The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 52

Ryan

I crashed through the underbrush, branches whipping at my face as my heart thundered in my chest. The shadows lengthened as night fell, making it harder for my eyes to pierce the gloom. My soldiers fanned out behind me, some in human form, others as wolves. Their eyes gleamed in the fading light.

"Any sign of her?" I barked, my voice rough and thick with worry. I raked a hand through my sweat-dampened hair, trying in vain to rein in my growing panic.

"Nothing yet, Alpha," one of my soldiers replied, melting into the shadows. "But we'll replace her." His tone was reassuring, but it did little to settle my roiling gut.

I clenched my fists, anger surging through me and causing my whole body to tremble. How could Lyra be so reckless? Even if she somehow had a hand in hurting the prisoner, I would forgive her. In fact, I—

One of my trackers, a sleek brown wolf, emerged from the bushes. He shifted into human form in a blur of motion, his face grim and eyes downcast as he approached. Dread coiled inside me at his expression. "Alpha..." He swallowed hard. "We found something. Blood, and lots of it."

My stomach twisted violently, icy fear clawing at my throat. I struggled to draw breath, black spots dancing in my vision. "Show me," I managed to grit out.

We raced through the trees, branches tearing at my skin as I hurtled forward. The metallic scent of blood grew stronger with every step, making my nostrils flare wide. We burst into a clearing, and I froze, legs trembling as if they could give out at any moment.

The ground was soaked with blood, the grass trampled and torn. Shreds of pale blue fabric - unmistakably from Lyra's shirt - clung to the bushes, fluttering mockingly.

"No," I whispered, my knees buckling as the world tilted around me. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing it all away. "No, no, no."

A piercing howl split the night air, the haunting sound ripping through me like shards of ice. My eyes snapped open and I whirled around, dread and adrenaline crashing through my veins. Wolves were racing up the hill, heading straight toward the witch's cabin at a breakneck pace.

Clenching my jaw, I took off after them, every muscle propelling me forward as a guttural snarl ripped from my chest. If Lyra was hurt, someone would pay with their life.

I ran after the trackers, my heart pounding in my chest. The wolves howled ahead of me, their urgent cries spurring me on. I burst through the door of the witch's cabin, not even bothering to knock. "What the hell is going on here?" I demanded, my eyes wild.

Wista screamed as I shoved past her, my gaze locked on a male I didn't recognize. He cradled Lyra in his arms. She looked impossibly small and broken.

I saw red.

"Get your hands off her!" I roared, lunging forward.

I grabbed the male by the collar and threw him to the floor. He grunted as he hit the ground, but I barely noticed. All I could see was Lyra, her face pale and her eyes closed, clutching her side. "Lyra!" I cried, dropping to my knees beside her. "Lyra, are you okay?"

I reached out to her, but the witch slapped my hand away, forgetting her place for a moment. "Don't touch her!" she snapped. "Can't you see she's injured?"

I blinked, finally registering the male as Professor Harbringer before my gaze scanned Lyra. My heart stopped at seeing her arm and side bandaged. "What happened to her?" I whispered, my voice hoarse. Harbringer sat up, rubbing his head. "She was attacked in the woods. I found her and brought her here."

A scowl twisted my features as I his words that he had rescued Lyra sunk in through my red haze.

Damn him.

For some reason, Harbringer had a way of getting under my skin. Even before this I'd questioned the wisdom of inviting him to teach at the university.. Should've listened to my gut.

Harbringer stood, gazing at Lyra and she him, a knowing look passing between them.

Oh, hell no.

"And why were you out there in the first place?" I demanded of him, my voice laced with suspicion.

Lyra's professor met my gaze. He lifted his brow and I wanted to bitch slap him. "I was looking for her, same as you."

I growled low in my throat, but before I could respond, Wista spoke up. "Enough!" she snapped. "This girl needs rest... not all this testosterone flooding the air."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice controlled as I turned to Lyra. "What the hell happened?"

Lyra met my gaze, her voice soft. "Ryan, please. Let's keep this calm." She turned to her hero and the witch. "Killian... Wista... Could you give us a moment?" Harbringer shot me a murderous look before nodding. "I'll be right outside, Lyra."

I bristled at him using her given name. Since when were they on such friendly terms? I made a mental note to replace out just what Killian's interest in her was. As soon as they left, I sat down on her bed. "Explain.... please."

She sighed. "I was attacked by a red wolf in the woods. It came out of nowhere."

My chest went tight as an ache settled there. "A red wolf? From another pack?"

"I don't know. It didn't exactly stop to chat."

Despite the situation, I couldn't help but smile slightly at her sarcasm. That was my Lyra, always quick with a quip.

She reached out and touched my hand. "I'm feeling a lot better now that you're here, Ryan."

I recognized her tactic to calm me, but damn if it didn't work. I took a few deep breaths, forcing myself to relax.

"There's something I need to tell you" I shifted on the mattress. "While I was searching for you, I got a mind link from the Healer. About Jacques." Lyra's eyes widened. "What about him?"

"The Healer said he died from natural causes, that his heart gave out." I said quietly, ashamed that I had even accused her of the crime in the first place.

She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, my goddess. That's awful."

I nodded, swallowing hard. What I didn't tell her was that the Healer had also mentioned there was a slim chance Jacques' death was related to the witch's extraction - the one I had ordered. The guilt gnawed at me, but I pushed it down. I had to focus on Lyra now. She was all that mattered.

"I'm just glad you're okay," I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "When I saw all that blood in the woods, I thought..."

I trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Lyra squeezed my hand.

"I'm okay, Ryan. I promise. Thanks to Killian and the Wista, I'll be fine."