Chapter 145
Chapter 147
+15 BONI
“I just keep thinking he should be here,” Lyra admitted, her voice breaking. “Not because I want him, but because Thea deserves to have her father see how miraculous she is. ”
“His loss,” I said, squeezing her hand. “She has an uncle who would tear down mountains for her, and an aunt who’s already planning how to spoil her rotten p>
That earned me a genuine, if watery, smile. “Thank you, Summer. For everything. I’m sorry my dramatic timing interrupted your evening with my brother p>
“Don’t you dare apologize,” I insisted. “Nothing’s more important than being here for this. Besides, your brother and I have plenty of evenings ahead of us p>
My wolf hummed in contentment at the thought, still basking in the lingering sensation of our mate’s
touch.
Lyra shifted Thea to her other arm, wincing slightly as she moved. “Has… has everything been okay with the pack lately? ”
The question seemed oddly hesitant, her eyes not quite meeting mine.
“As far as I know,” I replied carefully. “Why do you ask? ”
“No reason,” she said too quickly, suddenly becoming very interested in adjusting Thea’s blanket. “Just wondering if there’s been any… unusual activity p>
My wolf’s ears perked up, sensing something off about her question. “Lyra, is there something you’re worried about p>
She bit her lip, a habit I’d noticed she shared with Alexander when conflicted. “It’s probably nothing Pregnancy hormones making me paranoid p>
“You know you can tell me anything,” I encouraged, studying her face. “We’re family p>
For a moment, I thought she might confide in me. Her expression wavered, lips parting as if to speak, but then Thea stirred with a tiny mewling sound, and the moment passed.
“I’m just tired,” Lyra said, her voice suddenly heavy with exhaustion that seemed only partially genuine. Do you mind if we talk later? I should probably try to rest while she’s sleeping”
Though my instincts told me there was mote to this, I nodded, respecting her boundaries. “Of course. You need your rest.” I leaned in to kiss her forehead. “I’m just a call away if you need anything–anything at all.
As I stood to leave, Lyra caught my wrist. “Summer? Thank you for making my brother happy. I’ve never seen him like this before. ”
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Chapter 147
+15 BONUS
“1
The sincerity in her eyes touched something deep within me. “He does the same for me,” I admitted softly.
With one last smile at the precious bundle in her arms, I slipped out of the room, gently closing the door behind me. Instead of immediately walking away, I paused, my wolf urging me to pay attention to the strange feeling nagging at the back of my mind.
Something wasn’t right with Lyra. Her questions about pack security had seemed forced, rehearsed even. And the way she’d clammed up when I pressed her…
I found Alexander in deep conversation with Beta Ethan at the end of the hallway, their expressions grave. My mate’s posture was rigid, his shoulders set in a hard line that spoke of barely contained anger. The moment he sensed me approaching, he turned, his eyes softening slightly.
“How’s Lyra?” he asked, his voice tightly controlled.
“Physically, she seems to be recovering well,” I said carefully. “But something’s off. She was asking strange questions about pack security and unusual activity. When I tried to find out more, she shut down completely p>
Alexander and Ethan exchanged significant looks.
“What is it?” I demanded, my wolf growing increasingly agitated. “What aren’t you telling me p>
My mate sighed, running a hand through his hair–a gesture I’d come to recognize as a sign of his deepest concern.
“We found an unknown wolf’s scent in Lyra’s quarters at the pack house,” he admitted.
Ice flooded my veins as the implications hit me. “You think someone deliberately triggered her labor? But why? Who would do that to her? ”
“That’s what we need to find out,” Ethan said grimly. “But the timing, with the border breach p>
“ It wasn’t a coincidence,” Alexander finished, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “It was a diversion
My mind raced back to Lyra’s odd behavior, her reluctance to meet my eyes, the hesitancy in her questions. “She knows something,” I realized aloud. “Or she suspects something. That’s why she was asking about unusual pack activity. ”
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “But why wouldn’t she tell us? ”
The answer hit me with chilling clarity. “ Because she’s protecting someone. Or being threatened by someone p>
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Chapter 148