf growled.
Liar.
Cassian shut his eyes.
The rejection hadn't broken the bond completely.
He could still feel fragments.
A distant pulse.
Fear.
Pain.
Then—
Something else.
Power.
His eyes opened.
For one terrifying moment, he felt another presence touching the bond.
Not Lyra.
Something ancient.
Something that made his wolf lower its head.
Cassian whispered:
"What are you?"
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Lyra's POV :
Meanwhile, in the northern forest, I woke screaming.
I sat upright.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
The chamber was dark.
Darian stood near the doorway.
Riven was gone.
"Nightmare?"
Darian asked.
I shook my head.
"No."
He waited.
"I saw my mother."
His expression changed.
"What did you see?"
"A temple."
"Where?"
"I don't know."
I touched my forehead.
"There was a black moon."
Darian went still.
"Anything else?"
"My mother was standing beside my father."
His eyes hardened.
"That's impossible."
"Why?"
"Because your father died before your mother disappeared."
"Exactly."
Silence.
I looked at him.
"You know something."
Darian didn't answer.
"Darian."
He finally spoke.
"I knew your father."
My breath caught.
"You did?"
He nodded.
"Before I became the Alpha's enforcer."
"Was he really a traitor?"
"No."
The answer came instantly.
I stared at him.
"You sound certain."
"I was there."
My hands began shaking.
"Then why was he executed?"
Darian looked away.
"Because someone wanted him dead."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
His eyes returned to mine.
"I wish I were."
Then—
A distant howl echoed through the forest.
Darian reached for his weapon.
Riven appeared from the shadows.
"Company."
Darian drew his blade.
"How many?"
Riven smiled.
"Enough."
The door exploded inward.
And the first hunter stepped inside.
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