Chapter 4

Mira’s POV

I didn’t mean to say it. I wasn’t even thinking about it. But as I sat at the table, picking at my food and listening to Kade crack jokes while Eryx rolled his eyes for the tenth time, the words just slipped out of my mouth like a quiet breath.

“It’s my birthday today.” I was so shy. 

Silence. Just for a second. Then Kade dropped his spoon like it burned him.

“Wait, what?” he said, voice sharp with surprise. “Are you serious?”

I nodded without looking at either of them. “Yeah. But it’s not a big deal.”

Eryx’s gaze lifted from his coffee. He didn’t speak, just stared like he was trying to understand something.

“I’ve never really had anyone with me on my birthday,” I added, still staring at my half-eaten eggs. “No cake. No gifts. No hugs. Just...me.” My voice came out smaller than I wanted. “It's always just me.”

The silence stretched again. It wasn’t heavy, it was sad. Soft. Like both of them suddenly saw me a little differently.

“That sucks,” Kade said quietly, pushing his plate away. His cheerful energy was gone. “That really sucks.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly and smiled at him. “I got used to it.”

“No. That’s not how birthdays are supposed to be,” Kade stood, eyes already shining with a plan. “We’re going to the beach.”

“What?” I blinked, I was shocked.

He turned to Eryx. “You heard me. We’re taking her to the beach. We’re celebrating.”

“No,” Eryx coldly answered. 

“Come on, man,” Kade said, eyes wide like a pleading puppy. “It’s her birthday.”

I looked at Eryx, not really expecting him to care but I did try. “Please. Just for a little while.” I beg. 

He met my eyes, and something flickered behind his usual cold stare. Something softer. Something unsure. Then he looked away with a low sigh and rubbed the back of his neck like he hated what was about to come out of his mouth.

“Fine.” He sighed. 

Before I could even believe it, Kade and I shouted together, 

“Yes!” We jumped like kids, laughing. 

Eryx muttered something under his breath, probably about regretting every life choice that led him here.

By noon we were driving with the windows down. I leaned against the wind, eyes closed, hair dancing wild. It felt like freedom. Like the weight on my chest finally lifted. I didn’t even know a ride to the beach could feel this magical.

When we got there, I kicked off my shoes and ran into the sand like a kid who had never seen the ocean. Maybe I hadn’t, not like this. The sun was warm and soft. The sea stretched out like a painting, silver and blue and endless.

“You okay?” Kade asked, walking beside me.

I nodded, breathless from smiling. “I think this is the happiest I’ve ever been.”

He grinned. “Have you ever swam before?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

Kade’s grin turned mischievous. “Perfect. Eryx can teach you.”

From behind us, I heard Eryx growl, “No.”

“Yes,” Kade said again, with a teasing tone. “Come on, it's her birthday.”

“I don’t do swimming lessons.” Eryx argued.

“You do now,” Kade said, then jogged away before Eryx could throw something at him.

I looked at Eryx. “You don’t have to. Really.”

But he looked at me again, longer this time. Like he was trying to fight something inside himself. His shoulders dropped.

“Fine,” he muttered.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling when he said yes. The water was colder than I expected, and it sent chills up my legs. I stopped when it reached my knees.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, heart thumping. “I might drown.”

Eryx stepped closer, eyes calm. “Not with me here.”

His voice was low. Firm. I didn’t expect it to feel so safe.

“Hold on to me,” he said, reaching for my hands. His skin was warm even in the water.

I did what he said. My fingers curled around his forearms. They were strong and steady, and suddenly the fear in my chest started to shrink.

“Relax,” he said. “You’re stiff like a rock.”

“Maybe because I feel like I’m about to die,” I whispered, feeling scared more and more. 

“You won’t,” he said softly. “I won’t let that happen.”

I looked up at him. His wet hair clung to his forehead. Water slid down the sharp line of his jaw. His eyes didn’t look angry anymore, they looked...quiet. Seriously. Focused on me like I was the only thing that mattered in this moment.

He moved slowly, guiding me deeper. His arms stayed around me. When I tried to float, he caught me with both hands. His touch was careful, like I might break. My heart thudded harder.

“Breathe,” he whispered again.

I did. And just like that, I floated. Not for long, but long enough to laugh in surprise.

“You’re doing it,” he said.

“I am!” I giggled. “You’re actually a good teacher.”

“Don’t tell anyone,” he muttered, but his lips twitched.

