Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Lyra’s POV

I didn’t sleep, again, and I hated it. With every fiber of being too. I wasn't heavy on sleep or whiling away time, but that didn't mean I didn't like to get the stipulated amount of rest every now and then. In fact, if there was anything the doctor told me after delivering the worst news of my life, it was the fact that I needed to rest.

In his words, my body had already been through a lot, and even though the chances of me conceiving were as slim as fuck, that didn't mean I shouldn't allow myself recuperate. I'd promised him to get as much rest as I could, but at this point, I liked to think it was safe to say that since I'd arrived, I'd done everything but actually.

I'd witnessed an invasion, witnessed my own husband pick his own mistress over me, I'd witness him crash out because Xavier had sent strands of his lover’s hair in a letter, and last but not least, I'd seen the pure rage in his eyes when he finally read the content of the letter Xavier had addressed to me.

The said letter now rested beneath my mattress instead of under my pillow, but the weight of it pressed just as hard. I hadn’t read it again, not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t trust what it might convince me to do.

I told myself I'd let things settle. That maybe Xander would calm down, and I could still talk sense into him, try again to stop him from doing something reckless. But when morning came, and his scent didn’t drift past my door, I couldn't help but feel my hope diminishing.

With how mad he was, and how he'd stormed out here, I half expected him to be back in my room by morning. Knowing that Xavier had a special letter for me must have infuriated him, but alongside that, it was bound to drive his anger and zeal to find Emily. Call me crazy or whatever, but a small part of me had thought that he would come charging in here, just to force me to write back to Xavier.

So why hadn't he?

My stomach churned at his indifference, but I stomached it, before pushing it aside. I wasn't a fan of Xander's outbursts, but right now, I could only pray it came through the second day.

It didn't. In fact, the third day had passed, and there was still no news or word from him.

I didn't want to admit it, and even though my heart thudded loudly at the thought of it, it didn't exactly change the truth. He was up to something, something worse than shouting at me to write another letter back to that bastard, something colder than betrayal.

Calm down, Lyra. I muttered to myself. Maybe you're just over imaging and over thinking things.

But no matter how many times I chanted that to myself, if didn't stick. I didn't believe it as well, and if that wasn't one of the sad things I'd thought about today, then I had no idea what would suffice.

I dressed quickly, pulling on a hooded cloak despite the mid morning warmth. I didn’t want to be recognized, not if I was right about what I was about to find out.

The hallways were busy, but no one paid attention to me. To them, I was just another cloaked figure among many. That was the perk of being a Luna no one truly respected, you could vanish in plain sight. So I guess it was a win win shrug, right?

The murmurs and whispers grew around me with each step I took, but instead of ignoring them the last time, I decided to tune in.

“....he was so mad.” A maid whispered. She had a cheeky smile on her face, and I wondered if I'd ever wronged her in a way. “I could hear him yelling all the way from the kitchen.”

“But why would she keep it though?” Another maid sneered. “Yes, he's hot, but is she that cheap? Throwing herself at him and keeping a letter for him? Be serious girl.”

“I don't think it's going to remain that way though.” Someone else's conversation wafted through my ears. “I think he's planning something….”

I chose that exact moment to tune out of the conversations flying around. In my defense, I'd heard too little and too much at the same time. The rumors were one of the reasons I knew something was up. They'd started exactly a day after Xander stormed out of my room.

Although I didn't get to hear a lot of details,, one thing was sure. Xander was planning something, and apparently, I was going to get my answers from the war room today.

Hopefully.

The war room was at the far end of the council wing. It was tucked behind two thick oak doors with gold handles and the Redmoon crest engraved in the center. I didn’t go too close to it, I didn’t have to. The hallway just beside it had an open archway, a narrow hallway that led to the kitchens, and from there, I could hear everything.

Voices were the first thing I heard, and they cut sharp against the stillness.

“...two dozen soldiers, no less.” Goosebumps appeared on the surface of my skin as I recognized the voice immediately. “We ride for Blackwater by dusk.”

Xander.

His voice was firm, clipped with command, and I hated the fact that there was no room for negotiation. He wasn't even hesitate. At this point I think it was safe to say his heart was set in stone, and that wasn't a good thing.

“You’re certain, Alpha?” one of the guards asked. “It could be a trap. What if we …”

“I don’t care,” Xander growled, cutting him off immediately. “He has her. He sent her hair. What more proof do we need? Emily is still alive, and I will not sit idle while that bastard taunts me with pieces of her.”

“You said the council wouldn’t approve a direct attack….” someone else intercepted, but unfortunately, he didn't get a lot of words out.

“Then I’ll go without their blessing,” Xander cut in. “I’m done asking permission.”

My breath caught in my throat, as the words settled in the back of my head. So it was true. He was going to Blackwater, not to talk, not to listen, nor to strategize.

He was going for war, and all for who? Emily. As I stated rooted in my spot, I couldn't help but feel like perhaps if Xander considered me a fraction important the way he did Emily, then we wouldn't even be in this mess right now.

The sound of guards cheering in unison was all it took to pull me back to the present. I stumbled back quietly, heart slamming against my ribs. I didn’t wait to hear more. I already knew what I needed to: Xander was about to march into Xavier’s den with blind rage and a sword, and he didn’t care what it cost.

Even if it meant triggering a bloodbath, even if it meant risking me, even if it meant giving Xavier exactly what he wanted.

I fled down the hallway, footsteps echoing like accusations behind me. My immediate surroundings blurred around me, but I didn't care. I trusted my feet to lead me in the right direction, and maybe they would have, had someone not picked that very moment to interrupt.

One moment I was en route to my room, no matter how teary eyed and disheveled I was, and the next, someone's grip coiled around my arm. Almost as if they had been waiting for me, just to grab me once the opportunity provided itself.

A gasp slid past my lips as whoever it was tugged me in their direction. I barely had any time to react before someone's voice reached my ears.

“You!” She sounded furious, like she could stab me if she got the chance. “Where the hell do you think you're going?”