Chapter 76
+15 BONUS
Chapter 76
Twenty minutes later, I stared into the small mirror she handed me, gasping at my reflection. While we didn’t look identical, she had somehow managed to make me resemble her enough that a casual observer
might mistake us.
“This is… incredible,” I breathed.
“Now for the finishing touch,” she said, pulling off her silver pendant–a distinctive piece I’d seen her
wearing often. She fastened it around my neck. “The guards are looking for you, not me. This will help sell the disguise.”
We quickly exchanged clothes, and I felt a strange sense of displacement as I pulled on her jeans and sweater. They smelled faintly of her perfume–something floral and delicate.
Then, without hesitation, she drew a small blade from her boot and sliced a shallow line across her palm.
“Hold out your arm,” she said.
I did, wordless, heart pounding.
She pressed her bleeding palm to my wrist, letting her blood smear against my skin.Her scent clings to
me now.
“Alright.Take my car,” she said, pressing her keys into my palm. “It’s the silver sedan parked by the east entrance. The guards are used to seeing me come and go at odd hours, so they shouldn’t pay much
attention.”
I clutched the keys tightly. “What will you do when Alexander finds out I’m gone?”
“I’ll delay as long as I can,” she promised. “I’ll stay in here with the door locked and pretend to be you if he knocks. Once you’re safely away, I’ll deal with my brother’s rage.” She gave me a wry smile. “It won’t be the first time.”
Impulsively, I pulled her into a fierce hug. “Thank you, Lyra. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this.”
“Just bring Felix back safely,” she whispered against my hair. “And forgive my brother for being an overprotective idiot. He loves you both too much to think straight right now.”
With one final squeeze of her hands, I slipped out the door, heart pounding so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it. I kept my head down as I navigated the hallways, mimicking Lyra’s distinctive walk as best I could. Several pack members passed me, but none looked twice.
The night air hit me like a blessing when I finally reached the side entrance. I spotted Lyra’s silver sedan exactly where she’d said it would be and hurried toward it, keys gripped tightly in my sweating palm.
“Lyra?” a deep voice called just as I reached for the car door.
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My blood froze in my veins. I kept my back turned, affecting Lyra’s casual posture as best I could. “Yeah?” I answered, pitching my voice slightly higher.
“You heading out this late?” It was one of Alexander’s Warrior wolf.
“Just need to clear my head,” I replied, forcing lightness into my tone. “Girl stuff, you know.”
He chuckled awkwardly. “Right. Well, drive safe. Been reports of rogues spotted near the southern border.”
“I’ll stick to the main roads,” I promised, relief flooding through me as I slipped into the driver’s seat.
The engine purred to life, and I eased the car toward the main gate, my fingers white–knuckled on the steering wheel. The guard at the checkpoint waved me down, and I felt sweat beading at my hairline beneath the makeup.
“Evening, Lyra,” he said, leaning down to peer into the window. “Headed into town?”
“Just for a quick errand,” I replied, praying my voice sounded like lyra.
He frowned slightly, studying my face. “You look different. New makeup or something?”
My heart stuttered. “Trying a new contouring technique,” I said with what I hoped was Lyra’s
characteristic confidence. “Not sure if I like it yet.”
“Huh.” He shrugged. “Well, Alpha’s put increased security measures in place tonight. Make sure you’re
back before midnight, or call ahead so we know to expect you.”
“Will do,” I promised, relief making me light–headed as he stepped back and waved me through.
I managed to maintain a normal speed until the gates disappeared from my rearview mirror, then
pressed the accelerator to the floor.
According to the navigation system, Silver Creek territory was a five–hour drive away. I had roughly ten
hours until Foster’s deadline,I should be able to make it.
I drove through the night, stopping only once for gas and coffee, keeping my head down and avoiding
cameras. As dawn broke across the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I crossed into Silver Creek territory.
The familiar landscape sent a chill down my spine–the rolling hills and dense forests where I had once believed I would spend my entire life. The place where my son had been born. The place where both of us
had suffered.
I approached the main pack house with my heart in my throat, pulling Lyra’s car to a stop in front of the imposing structure. Before I could even open my door, two figures emerged from the entrance.
Suzanna, with her deceptively fragile frame and cold eyes, stood blocking my path. Beside her was her son, Moore, his face a twisted mask of triumph.
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“Well, well,” Suzanna drawled, her voice carrying across the morning air. “Look what the wind blew in.
The reject Luna returns.”
I stepped out of the car, standing tall despite the fear coursing through my veins. I had come too far to be
intimidated now.
“Where is my son?” I demanded, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart.
“Safe,” she said vaguely. “For now.”
Moore stepped forward, his young face twisted with malice beyond his years. “My father doesn’t want to see you yet. He said to tell you that plans have changed.”