The air between us changed. The wind, the water, the silence, it all wrapped around us like something soft and secret. I was still holding onto him, and he didn’t pull away. His hand brushed against my waist, and for a moment, he just looked at me.

Really looked.

“Look at you two!” Kade’s voice yelled from the shore. “So romantic!”

Eryx turned his head fast and glared. I laughed, nearly slipping under the water, and Eryx pulled me close before I could fall.

“Careful,” he said, his voice lower again. Closer.

“Thanks, wolf boy.. ” I whispered, heart racing for a whole new reason.

Later, after the sun dipped behind the horizon and the sky turned gold and pink, we returned to the beach house Kade had picked. I stood on the balcony, still wet, wrapped in a towel, watching the stars blink into view. I felt...happy. Genuinely happy.

Then we heard something. Voices. Growls. Footsteps.

Eryx’s tone changed instantly. “Mira. Stay inside. Kade and I will handle it.”

“What? Why?”

“Just do it,” he said, already pulling a knife from his boot.

I nodded and stepped back inside, heart pounding. But something didn’t sit right. This was my fault. I was the reason they came here. Because we let our guard down for my stupid birthday.

A minute later, I grabbed the closest thing I could use as a weapon and followed them outside.

Eryx POV:

The fight started too fast. How does this crap find us so quickly? Damn it! 

I didn’t have time to count them, just saw shadows moving, teeth bared, knives flashing. One came at me from the side. I grabbed his arm and slammed him down. Another jumped in. I hit him in the jaw so hard he dropped.

Still, they kept coming. Like a pack of wolves with nothing to lose. I heard Kade curse behind me, taking on two at once. We were holding our ground, but barely. Then I felt it. A shift in the air behind me. Cold metal slicing through space.

I turned too late.

A knife was coming for my back. I couldn’t block it.

And then she was there. It was Mira! 

She threw herself between me and the blade. I saw the knife sink into her side. She gasped. Blood spilled fast.

“Mira!” I caught her before she hit the ground. My arms wrapped around her before she collapsed.

Everything went black as I saw Mira's blood. I didn’t feel the pain anymore. I didn't think so. I let go of control. I tore through them like an animal, no mercy, no thought. Just rage. Pure, burning rage.

I don’t know how much I hurt. I just remember the blood. The growls. The sound of my own heartbeat thudding like war drums.

Then Kade grabbed my shoulder.

“Eryx, we have to run! That's enough” he shouted. “Now!”

I looked down at her. Mira’s blood was warm on my hands. Her eyes were closed, face pale. I didn’t hesitate, I picked her up and ran.

We didn’t look back. We didn’t try to finish the fight. There were too many. Me and Kade can't handle it at this time, we are out of weapons as well.

By the time we reached the warehouse, I could barely breathe. Kade slammed the door shut behind us. I laid Mira down on the couch and tore off her jacket. Blood soaked her side, thick and deep red.

Kade grabbed bandages. I pressed them to her side, holding tight even when she flinched and cried out. Her skin was cold. Her breath was shaky. Then her eyes rolled back. She passed out.

I froze for a moment. Just staring at her. The quiet in the room was loud. Too loud.I didn’t move from her side the whole night. I sat there, watching her chest rise and fall. I listened to every small breath she took. I waited. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t even close my eyes.

I kept seeing her step in front of that knife.

Why? Why would she do something so stupid? I didn't say he needed to do that, to save me. That was not part of the training. 

_____

The sun came up slowly. Pale light filled the warehouse windows. My body ached. My clothes were still stained with her blood. Then she moved. A soft sound left her lips. Her eyes blinked open, heavy and dazed.

“You’re awake,” I said, voice rough from staying silent too long.

She looked up at me. Her voice came out soft. “Are you okay?”

I stared at her. “You’re the one with the stab wound. You should be asking about yourself.”

A small, weak smile tugged at her lips and nodded. “I think so… “ 

I leaned closer. “Why did you do that?”

She didn’t look away. Her voice was low, but firm. “Because I want you alive.”

My breath caught. 

“I want you alive,” she whispered again, “So you can keep your promise. To help me find my parents.”

I didn’t say anything. My chest felt tight. Like something heavy was sitting there, pressing down. Was it guilt? 

She reached for my hand, her fingers trembling. And without thinking, I took it. Her skin was warm, fragile. She didn’t let go so I let her. 

“I am afraid to trust, but I was trying… ” She said it in her softest voice. ”I want to trust you, Eryx.” 

I took back my hand as I heard it and stood up trying to act normal. “You don't need to, just stay alive.”