Betrayed by My Alpha, Bound to the King

Everyone froze, including the warrior near Ayesha and Lyra. His eyes went wide. "What the-" he started, but before he could react, the creature charged and sank its huge jaws into him, shattering his ribs with a sickening crunch. Bones broke, and screams echoed through the forest.

Althea had never encountered a creature so towering. Its silver-black fur sparkled under the moon, while its eyes, glowing like molten gold, burned with raw rage. The beast exuded immense power and pure terror, moving like death itself as it attacked Luciana's men.

"A Lycan?" she wondered, recalling how formidable its beast form was. 

They mentioned it was significantly larger than a typical werewolf. However, Lycans were believed to be extinct. One by one, the warriors fell, only to be ripped apart, flesh torn, claws slashed, and the air filled with blood and fear. 

The attacking warriors had no hope. The beast continued its relentless slaughter, killing them swiftly and mercilessly.

Ayesha swallowed hard, realising the beast was in its killing frenzy.

'We have to leave.'

She wasn't sure if that beast had come to rescue them or would turn against them next. Lyra trembled in her arms, face pressed against her chest. 

Ayesha forced herself to keep moving. Her arms were numb, and her legs ached, but she continued crawling. 

"Lyra, hold on tight... we must go," she whispered hoarsely, carrying her. Her only focus was to keep moving and escape.

She grabbed a fallen cloak, pulled it over her, and staggered upright. She didn't glance back. All she could do was hope and pray that the beast wouldn't pursue them and cause harm.

At this moment, she wasn't certain whom to trust. Her only priority was to ensure Lyra's safety, regardless of the cost.

"We're not dying here," she whispered, half to herself, half to Lyra.

With trembling legs, Ayesha dashed forward as quickly as she could, breaking through branches that slapped her face. Her legs strained to keep her upright, but she forced herself to continue moving ahead.

She couldn't afford to stop… Not now.

Suddenly, a surviving warrior from earlier leapt down from the trees and pushed her to the ground. Ayesha hit the earth hard, pain erupting in her back. Instinctively, she wrapped her body around Lyra, shielding her.

The warrior snarled and reached to pull Lyra from her arms. "You think you can run?" he spat, raising his knife.

Ayesha didn't think. She fought. She elbowed him hard in the throat. He choked, faltering for a second and that was all she needed. She twisted her body, kicked him off with all the strength she had left, and scrambled on top of him.

His knife fell. She snatched it first. Without hesitation, she repeatedly struck him with it until he gurgled and his limbs twitched before going still. 

Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and her hands trembled, but she had no time to break or process. Lyra was crying nearby, too shaken to speak. Ayesha wiped the blood from her hands on the cloak, took hold of Lyra again, and stood up.

Her legs were barely holding her up now. Her body screamed in protest with every step.

Still… she ran.

She didn't know how far they had to go. Only that they had to get away, from Luciana, from Ronan, from everything that wanted them broken or dead.

"Just a little more," she whispered to Lyra, who clinged to her silently, shaken. "Just a little more… Please, dear Almighty, give me strength." 

She was unaware of what was happening to her body. It felt like a candle burning down to its last flicker. Her strength was leaving her. Her knees buckled. Her legs gave way. Both she and Lyra then collapsed onto the forest floor. 

"Aunt Ayesha!" Lyra cried, rushing to her side.

Ayesha gasped as sharp pain shot through her ribs and back. Her vision blurred. She could barely lift her head. 

She tried. Heavens, she tried to get up, to move, to stand. But her limbs wouldn't listen. Every muscle screamed. Her skin was cold and wet with blood and sweat and her body refused to rise.

Tears spilled from her eyes as her arms curled protectively around Lyra once more.

Her heart shattered into pieces, and Ayesha hated herself, hated how powerless she was. How weak she was…

"I… I can't," she choked. "I can't move, Lyra…" 

Lyra shook her head. "No, no, it's okay. We'll rest. You'll feel better soon Aunt Ayesha."

"Listen to me," Ayesha whispered, brushing her trembling fingers against the girl's cheek. "You must run, Lyra. Keep going without me. Remember what I told you: you need to be brave and carry on."

"No!" Lyra sobbed. "I'm not leaving you!"

"Please…" Ayesha's voice cracked. "You must. More of Luciana's men could be coming. If they catch us, if they catch you," she swallowed the rising fear. "They'll kill you. I can't let that happen."

She gently cupped Lyra's face, even as her vision blurred. Darkness crept in at the edges, and Ayesha knew she was seconds away from blacking out.

Find a nearby pack, blend in, and tell them you don't remember anything. Pretend you've lost your memory to make them think you're just a lost pup.

Lyra sobbed harder. "But I don't want to leave you alone!"

"You must." Ayesha managed a smile through her tears. "Promise me something, alright?"

Lyra nodded shakily.

"Promise me you'll survive, no matter what happens. That you'll live, grow, and be happy even if I'm not there to witness it."

Lyra trembled violently, her small fists clenched in Ayesha's torn cloak. "I promise," she whispered through broken cries.

"But I'll return for you, Aunt Ayesha. I swear it." Ayesha gently kissed her forehead as salty tears streamed down her face.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you better." Ayesha's eyes closed gently.

"I'm sorry, Levi," she whispered silently to her dead brother. At that moment, her body succumbed. She passed out... as Lyra's small voice sobbed and called her name repeatedly.