The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 78

Ryan

I walked back to my office, thoughts swirling in my head about what Wista had said. Her final warning before I departed her cabin left me with a simmering unease that I couldn't shake. "You have to tell Lyra to watch her back, Ryan," the witch had cautioned, her eyes boring into mine. "The person orchestrating these assaults isn't going to give up until they achieve their goal. Lyra's death, by any means necessary."

I clenched my fists, jaw muscles tightening. The idea of Lyra being in even more danger than just the Luna Trials made my heart constrict with dread.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice Sally until she was right in front of me, her eyes wide with panic.

"Alpha Ryan, please, you have to help Lyra!" she said, her voice shaking.

Worry creased my brow as I frowned. Sally was usually so calm and collected, not one to panic easily. That's why I had picked her out of all the other she-wolves to be Lyra's roommate. I looked at her closely, noticing how her hands trembled slightly and her eyes darted around anxiously. Something was definitely wrong. "What's happening, Sally?" I asked, my voice gentle but firm. "Tell me what's going on with Lyra."

"The Luna Trials Council is about to question her. They think she cheated on the written test!"

Anger, white and hot, boiled up inside me as I heard Sally's words. The Luna Trials Council was questioning Lyra? Accusing her of cheating on the written test? In my gut I knew it was because they had it in for her simply for not having a wolf. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath, trying to control my rage. It wasn't fair. Lyra was smart, wise beyond her years, despite the hell she had gone through until joining my pack. In fact, she was still going through it at the hands of people who were supposed to be impartial.

Well, they were mistaken. Lyra had earned her perfect score on that test and it was a damn shame those idiots couldn't see past the fact that she was different.

"Where is she?" I asked Sally, my voice tight.

"They're interrogating her in their office," Sally replied, her eyes filled with worry.

'You go home, I'll take care of this."

Sally nodded, then scurried away while I started walking quickly to where the inquisition was happening. My heart raced with a potent mixture of anger and fear as I navigated the familiar corridors, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls. On the way, I mind-linked with Killian. As one of her most respected professors, his opinion would also hold significant sway with the Council. I just hoped he could sense the urgency of the situation through our mental connection. "Killian, it's Ryan. I need your help."

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice echoing in my head.

"The Luna Trials Council is questioning Lyra. They think she cheated on the test."

"What? That's ridiculous. Lyra would never cheat."

"I know, I'm headed there now. Can you come as well to make sure they don't railroad her?"

"Of course. I'm on my way."

"Thank you, Killian. I owe you one."

"Don't mention it. Lyra's my family. I'll do whatever I can to help her."

As I approached the doors, I could hear raised voices coming from inside.

I pushed open the wooden barriers and strode into the room, Finding it in near darkness, I switched on the light to equal the playing field.

My eyes immediately found Lyra. She looked small and frightened, as the imposing figures of the Council members looked down on her.

"What's going on here?" I demanded, my voice ringing out in the large space.

The Council members turned to look at me, surprise and annoyance on their faces.

"Alpha Thornton, this is a private matter," Councilwoman Peterson said, a stern-looking she-wolf with blue-black hair.

"Lyra is a member of my pack," I retorted. "Anything that concerns her concerns me."

I walked over to Lyra and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and grateful.

"Lyra didn't cheat," I said, looking directly at the Council members. "She's one of the smartest and most hardworking people I know. Just because she doesn't have a wolf doesn't mean she's not capable of acing that test on her own." The Council members exchanged glances, looking uncertain. I could see that they weren't used to being challenged... even by their Alpha.

"Sorry Alpha Thorton. My wife says... um, I mean we... uh, as a whole have to investigate any irregularities," Council Peterson simpered. He was a tall man with a beard and a mate who nagged at him daily. "It's our job to ensure the integrity of the trials."

"Then investigate," I said, my voice hard. "But don't accuse Lyra of cheating without any evidence. That's not integrity, that's prejudice."

I watched as Killian entered the room, his steely gaze focused on the Council in front of him. The women preened, sitting up straighter and smoothing their hair. I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes at their obvious attempts to impress him. Killian spoke in a charming yet firm tone. "As one of Lyra's professors, I have overseen her work and can attest that she has always done exceptional work, outscoring everyone in her class."

He looked directly at the Council members. "To accuse her of cheating is to accuse me, as her mentor in the Luna trials. Surely none of the Council members would do such a thing." While the men remained silent, obviously browbeaten into doing so, the two women quickly shook their heads, their voices overlapping as they said, "No, of course not!"

Lyra coughed into her hand, trying to hide her laughter at their sudden change in demeanor.

After looking at each of her colleagues, Councilwoman Peterson stood up, her voice ringing out in the room. "I speak for all of the Council. Lyra Evergreen is cleared, and her score will stand."