Midnight Howling Book 1

Chapter 38: Lyra/Alex

Lyras POV

Lyra sat cross-legged on the soft grass at the edge of the sacred lake, her eyes closed, her mind reaching deep within as she tried once again to connect with the vision. The lake remained still before her, the soft lapping of water against the shore a constant rhythm, like a heartbeat that guided her inward. She felt the calmness of the surroundings seep into her, felt Onyx settle within her mind, their connection anchoring her as she tried to open herself to the vision.

Slowly, the edges of her consciousness began to blur, and she felt the familiar sensation of something slipping into focus—a place of light and shadows, a memory waiting to unfold. She let herself drift, reaching for it, wanting to understand what it all meant, why she had felt so drawn here.

Then, suddenly, Onyx stirred within her, her presence growing sharp and alert. Danger, Lyra. Danger!

Lyra's brow furrowed as she tried to pull herself out of the trance, confusion clouding her thoughts. The vision was so close, but the urgency in Onyx's voice gripped her, the wolf's fear pounding through her like an alarm.

Lyra, now!  Onyx's voice echoed in her mind, frantic, and Lyra struggled to shake herself free, but before she could react, a searing pain tore through her.

It came from her mark spot, the base of her neck, the pain spreading like wildfire through her body. The bond she had with Alex—the fragile, growing bond they had carefully nurtured—was ripped apart with brutal force, and it felt as though her very soul was being shredded. Lyra screamed, the agony blinding, her body collapsing backward onto the grass. She could barely breathe, the pain overwhelming every sense, her connection with Onyx weakening.

Alex! she tried to reach out through the mind link, but it was like screaming into a void. The connection between them, the comforting warmth of his presence, had vanished.

The world around her spun, her vision blurring as she tried to make sense of what was happening. Onyx's voice was a faint echo, growing weaker by the second, her wolf screaming her name, calling for Alex, but there was no answer.

Lyra's breaths came in shallow gasps as she lay on her back, her eyes flickering open just enough to see Brent standing over her, wiping her blood from his mouth. Panic filled her chest, her heart racing as she realized what had happened—he had bitten her, marked her, and the thought sent fresh waves of horror through her.

No... no, no, no... she thought, her mind spiraling. The pain and confusion were too much, her body trembling as she tried to move, to fight, but her strength was fading, her connection to Onyx slipping away like a fading light.

As her consciousness began to fade, she heard voices, distorted and distant, yet unmistakable.

Jessica.

And then, another voice—a voice that filled her with dread. John. The man she had grown up believing was her father, the man who had controlled her life with cruelty and lies.

Lyra's heart pounded, terror clawing at her as the edges of her vision darkened, her body growing limp.

Before the darkness swallowed her entirely, she heard Jessica's laugh—a chilling, victorious sound—and John's voice, low and cold, murmuring words she couldn't quite make out.

And then there was nothing but darkness.

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Alexs POV

Alex stood in his room, a towel still wrapped around his waist, his mind consumed by thoughts of Lyra. He couldn't shake the memory of her perched on his sink counter, her legs wrapped around his waist, her skin warm against his hands. The feeling of her so close, her pulse racing beneath his touch, her lips parting as she looked at him with a mixture of nervousness and desire—it had taken everything in him not to give in completely to the pull he felt for her. The way her skin flushed, the way she gasped beneath his lips, it all threatened to undo him.