Chapter 32
Cyrus had been desperately searching the forest for their mate, Roana, showing intense emotional turmoil despite Cassian’s lack of the same pull. Their search led them to Brady’s farmhouse, where Roana was found curled up under a blanket, fragile and injured, guarded closely by Sean Brady, the local produce supplier. Cyrus’s anger flared at the sight of Roana beside another man, and a tense confrontation ensued between him and Sean, who showed a protective and possessive attitude toward Roana.
Despite Sean’s warning about Roana’s injuries, Cyrus forcefully took her into his arms, ignoring Sean’s presence and the offered antidote for the poison affecting her. The tension between Cyrus and Sean highlighted the complexity of Roana’s situation and the fierce loyalty and protectiveness Cyrus felt as her mate. Roana’s condition was worsening, with her body temperature rising and her injuries evident, deepening the urgency of their situation.
Commander Keane arrived with the search party but was quickly rebuffed by Cyrus, who fiercely guarded Roana and forbade anyone from approaching her. The emotional intensity between the characters was palpable, as Cyrus asserted his claim over Roana and vowed to protect her despite the challenges. Cassian remained silent, aware of the complicated truth about Roana’s eventual rejection of them.
They hurried to the healer’s house, with Roana’s condition deteriorating rapidly due to the spreading poison. Cyrus’s frustration and desperation were evident as he demanded immediate treatment from Healer Asroh, who was shocked by the emergency. The chapter ended with a tense atmosphere as the healer prepared to help Roana, while Cyrus insisted on keeping her close, highlighting the protective bond forming despite the looming dangers.
Chapter 32
Cassian,
Cyrus had turned the entire forest upside down, leaving chaos in his wake, all in a desperate quest to find our mate. While I myself felt no emotional pull despite the strength of our mate-bond, Cyrus was a different story altogether. He wandered through the woods relentlessly, like a man possessed, retracing his steps over and over until at last we left the dense trees behind and made our way to Brady’s farmhouse.
The farm belonged to Sean Brady and his sister, who supplied roughly eighty percent of the fresh vegetables and poultry that stocked the Royal kitchen. The air was crisp and carried the faint scent of earth and growing things, but the thought of Roana trekking across the entire mountain range with open wounds gnawed at me, twisting uneasiness deep in my chest.
Then, as Cyrus stepped into the backyard, the sharp scent of jasmine—uniquely hers—wafted through the cool night air. There she was, curled into a tight ball beneath a blanket, fragile and small. Nearby, Sean Brady—the young man who usually delivered their produce every morning—lay close by, as if silently guarding her.
Cyrus’s steps faltered, his jaw tightening until the muscles stood out sharply. Veins pulsed visibly along his neck, and his eyes darkened into stormy pools of anger.
“What are you doing here, My Luna?” His voice was low, rough, vibrating with barely contained fury. His entire body trembled with displeasure at the sight before him: she was lying on the cold grass in the chill of night, nestled beside another man, looking almost too safe, too protected.
Roana flinched, her fingers twitching beneath the blanket as she attempted to push herself up. But Sean was quicker, springing forward with boots scraping dirt, blocking Cyrus’s gaze with a firm stance. His chest rose and fell rapidly, brows drawn together in a scowl, lips curling into a low growl.
“Who are you?” Sean’s wolf spirit flickered in his eyes, golden and fierce for a fleeting moment. He spread his feet wider, muscles taut like a coiled spring. His voice wavered with a mix of fear and defiance, yet he refused to back down.
Cyrus’s lip curled, fangs glinting dangerously. Without a word, he shoved Sean aside with effortless strength, sending the young man stumbling backward onto the ground.
“My Luna!” Cyrus dropped to his knees beside Roana, his expression softening the instant his eyes met hers. His claws gently peeled the blanket away from her face. His lips quivered as he whispered, “You scared me. Why are you here p>
Roana’s eyelids fluttered open, and she leaned her cheek against his claws without hesitation. Cyrus carefully rested the back of his furry hand against her skin. Her body was burning hot.
Sean scrambled to his feet immediately, shoulders rigid, fists trembling. He darted between them once more, face pale but resolute. I could see the concern etched deeply in his eyes.
How close had they grown in just a few hours for him to display such possessiveness?
“Don’t touch her.” Sean’s voice cracked, but he stood firm. His gaze flicked to the bandages wrapped around Roana’s arm, then back to Cyrus, fire sparking even as his hands shook. “She’s injured p>
“Injured?” Cyrus’s growl shattered the night, rolling through the woods like thunder. His eyes flared crimson, every fiber of his being charged with rage. For the first time, Sean’s bravado wavered. He flinched, eyes dropping briefly, but then forced his chin back up, sweat beading at his temple.
“Wait… Is this… Your Majesty?” Sean’s voice faltered, confusion spreading across his face. His wide eyes shifted rapidly between me and Cyrus, disbelief dripping from his words. “Why is Your Majesty calling Roana Luna and p>
Cyrus ignored him entirely, his focus riveted solely on Roana. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms, as if she weighed nothing. She let out a faint, weak sound, too fragile to resist. His gaze sliced down at Sean, cold and merciless as a blade.
“Thanks for protecting my Queen,” he said sharply, the words cutting like a whip. “But you should know your place, kid p>
Sean’s cheeks flushed bright red, a mix of humiliation and anger. His jaw clenched tightly, eyes narrowing, but Cyrus’s overwhelming presence silenced him. He opened his mouth once, then closed it again, fists trembling helplessly at his sides.
