Chapter 17: Over the Edge
Lyra's POV
I lay on the bed, my body sinking into the soft mattress as exhaustion weighed heavily on me. It was the first time I'd truly been able to rest in this new room, but my mind refused to quiet. The events of the day played over and over in my head like a twisted reel. It was all too much.
My gaze drifted toward the ceiling as a dangerous thought crept into my mind. Kellan. I now knew where his room was. Should I go to him? Repay Kael in his own coin?
The idea sent a rush of adrenaline through me, but it left an even stronger taste of bitterness. No, I couldn't. I wouldn't. Stooping to Kael's level would only drag me down with him. Besides, I didn't trust Kellan yet. His motives remained a mystery, and whatever game he was playing, I wasn't about to become another pawn.
I sighed heavily, determined to shake off the dark thoughts. Perhaps I could try something lighter, something distracting. Ava. She had a way of brightening any situation, even if her methods were unusual. Reaching out to her through the mind link seemed like a good idea, though I wasn't sure if it would work.
I closed my eyes and concentrated, focusing on Ava. I imagined her bubbly presence, the sound of her laughter, and her unmistakable energy. Nothing. I tried again, pushing harder, feeling the edges of frustration. Just as I was about to give up, a loud, shrill voice burst into my mind.
"Lyra! Is that you? Oh my gosh, you did it! I'm so proud of you!" Ava's excitement was palpable, her words tumbling over each other in a chaotic melody.
Relief flooded me. "Yeah, it's me," I muttered, feeling a small smile tug at my lips despite my sour mood.
"I heard you moved into the main villa! That's really cool! My room's on the second floor, but I'll be down in a sec!" she chirped before cutting off the link.
I barely had time to process her words before Ava appeared, bursting into my room like a whirlwind of energy. She didn't even bother with pleasantries before snatching my phone off the nightstand.
"You're so old-fashioned, Lyra. Here, let me add my number. Next time, you text me. That's what phones are for, you know."
I nodded as she handed the phone back, barely able to keep up with her pace. Ava grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers, and pulled me toward the door.
"Come on, I want to show you something cooler today!"
I almost rolled my eyes but managed to keep it to a light scoff.
"Hope you're not planning to shift just your legs into wolf form this time?"
Ava burst into laughter, her voice ringing through the hallway.
"Oh, please. I only did that to make you laugh! I don't do it all the time, I promise."
"Better," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at her playful grin. "So, where are we going?"
"You'll see," she said, her tone laced with excitement.
We walked through the pack grounds, taking several turns and climbing what felt like an endless path. Just as I began to wonder if this was another one of Ava's quirky distractions, we arrived at the edge of a cliff.
The sight took my breath away. The view stretched for miles, the moon casting its glow over the treetops and the distant mountains. It was serene, untouched, and utterly beautiful.
I gasped softly, stepping closer to the edge.
"This is... incredible, Ava. I'm glad I got to see this."
Ava beamed beside me, her happiness contagious.
"See? You can trust me to show you the good stuff," she said with a playful wink.
I couldn't help but smile back, a genuine warmth filling me for the first time since the day began.
"Thanks, Ava," I murmured, appreciating her company.
We stood side by side in comfortable silence, soaking in the breathtaking view. The stillness of the night wrapped around us like a soft blanket.
Then it happened.
A sudden force hit me from behind, sharp and unexpected. My body lurched forward, my feet losing their grip on the ground. I barely registered what was happening before I was falling—plummeting into the ground below.
The wind whistled in my ears, my heart hammering as fear consumed me. Above the chaos, I heard Ava's piercing cry, her voice trembling with panic as she screamed my name.
"Lyra!"
Then the world faded, Ava's voice became distant as darkness swallowed me whole.
------
The light pierced my eyelids before I could even fully open them. A sharp, blinding brightness. I groaned, squinting as I tried to adjust my vision to the room around me. White walls surrounded me, the kind that felt sterile and cold. My heart skipped a beat. Where was I?
For a moment, panic gripped me. Was I dead? Was this heaven? My breaths came faster as I scanned my surroundings, trying to make sense of it all. No, this couldn't be heaven. The ache in my body told me I was still very much alive. Every movement brought a fresh wave of pain, and when I attempted to sit up, a sharp sting radiated through my ribs.
"Don't move!"
The soft but urgent voice startled me, and I froze mid-motion. A petite woman appeared at my side, her hands gently pressing me back onto the bed. Her expression was warm, her touch careful. "You're hurt. You need to rest," she said firmly.
Her presence was calming, though my mind raced with questions. "Who are you?" I rasped, my voice hoarse and dry.
"I'm Dr. Melora, the pack's physician. You're in the infirmary. Now, how are you feeling?"
The mention of the pack brought the memories flooding back—the cliff, Ava's scream, and the sensation of falling. My chest tightened as everything replayed in vivid detail.
"My wolf," I whispered, panic creeping into my voice. I reached out internally, searching for her presence. But there was nothing. An empty void where she should be.
"Breathe," Dr. Melora said, her hands lightly gripping my arm. "You're okay. Your wolf is okay. She's just… resting."
I stared at her, confusion and fear swirling inside me.
"What do you mean?"
She gave me a reassuring smile.
"Your wolf saved you. Without her, you wouldn't have survived that fall. She healed most of your internal injuries, but she overexerted herself. I had to put her to sleep temporarily so she could recover. It's nothing to worry about. She's safe, and you will be too."
Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. The reality of her words sank in.
"You know about my wolf?"
Dr. Melora nodded calmly. "I do. But don't worry—I haven't told anyone. Your secret is safe with me."
I wanted to believe her, but suspicion and fear clawed at my chest. What if she wasn't telling the truth? What if this was the moment I'd been dreading—the moment my secret would get me thrown out of the pack?
"Why are you helping me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
Her smile never faltered.
"Because you're my patient, and because you're special, Lyra. Your wolf is extraordinary. You should be proud of her strength."
I didn't know what to say to that. A part of me was relieved to know Hope was safe, but the other part was consumed by the fear of what this could mean for my place in the pack.
Before I could voice another question, the door burst open, and my heart lurched at the sight of Kael. He strode in, his eyes immediately locking onto me.
"Lyra," he breathed, closing the distance between us in seconds. To my surprise, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a careful hug. His warmth was overwhelming, and I found myself frozen, unsure how to react.
"I thought I'd lost you," he murmured against my hair.
I pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. His eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place—something raw and unguarded.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.
Kael frowned, his hands still resting on my shoulders. "I came to see you, to make sure you're okay."
I scoffed, though it came out weaker than I intended.
"Don't pretend to care, Kael. Not after—"
"Lyra," Dr. Melora interrupted, her tone gentle but firm. "You need to rest. This isn't the time for arguments."
Kael's jaw tightened, but he nodded. He brushed a strand of hair from my face before standing.
"We'll talk later," he said, his voice low.
I watched him leave, my emotions a tangled mess of anger and confusion.
Dr. Melora placed a hand on my arm, drawing my attention back to her. "Try to rest," she said softly. "Your body needs time to heal."
I nodded, though my mind was far from at ease.