Chapter 288 288: Unexpected Awakening

Lyla

Fire. That's what my eyelids felt like—burning, scorching fire.

My body was a collection of aches. It was as if each muscle was woven with pain, and they were currently screaming in protest as I came to consciousness slowly. Even breathing hurt; my lungs were raw as though I'd inhaled smoke for hours.

Despite the pain, I finally forced my eyes open. The light pierced like needles, and I blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. An unfamiliar ceiling came into focus—wooden beams with strange carvings I didn't recognize. The walls were a warm amber color, adorned with handwoven tapestries depicting women all dressed in white, wearing flower crowns on their heads and running through moonlit forests.

Where was I?

My mind felt sluggish as I tried to remember. It was as if it didn't want to put in the work, and the more I tried, the more the back of my head throbbed with pain. But I was able to remember fragments of memories. I remember the shelter in the woods, Clarissa, Beta Jeremy's truck… and then nothing except the pain and fever I was experiencing now.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my right arm, and I jerked, turning in the direction of the movement. The room spun for a minute, but when it settled, I could see a figure through my hazy vision.

"Lyla? Lyla, can you hear me?"

The voice was familiar, but it sounded so distant, as though it were coming from underwater. I blinked again, forcing my vision to focus on the person gripping my hand.

When my eyes finally adjusted to the vision, I relaxed visibly. It was someone I knew.

"Ramsey?" My voice came out as a croak, barely audible.

It was indeed Alpha Ramsey – The Lycan Leader and my mate, though he looked nothing like the polished, confident leader I remembered. His face was covered in bruises—one eye was swollen, a nasty cut was across his cheekbone, and his lower lip was split. A beard covered his jaw, unusual for a man who'd always kept himself meticulously clean-shaven.

Frown lines lined his forehead, making him look years older than when I'd last seen him.

"Why aren't you getting treated?" I slurred, staring at him.

"Lax is just exhausted, so he's healing slowly, but I'm fine," he smiled. "I don't even remember the injury half the time."

I wanted to ask him why Lax was exhausted, but he beat me to it, squeezing my hand and sighing with relief in his eyes.

Goddess. We weren't sure

out, some reaching me clearly while others faded into a distant hum.

you'd been

underwater quality was receding until I

heard what happened at Blue Ridge, I thought

Ridge? What

the last fragment of memory I remember, Blue Ridge—Nathan was preparing to attack the White Mountain Region. My eyes widened with fear as the implications of what could be the aftermath hit

happened? Did the Dark One

sit up, but my muscles protested with pain. Ramsey immediately moved to help me, his hands held

out?" I asked, trying to lubricate my dry throat with my non-existent saliva. I was

held it to my lips. I gulped down the water like it was oxygen, loving

he answered.

alertness at the mention of her name. "Clarissa? Where is she? Is

we were in Jeremy's truck, Clarissa driving while I drifted in and out of consciousness. Had we been attacked? Had

me. "She's in the courtyard, getting some fresh air. She's barely

me. At least

I settled more comfortably against the pillows. Now that I was more alert, I studied his face properly,

Why are you covered

flickered in his eyes. He still hadn't told me what happened at Blue Ridge, but before he could answer, the door

and a clean towel. It took me a moment to recognize her—Nanny -

her eyes and mouth. But her eyes—those warm, knowing eyes—were exactly as I remembered them, and she

she saw me awake and sitting up, the bowl slipped from her hands, and the water splashed across the wooden floor. The towel followed too,

a tight

hands, tears streaming down her cheeks as she examined me. "I thought we'd lost you. When your sister brought

close again, rocking slightly as

and sage—brought a lump to my throat. But she has always been like

his face. Our gaze met over

that Nanny needed this moment. "There's much

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