Chapter Five

Lyra’s POV

I knew I had to leave the pack. Every part of me knew that I couldn’t stay here another day. But where would I go? I had no family outside these walls, no plan, no safe haven.

Then I remembered the business card.

The one Mr. Jerome had slipped into my hand outside AETHER. I tried to remember where I had kept it but as I opened my car’s glove compartment. The card was still there, I felt relief, it looked as if it had been waiting for me all along. His name. His number. My only way out.

I dialed.

“Good morning, Mr. Jerome. It’s Lyra,” I said.

“Lyra,” his voice came warm. “How are you doing?”

“I’m… not so great.” I swallowed. “I need a favor.”

“Go ahead,” he replied. “Ask me anything, and I’ll see what I can do.”

I hesitated only a second before spitting it out. “I found out Eamon is the reason I can’t conceive. He drugged me.”

“What?” Jerome snapped. “That scumbag drugged you and then divorced you? He’s got some guts.” His voice filled with fury.

“I will have my revenge on him,” I said quietly, fire rising in my chest. “But I can’t do it while I’m trapped here in his pack. That’s why I’m calling. I was wondering if… if I could join yours.”

Jerome let out a short, bitter laugh. “What took you so long? We’ve been waiting for you.”

His words made me stop and think. We’ve been waiting? Who was we?

Before I could ask, he continued, “Head to the airport tomorrow. My men and I will be there to pick you up.” Then the line went dead.

I sat in the car, staring at the silent phone in my hand. Waiting for me? What did he mean?

That night, I knew I had to tell Mina. I couldn’t disappear without saying goodbye.

I walked to her house. Knocking on the door, I prayed she wouldn’t see through my lie.

“Hey, Mina, you home?”

The door creaked open, and Mina stood there in her nightshirt, hair tied messily on top of her head. She leaned against the frame, smiling. “Come in. I’ve been waiting for you. So, how did it go at work?”

I stepped inside, forcing myself to speak. “Mina… it’s too much.” My voice cracked. “He admitted it to me. He poisoned my drink because he said I wasn’t good enough to bear his child. And he said he never loved me.”

I didn’t dare tell her the full truth about the curse. That would only put her in danger.

Mina’s eyes widened. “How could he say that straight to your face? How could he even think it? That bastard...”

Tears threatened to spill, but I held them back. “Mina, there’s something else you need to know.”

Her arms loosened. “What is it, Lyra?”

“I’m leaving the pack tomorrow.”

The words hung between us like a death sentence.

“What?” she gasped, pulling back. “You’re leaving? No, Lyra! Why? You can stay here, I’ll keep you safe. You don’t have to do this!”

Her eyes were already filling with tears.

“I hate that I have to hurt you like this,” I whispered. “But it’s better than vanishing without a word. Eamon destroyed me, Mina. And I can’t breathe another day knowing he’s walking free. He has to pay.”

“Then let me come with you,” she pleaded, holding my hand. “Please. Don’t leave me here alone. You’re the closest thing I have to family.”

I shook my head. “No. This path I’m taking it’s dangerous. Like a death sentence. If I take you with me, and something happens… I’ll never forgive myself. I can’t drag you into my complicated life.”

Her face looked too sad, but finally she nodded, tears spilling over. “Since you’ve made your choice, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For respecting it.”

“When do you leave?” she asked softly.

“Tomorrow. Tomorrow morning”

She bit her lip. “Then let me at least come with you to the airport.”

I gave a weak smile. “Alright, Mina.”

We spent the rest of the night on her couch, talking about everything old jokes, challenges we’d faced, the happy times that seemed so far away now. Her eyes was clearly sad, but we tried to make the night feel normal.

Inside, I felt guilty. Guilty for leaving her. But this was the only way forward.

I got my self thinking as I slept.

Tomorrow, everything would change.

“Lyra, wake up! Wakee wakee!” Mina’s cheerful voice.

I sat up groggily, finding her already dressed, the smell of breakfast filling the room. She’d cooked for me our last meal together.

Then it was time.

I had no luggage, nothing worth taking. Just myself and the clothes on my back. Mina walked beside me as we made our way to the airport. From afaroff, I saw Mr. Jerome’s private jet, gleaming in the morning light.

The man himself stepped down the stairs.

I looked back at Mina. Tears streamed down her face as she held her hands together, trying to be strong.

“I promise I’ll come back,” I told her. “This isn’t the end, Mina. I’ll come back for you.”

She shook her head, smiling through her tears. “Just call me when you get there, okay?”

“I will.”

For a moment, I turned and looked at the world I was leaving behind. Every memory, the joy, the betrayal, the heartbreak. For a split second, I almost wished I could stay. Almost.

But I couldn’t.

Eamon will pay for what he did.

“I will come back,” I whispered to myself. “When it’s all done, I’ll return.”

“Lyra!” Jerome’s deep voice. “What a pleasure to see you again.”

I straightened, wiping my eyes. “Good day, Mr. Jerome.”

He smiled and gestured me toward the jet. I climbed inside. I had never flown before. The sound of the engines, the sloft leather seats, the sheer newness of it all it made me feel like a princess.

Once we were seated, he leaned toward me. “There’s a lot I need to show you, Lyra. But before we get there, you need to be careful. Very careful.”

My smile faded. “Careful of what?”

“Not what,” he corrected. “Who. Be cautious of anyone named Ronan Drake and Silas Drake. But most of all Ronan.”

The way the said it made me a little frightened.