10

Lyra’s POV

The light in the room was soft and golden, filtering gently through the curtains. My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and sluggish like I’d been asleep for days. The first thing I saw was Maddox—his head bowed beside my bed, his weathered hand still wrapped tightly around mine.

He’d fallen asleep holding me.

I blinked slowly, trying to sit up, but my body protested with a dull ache and a sharp pulse at my temple. The motion must have stirred him, because his eyes snapped open, and he gasped softly.

"Lyra," he whispered, like he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming. “You’re awake.”

I managed a nod, though even that felt like a struggle. “What… happened?”

“You scared me, sweetheart,” Maddox said, his voice tight with emotion. “You were screaming. I ran to where you were but before I could ask you what was happening, you collapsed. I thought…” He paused and cleared his throat. “You gave this old man a real fright.”

I stared at him, memory flashing in broken pieces - me collapsing, the dream, that strange version of myself, the shadowy forest, the voice…

“I’m okay now,” I said, though it was a lie. Something inside me didn’t feel okay at all.

Maddox touched my forehead with a towel I didn’t realize was there. “Your fever was high all night. I stayed here with you.” His eyes softened. “You look pale, but better. I’ll fix you something to eat, alright?”

I nodded again. “Thank you… Pa.”

He smiled gently and kissed the back of my hand before standing. “Stay in bed. I’ll be back soon.”

As he walked out, I waited until the sound of his footsteps faded, then slowly swung my legs over the bed. They felt like jelly, but I could stand. Barely. My joints throbbed, and when I tried to take a step toward the dresser, a sharp pain jolted through my left shoulder.

“Ah—” I winced, staggering a bit before catching myself on the edge of the dresser.

I pressed my fingers to the sore spot, and my skin prickled. It felt like tiny raised bumps, almost like a scar forming. Frowning, I turned toward the mirror and slowly tugged my shirt down to expose my shoulder.

And that’s when I saw it.

A mark.

Faint at first then brighter. A golden crown surrounded by flame-like etchings shimmered on my skin, like someone had painted it with sunlight. My breath caught in my throat.

“What the hell…?” I whispered, staring at it.

It looked… regal. Ancient. Like it didn’t belong to me at all. And just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished. Gone. Like it had never been there.

I reached out to touch it again, but there was nothing. Just smooth, pale skin.

I stood frozen for a moment, heart pounding. Should I tell Maddox? What even was that? A hallucination? Magic?

I swallowed the lump in my throat and slowly pulled my clothes back into place. No. Not yet. I couldn’t tell anyone until I knew what was happening to me. This… this felt bigger than a dream. Bigger than anything I’d ever experienced.

I limped back to bed, legs still trembling, and sank into the mattress with a sigh. I didn’t know what that mark meant… but I had a feeling my life was about to change.

---

KADE’S POV

I leaned back in my chair, eyes focused on the young woman standing before me. Rivena, one of my finest warriors from Veilmoor. Sharp, obedient, and ruthless when necessary. She’d just arrived as a transfer student, per my orders.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” I said, folding my hands on the desk. The room was quiet, save for the low hum of tension that always followed me.

She nodded once. “Of course, Alpha. You said it was urgent.”

“It is.” I sat forward slightly. “I need you to investigate someone for me.”

Her brows twitched faintly. “Who?”

I paused for a moment. The name felt heavy in my mouth, like I’d been holding it back for too long.

“My mate.”

Her eyes widened. “You have a mate, Alpha Kade?”

I chuckled softly at her surprise, the sound short-lived. “Yes. Her name is Lyra. I haven’t seen her since we were paired… something feels off, and I need to know more.”

Rivena nodded with a soldier’s composure. “Understood. I’ll begin at once.”

“Keep your presence low-key. No one here knows your real identity, and I want to keep it that way for now.”

“Yes, Alpha,” she said crisply and turned to leave without another word.

The door shut behind her with a soft click, and I exhaled deeply. My eyes drifted to the open window, the sunlight filtering through the trees outside.

Lyra.

Her name alone tugged at something inside me. I could still see her pale face stained with tears, the way she looked at me, her fear was visible. So fragile, yet strong… so beautiful.

I didn’t even realize I was smiling until my cheeks tensed. I shook my head and leaned back, letting the silence fill the room again.

Soon, I would know everything.