Chapter 11: Sarah's Warning

"Sarah!"

The moment Lyra saw Sarah's face, her heart sank. Tears welled up in Lyra's eyes as she tried to process the sight before her. Sarah looked disheveled, her face streaked with dirt and blood, and her eyes darted around in panic. Sarah's face was streaked with dirt and dried blood, her eyes wide with fear and desperation.

Lyra dropped to her knees and gently pulled the gag from Sarah's mouth.

"Lyra?" Sarah's voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes. "Is it really you?"

Lyra nodded, her own tears spilling over as she hugged Sarah tightly. "Oh my goddess, Sarah! I thought I'd never see you again. What happened? Why are you here?"

Sarah clung to Lyra, her body trembling as if finally allowed to collapse. "I'm just so glad you're safe," she whispered, her voice breaking.

A low clearing of the throat reminded them they were not alone. Alpha Kael stood nearby, arms crossed, his sharp eyes watching every movement.

"You know her, Lyra?" Kael's tone was measured but heavy with suspicion.

Lyra stood, shielding Sarah as if her body could protect her friend from Kael's probing gaze. 

"Yes. This is Sarah. She's my best friend from my former pack. Please, Alpha, let her go. She's not a threat."

Kael turned to Beta Albert, who was still holding Sarah by her bound wrists. Albert's eyes darted to Kael, awaiting his command. After a tense pause, Kael gave a curt nod.

"Release her."

Albert hesitated for only a second before cutting the straps binding Sarah's hands. She flinched slightly as the restraints fell away but made no move to run.

"Gina, please help me," Lyra said softly, wrapping an arm around Sarah's shoulders. Together, they guided her to the couch. Gina fetched a glass of water and handed it to Sarah, who clutched it with trembling hands.

Kael moved to sit across from them, his intense gaze locked onto Sarah. He leaned back, one leg crossed over the other, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable. "Now," he began, his voice cold and authoritative, "tell me why you're here. And I suggest you choose your words carefully."

Sarah glanced at Lyra before looking at Kael. She took a shaky breath. "I'm here for Lyra. I needed to warn her."

"Warn her about what?"

Sarah's eyes flickered to Lyra again, searching for reassurance. Lyra gave her a slight nod, encouraging her to continue.

"Since Lyra left, things in our pack have gotten worse," Sarah began, her voice trembling. "Darius—"

At the mention of her former mate's name, Lyra stiffened. "What about him?"

"He's not the same," Sarah said, her voice heavy with emotion. "He's angrier, crueler. At first, I thought it was just grief or guilt over rejecting you. But now..." Her hands tightened around the glass. "Now I don't even recognize him. He's obsessed, Lyra."

"Obsessed?" Lyra echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah nodded. "When he found out you were safe and becoming the Luna of the Blackmoon Pack, he lost it. He swore he'd get you back, no matter what."

Lyra's jaw dropped. "He rejected me! Why would he—"

"I don't know," Sarah interrupted, her voice cracking. "It's not love. It's something else. He said you humiliated him by moving on, by being happy. He wants you back, Lyra, but I'm sure it wasn't because he wanted you to be his mate again. 

The words hung in the air, sharp and heavy like a blade poised to strike. Lyra felt as though the room was spinning.

"He wants to punish me," she whispered. 

Kael's voice cut through the silence like ice. "So you knew about this attack?"

Sarah flinched, turning to Kael. "I overheard the plan. That's why I came here—to warn Lyra. But I was too late. The others found me before I could reach her. They forced me to come with them."

"And you expect me to believe that?" Kael's voice was laced with skepticism. "You were with the attackers. For all I know, you could be a spy."

"No! I swear, I came on my own," Sarah pleaded. "I risked everything to get here. I just want Lyra to be safe."

"Alpha, please," Lyra interjected, stepping between Sarah and Kael. "I've known Sarah my whole life. She's my best friend—the only one who ever showed me kindness in my old pack. She stood by me when no one else would. If there's anyone I trust completely, it's her."

Kael's gaze softened for a moment as he looked at Lyra, but his voice remained firm. "And yet, you haven't seen her for a long time. People change, Lyra. Trust is dangerous."

"I don't care," Lyra said, her tone unwavering. "I trust her."

Kael exhaled sharply, standing from his seat. His imposing figure seemed to fill the room as he looked down at Sarah.

"Fine. She stays. But under watch. One wrong move, and I'll kill her myself."

"Thank you," Sarah said, bowing her head. "I promise, Alpha. I mean no harm. Lyra is like a sister to me. I'd never betray her."

Kael's lips pressed into a thin line. "We'll see."

He turned on his heel and strode toward the monitors, scanning the live feeds of the pack's borders. Beta Albert followed, his expression unreadable.

Sarah turned to Lyra, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm so sorry, Lyra. I should've done more to stop Darius before it came to this."

Lyra shook her head, pulling Sarah into another hug. "It's not your fault. You did what you could. And you're here now. That's all that matters."

Across the room, Kael and Albert spoke in hushed tones.

"You're really going to let her stay?" Albert asked, crossing his arms.

Kael's jaw tightened. 

"For now. If she's telling the truth, she might be useful. But if she steps out of line..." He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.

"She seems genuine," Albert said cautiously. "And Lyra trusts her."

Kael's gaze flicked back to Lyra, who was still comforting Sarah on the couch. "Lyra trusts too easily," he said, his voice laced with frustration.

Albert smirked. "Sounds like someone's jealous."

Kael shot him a warning look, but Albert merely chuckled and turned away.

Later that evening, Kael approached Lyra as she sat by the monitors, watching the patrols sweep the pack's territory.

"You should rest," he said gently.

Lyra glanced up at him, her expression weary. "I can't. Not after everything that's happened."

Kael hesitated before sitting beside her. "I understand. But running yourself into the ground won't help anyone."

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I just don't know what to do, Kael. If Sarah's right, Darius won't stop. He'll keep coming."

Kael's expression darkened. "Then we'll be ready for him. No one threatens my Luna and gets away with it."