CHAPTER FIVE

{Lyra}

I avoided Dominic as if my life depended on it, mostly because it probably did.

Since overhearing his conversation with Ryker, everything Dominic did felt like manipulation. My mother had warned me about Alphas, and how they twisted truths and used people like pawns on a chessboard. 

It seemed Dominic Bloodhound was no different. I wasn’t exactly sure why he had gone to such lengths to buy me at that auction, but now I had a strong feeling it had something to do with my mother.

Suddenly, I remembered something my mother had told me to take care of, or rather… someone. I had been so caught up in my own escape that I had nearly forgotten that I wasn’t the only one who needed saving.

His face flashed in my mind, soft brown curls, bright green eyes, a dimpled smile that could melt even Victor’s cold heart. 

Isaac, my little stepbrother.

He was Victor’s son, but he wasn’t like Victor in any way. He was a kind and sweet boy who didn’t deserve to suffer under a man like that. And I had left him behind.

Sure, not by choice, but that still didn’t change the fact that I had left him.

Shame clawed up my throat. “I had to fix this. I must.”

Dominic and Ryker had left early that morning, claiming they were going hunting for someone and would be gone for a day or two. I knew they were out there looking for my mother, but that only meant the house was unguarded, and no one really paid attention to me. I wasn’t treated like a prisoner, which obviously meant I wasn’t one. “Right?”

I waited calmly, counting the hours till it was almost 3 p.m, then I quietly slipped out the back door. My heart pounded as I walked through the gate, but thankfully no alarms were raised, and no one called out.

Before I knew it, I was running through the streets until I got back into town. I drew my hoodie closer, covering the entirety of my face as I made my way through the town to the one place I knew Isaac would be.

His school.

The school wasn’t far, and I knew Isaac’s schedule. He would still be there for after-school activities.

When I reached the front desk, I gave the woman a shaky smile. “Hi, I’m Isaac Graves’ sister. I—I really need to see him.”

She frowned. “Visiting hours are over, dear.”

I swallowed my panic and forced out the words, “Please. It’s important.”

Something in my voice must have convinced her because she sighed, nodded, and disappeared down the hall. A few agonizing minutes later, I saw him.

“Lyra?” His voice came out so small, almost like he was in disbelief. His green eyes widened, filling with tears.

I barely had time to brace myself before he ran at me, his arms wrapping around my waist.

“I thought you were gone forever,” he whispered against my shirt.

“I’m so sorry, Isaac.” I pulled back, gripping his shoulders as tears fell freely from my eyes. “But I’m here now, and I need you to listen to me.”

He nodded, eyes wide.

“We’re leaving,” I whispered. “For good. We’ll run away. I have a plan.”

His hands trembled in mine, but he nodded. “Okay.”

I exhaled shakily. “Meet me at the playground at 7 PM. Don’t tell anyone. Just be there.”

He swallowed, then hugged me again. “Promise you won’t leave without me?”

I hugged him back, “I promise.”

I gave him a soft kiss on his forehead, and left the school, heading back to the villa. By the time I finally snuck back in, I was incredibly exhausted and decided to take a little rest before I had to disappear forever.

I set an alarm for 6:30 before falling on the soft bed and drifting off to sleep.

“ArrrooooooOOOOOOO!!”

A loud howl ripped through the evening, followed by a scream. My eyes flew open, and I immediately inhaled the horrid stench of smoke in the air.

There was another howl, this time louder. Then the sound of breaking glass was heard, and a thick smell filled the air. “Blood.”

The villa was under attack.

I stumbled to my feet, coughing as thick smoke curled into my lungs. The scent of burning wood and scorched flesh choked me, blurring my vision. Then came the shadows, moving in the flames. Wolves snapping and tearing through Dominic’s men like paper.

I ran.

Every exit I turned to was blocked, and the fire spread like a living thing, devouring doors, the walls, and the ceiling.

I coughed, my lungs burned, and my eyes watered. “I had to get out. I had to—”

The ceiling groaned, and a beam cracked above me. It suddenly collapsed, slamming into me. Pain exploded through my entire body, followed by a blinding white light as my vision blurred and finally… black.

I woke to the feeling of something heavy being lifted off me.

Groggy, and aching, I coughed loudly, dust and ash clinging to my tongue. Strong hands shifted the debris, pulling me from the wreckage. The figure had a strong, suffocating presence. A presence so potent it made my skin prickle.

An Alpha.

When the last chunk of rubble was tossed aside, I finally looked up and saw his face.

Golden eyes, sharp jaw, a smirk that sent chills down my spine.

“Interesting,” he murmured, tilting his head. “I was wondering what I’d find buried here.”

I tried to move, but my body ached, and my wrists felt bare. 

“My bracelets!” I looked down and saw them, broken and on the floor.

“Didn’t expect that, did you?” He leaned down. “I could sense you from miles away. Your energy practically screamed for help.”

I flinched, instincts screaming at me to run. He was an Alpha, and I was an Omega without her bracelets to mask her presence. 

My breath hitched, and I scrambled back, but he caught my wrist effortlessly, holding me in place.

His smirk widened. “Settle down, little omega. I wouldn’t soil myself with someone like you.” His lip curled, as if the mere thought disgusted him. “Besides, I have a mate.”

I stiffened as he glanced at my wrist, then down to the broken bracelets, and his expression shifted slightly.

“The bracelets…” He touched the charred remains of the metal, his eyes narrowing. “Witch make. And powerful, too.”

Dread slithered down my spine.

“There’s only one person I know who could craft such a fine piece of magical artifact.” He looked at me, and his expression became eerily grim. “The Witchdoctor.”

My heart skipped a beat, and he snarled, clearly noticing the change in my demeanor.

“How do you know her?” He asked, but his voice carried an authority that I certainly couldn’t fight against.

My mouth moved before I could stop it. “She’s my mother.”

His eyes gleamed. “Lyra. So you’re Eliza’s daughter.”

Shock shot through me. My nails dug into my palms.

“How—” My voice wavered. “You knew my mother?”

His smirk sharpened. “I know a lot of things.” He sighed loudly, still smirking. “But first, let’s talk about why we’re here.”

My pulse roared in my ears. “We?”

“My pack of rogues,” he said simply, gesturing to the other wolves behind him who were busy scavenging the charred remains of the villa. “A scout of mine saw you at the school. The stench of an Alpha was all over you, and so we had no choice but to follow you.”

Ice replaced the blood in my veins. “You’re the one who attacked the villa.”

“We did,” he admitted easily. “And I’ll tell you why.” He crouched, leveling me with an unreadable look. “You see, Dominic Bloodhound is my enemy. I may be a strong Alpha, but Dominic is a different breed of monster. And I need all the help I can get to take him down.”

I shook my head, pushing away from him. “I don’t even know you. Why would I help you?”

His smirk deepened. “Because I have something you want.”

“And what’s that?” I glared. 

He leaned in until his mouth was inches from my ear, then he whispered. “The man who raided your mother’s hometown. That was Dominic’s father.”

I felt like I couldn’t breathe anymore. Like something inside me had been cracked wide open. Now I knew why Dominic bought me. He planned to use me to find her.

The Alpha stood, extending a hand. “Join me,” he said simply. “And help me bring Dominic to his knees.”

I looked at his hand, then at the burnt ruins around me.

“My brother, can you save my brother?” I thought of Isaac, waiting at the playground.

He grinned, showing his fangs. “You have my word, omega.”

“Then let’s destroy Dominic Bloodhound.” I reached for his hand and took it. “But wait, I don’t know your name.”

“The name’s Varen.” his eyes flashed yellow.  “Varen Blackclaw.”