The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 46

Lyra

I walked back towards the dorms, my mind reeling from the shock of replaceing Jacques dead and Ryan's accusation. Tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision. How could Ryan think I was capable of murder? Did he really have so little faith in me? As I stumbled along the path, a familiar figure rushed towards me. It was Whitney, her face etched with concern. "Lyra, what's wrong?" she asked. her voice was so gentle, I could barely keep my tears from falling.

I managed to blink them away and with a deep breath, I composed myself. The first time I had visited Jacques, I told Whitney and Sally that I had been attacked and Jacques was in the Cells. I wanted their opinion on how to get him to talk. It was Whitney who suggested that I bring him treats. "It's Jacques," I managed to say, my voice cracking. "He's dead. And Ryan... he thinks I did it."

Whitney's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's insane! Why would Ryan think that?"

I shook my head as clueless as she was. "I don't know. I've been visiting Jacques, trying to get information from him. And now he's dead, and Ryan just assumed..." My voice trailed off as a sob threatened to escape my throat. Whitney wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me towards a nearby bench. We sat down, and she held me as I finally let the tears fall. "I thought Ryan trusted me," I whispered between sobs. "I thought he saw me as more than just some outsider. But now... now I don't know what to think."

"Shh, it's okay," Whitney soothed, rubbing my back. "I'm sure there's an explanation. Ryan's probably just upset and not thinking clearly."

I wanted to believe her, but the look in Ryan's eyes when he accused me haunted my thoughts. It was a look of betrayal, of anger, and worst of all, disappointment. As if he had expected better from me, and I had let him down.

"I just don't understand," I said, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "Jacques was finally starting to open up to me. He apologized for what he did, for coming here to ruin my life. And now he's gone, and I'll never know the truth." Whitney's eyes widened, and she pulled me into a comforting hug. "Oh, Lyra. I'm so sorry. I know you wanted answer from him." She rubbed my back soothingly as I cried into her shoulder. "And to have Ryan accuse you... Oh, Goddess, how that must feel."

After a moment, I pulled back, wiping my eyes. "Thanks, Whitney. I just can't believe Ryan would think I'm capable of something like that."

Whitney bit her lip, her expression conflicted. She seemed to be holding something back, her body language tense.

"What is it?" I asked, frowning. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

She hesitated, looking around as if to make sure no one was listening. "I don't know if I should say anything. I mean, Ryan is Liam's Alpha, and I don't want to cause any trouble..."

"Please, Whitney," I pleaded, grabbing her hand. "If you know something, I need to know. I can't let Ryan think I'm a murderer."

Whitney sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Okay. But you didn't hear this from me." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "I saw the witch in the woods hurrying from the cells earlier. And moments later, I saw Ryan leaving too, looking... well... flustered."

My heart skipped a beat. The witch? I knew her from the advanced herbal classes she taught on campus. What was she doing in the cells? And why was Ryan with her?

I bit the inside of my lip and sucked in my cheek. Ryan had looked suspicious after all, and here was Whitney, confirming it. "Do you think...do you think they had something to do with Jacques' death?" I asked,.

Whitney shrugged. "I don't know. But it seems a bit odd, doesn't it? Maybe you should go visit the witch, see if she knows anything."

I nodded, a new sense of purpose filling me. "You're right. I have to replace out the truth. I can't let Ryan condemn me for something I didn't do."

Whitney squeezed my hand, offering a supportive smile. "Be careful, Lyra. And remember, I'm here for you if you need anything."

I hugged her again, grateful for her friendship. "Thank you, Whitney. I don't know what I'd do without you."

With a deep breath, I set off towards the woods, determined to confront the witch and anyone else who was involved. I wouldn't rest until I cleared my name and made Ryan see the truth.

***

I scrambled through the woods, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to replace the witch and get some answers about Jacques' death. I couldn't let Ryan think I was a murderer.

Her cabin-located on a hill-loomed in the distance. I started to climb when I heard a low growl rumble through the air, freezing me in my tracks. My eyes darted around, searching for where the sound came from. A pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows, and a huge wolf with bright red fur lunged at me.

I barely had time to react before the wolf's powerful jaws snapped at me, almost biting my neck. I stumbled backward, my heart racing. The wolf had its teeth bared and its eyes burned with a wild intensity.

With everything in me, I fought back, desperate to stay alive. I grabbed a fallen branch and swung it wildly at the wolf, but it barely slowed the beast down. The wolf's claws raked my arm, making me bleed and cry out in pain.

As the red wolf circled around me. I looked down to see that its claws hadn't merely left a scratch, they had sliced through my arm, leaving deep gashes that bled heavily. I felt myself growing faint from the loss of blood that painted the forest floor.

With a low growl, it lunged at me, its teeth mere inches from my neck. I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I heard a whimper and the sound of retreating paws.

I opened my eyes to see the wolf backing away, its ears flattened against its head and its tail tucked between its legs, running for its life. It was as if something had scared it off, but I couldn't see what it was.

I looked around, trying to spot my savior, but there was no one there. The woods were silent, and the fog seemed to be getting thicker by the second. It was like the forest itself had come to my rescue. Questions swirled in my mind. What had made the wolf run away? Who or what had intervened? I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else out there, watching over me.

With slow, pained steps I began walking. It was my only hope of survival. With every movement, my head spun, but I had to keep going. I had to reach the witch's cabin.

Get help. Get help. Get help. It was the mantra I mumbled with each plodding step.

I was halfway up the hill when my body had other plans. The blood loss was too much, and I could feel myself slipping away. My vision blurred, and the world around me started to fade. I tried to hold on, to keep pushing forward, but it was no

use.

My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed to the ground. The forest floor, cold and damp, chilled me to the bone. My teeth began to chatter as I watched my blood stain the earth red. I gasped for breath, each inhale sending sharp pains through my chest.

I looked up, my eyes searching for something, anything to hold onto. Through the trees, I could see the silhouette of the witch's cabin in the distance. It seemed so far away now, an impossible goal that I would never reach.

As I lay there, the pain started to fade away, replaced by a strange numbness that crept through my body. My eyelids grew heavy, and I could feel myself slipping into unconsciousness. I tried to fight it, to hold on just a little longer, but it was

no use.

The world around me faded to black, and I knew no more.