Chapter 52 Brotherly Entanglement
Lyra paced the length of her room like a caged rabbit.
No matter how much she fought it, she couldn't sit still. She was seething.
“How could he?” she snapped aloud, her voice shaking. “How dare he think he owns my body?”
She spun around and dropped onto the edge of the bed so hard the mattress dipped beneath her. For a moment, she buried her face in her hands, breathing hard, trying to control the anger and frustration.
It didn’t help. Not even a little.
Her legs were still trembling. Her skin still burned like it had memorized the heat of his touch without her permission.
Ryker’s scent clung to her senses, and it made her groan helplessly.
She hated that part the most.
His touch. His mouth. The way her body had responded before her mind could stop it.
She yelled and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. “I don’t want him, he is a ruthless pig! I don't want his cock! I don't want it!”
But her traitorous body told a different story.
With a frustrated cry, she sprang back to her feet and resumed pacing, her steps faster now, more erratic. She needed to move or she might scream.
A knock sounded at the door at that instant, and Lyra froze.
“Lyra?” Rex’s voice came through the wood. “Can I come in?”
“No,” Lyra replied immediately. “I don’t want to see you.”
There was a pause, then Rex tried again. “Please. Ryker’s in a terrible mood. He just drove out like he wants to kill someone.”
“I don’t care,” Lyra snapped. “He can drive himself straight into his grave for all I care.”
Another pause.
“Hey,” Rex said gently. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been acting strange since you came back.”
“Like he cares!”
“Lyra, Ryker should be the one angry. I mean, everyone saw you kissing Dax. The whole pack saw it.”
“I don’t care what any of you think!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “Judge me all you want. I don’t give a freak, just stay out of my room and stay out of my life!”
“Lyra,” Rex said calmly, “open the door. I know you’re upset, and honestly, I don’t even know why yet, but we can talk this out.”
“I’m not opening the door,” Lyra shot back. “And I don’t want you anywhere near me.”
There was a soft sigh on the other side.
“We care about you. All of us. We don’t even know what happened with the Titanium Pack, but we can face it together. You’re our Luna.”
The words felt like a slap.
“You should have thought about that,” Lyra screamed, “when you abandoned me to die in the hands of that madman called Darius!”
Silence followed.
“Abandoned you?” Rex asked slowly. “What are you talking about?”
Lyra flung the door open so hard it banged against the wall.
“Get lost,” she snarled. “Don’t come close to me. And the next time you see Ryker, tell him I’m leaving this pack. I will never return. I’m not safe or wanted here, and he made that very clear.”
Rex stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
“Lyra,” she said softly, stepping closer. “It’s okay. Maybe you’re just going through changes because of your halfbreed form—”
“Yeah!” Lyra exploded. “Call me an abomination, call me whatever you want! I don’t give two shits! Get out before I show you what this powerful hybrid can really do!”
Just as she spoke, a low growl rolled from her chest as she shoved Rex hard.
Rex staggered back, shocked.
Lyra knew Rex was tough. She was strong enough to fight back. But Rex didn’t.
Instead, she raised her hands slowly in surrender. “Whatever’s happening, we’re not your enemy,” she said quietly.
Then she turned and walked away.
Lyra slammed the door shut and collapsed against it, her strength draining away in a rush as tears poured down her face.
She wanted to believe Rex. Goodness, she wanted to. This pack was the only home she’d ever known. The only place she truly belonged.
But how could she believe she was safe here when they had left her to die?
Maybe this was not her home. She had to leave.
Still shaking, she barely noticed the next knock on the door.
“I told you, Rex, get lost!” Lyra shouted as she yanked it open again.
But she froze.
It wasn't Rex.
Dax stood there. “Hey,” he said softly. “What happened? What did Rex do?”
Lyra opened her mouth, then closed it. No words came. Instead, she stepped aside, letting him in.
Dax shut the door behind him.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said hoarsely.
“That’s okay,” Dax replied gently. “I didn’t come to upset you. I came to talk. And maybe cheer you up.”
“I don’t need cheering up.”
He smiled faintly. “I heard about the assembly. I wasn’t allowed to attend. Ryker insists I’m still recovering, but I think he just didn’t want me taking the brunt of the pack’s anger.”
Lyra’s shoulders sagged. “None of you have to do this for me. You don’t have to attack Darius. I can just leave. If I run away, maybe everyone will finally be safe.”
Dax shook his head. “That’s not happening. You're staying, and I’ll protect you as long as I live.”
“You’re insane,” Lyra whispered. “Have you seen how powerful he is?”
Dax was confident. “I was right there beside you. I saved your life. Their soldiers are aggressive and predictable. I know how to beat them. We’ll attack Darius, and we’ll make him understand we’ll never give you up.”
Lyra stepped forward and hugged him tightly, her body shaking as she nodded against his chest.
“I’m always here,” Dax murmured, stroking her hair. “Even when you didn’t notice.”
“Thank you,” Lyra whispered. “For being such a dear friend.”
Dax chuckled softly. “You remember you owe me something, right?”
She pulled back slightly. “What?”
“A kiss,” he said. “You begged me not to die and promised a kiss.”
She blushed. “What? You were dying. That doesn’t count.”
“That promise kept me alive,” he teased. “Just one, and I won't ask again.”
After a moment, Lyra smiled and nodded.
Dax cupped her face gently and kissed her. It was soft and careful.
His hands cradled her neck as if she might disappear if he held too tight. His touch was feathery, and his lips tended against hers. He was everything Rex wasn't.
Just as she began to pull away, his grip tightened slightly, a deep moan slipping from his lips.
At that moment, the door burst open.
“Did you fight Rex?!” Ryker barked.
Then he stopped when he saw Lyra in Dax’s arms, their lips locked.
The hurt on his face was so evident that Lyra froze.
Dax shamelessly stared back at his brother; he didn’t pull away.
Ryker was calm as he spoke in a cold tone. “Clearly this is what you want, Lyra.”
Lyra opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't say a word. What could she possibly explain?
Ryker turned to the door. “There will be a rejection ceremony tomorrow. I’m dissolving what’s left of our marriage.”