THE WORTHLESS MATE OF THE ALPHA

Chapter 11

Lyra walked through the forest, trying to clear her head.

The trees were tall and green. The air smelled like earth and pine. Birds chirped overhead. It should have been peaceful.

But her mind wouldn't rest.

She kept thinking about the torn dress. About Sera's cruel smile. About the way she had frozen. About the pack members who had watched and done nothing.

She had felt so powerless. So small. Just like she had felt at Silver Creek.

She kicked a stone. It skittered across the path. She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry. But she did neither.

She just kept walking.

***

She didn't know how long she had been walking when she heard footsteps behind her.

She froze. Her heart pounded. She spun around, ready to run.

But it was Ronan.

He emerged from between the trees, his silver eyes finding her immediately. His expression was relieved. But also tense.

"There you are," he said. "I've been looking for you."

She blinked. "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. The bond. He felt her through the bond. She hadn't even realized she could do that.

"I needed to get out," she said. "I couldn't stay in the pack grounds."

He nodded. "I understand."

He stood close. His presence was warm. Reassuring.

"I found something," he said. "About your mother."

Her heart stopped. "What?"

He reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. It was yellowed with age. The edges were torn.

"I found it hidden in the old records," he said. "It was locked in a box. Took me hours to open."

Lyra stared at the paper. Her hands trembled as she took it.

She unfolded it carefully. The handwriting was elegant. Formal.

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.

Lyra read the words again and again. Her heart pounded.

"Who is M?" she asked.

Ronan shook his head. "I don't know. But whoever it was, they knew your mother. They knew about you."

Lyra's throat tightened. "This is the first evidence I've ever seen. That someone knew. That someone tried to warn my mother."

"There's more." His voice was low. "I found other records. Mentions of a powerful family in the south. A family with ties to the Blackthorne legacy."

Her blood ran cold. "Your family?"

"I don't know." He reached for her hand. "But I'm going to find out."

***

Lyra spent the rest of the day thinking about the letter.

She read it over and over. They are watching. They know about the bloodline. They know about your daughter.

Someone had tried to warn her mother. Someone had known she was in danger.

But her mother hadn't been able to escape. She and her father had died. And Lyra had been blamed.

She looked at the sky. The sun was setting. The trees cast long shadows.

I need to find out who M is. I need to find out who killed my parents. I need to find out why.

She made a decision.

She would search for answers. She would find the truth. She would not be a victim anymore.

***

That evening, she told Ronan her decision.

"I want to help," she said. "I don't want to sit here and wait for answers. I want to search."

He studied her. "It could be dangerous."

"I don't care." Her voice was firm. "I need to know the truth. I can't keep living like this."

He was quiet for a moment. Then he nodded.

"Fine. We'll search together."

She smiled. "Thank you."

He kissed her forehead. "I told you. I'm not going anywhere."