Cyrus turned to leave, but Sean suddenly darted inside the farmhouse. His steps were frantic, his voice muttering something hurriedly. Moments later, he returned, clutching a small pouch in his hand. His eyes flicked to Roana’s pale face, lips pressed into a tight line as he extended the pouch toward Cyrus.
“Please wait!” His voice cracked, desperation seeping through. “This is the antidote for the poison… and her phone. I’ll send Candy tomorrow p>
Cyrus didn’t spare him a glance. He snatched the pouch, tightening his arm around Roana, and began heading toward the mountain.
Roana remained silent, breaths shallow, her body temperature climbing alarmingly. Her left arm was freshly bandaged, but her nails had taken on a bluish tint.
Cyrus’s nostrils flared. He growled softly as Sean’s scent clung to her, the thought of another man close enough to touch her igniting a fierce, burning rage inside him. His grip tightened, pulling her closer against his chest, burying her deeper in his embrace. He released his own scent, drowning out hers, marking her once more.
“Your Majesty!” Commander Keane, who had joined the search party later, suddenly emerged from the shadows of the trees. His wolf let out a relieved grunt as he ran toward us, boots crunching on fallen leaves. “Did you find her p>
He stopped abruptly, eyes wide and fixed on Roana, shock and concern etched across his face.
“What happened to her? Is she alright?” Keane’s wolf pressed forward, body leaning in as if to approach. But Cyrus’s wolf snapped instantly, yanking Keane’s wolf back with a brutal grip on the shoulder, shoving him away.
“Don’t you dare get close to my mate!” Cyrus’s snarl tore through the woods, echoing like a wild beast’s roar. His eyes glowed red, veins pulsing with raw fury.
“My apologies!” Keane’s wolf whimpered, ears lowering in submission. His head bowed, and he stepped back cautiously, unwilling to challenge further.
Roana curled tighter against us, her face pressed into our chest, her body heat scorching against our own.
“Let’s get her to the healer’s house now,” I said, my voice calm despite the heaviness settling in my chest.
Cyrus didn’t respond. His jaw remained clenched, his pace quickening with every step.
“She brings nothing but trouble,” I muttered under my breath.
“Enough!” Cyrus’s voice cut through the air, freezing me in place. His glare burned into me with dangerous intensity. “You might never want her to be with you. But I do. As long as she is with us, don’t you dare say another word, Cassian.” His snarl was final, his authority unquestionable. “She is my mate, and I will protect her forever p>
I held my silence. Cyrus didn’t know the truth—he didn’t know she would eventually reject us. We were never meant to be.
By the time we reached the healer’s home, Roana’s breathing was ragged, her skin flushed and burning, sweat shining on her forehead. The poison was spreading faster than anyone had anticipated.
“Open the door!” Cyrus’s fist slammed against the wooden frame, rattling the old hinges. His fury nearly shattered the door with one strike. His voice, fierce and primal, shook the quiet surroundings.
I caught his arm before he could strike again. “Don’t break the door p>
His chest heaved, nostrils flaring, but he held back.
After a tense moment, the door creaked open. Healer Asroh, the Royal Pack’s healer, blinked against the flickering torchlight. His gaze dropped to us, then to Roana in Cyrus’s arms. His jaw slackened, and he nearly stumbled backward, landing on his rear. Cyrus rarely appeared without an emergency; they weren’t accustomed to my Lycan form.
“Who is this p>
“Treat her!” Cyrus’s command cracked like a whip, sending a shiver down Asroh’s spine.
The healer scrambled to his feet, nervously pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. His lips parted, eyes widening further. “Your Majesty!” His voice trembled, nearly breaking as he looked at Roana. “She is p>
“Heal her. Now!” Cyrus growled, patience worn thin.
“Y-yes, right away!” Asroh stammered, already trembling under Cyrus’s intense glare. He gestured frantically toward the inside. “Please, this way p>
I wanted to shift back to my human form, but Cyrus seemed determined to keep her close tonight.
The chapter closes on a tense and emotionally charged moment, where Cyrus’s fierce devotion to Roana shines through his anger and protectiveness. Despite the danger and uncertainty surrounding her condition, his unwavering commitment to his mate is clear, underscoring the deep bond that defines their connection. The raw intensity of his emotions captures the vulnerability and strength intertwined in their relationship, painting a vivid picture of love tested by hardship and the instinct to shield those we hold dear.
At the same time, the chapter hints at the complexities that lie beneath the surface—unspoken truths and the weight of impending decisions that neither Cyrus nor Cassian fully grasp yet. The protective circle around Roana tightens, but the undercurrent of tension suggests that the path ahead will be fraught with challenges, both physical and emotional. In this fragile moment, the story delicately balances hope and fear, leaving readers feeling the heavy pulse of loyalty, sacrifice, and the fierce desire to keep loved ones safe against all odds.
The tension between Cyrus and Sean hints at deeper undercurrents that are far from resolved, and the next chapter promises to delve further into these strained dynamics. As Roana’s condition worsens, the emotional stakes rise, pulling Cyrus into a fierce protective mode that threatens to isolate him even from those closest to him. The fragile bonds of trust and loyalty will be tested, and the simmering anger beneath Cyrus’s calm facade could ignite into something even more dangerous.
Meanwhile, Roana’s vulnerability and the mysterious poison coursing through her veins create an urgent backdrop that will challenge everyone’s resolve. The healer’s role becomes crucial, and the secrets surrounding Roana’s injury and her connection to both Cyrus and Cassian will likely surface in unexpected ways. Readers can anticipate a blend of raw emotion, tense confrontations, and the deepening complexity of the mate bond that holds the potential to either heal or destroy.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.