Music recommendation: Into The West by Jamie Duffy and Patrick Dexter on Spotify.
After several days of riding and camping under the stars, the couple eventually arrived at Sparrow Peak. Lyra could see the familiar forestry and the mountains her home nestled under. Their air was cold, and snow began to trickle as they rode. Hoofs trampled over the snow-covered path, and she could see the village come into view. However, the state of the town left her speechless. The entire place was razed to the ground.
Buildings were reduced to rubble, and houses burnt to the foundation. Lyra placed her hand over her mouth, and a lump formed in her throat. Her eyes glistened as she peered at the misfortune her home had befallen. The blanket of snow slightly covered bodies; Leo looked indifferent to the sight, but his knuckles turned white at the grip of the reins he held. Lyra sucked in a shaky breath when they neared the village square.
Where were the reinforcements, her grandfather mentioned? Even days after her absence, the land remained untouched after their demise.
Lyra scrambled off the horse, pushing Leo's arms free. She dashed over to the lone figure lying on his knees, covered in freshly fallen snow. Her hair blew from her face as she raced over, her heart slowly cracking with every step she took.
The closer Lyra got to the man, the more her legs felt like lead, giving out as she knelt in front of him. Tears fell from her eyes as she took another shaky breath, releasing a fog from her lips. Her heart shattered to pieces.
Gently, Lyra brushed the snow from the man's form to reveal his identity. Her jaw clenched as she bit her lip hard, halting her quivering lip. It was Conrad, her grandfather. She placed both hands over his frozen cheeks, and she cried, pressing her forehead against his.
Leo slid off his horse. He witnessed Lyra's turmoil and remained silent. He understood the loss and could relate to a certain degree. He was taken aback by her abrupt movement, nearly spooking the horse, but didn't want to aggravate her more. He stood a few paces away from her as the wail of her cries echoed through the decimated place.
After grieving her heart out, Leo helped Lyra bury Conrad's body. Burying him next to her grandmother near the cottage—now turned to ashes. The grave mound stood out from the pristine white snow, and his sword glistened as it staked into the soil—a marker for an honorable soldier.
Lyra knelt before the grave while Leo stood right behind her. Her tears began to well up as she spoke mournfully,
"He was my only family ia had left. Always there, guiding me. Now, I feel lost without him."
Choked by the grief, Lyra sniffled before she continued, wiping the strained tears that fell on her red cheeks. Leo listened intently, standing motionless behind her as he observed.
"He always said that strength is found in the moments of our greatest challenges. Triumph over our darkest days. Rejoice in the life well-made. I never understood his last verse 'well-made' as if it was a petri dish. Though he adored my cooking, I wish things were different. A life well lived, filled with life adventure and your oath to protect was never tarnished, even to the end."
'You told me to run, and yet, I returned…' her throat bobbed with the lump in her throat tightened as tears slipped down her cheek.
Lyra closed her eyes and clasped her hands to offer a solemn prayer to the deceased. However, Leo noticed her pause before swiftly standing up, dusting the snow from her clothes. He furrowed in confusion with her lack of a proper send-off, but who was he to judge? He was no different.
As Lyra turned to face Leo, he offered his condolences, "We honor those we've lost by carrying their lessons with us. His spirit will always guide you, just as he did in life."
Lyra was slightly taken aback by his words; they were the most she had ever heard him speak. She wanted to refute Leo's words boldly. Conrad's spirit already haunted her in her dreams. However, knowing there was a soft side to his glacial demeanor was comforting. She could've sworn his eyes softened briefly before turning back to indifference. She returned a smile to the gesture he gave.
Suddenly, sensing a presence in mass numbers, Leo turned his gaze towards the woods. His eyes narrowed as his shoulders stiffened. He pulled Lyra by the wrist to get behind him while he conjured a staff made from black chains with a razor-sharp blade at the end.
The sound of growls and yips could be heard from the woods as Leo poised at the ready. Lyra was frightened by the tension he put off. She clutched his cloak to shield herself from the danger lurking in the distance.
'Is it the demons?!' Lyra thought, the dreadful concept burned in her mind. She gulped in anticipation.
A large golden-brown wolf emerged from the forest with a pack trailing behind, encircling the couple. Snarls rumbled the area as the wolves prowled around them; the golden wolf stood tall and majestic, facing them. The size of the golden creature was massive compared to the other wolves; he towered over them.
