Chapter <b>75 </b>


    Summer’s POV


    The lock clicked quietly. I jolted upright from where I’d been sitting against Alexander’s desk, my heart thundering in my chest. Had hee back to reason with me again? I quickly wiped away any trace of tears from my face and squared my shoulders, ready for another confrontation.


    But when the door cracked open, it wasn’t Alexander’s imposing figure that slipped through–it was Lyra.


    “Lyra?” I whispered in disbelief.


    She pressed a finger to her lips and quickly closed the door behind her. “Shh. We don’t have much time.”


    As I studied her face, confusion tightened in my chest.L and I were friends, yes–but Alexander was


    her brother. Their bond ran deeper.


    Why would she risk sneaking into his office like this, knowing it could infuriate him?“What are you doing


    here?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “If Alexander finds out-<b>” </b>


    “He won’t,” she cut me off, her eyes darting nervously to the door. “He’s in an emergency meeting with Ethan and the gamma squad. nning the search operation for Felix.”


    My heart clenched at the mention of my son’s name. “Have they found anything?”


    Lyra shook her head regretfully. “Not yet. But that’s why I’m here.” She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “I’m going to help you escape.”


    I stared at her, stunned. “What? Why would you do that? Alexander is your brother.”


    “Precisely because he’s my brother,” she said with a sad smile. “I love him, Summer. And I can see how much he loves you. I don’t want this… this situation to create a permanent rift between you two.”


    “Besides,we’re friends, aren’t we?“She moved closer, her expression earnest in the dim light. “Oh, and by the way–those cozy pictures of Natalia and my brother? Totally fake. Photoshop.”


    “Well… that’s good to know.” I said, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “But I still don’t understand why you’re helping me?”


    Lyra’s eyes softened, and something vulnerable flickered across her face. “Yes, because…. because I know what it means to protect your child. At all costs.


    “What do you mean?”


    Lyra’s hands twisted together in herp, and she seemed to be weighing her words carefully. “I have a secret of my own. One that not even Alexander knows.” Her hands unconsciously drifted to her stomach.” I’m pregnant.”


    The revtion hit me like a physical blow. “Pregnant? But how–when-?”


    “After I left the pack two years ago, I found myself in trouble. Serious trouble with some rogues near the Canadian border.” She swallowed hard. “An Alpha from a neighboring territory saved me. He was… everything. Strong, protective, kind–at least I thought so at the time.”


    Understanding dawned. “And you fell in love with him.”


    Lyra’sugh was bitter. “Yes. Stupid, right? ssic damsel–in–distress falling for her rescuer. “But he didn’t return my feelings. To him, I was just… a charity case. A wounded wolf he’d helped.”


    “Lyra… “My heart ached for her. I knew all too well what unrequited love felt like<i>. </i>


    “One night, after too much alcohol during a pack celebration, we… well, one thing led to another,” she continued, her cheeks flushing. “I found out I was pregnant a few weekster.I thought maybe things would change between us after that, but they didn’t.”


    “What happened?” I prompted when she fell silent.


    She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. “I overheard him speaking with his Beta. He said he’d‘ take care of the situation.‘ That he couldn’t let a half–breed cub from a meaningless fling jeopardize his position with his intended mate.” Her voice hardened with remembered pain. “He was going to make my baby ‘disappear.“”


    “Oh my Goddess,” I breathed, genuine horror washing through me. “So you ran?”


    “That night,” she confirmed. “I came back here, but I haven’t told Alexander yet. I can’t bear to see the disappointment in his eyes.” She looked up at me, fierce determination recing her momentary vulnerability. “That’s why I understand, Summer. I know what it means to protect your child at all costs. I


    know what it feels like to have your heart walking around outside your body.”


    I was stunned into silence, my mind reeling from her revtion. Finally, I reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry, Lyra. And your pregnancy now… are you alright?”


    “I’m scared,” she admitted. “But I’m going to be fine. This isn’t about me right now–it’s about Felix. She


    straightened and pulled a small makeup case from her bag. “Now, we don’t have much time. The meeting shouldst another forty minutes, but we need to work fast.”


    “What exactly is your n?” I asked, hope kindling in my chest for the first time since Alexander had locked me in.


    “You and I are simr enough in build,” she exined, her eyes <b>assessing </b>me professionally. “Simr hair color, though mine’s a bit darker. With the right makeup and clothes<b>.</b>” She let the implication hang.


    My eyes widened as understanding dawned. “You want us to switch ces?”


    “That will never work,” I protested. “Alexander will know instantly that you’re not me.”


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    Lyra smiled, reaching into the small bag she’d brought. “Not with my help, he won’t. Did <b>you </b>know <b>I </b>worked as a makeup artist in New York beforeing back to the pack?”


    She pulled out apact cosmetics case and flipped it open to reveal an array of professional–grade supplies. <b>“</b><b>I </b>can make us look simr enough to fool the guards at a distance. By the time Alexander realizes, you’ll be long gone.”


    I watched in amazement as she worked quickly, applying makeup to my face with expert precision.” Hold still,” she murmured, blending foundation along my jawline. “We need to minimize your cheekbones and reshape your lips a bit.”