CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 193: SNEAKING INTO THE NIGHT

Lorraine’s POV

I tried to stand up without thinking twice

"I’ll should go and find him, I can easily pick up his scent and I will be able to find him" I stated but Astrid immediately stopped me

"Stay put Lorraine" she stated

"You cannot afford to put yourself in any situation that would make you use your powers because it would only kill you faster" she said in a calm, measured voice but the weight behind it felt like a command.

"We’ll send people out to look for him," she added, adjusting the dark sleeves of her tunic. "And they will find him. You..." her eyes flicked to mine, sharp as twin daggers, "will stay here."

Before I could answer, she turned briskly to Magnus. "We’ll start dispatching scouts immediately. I want reports every hour."

Magnus gave me a look I couldn’t read, something between pity and warning, before he followed Astrid out, the door shutting softly behind them.

For a moment, the room was still except for the slow beeping of the monitor beside me and the hiss of the drip feeding into my arm. I stared at the IV line, then at the sterile walls. Stay here? While Kieran’s out there, alone? The idea made my chest ache.

The door creaked again, and this time it wasn’t Astrid or Magnus, it was Varya, Alistair, and Felix. Their faces were drawn tight, their eyes full of unspoken questions.

"Did we hear right?" Felix asked immediately, his tone sharper than usual. "Did they just say Kieran is missing?"

I nodded slowly. My throat felt tight. "Yes."

"I heard Astrid saying something about your powers," Felix added, squinting at me. "Something about it killing you faster."

My heart lurched. I quickly shook my head, forcing out a laugh that sounded too brittle even to my own ears. "No. She only told me to rest and not overdo things for now. You must’ve misheard her."

Felix didn’t look convinced, and Alistair’s eyes narrowed like he was trying to peel my lies apart. But they both let it slide, for now.

"It’s sad that Kieran left the academy and didn’t even get to see you wake up," Felix said quietly, his voice softer now. "He usually comes to check on you, you know? Tells me to go and sleep and.... spends all night with you."

The words hit me harder than I expected. My heart twisted painfully. I had thought Kieran had abandoned me. I had thought after everything, the blood, the beast within me, the fight, he’d turned away. But apparently, he hadn’t. Even while I was unconscious, he’d been here.

Something inside me snapped. I ripped the drip from my arm, ignoring the sting as blood welled at the puncture point.

"I’m going to find him," I said, my voice low but final.

"What, no!" Felix’s face went pale. "You’re still recovering, Lorraine!"

"I’ve made my decision," I said, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My body still felt weak, but my resolve was iron. "Kieran has lost both parents. He hasn’t had enough time to grieve. He needs to know he’s not alone, so I’m going out there to find him. So it’s either you’re with me or against me."

For a heartbeat, the room was silent. Then Varya smiled, a small, dangerous smile.

"Kieran is to be the new Alpha King," she said. "There’s no way my King will be out there in the wild and I’ll not do anything about it. I’m with you, Lorraine. Let’s go find our King."

Alistair gave a slow nod. "I’ll come along too. Some of the Crimson Hunt soldiers are still scattered around in hiding. You might need more fighting hands."

Felix sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "You all have made your decision so quick you’re leaving me with no choice but to follow."

"But we’ll have to let Astrid know our plan...." Felix started.

"No." The word tore out of me like a snarl. "We aren’t telling her."

"Why not?" he demanded.

"Because Astrid would never allow me to leave," I said. My voice cracked, but I didn’t say more. I know Astrid, she will make sure I don’t step a foot out of the Academy, especially after she just told me my powers are.... Killing ne. She will never let me walk out of here into the wild even if it is to look for Kieran? She’d lock me up if she had to

Felix’s brow furrowed. "But..."

"No." I cut him off.

What’s the point of doing nothing in fear of a fast death, when my powers are already slowly killing me even if I stay still.

My hands trembled slightly, but I balled them into fists.

I’ve always fought for the ones I love. Always. And not even an imminent death will stop me from going for Kieran this time

"We are not going to let anyone know we are leaving" I stated in a tone of finality

Varya stepped closer to me. "Then it’s settled. We leave tonight."

Alistair nodded once. "We’ll need to plan a route out of the academy. The Northern exit is still under repair, less patrol there. It’s our best chance."

Felix exhaled, defeated. "Alright, alright. But at least let me grab some supplies before we go. Food. Water. You’re still recovering."

"Fine," I said. My voice had softened, but my resolve hadn’t. "Just.... no one tells Astrid. No one."

They all nodded.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. Nearly dusk. We didn’t have much time.

As Felix and Alistair began murmuring about escape routes and supply packs, my thoughts drifted back to Kieran. The image of him, shoulders bowed under the weight of his parents’ deaths, his jaw tight with pain he wouldn’t show anyone, flashed in my mind. He had lost so much. And now, if what Magnus said was true, the council was already trying to shackle him to a political marriage.

The thought of Kieran standing at an altar beside some Elite girl with her family’s claws in his back made my stomach turn. No. I wouldn’t let them have him. Not like that.

I pressed a hand to my chest, where my wolf stirred restlessly under my skin, thrumming with power like a caged storm. Astrid’s warning echoed in my mind, The more you use it, the faster you die. But what life was worth living if I didn’t use it to protect the ones I loved?

I looked up at my friends. "We’re leaving tonight. No delays."

Varya grinned. "Finally, some action."

Alistair adjusted his coat. "I’ll scout the northern exit now. Make sure no new guards have been posted."

Felix shook his head. "You’re all insane." But then he met my eyes. "But if you’re going, then I’m going too."

A small smile touched my lips. "Thank you."

As they filed out to prepare, I stayed on the bed for a moment longer, staring at the IV pole standing silent beside me. My hand brushed over the white sheets. This room had been my cage for days, safe, sterile, suffocating. Tonight it would be empty.

I stood, swaying slightly but steadying myself. My body felt weaker than it had ever been, yet my heart had never felt stronger.

Tonight, I would leave the academy.

Tonight, I would find Kieran.