Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Blood pounded in my ears as I burst through the doors of the medical wing, ignoring the shooting pain from my own hastily bandaged wounds. The sharp smell of antiseptic mixed with the metallic scent of blood hit me like a physical wave.

My brother lay motionless on the center bed, surrounded by frantic medical staff. His face had a grayish tinge that made my stomach drop. Only the barely perceptible rise and fall of his chest indicated he was still alive.

Mom sat beside him, her elegant hands clutching his limp one, tears streaming silently down her face. Dad stood behind her, his usual commanding presence diminished, looking lost and impossibly old.

“How is he?” My voice cracked as I approached the bed.

The doctor glanced up, exhaustion evident in the dark circles under his eyes. “I’ve removed the wooden stake and cleared as much poison as possible,” he said, his tone professionally measured but unable to hide his concern. “But the underlying illness that’s been affecting him… I still don’t have answers for that. He won’t be regaining consciousness anytime soon.”

I reached out, my fingers hovering over Alaric’s cold forehead. The brother who’d always been my protector now looked fragile, vulnerable- broken. The guilt crashed over me. If I’d been faster, stronger, smarter–maybe he wouldn’t be fighting for his life now.

“Mommy!”

A small voice cut through my spiral of self–recrimination. Lyra raced across the room, wrapping her arms around my legs. Her little face was streaked with dried tears, her eyes wide with fear.

“Everything was so scary,” she whispered against my thigh. “There were wolves and blood everywhere.”

Orion followed more slowly, his small face set in an expression too serious for his five years. Despite his obvious attempt to appear brave, his hands trembled slightly at his sides. His eyes–those damning blue eyes so like his father’s–fixed on Alaric’s still form.

“Is Uncle going to die?” he asked quietly.

I knelt down, drawing both children into my arms, breathing in their familiar scent. My heart ached knowing they’d witnessed such violence, such brutality. They were too young for this horror.

“I’m so sorry you had to see all that,” I murmured, stroking Lyra’s tangled hair. “But the fighting’s over now. You’re safe.”

“Why did the war happen?” Orion asked, his voice carrying a gravity that no child his age should possess. “Was it because of the man who looks

like me?”

My heart stuttered. “What man who looks like you?”

“The big silver wolf,” Lyra chimed in, unexpected excitement coloring her tone. “He saved us, Mommy! When the bad wolf tried to hurt us, he caught us on his back!” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “And his eyes were exactly like Orion’s!”

Before I could respond, the medical room door opened again. Kieran limped in, supported by a Delta officer. Fresh bandages covered much of his torso, with blood still seeping through on his left shoulder. The wolfsbane poisoning had left its mark–his usually vibrant face was ashen, lips tinged with an unnatural bluish hue.

“You shouldn’t be up,” I said, rising to help him to a chair.

He waved me off, his expression grave. “You need to know the truth.”

“What truth?” I asked, suddenly wary.

Kieran’s eyes met mine, filled with a sadness that made my stomach twist. “Tri

never declared war on us.”

1/3

Chapter 172

The room fell silent, I stared at him, unable to process his words.

“What are you talking about?” I finally managed. “We had direct reports”

“False information,” Kieran said, wincing as he adjusted his position. “I hate defending him, but Tristan came to help us, Alaric… Alaric has already submitted to him.”

That’s impossible,” I shook my head vehemently. “My brother would never-”

“Why would Alaric submit to Tristan?” I demanded, my voice sharp with disbelief.

Kieran sighed, the effort clearly causing him pain. “They communicated through the mind link. Whatever Tristan said caused Alaric to freeze. Next thing I knew, Alaric was kneeling, acknowledging Tristan as Alpha.”

I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. “That makes no sense. Alaric despises him.”

“Alaric had no strength left to protect himself, and he knew Alpha Kael was waiting to finish him off,” Kieran continued. “For whatever reason, he preferred our pack fall to Tristan rather than Kael.” His eyes darkened. “Before he lost consciousness, he told me to give you a message.”

“What message?” I asked, my throat tight.

“Don’t trust anyone.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

What does that mean? My gaze drifted to my brother’s pale, unconscious face. The steady beep of the monitoring equipment was the only reassurance that life still flowed within him. I’d have to wait until he woke up to get a proper explanation–if he woke up at all. The thought sent a chill through me.