Leo narrowed his gaze towards the fury creature. His lips curled in a cunning smirk.
"Looks to me this mutt still lacks in manners," Leo taunted and received vicious growls. Lyra's widened like saucers; was he trying to enrage the bloodthirsty beasts? Lyra whimpered in silence as the wolves closed in on them. Their exit was nowhere in sight. She doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, the fact that this maniac was trying to save her or reunite with her loved ones.
The golden wolf growled menacingly at Leo, baring his fangs before he crouched down, poised to attack him. Lyra couldn't bear to watch, pressing her face to his back. She could protect herself if she had a weapon, but Leo blatantly refused to give her anything. The next thing she heard was bone cracking and groans before silence remained.
Startled by the horrific sounds, Lyra's heart raced uncontrollably. There was no sudden movement from Leo; his heart was calm. Curious, she poked her head out to see what had happened. She was confused by how nonchalant he was, and the weapon he possessed vanished before her eyes. Her eyes trailed to the spot where the golden wolf once stood, replaced with a bulky man with blond hair and striking silver eyes. He finished fastening a maroon robe over himself that one of his pack members handed to him and approached Leo, grinning from ear to ear.
"You're one to talk. Still haven't fixed that mouth of yours, I see," The blonde man retorted, letting out a hearty laugh. "Leo, my old friend! It's been ages!" he exclaimed, enveloping Leo in a bear hug. Leo's stoic expression barely wavered, but his red eyes hinted at annoyance. Lyra was left dumbfounded.
"Viktor," Leo acknowledged, returning the hug with a pat on the back. Lyra stared at the unfolding scene, her eyes darting between the two men. The tension that once gripped the snowy landscape now seemed to dissipate with the arrival of Lucas.
Leo glanced over his shoulder, addressing Lyra, "Lyra, this is Viktor Acheron, Alpha of the Evrax domain."
As Viktor released Leo from the hearty embrace, he turned his attention to Lyra. His silver eyes twinkled with warmth, contrasting sharply with Leo's icy demeanor. Lyra hesitated for a moment before managing a small, uncertain smile.
"Ah, Leo, who would've thought you got yourself a mate! May the moon Goddess help her," Viktor quipped, curious about the tiny woman clinging to Leo.
Lyra immediately released Leo's cloak. Her cheeks burned as she stepped away from Leo. Trying hard not to show embarrassment, she glared at Viktor and retorted, "I'm not his mate, and I don't need the moon Goddess's help. Thank you very much."
Viktor burst into laughter, his hearty chuckles echoing through the snow-covered clearing. "Spunky, I Like that. Leo, you got an interesting one here," he said, clapping his hand on Leo's shoulder.
Leo's expression remained impassive, but his eyes flickered with a hint of irritation. "She's not mine. I'm taking her to Eden," he stated flatly.
Viktor raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between Leo and Lyra. "Eden, huh? Now, that's an unexpected twist," he said, his curiosity piqued. His playful behavior shifted to a serious manner, which Lyra noticed. "What's the story there, Leo?"
Leo glanced at Lyra, hesitant to reveal the events he had recounted. Facing Viktor, he shook his head. Conveying it was not the right time, and Viktor nodded thoughtfully.
"My pack and I can escort you both there. For now, let's head back to the packhouse," he told the couple and focused on Lyra. "Fear not, Lyra. You're under the protection of the Evrax pack now. No harm will come to you," he reassured, offering a reassuring smile.
"What of the survivors of this village?" Lyra asked, she couldn't help but be concerned for the remaining survivors of her old home.
"My scouts were just informed and we only arrived only few days too late," Viktor answered solemnly. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"The remaining survivors to refuge to the packhouse and will find accommodations to relocate and start anew, that I swear as the alpha of Evrax," Viktor spoke with conviction and promise. Leo merely scoffed at his heroics and stepped away.
'How noble,' Leo retorted in his mind.
Lyra felt a mixture of relief and confusion. These two men seemed to know each other, and for now, she found herself caught between their enigmatic connection.
The couple retrieved his horse and followed Viktor and his pack out of Sparrow Peak. Lyra turned one last glance as the hills swallowed the remaining images of the village before it was out of sight. Lyra couldn't shake the feeling that her journey was far from over. The fate that awaited in Eden remained uncertain, but for now, she was under the protection of Evrax pack, which brought comfort.