Chapter 26

The moment Lyra pushed Caleb, the needle pierced his vein sharply. He let out a scream of pure pain and collapsed to the floor, sobs wracking his tiny body. Lyra froze, panic surging through her, but before she could react, the nurse’s irritation cut through the air like a whip. “We don’t have all day!” the nurse snapped, grabbing Lyra’s hand and shaking it. “This is a mess, Lyra! Clean it up, or else!” Lyra’s temper flared, her claws of frustration almost breaking through her carefully maintained calm. Her cover was slipping; if Damon’s trust in her wavered, everything, her position, her future, would collapse. The wolf inside her growled softly, impatient, restless. Just then, Hannah, Lyra’s assistant, appeared, her presence calm but commanding. “Lyra, take Caleb to the VIP ward. I’ll handle this,” she said, glancing at the nurse with a hint of warning. Relief flooded Lyra, washing over the tension like a balm. She bent down and scooped Caleb into her arms, holding him close. Her pos