Chapter 11 Rage
Lyra’s POV
I flicked the object open, revealing... a stick of gum. "Just freshening my breath," I said innocently, popping the gum into my mouth as she exhaled in relief. "Why? Did you think it was something else?"
Seraphina's face contorted with rage. "This isn't over, Lyra. When Dorian hears what you've done—"
"Run along to Daddy," I cut her off, climbing into my car. "Or to Dorian. I don't particularly care which lap dog you cry to."
---
By the time I got home, night had fallen. I relaxed and made myself a salad for dinner, enjoying the pleasure of cooking. My phone kept buzzing with calls from Serafina, which I ignored.
My wolf was unusually quiet, perhaps content with our confrontation at the gas station. This time, we were in complete agreement, as Serafina had deserved what she got, and more.
As I was cutting bread, the front door was slammed open with such force that the walls shook. Heavy footsteps thundered through the house, followed by the scent of Dorian.
He appeared in the doorway of my study, his silver hair disheveled and his amber eyes blazing with anger.
"What the hell did you do?! " he roared.
I calmly put down the knife, even as my heart raced. "You need to be more specific."
"Don't be kidding me, Lyra. You dared to attack Seraphina?"
--
Dorian’s POV
The memory of Lyra's face in my office earlier today kept replaying in my mind as I stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of my private study. Her expression when Seraphina's name came up. Something primitive stirred in my chest at the recollection.
She's jealous, my wolf purred with satisfaction.
The realization that I enjoyed her jealousy made me furious with myself. I shouldn't care about Lyra's feelings. I shouldn't feel pleased that she was hurt by my connection with Seraphina. Our relationship was strictly contractual.
But you like seeing her suffer for you, my wolf whispered. It means she's still yours.
"Shut up," I growled at my reflection in the window.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, Seraphina's name lighting up the screen. I decided against returning to the house I shared with Lyra tonight. I'd go to my other apartment instead.
The border trouble had forced me to change form repeatedly over the past weeks, each transformation worsening my condition. The Eclipse Curse was devouring me from within, and Seraphina was the only one who knew my secret. Just yesterday, when my head was splitting with pain, she'd been there with her remedy. Even when I'd accidentally knocked over the medicines in her medical kit, and the white liquid splashed onto her face, she'd remained by my side, gentle and understanding.
My phone vibrated again. This time I answered.
"Dorian," Seraphina's voice came through broken with sobs. "Please help me... I'm so scared..."
"What happened?" I immediately straightened.
"It's Lyra," she choked out. "She... she found me, said horrible things, and then... then..."
"Calm down, Sera," I commanded. "Take a breath and tell me slowly."
"She hit me," Seraphina sobbed. "She said you'd never choose me, and then... oh God, Dorian, she poured gasoline on me and threatened to burn me alive with a lighter!"
A chill ran through me. "Are you certain it was her?"
The line went quiet for a moment. "You... you don't believe me?" Seraphina's voice turned even more wounded. "After everything I've done for you?"
Guilt washed over me. Of course I should believe Seraphina. She'd stood by me during my weakest moments, risking herself to provide the remedies that eased my curse.
"I believe you," I assured her. "It just doesn't sound like something Lyra would do."
"I need to see you," Seraphina whispered urgently. "Please, can I come to you? I don't feel safe alone right now."
"No, that's not necessary. Tell me where this happened."
"The gas station on Silverleaf Avenue," she answered. "But Dorian, I need to see you—"
"I will take care of this." I cut her off, unable to explain even to myself why I didn't want her coming to me. Perhaps I didn't want to see her throw herself into my arms, vulnerable and needing comfort. It felt... uncomfortable, somehow. "Stay where you are. I'll handle this."
"You don't want to see me?" Her voice cracked with hurt.
"It's not that," I said quickly. "I just have some things to do."
I ended the call and immediately dialed the manager of the gas station, using the Blackthorne name to gain immediate access to their security footage. Minutes later, I was watching the grainy video on my laptop. Though the quality was poor, I could clearly see Lyra and Seraphina arguing at a gas pump, then Lyra deliberately splashing gasoline and brandishing what appeared to be a lighter.
Rage boiled up inside me.
---
When I pushed open the door to our home, the silence felt oppressive. Only a soft light from the kitchen indicated Lyra was home.
I strode toward the kitchen and found her preparing dinner, looking unnervingly calm. She glanced up at the sound of my footsteps, surprise flickering across her face.
"Dorian," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "I didn't expect you home for dinner."
I asked. "You were at a gas station today?"
She froze, knife suspended mid-air. "Yes."
"And you ran into Seraphina?"
Lyra set down the knife and turned to face me fully, chin lifting slightly. "She approached me."
"And then you threatened to burn her alive?"
"I did not threaten to burn anyone," Lyra answered. "We had an argument, yes. She tried to slap me—"
"Don't lie to me!" I snarled, advancing toward her. "I saw the security footage. You poured gasoline on her and held up a lighter!"
"You didn't see everything," Lyra insisted, taking a step back. "She provoked me, said things—"
"So you decided to threaten her with fire?" I cut her off.
"I didn't threaten to burn her. I was just... scaring her."
"Scaring her?" I almost laughed. "She's going to be my mate after our bond is dissolved! What the hell gives you any right to intimidate her?!"