Chapter 12
1041 Words
Ronan didn't sleep for three days.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her. Lyra. The way she had looked when Sera tore her dress. The way she had trembled. The way she had tried not to cry.
She was his mate. His to protect. And he had failed her.
He couldn't fail her again.
He summoned his three most trusted warriors to his study.
Kael entered first. Young, loyal, sharp. He had been with Ronan for five years. He knew how to keep his mouth shut.
Then came Dorian. Older. Experienced. He had served Ronan's father before serving Ronan. He knew the archives better than anyone.
Finally, there was Varek. Quiet. Observant. He noticed things others missed.
Ronan looked at them. His expression was grim.
"I need you to find something," he said. "Records. About Silver Creek. From twelve years ago."
Dorian frowned. "Silver Creek? Why?"
"Because someone altered their records. Someone covered up a murder. And I need to know who."
The three warriors exchanged glances. Then Kael nodded.
"What exactly are we looking for?"
"Death records. Investigation reports. Witness statements. Anything about the deaths of Elena and Thomas Vale."
Varek's eyes narrowed. "Lyra's parents."
"Yes."
Dorian stepped forward. "Alpha, with respect, those records are old. They might not exist anymore."
"They exist," Ronan said. "Someone went to great lengths to hide them. That means they're still there. Find them."
The three warriors nodded.
"We'll leave immediately," Kael said.
"Take your time," Ronan said. "Be thorough. And report back to me directly. No one else."
They left.
***
Ronan didn't sleep that night.
He sat in his study, staring at the wall. His mind was racing.
Lyra had suffered for twelve years. She had been beaten. Starved. Humiliated. And he had only known her for a few weeks.
He should have found her sooner. He should have protected her.
But he hadn't.
He would make it right. He would find the truth. He would give her justice.
Even if it killed him.
***
The first day passed with no word.
Ronan trained with his warriors. He attended to pack business. He smiled when required. But his mind was elsewhere.
He kept reaching for the bond. Lyra was safe. She was training. She was healing.
But she was also hurting. He could feel it.
He wanted to go to her. He wanted to hold her. But he couldn't. Not until he had answers.
***
The second day passed with no word.
Ronan's patience was wearing thin. He paced his study. He stared out the window. He waited.
Then Kael returned.
He was dusty. Tired. But his eyes were sharp.
"Alpha," he said. "We found something."
Ronan straightened. "What?"
"The records at Silver Creek have been altered. Death certificates say Elena and Thomas Vale were killed by rogue wolves. But the witness statement from Logan Vale says Lyra's wolf killed them."
Ronan's jaw tightened. "Contradiction."
"Yes. And there's more. The investigation report is missing. The witness statements from other pack members are gone. Someone removed them."
"Who?"
"We don't know. But whoever did it was careful. They left just enough to make Lyra look guilty. Not enough to prove she was innocent."
Ronan paced. His mind was racing.
"What about the witnesses? The pack members who were there that night?"
Kael hesitated. "That's the strange part. Most of them are dead. Or gone. They left Silver Creek within a year of the murders."
"All of them?"
"All of them. Every single witness. Dead or disappeared."
Ronan stopped. His blood ran cold.
"Someone is covering their tracks."
"Yes."
Ronan was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Did you find anything else? Anything that might help?"
Kael reached into his bag. He pulled out a small, rusted box.
"We found this hidden in the archives. It was locked. We had to break it open."
Ronan took the box. His heart pounded.
Inside was a single piece of paper. Folded. Yellowed with age.
He unfolded it carefully.
To Lady Elena Vale,
I must warn you. They are watching. They know about the bloodline. They know about your daughter. You must hide her. You must protect her. If they find her, they will use her.
I cannot say more. It is not safe. But you must trust me.
Your friend,
M.
Ronan stared at the letter. His heart pounded.
Someone had known. Someone had tried to warn Lyra's mother.
But who was M?
He read the letter again. Then again. He memorized every word.
"Did you find anything else?" he asked.
Kael shook his head. "No. But Dorian and Varek are still searching. They're going through the rest of the archives."
"Good. Keep looking. I want to know everything."
Kael nodded. He turned to leave.
"Kael."
He stopped. "Yes, Alpha?"
"You did well. Thank you."
Kael nodded again. Then he left.
***
Ronan sat in his study, staring at the letter.
He had to tell Lyra. She needed to know.
But first, he needed to understand.
He read the letter again. They are watching. They know about the bloodline. They know about your daughter.
Who were "they"? What bloodline? Why was Lyra's mother so afraid?
He didn't have answers. But he had a direction.
He stood and walked to the door.
***
The next morning, he went to Lyra's room.
But she wasn't there.
He searched the pack grounds. The courtyard. The training field. She was nowhere.
His heart pounded. Where is she?
He reached for the bond. He felt her. She was upset. She was distant. She was in the forest.
He tracked her scent. It led him through the trees. He followed it.
Then he saw her.
She was walking through the forest, kicking a stone. Her expression was troubled.
He exhaled. She was safe.
He approached her.
"Lyra."
She spun around. Her eyes widened. "Ronan? How did you find me?"
He walked toward her. "I felt you. Through the bond. You were upset. I went to your room. You weren't there. Then I tracked your scent."
She stared at him. "I didn't know you could do that."
"Neither did I." He paused. "But I'm glad I can."
He pulled out the letter.
"I found something," he said. "About your mother."
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