Chapter 276 276: What war?

Lyla

I strolled, my barefoot pressing softly into the earth beneath me as I continued through the familiar path.

The morning sun streaked through the dense trees, casting a warm, golden glow that settled over my skin. Each breath I took was heavy, but there was peace in how my chest rose and fell – a calm that had been absent since everything had fallen apart.

Nathan had tortured me until I had no other choice but to take the blood oath.

So now, I still carried the bruises from the torture and had purposely refused to remember anything about it. Instead, I'd think of the future rather than the ordeal I'd had to go through. These days, the forest has become my sanctuary, as it had always been.

But now, it was also my healing ground. Since Nymeris died, the emptiness inside me seemed to grow deeper. The severed bond had left a hollow ache that pulsed every time I tried to reach for her.

She had become my companion, my strength, my other half. Healing myself without Nymeris felt impossible initially, but slowly, I learned I could speed up the healing process with my abilities.

I stared at the bruises on my arms, ugly purple reminders of my torture; they were finally beginning to fade, but the scar in my heart would never heal. I closed my eyes, placed my palm flat on a tall oak tree, and stilled.

The herbs, the trees, the plants—everything that thrived in the earth's embrace responded to my quiet, desperate need, allowing me to draw strength from their energy and mend my battered body.

I stayed like that for a few seconds before I opened my eyes, feeling refreshed. I stared at the purple bruises again, relieved they had vanished entirely. A few more cycles, and I'll be as good as new.

"Thank you," I murmured with a grateful smile, feeling the life around me.

This was the reason I was still fighting. This connection grounded me and reminded me that I was still here, still fighting. Drawing one last breath, I turned and returned to the pack.

I arrived, I continued to the main Packhouse building. Nathan should be there. He was meeting with a few marksmen this morning, after which we would train. He was supervising my training sessions, making sure I learned

join me on this journey. A few pack members crossed my path. Their eyes widened before they lowered their gaze and murmured

quickly through the pack like wildfire, and

wounded many people, so I could understand

bother to respond to their greeting. Let them be afraid. Fear was safer than

door, taking the stairs two at a time to change into my training clothes before meeting with Nathan, but just as I rounded the corner, I stopped

the middle of the hallway, gently rocking her baby – Logan Junior, in her arms. For several seconds, we stared at each other. I've managed to avoid her and

here at the Alpha's house and only came here to pick up little things like my training clothes or something too inconsequential. I'd decided to take all my

but her posture remained regal – befitting her status as Luna. Tired of the

finally greeted

to the baby – soft, pink-cheeked, nestled against

me," I murmured coolly.

the baby as she continued

wincing slightly as my bruises protested. "If this is

are … a lot of things I'd rather

thin line. The urge to turn away and leave was strong, but something in her tone – she sounded

trying not to

my response, she turned and began walking toward a door a few feet away. Against my

nursery. Soft pastels adorned the walls, and a mobile of silver stars and the moon swayed gently above the crib. The scent of baby powder and lavender

in the beautifully crafted wooden cot. She lingered momentarily,

invited you here because I know you wouldn't try anything with the baby present," she said quietly. "You're many things, Lyla, but you're not a

lips as my eyes hardened. "Don't

me mom…" she said

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