Chapter 23%
“When do you start asking for permission, Foggy? I am checking in on the two traitor can you come back, please?” I rushed my words.
There was a pause,
then a soft sigh. “Alright”
I heard his footsteps fade, but I didn’t look away from the screen. Damon had stormed back into the packhouse, slamming the door behind him. His jaw was tight, his eyes full of frustration.
“What a joke,” I muttered, shaking my head.”
Damon collapsed on the couch, running a hand through his hair. His mother walked into the room, her face calm and indifferent. “How’s Lilith?” she asked casually, sipping from the ancient mug
The way she mentioned Lilith name made me realized she favoured Lilith because she was Father’s favourite.
“She’ll survive,” Damon said, his voice dripping with imitation. “Unfortunately.”
“But that pup? Never” He stated. Not bothering to explain himself.
I snorted, leaning closer to catch every word.X
“She’s still carrying the pup?” His mother pressed, raising an eyebrow.
“For now,” Damon muttered, his lips curling into a sneer. “But not for long.”
My heart raced with excitement. It was like watching the perfect storm unfold. Damon hated Lilith. Lilith hated Damon. And 1? I loved every second of it.
“Maybe she’ll lose it” Mother said coldly, sitting beside him.”
Damon’s eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice low. “She better. That pup is the last thing I need.”
“Lilith is not something a warrior like me need…she had dome enough marriage”
“If the pup doesn’t remain inside her, it means you can leave her. His mother assured.
“You are sure?” Damon looked up at her!!
“Yes she wasn’t your gated mate. She wasn’t Lyria. It would make them shift them blame from you being involved to only her being the mastermind of Lyria’s disappearance”
I laughed softly, unable to contain myself. This was better than anything I could’ve imagined. They were destroying each other, and I didn’t have to lift a finger
I turned off the screen, leaning back in my chair with a satisfied smile. “Keep it up, Damon,” I whispered. “You’re doing great.”
I stood up, pacing the room. My eyes flicked back to the screen where Damon slouched like the world owed him everything. I shook my head, annoyed, and then. I thought of Foggy.
“Where is he?” I muttered.
“Foggy..have you left already?”
He was leaving tonight. It wasn’t like I cared–at least that’s what I told myself–but something pulled me to find him.
The ship groaned as I stepped into the corridor, the dim lanterns swaying with the motion of the waves. I checked every odd comer where Foggy usually hid. The storage room? Empty. The engine room? Silent. The lookout post? Just the breeze and shadows.
“Foggy!” I called, my voice echoing.”
“Rogues are not dependable” I laughed, trying to see if he would speak back
No answer.
I pushed through another door and froze. There, in the corner of the room, was a small pile of things. His things. I stepped closer, my breath catching
The first thing I saw was a ceremonial blade, its silver edge gleaming sharper than mine. I have never let him touch my ceremonial blade. My fingers brushed over it. The craftsmanship was stunning, the kind of blade only used in ancient rites. Right beside it was a small bag–inside were stolen trinkets from the pups on the ship.
“Foggy, you thief,” I whispered with a grin. Something similar to the dark one usually on his face.
And then I saw it a folded piece of parchment with my name scrawled on top.
I opened it carefully, my chest tightening as I read his words:11.
Lyria, this journey is yours now. You don’t need me to steer this ship anymore. Sail past the Land of No Retum, if you’re bold enough. There are powerful Alphas there, ones who might need a strong mate like you. Or a Rogue who will take your breath away.
My heart raced. His words were teasing, but there was a strange warmth to them, too. And I wondered if they were there before or l was just noticing.
Your name is already in the legends, Lyria–the she–wolf who rejected her fate and forged her own path. I know you couldn’t be prouder to call me your captain. But it’s time for me to go now. I will tell Jareth… I sailed with the best.
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling slightly. The note smelled like him–salt and leather, the scent of endless horizons. “Foggy…” I whispered to the wind, stepping out onto the deck.”
The sea stretched out before me, endless and dark, but it felt alive somehow. I raised my chin, letting the wind whip my hair around my face
2:24 PM |
“You tell Jareth,” I said aloud, my voice firm, “that I had the best companion on my joumey to the land of no return. And with him, my wolf ran without holding back“}
“And tell other rogues that you cared for another wolf like your own and even though even though you were prying into my life without my permission – it was beautiful seeing someone on my side for the first time in my life”
The wind howled back like it was carrying my words to him.
“And if perhaps I come back…then I would race with you again
I gripped the ceremonial blade tightly, a surge of pride flooding through me. Foggy was right. My name was already in the legends. I didn’t need a mate like Damon – he was pathetic. I didn’t need a pack like my adopted parents – they chose who they loved and the past could not be erased.
I was enough. Without them I am better.
For the first time in a long time, I smiled. A real smile.”
This was my journey now. And nothing–not Damon, not Lilith, not anyone–was going to stop me.
