The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 102 – The Red Witch

Ryan

My teeth ground together. "What?" I breathed, my mind reeling from this revelation. Lyra had told me Gregory wasn't her father but her uncle, but she didn't go into specifics on how her parent's died. Maybe she would have if I hadn't been too busy scoffing at her White Wolf theories.

"If Vivian is the red witch," Killian continued, his gaze never wavering, "she is likely the red wolf." Killian relayed the story of how Lyra's parents died while away from the Harbringer territory, and how Lyra was left in the woods as a baby. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process this information and stared at Killian, my mind racing to process his words. "Wait, so you're saying Vivian is behind all of this? The dark magic? Her parent's deaths?"

I wanted to howl... to roar as anger sizzled through my veins. I should have questioned Lyra more about her past instead of trying to rule her future. I would have figured out Vivian was behind it all a lot sooner. "That bitch," I growled, my eyes flashing with rage at Vivian as well as myself. "She killed Lyra's parents and now she's trying to hurt her again?"

He nodded gravely. "Yes. It all fits, Ryan. The timing, her motives, everything.".

"I agree that she has always hated Lyra. But why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Killian said, his silver eyes intense. "Jealousy, resentment. Lyra was Gregory's rightful heir. Vivian couldn't stand that."

"Damn," I muttered, yet the pieces still hadn't fallen into place. "I get why that may have justified in her sick mind why she tormented Lyra while she was growing up, but why did Vivian kill her parents? Leave Lyra in the woods as a baby to die instead of killing her outright?"

Killian's jaw clenched. "I don't know."

"Then we have to start digging and find out. Once the Luna trials are over, I'm going up North to find Juan, ask him what connection he had with Vivian. Put this to bed once and for all."

Killian placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me before once more I let my anger take control. "I'll come with you." he said, his voice firm. "We have to stop Vivian before Lyra can't walk away from the damage."

"I won't let anything happen to her," I vowed, my forearms cording with veins at how tightly I clenched my fists. "That's why I came back to Wista, she has the necklace Lyra needs to wear to protect her from dark magic. Will you give it to her?" Killian's eyes met mine, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "Sure, I'm going to meet her before the trial starts. I can give it to her then."

I knocked on Wista's door and she waved us in. The moment I stepped inside, a wall of herbal and magical scents slammed into me, overpowering the usual earthy pine smell of her cabin.

"Whoa, what's with all the hocus pocus in here?" I asked, waving a hand in front of my face. "Smells like you're cooking up a major spell." I wasn't the only one who thought so. Even Killian wrinkled his nose and let out a polite cough. Wista shot me a wry look. "Observant as always, Alpha. In addition to the necklace, I'm preparing a protection charm around the trial area."

"Why not around Lyra herself?" Killian asked.

Wista slapped his hand away from stirring the bubbling cauldron on the fire. "That would be grounds for Lyra's immediate disqualification. If I protect all the candidates, no one can say there was any blatant favoritism, right?" He cocked his head, lips turned up in thought. "You are right, I suppose."

I frowned, concern creasing my brow. "Do you think there will be an attack?"

"At the last Luna trial? Most definitely." Wista rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a delicate silver necklace with a small, brilliant yellow stone, ancient runes etched into the pendant. I reached out to touch it, but Wista pulled it away. "Careful. It's imbued with potent magic. Only Lyra can wear it safely." She put it into a soft cotton pouch and sealed it shut with a few words. She then looked up at me, her eyes soft. "I know you want to protect her yourself," Wista said, "but the red witch is crafty. This charm will help shield Lyra from any dark magic."

"Killian will make sure she gets it before the trial starts."

"Here," Wista said, handing it to Killian. "Make sure Lyra wears this during the trial."

Killian nodded, taking the necklace. "What does it do?"

"If the stone grows hot against her skin, dark magic is a lot. If it grows colder than ice, listen to her instincts and don't think twice," Wista explained.

I couldn't help but think out loud, "Could someone tell me why all those witchy instructions come in rhymes and little reason?"

Wista rolled her eyes. Killian laughed, capturing her attention and she flicked her eyes up Killian's naked form. "Since you don't have any pockets, be careful not to lose the necklace. I had a heck of a time getting it to work right. Most of the stone disintegrated when I tried to enchant it."

Killian smirked. "Don't worry, Witch, I won't lose it."

"See that you don't," she said, her voice gruff. "Lyra's life may depend on it."

Killian's smirk faded. "I know," he said, his voice serious. "I won't let her down."

'What was up with those two?'

I'd find out later. After Lyra became my Luna, we found Juan and got some answers, and together Lyra and I destroyed Vivian and all her ilk.

Killian and I were back on the path to the Moonshadow village when Killian turned to me. "Ryan, once Lyra becomes your Luna, my family-the silver wolves-will help you take down Wolfsong."

I looked at him, surprised. "You'd do that?"

"Of course," he said. "Many regret giving her up to Gregory to raise. They are eager to make amends."

"Oh," I said with a harsh bark of laughter. "We will make amends, alright. We will wipe Wolfsong's legacy into the dirt."