Chapter 8:The Door In The Forest
1290 Words
Lyra could hear her own heartbeat.
The red eyes between the trees didn't move.
Neither did the wolves behind them.
Kael stepped forward, putting himself completely between Lyra and the forest.
“Who are you?”
The man laughed softly.
“You still ask questions as if you have the right to answers.”
Kael's claws extended.
“I asked you a question.”
“And I answered it.”
“No. You gave me a name for her.”
The man's laughter stopped.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then he stepped out of the darkness.
Lyra's breath caught.
He looked human.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair. A thin scar ran from his left temple to his cheek.
There was nothing unusual about him except his eyes.
They were silver.
Not the pale gold of an Alpha.
Silver.
His gaze settled on Lyra.
“Come here.”
Something inside her pulled toward him.
One step.
That's all she managed before Kael caught her hand.
“Don't.”
The strange pull disappeared.
Lyra looked at Kael.
“How did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Stop me.”
“I didn't.”
His grip tightened around her fingers.
“You stopped yourself.”
The man smiled.
“Interesting.”
Kael's expression hardened.
“Stay away from her.”
“You still think you can protect her.”
“I don't think.”
Kael took a step forward.
“I know.”
The man looked amused.
“You sound like your father.”
Kael froze.
Lyra saw it immediately.
“You knew him.”
The man's eyes shifted to her.
“Yes.”
Kael's voice was quiet.
“Where did you meet him?”
“Here.”
“When?”
“Twenty years ago.”
Lyra's heart skipped.
Her mother had come to the pack around the same time.
“Did you know my mother?”
The man's expression changed.
For the first time, the amusement disappeared.
“Yes.”
Lyra stepped forward.
Kael caught her arm.
“Lyra.”
“I need to know.”
The man looked at her.
“Your mother saved my life.”
Lyra stared at him.
“She did?”
“She didn't tell you?”
“She died when I was young.”
Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
“I know.”
“Then tell me what happened.”
He shook his head.
“Not here.”
Kael stepped forward.
“You're not taking her anywhere.”
The man smiled.
“I wasn't talking to you.”
His eyes returned to Lyra.
“The door is opening.”
Lyra's stomach tightened.
“What door?”
“The one your mother spent her life trying to keep closed.”
Maya suddenly spoke.
“Stop.”
Everyone looked at her.
She was shaking.
The man studied her.
“You remember.”
Maya's voice trembled.
“I remember enough.”
“You should have told her.”
“I promised her.”
“You promised a dead woman.”
Maya swallowed.
“I kept my promise.”
The man's expression hardened.
“Not for much longer.”
Kael moved closer to Maya.
“What does he mean?”
Maya looked at him.
“I don't know.”
The man laughed.
“You're still lying.”
Kael turned toward him.
“Enough.”
The man's silver eyes flashed.
The wolves behind him began to move.
Kael immediately shifted his stance.
“Lyra, stay behind me.”
She did.
For once, she didn't argue.
The first wolf lunged.
Kael met it halfway.
The forest erupted.
Lyra stumbled backward as another wolf rushed toward her.
Maya grabbed her arm.
“Run!”
They turned.
A second wolf blocked their path.
Lyra froze.
The mark on her wrist flared.
The wolf stopped.
It stared at her.
Then slowly lowered its head.
Lyra's breath caught.
“What is it doing?”
“I don't know.”
The wolf backed away.
The other wolves were still fighting Kael.
Lyra looked toward the silver-eyed man.
He was watching her.
Not attacking.
Waiting.
“Why are they afraid of me?”
He smiled.
“They aren't.”
“Then what are they doing?”
“They're recognizing you.”
A strange warmth spread through Lyra's chest.
The mark on her wrist grew brighter.
The ground beneath her feet began to tremble.
Maya grabbed her hand.
“Lyra, we have to go.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere.”
“No.”
Lyra looked toward the Moon Tree.
The silver light was coming from somewhere beyond it.
“I think I know where the door is.”
Maya's face went pale.
“No.”
Lyra pulled away.
“You said my mother told you never to let me open it.”
“Yes.”
“Then she knew I would find it.”
“She knew you might.”
“Why?”
Maya looked at her.
“Because she knew you were going to come looking for her.”
Lyra's throat tightened.
“I've been looking for her my whole life.”
“I know.”
“Then help me.”
Maya hesitated.
Kael suddenly appeared beside them.
Blood was running down his cheek.
“Help you do what?”
Lyra looked at him.
“Find the door.”
His expression changed.
“No.”
“You heard what he said.”
“I heard enough.”
“You said you wanted answers.”
“I do.”
“Then why are you stopping me?”
“Because I don't know what's behind it.”
“Neither do I.”
“Exactly.”
Lyra stepped closer.
“I can't keep running from something I don't understand.”
Kael stared at her.
He looked exhausted.
“I'm not asking you to run forever.”
“Then what are you asking?”
“For one night.”
Lyra shook her head.
“You've been telling me to wait since we met.”
“And you're still alive.”
The words came out harsher than he intended.
Silence fell.
Kael looked away.
“I'm sorry.”
Lyra's anger softened.
“You're scared.”
His eyes returned to hers.
“Yes.”
The honesty caught her off guard.
Kael took a breath.
“But being scared doesn't mean I won't go with you.”
Lyra stared at him.
“You'll come?”
“I'm not letting you walk into that forest alone.”
Maya looked between them.
“Then we need to hurry.”
They turned toward the Moon Tree.
The silver light was stronger now.
As they approached, Lyra felt something beneath the ground.
A vibration.
Like a heartbeat.
She placed her hand against the tree.
The bark warmed beneath her palm.
A line appeared in the ground.
Then another.
Silver light spread across the earth, forming the outline of a door.
Lyra stepped back.
Kael reached for her hand.
“Don't touch it yet.”
She nodded.
Maya stood behind them, staring at the symbol appearing in the center of the door.
Her face went white.
“What?”
Lyra looked at her.
Maya couldn't speak.
Kael followed her gaze.
The symbol was a crescent moon surrounded by three stars.
The same symbol on Lyra's pendant.
Lyra slowly reached for it.
Before her fingers touched the door, a voice whispered from the other side.
“Lyra.”
She stopped breathing.
Her mother's voice.
This time, there was no doubt.
“Mom?”
Kael's hand tightened around hers.
The voice came again.
“Don't open the door.”
Lyra stared at the silver outline beneath her feet.
Her mother's warning had finally reached her.
But it was too late.
The door had already begun to open.
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