Chapter 13: I should have Known

LYRA’S POV

I was just about to give up on them when Mira stepped out from the crowd.

I couldn't help the smile that crept up my lips. Mira was the last person I expected to volunteer.

“Thank you.” I said softly.

She rolled her eyes at me. “I'm not doing this for you.”

I nodded.

I looked out at the crowd. There was a low murmur among them as if they questioned themselves if they could trust me enough to volunteer or not.

Mira stepped up, standing beside me as she held up her hand.

“One of us went missing. A little girl. She was taken, captured by some wolves.”

A hushed silence fell over the crowd.

“I don't care if Lyra is a spy or not; I am going out there to search for one of our own. You should do the same.” She finished.

After her speech, one more rogue joined us, a young man.

Mira shrugged. “I guess that is as much as you would get.”

I nodded and turned to the young man.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“Claus,” he said.

 I nodded. “Claus. Thank you.”

He looked away. “No need. She is my sister.” then looked back at the crowd, and I followed his gaze to a woman who was in tears.

I had a feeling that was the mother of the girl.

With a nod, I turned, disappointed that no one else had joined in.

Maybe I was wrong to think that the rogues had accepted me in the first place, or maybe being labeled as a spy has made me a sworn enemy.

The crowd began to disperse; one after the other, they all left until the three of us were alone.

“What is the plan?” Mira asked.

I had no idea myself. I was as clueless about the situation as anyone else, but I couldn't allow my ignorance to show.

For all I know, Mira might decide to switch up.

I was still thinking of what to say when I heard a slight scuffle behind me.

“Lyra!” I looked back to see Finn and four warriors walking towards me.

He stopped as soon as he got to us, his lips tipped in a chuckle.

“Finn?” I asked in surprise.

“You didn't think I would let you do this alone, did you?” He shook his head. “Silly girl.”

I felt my heart melt at his words. I wanted to hug him at that moment, but I feared what the others might think of it.

“The king ordered us to escort you,” Finn said.

Caelan's order? I wasn’t sure if I should feel different about it or not, but I was happy he didn't disregard my safety.

“We should set out now.” Finn said, “We are losing the sun.”

I nodded.

“From the information we gathered, the little girl was captured close to the border. They couldn't have gone too far; in fact, I have a feeling they are still around. A kidnap can only be because they are trying to use her as a hostage.” Finn said.

I nodded. “You're right. That would mean they are still in the forest.”

Finn nodded. “Before we go, here.”

He gave me a sword, then another to Mira, and one more to the young man who still hasn't said a word.

“You will need to defend yourself when you have to. That should help.” Finn said. Let's go.

It was amazing how Finn was able to help me lead us out of the pack beyond the border into the forest.

If I didn't know better, I would think Finn was not blind. But from the number of times I have spent observing him, I have realized that his sense of smell and sound is great, better than the seven of us combined; it was almost like his superpowers.

We walked for a while, going through the forest, searching.

Suddenly, I began to feel strange. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

It felt like we were being watched.

At the same time, Finn stopped. He tilted his head to the side as if trying to observe.

“Do you feel it too?” I whispered.

He nodded.

I raised my hand to the group. Everyone else stopped moving.

Mira was irritated.

“Why are we stopping?” She hissed. “We are in the middle of nowhere.”

“Shhh,” I placed a finger on my lips.

Mira seemed annoyed by my action, but she kept quiet.

Then I heard it: a twig snapping into pieces, the rustle of grass against movements, and then—

“Watch out!”

Claus cried out.

I dodged a wolf attack just in time, falling to the ground as I rolled away to the other end.

The wolf landed on its feet and sneered at me. Soon, more wolves joined it, surrounding us.

“Yvette,” Claus called out.

I looked to see the little girl behind two large wolves; they held her hostage.

We were also outnumbered and caged, with nowhere to run to.

“It's a trap.” I said quickly. “Don't move.” I warned Claus. He nodded.

“I should have known.” Finn swore loudly.

Growls filled the air as the wolves snarled and bared their teeth at us.

It all happened in a blur. The wolves jumped at us. Finn and others shifted into wolf form, meeting the attacks head-on.

Rogues and wolves snarled at each other.

A loud cry rang out as Finn ripped out the skin of a wolf. Enraged, they fought harder.

The two large wolves fought me, at the same time taking turns in holding the girl. I wasn’t sure what to do. I held the sword against me, swinging it at them each time they snarled at me.

When they realized I had no idea what I was doing with the sword, one of them jumped at me. I dodged again.

I felt my claws elongate. I tried hard to shift, but my wolf refused to come out.

However, I wasn't going to go down without a fight.

The wolf launched at me again, and with a strength I didn't know I had, I swung the sword at it, launching a full attack, and thrust the sword into its neck.

With a howl, blood gushed out before the wolf fell limp against my sword.

The second wolf howled loudly, and with a fury, it attacked. It was stronger and bigger than the other.

It dodged my swings well and sunk its claws deep into my skin, then dragged, pulling flesh along with it.

“Ah!” I cried into the air.

I fell to my knees, my hand placed on the injury. The wolf took advantage and bit my leg, dragging me until I was on my back.

I grew weak. I gasped.

The wolf jumped on me, aiming for my neck, and I grabbed its own neck, using the strength I had left to fight it off. I was beginning to lose the fight when one of the rogues tackled the wolf.

It was Mira. They fought.

It was stronger than Mira. The wolf pinned her to the ground. I looked around for my sword, and just as I was about to swing a blow at the wolf, it sank its teeth into Mira's neck, yanking off a large chunk of flesh.

At the same time, I sank the sword into the wolf; a tear slipped out of me as I saw Mira jerk in pain.

The wolf grew limp and died, and I pushed it off to hold Mira. The fight was over. She lay on the floor, unmoving in human form.

“Mira.” I called out in shock at the blood oozing out of the side of her neck. I knew she wasn't going to survive this.

Quickly, I placed her head on my leg and held a hand over the injury.

“Why did you do that?” I said, referring to her saving me.

She gasped out. “Don’t…waste your…. second chance.”

With that, she took her last breath.

Pain clutched at my heart, knowing she sacrificed her life for me.

I looked up and spotted Yvette on the floor, passed out.

Laying Mira down gently, I went to pick up the young girl. With tears in my eyes, I stared blankly into space.