Chapter 268 The Ones We Love

Chapter 268 The Ones We Love

The smell of fried bacon, warm bread, and fresh coffee filled the dining room the next morning.

Lyra sat near the head of the table, eating a thick slice of buttered toast eagerly.

Her skin had begun to get slightly more oily and she had the pregnancy glow. Right beside her sat Rex, who looked remarkably well too.

Her hair was tied back in a neat braid, and though she had a slight headache from the residual effects of the hypnosis, she was smiling as she helped herself to a second plate of eggs.

Wayne sat across from them, his nose still wrapped in tight medical bandages.

He looked ridiculous trying to chew his sausage around the tape, causing a soft laugh to break from Lyra’s lips.

"Wayne, if you keep chewing like that, you're going to tear the doctor's stitches right off your snout," Lyra teased, setting her toast down.

"Hey, don't mock the scout, Luna," Wayne mumbled through his teeth, his voice sounding entirely nasal. "I bled for the cause of this pack. Besides, the doctor said the bandage makes me look rugged and mysterious. Right, Rex?"

Rex let out a quiet giggle, sipping her orange juice. "It makes you look like you picked a fight with a moving motorcycle, Wayne. There is nothing mysterious about it."

Ryker walked into the dining room from the side kitchen doors, carrying a fresh pot of black coffee.

He was wearing only a loose grey shirt that showed the large frame of his shoulders.

The moment his eyes landed on Lyra, he walked directly to her chair, setting the pot down, and leaned over to press a long, lingering kiss against her forehead.

"How are you feeling?" Ryker asked, his deep voice rough but incredibly gentle as his large hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb lightly stroking her skin. "Any dizziness? Does the stomach feel okay?"

"I am perfectly fine, Ryker," Lyra said, smiling as she leaned into his warm touch. "I’ve eaten half the platter already. Sit down and eat before Wayne finishes the rest of the bacon."

Ryker sat in the large Alpha’s chair right next to her, pulling his plate close.

He reached out under the table, his fingers instantly finding Lyra’s hand and locking them tightly together.

Since last evening, he was literally attached to her by the hips, he didn't want to break the physical contact.

“You're acting like newlyweds, Ryker," Rex smiled and winked at him.

Ryker shrugged, "She's my world.”

The conversation stayed light-hearted and fun for the next twenty minutes.

Wayne told a ridiculous story about a patrol line guard who had accidentally dropped his rifle down a well during the midnight shift.

And even Ryker let out a rare laugh. It felt like the old days, before the Blood King’s troubles had crawled across their borders.

As the plates were cleared away, Lyra turned her chair slightly to face her husband.

"Ryker," Lyra said softly, her fingers tightening around his hand. "You need to address the pack soon. Everyone out in that courtyard deserves to know exactly what is going on between you and your brother."

Ryker set his coffee cup down with a sharp click, his brow furrowing as he looked down at the table. "I know, Lyra. But the pack doesn't need to know. I mean, Dax is already behind bars and all.”

"She’s right, boss," Wayne stepped in, his conversational tone turning serious as he leaned forward over his plate. "The rumors are already spreading through the training racks. The guards who saw Dax drive off are talking, and the maid staff knows Rex was in the clinic."

Ryker sighed deeply. "Alright. We will call a full assembly tomorrow morning. Let the guards finish their perimeter checks today, and I will handle the formal address to the pack lines tomorrow. For now, let's all allow the pack to stay quiet."

"Thank you," Lyra said, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Wayne stood up from his chair, grabbing his rifle from the wall rack. "I'll go join the patrol today, Alpha. Enjoy your day." He and Rex excused themselves from the dining hall, leaving the couple alone in the quiet room.

Once the doors clicked shut, Ryker turned away from the table completely.

He looked down at her with a tender, kind expression, his arms immediately wrapping around her waist to pull her out of her chair and close against his chest.

"Let’s get out of this room," Ryker whispered near her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Come to the courtyard with me for a stroll. The sun is up, and you need clean air."

"I would love that," Lyra smiled, letting him guide her through the side glass doors and out into the morning air.

Ryker was entirely all over her, his hands unable to stop touching her for even a single minute.

As they walked along the rose bushes, he kept his large arm securely locked around her waist, pulling her body flush against his hip with every step.

He walked close, his fingers tracing patterns along the small of her back.

He stopped them near a wide willow tree that blocked the view from the main barracks, turning her around to face him completely.

He reached up with both hands, his large, calloused palms framing her face with extreme care.

He leaned down, his eyes locked onto her blue ones as his thumbs lightly stroked her cheekbones, tracing the small bruise Dax had left behind.

"I can't stop thinking about how close I came to losing you," Ryker murmured and leaned down to press a soft kiss against her split lip, then another against her forehead. "Every time I look at your face, I just feel completely, baby. I can't look away from you."

"You didn't lose me, Ryker," Lyra said softly, her hands resting against his chest and smiled shyly. "I am right here. We are right here, together."

Ryker dropped his hands from her face, his gaze sliding down to her midsection.

He slid his large hand beneath her jacket, his palm spreading flat over the linen of her shirt, right against her belly. He closed his eyes, holding his hand there for a long time, his fingers twitching slightly as he tried to feel the tiny, secret pulse of the two-month-old embryo growing inside her core.

He looked completely captivated, a soft smile breaking through his thick black stubble.

"Two months," he whispered, his thumb rubbing small circles over her stomach, his touch incredibly light and full of wonder. "Our child is growing right here, it’s a miracle, Lyra."

"It’s our future," Lyra corrected gently, placing her hand directly over his large fingers.

Ryker lifted his head, his eyes bright with a
deep, consuming love as he grabbed her hand, lifting her knuckles to his lips to kiss them one by one.

He pulled her back into a tight, protective hug, his face burying into the crook of her neck.

“Your beards are tickling me, Ryker,” she giggled, trying to push him away.

But Ryker just carried her into his arms and she yelped, wrapping her arms around him.

“I'm just loving you every second, Lyra. Ever since we left Mama Olga's place, I can't get you out of my head. And no matter how much I kiss or fuck you, I can't have enough."

“We're outside!" She whispered harshly, looking around.

“Don't they know their Alpha wants his Luna?" He whispered wickedly and then kissed her right in his arms, hurling her up until she was wrapped around his waist. “Do you think you want another round of massage?"

“We both know how your massage ends," she mumbled into the kiss.

“And you love them," he winked.

"I'm sore,” she argued.

“I'll just use my tongue, baby," he moaned, “just wanna suck your pussy, I'm craving your taste."

“Ryker!" She cried out in horror.

But he swallowed her screams with another searing kiss.