The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 84

Ryan

I sat hunched over ancient texts in the Moonshadow Pack's library, the musty smell of old books filling my nostrils. Wista stood beside me, her brow furrowed in concentration. "This passage here," I said, pointing to a faded script. "It mentions a powerful witch who once lived in these parts."

Wista leaned in closer, squinting at the text. "Yes, I see. It says she wielded dark magic and caused great harm to the packs." She peered closer. "That was over eight hundred years ago." I rubbed my tired eyes, the endless nights of research taking their toll. "Yeah, you are right."

She gave me a pat on the shoulder. "Let's keep searching.".

I turned to the next page, looking up from the words and symbols as Liam entered the library, his face filled with concern. "Ryan, you've been at this for days. You need to rest."

I shook my head stubbornly. "I can't, Liam. Not until we replace out who's threatening Lyra."

Liam's eyes filled with understanding. "I know you care about her, but you won't be any good to anyone if you're exhausted."

I sighed, knowing he was right. "Just a little longer. We're close to a breakthrough, I can feel it."

Wista excused herself, tactfully giving Liam and I some privacy. I know my Beta felt I was overdoing it, but I could rest once Lyra was safe.

I stared at the ancient text, my mind racing with thoughts of Lyra and the looming threat against her. Liam's voice broke through my reverie.

"Why are you doing so much for a girl you don't even love?" he asked, his tone laced with frustration.

I remained silent, considering his question. Why was I going to such lengths for Lyra?

Liam threw his hands up in exasperation. "See? You can't even give me one reason. Forget this mission, Ryan. There's no way she'll win the Luna trials anyway."

I clenched my jaw, my words coming out terse and clipped. "Enough, Liam. I don't need to explain myself to you."

Liam scoffed, shaking his head in disgust. "Fine, do what you want. But don't come crying to me when this blows up in your face."

He stormed off, leaving me alone with my thoughts as the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

Yeah, I did love Lyra.

I loved her strength and resilience, how she never backed down from a challenge. I loved her kindness and compassion, the way she always put others before herself. But most of all, I loved the way she made me feel - alive, hopeful, and like I could conquer anything as long as she was by my side.

She was worth fighting for. Dying for. That was why I had to keep going and replace out who meant her harm.

***

I stood stock still, trying to make sense of the intense emotions surging within me. It was almost too much to take in all at once.

Wista re-entered the room, her thin arms straining under the weight of several dusty old books. She set them down on a nearby table with a heavy thud.

"I found a few more texts that might be useful in our search," she said, wiping her hands on her skirts. At my silence, she looked at me questioningly, no doubt noticing my distracted state. I quickly schooled my features, not ready to shout my love for Lyra from the rooftops just yet.

"Thank you, Wista," I replied with a nod. "Let's see what we can uncover in these."

I pulled a large leather-bound volume toward me, focusing my attention on the pages in front of me. But even as I scanned the ancient script, my heart and mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of the love I could no longer deny. After an hour Wista exclaimed, "I found something." She placed an open book on the table, pointing to a passage. "This mentions a powerful stone called adumbra that can be enchanted to protect the holder against dark magic." I leaned in closer, scanning the text. "Where can we replace those stones?"

Wista tapped her chin thoughtfully. "It's said that they can only be mined in the sacred caves of the Night Moon pack. But this volume is over a three hundred years old. The mine may have dried up by now."

"All I can do is go and see. I'll tell the Alpha I'm willing to form an alliance in exchange for some of their stones."

Wista placed a hand on my arm, stopping me from rushing out of the door. "Be careful. The Alpha of Night Moon is very distrust of outsiders."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be discreet."

Wista squeezed my arm, a small smile playing on her lips. "Then go, and may the Moon Goddess guide your way."

After quickly gathering my things I strapped a change of clothes to my back, anticipating on arriving before the late afternoon. With a near silent POP I shifted, running full speed into the woods.

***

I arrived at the Night Moon's territory, my nerves on edge. The alpha leader, a grizzled old wolf named Gideon, with two equally grizzled guards to back him up, sat at a long table piled high with food. Didn't look like he gave any to his servants. They whispered silently in and out on bare feet, wearing rags for clothes. Their sallow skin spoke of their hunger as it stretched tightly across their bones. When one serving girl accidentally spilled a few drops of wine on Gideon's hand as he lifted it from under the pitcher, he backhanded her viciously, sending her tiny body flying across the room. With a growl he yelled at a few poor wretches to pick up the unconscious pup. Only then did he greet me with a suspicious glare.

"What brings you here, Alpha Thornton?" Gideon asked, his tone laced with distrust.

I forced a smile, though my hackles were raised. "I come seeking an alliance between our packs. I believe we can benefit from working together." Gideon ignored me for a moment as his rather small teeth for such a large wolf tore the meet from a turkey leg the size of my head.

"And why should we trust you?" he asked, piggy eyes in his fleshy face narrowing. "Your pack has a reputation for being secretive and self-serving."

I bit back a retort, reminding myself to stay calm. "Not sure where you are getting your information, but-

"From Wolfsong. Alpha Blake and Luna Viola tell me you are one nasty piece of work."

My dragon bellowed and my wolf let out an angry yip.

'I should snatch this bastard's throat out then char him to a crisp...'

I chuckled low, a dangerous sound to those who knew me. "Did you know that your credible information came from two people who more than likely had a hand in killing their former Alpha?" Gideon scoffed, shaking his head. "Doesn't matter to me who's lying. All I'm interested in is how you can fill my coffers. What can you offer me in return for this alliance?"

'This greedy scumbag...'

I flashed a smile at Gideon, hiding my true intentions. "Access to our hunting grounds and a generous 2% share of our resources. That's what we're offering in exchange for "

He cut me off, a sneer twisting his face. "I know what you really want. You're after some of my adumbra, ain't ya, boy? You think it'll protect that little whore of yours, Lyra-"

My patience snapped, a growl rumbling deep in my chest. In a heartbeat, I shifted into my wolf form, fur bristling and muscles coiling with barely restrained fury. I lunged at him, cutting off his vile words with a savage snarl. My powerful jaws clamped around his throat, razor-sharp teeth sinking into his flesh. With a vicious twist of my head, I ripped his throat out, silencing him forever. The coppery taste of blood flooded my mouth as his body crumpled lifelessly to the ground. A dark satisfaction surged through me. No one would dare disrespect Lyra in my presence and live to tell the tale.