Chapter 72 Sweet Soreness
Oblivion was sweet. That moment between nothingness and complete bliss.
For Lyra, it felt like floating in space, like her limbs weren’t hers to carry and her head was swimming in the void.
For a second, she didn’t know if it was morning or noon or night, and frankly, she didn’t care.
It could have been a hurricane outside and she’d still be at peace. Sweet, sore peace.
But slowly, the sounds outside began to distort her quiet oblivion, and she stirred, mumbling.
It was morning, judging by the sound of the bird outside her window and the soft voices she could hear in the distance.
The entire IronFangs was slowly awakening, and she wasn’t looking forward to getting out of bed.
She stretched slowly, arms reaching above her head, toes curling beneath the sheets as a soft yawn escaped her.
Every muscle in her body felt pleasantly heavy, loose in that boneless way that came only after exhaustion mixed with deep satisfaction. She turned her face into the pillow, smiling to herself, absolutely refusing to acknowledge the fact that the day had begun.
Behind her, Ryker pulled his arms away as she snuggled closer and then chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” she pouted and snuggled even closer.
“I can hear your stomach rumbling, Lyra,” he said softly, his voice rough with sleep as he pulled her slightly away from his chest. “You have to eat something.”
She immediately wriggled back, tucking herself against him, humming in protest. “Just a little more,” she murmured. “Please.”
He huffed a quiet laugh, one arm tightening around her. “You’ve been sleeping most of the morning. It’ll be noon soon.”
She cracked one eye open, shocked. “Lies.”
Ryker smiled, already knowing what would happen as he leaned over and reached for the curtains. “You’ve been out for hours, woman. Someone might think I brought you up here to kill you.”
She laughed and her face reddened. “Well, you did throw me over your shoulders wildly, and you looked like a murderous rhinoceros while at it.”
“Well, I have to show them that their Luna is still alive,” he smirked.
“Just one more hour and we’ll go down. Maybe two.”
“It’s afternoon, Lyra.” He laughed and flung open the curtains.
Light flooded the room all at once, and Lyra screeched like a wounded animal and buried her face into the pillow. “Too bright! Did you bring the sun in here?”
Ryker laughed fully now. “You’ve been sleeping too long. You have to get up.”
She groaned dramatically. “I was having a very important dream.”
“Get up,” he said, nudging her hip. “We’ll have breakfast, and then I’ll show you something.”
She peeked at him suspiciously. “Something?”
“Yes.”
“It can wait,” she said immediately, rolling toward him and slipping her hands over his bare chest, fingers tracing lazy patterns. “Much later.”
Ryker caught her wrists gently, holding them against him. “You little nymphomaniac,” he said with mock sternness. “You’ve literally sucked out everything that was inside me.”
She pouted up at him. “What happened to the murderous rhinoceros that caught me last night?”
He snorted. “That rhino was killed and buried the minute you rode me like a horse, Lyra. I swear, I can’t keep up.”
Her laughter rang through the room, and she threw her head back, still clinging to him, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead, lingering there for a second.
“Even if I beg for a little round? We’ll be quick.”
“I doubt you’ll be able to stand me, Lyra. Go replenish your strength,” he murmured. “You’re probably sore by now.”
Her smile softened. She nodded, finally rolling off the bed, swaying her hips slightly as she stood. “Worth it,” she said over her shoulder.
Ryker groaned despite himself.
The sight of her moving, hair loose, body relaxed and confident, did absolutely nothing to help him. “Keep that up,” he warned, “and you might not be getting out of bed soon.”
She winked. “Promises.”
She disappeared into the bathroom a moment later, and Ryker lay back, staring at the ceiling, shaking his head with a quiet smile.
How did he even survive for the past days without her warmth? How did he think he could make it if he ever rejected her? Thank goodness her stubbornness kept them together, and for once, he was damn grateful they weren’t over.
He forced himself up after a minute, pulling on pants and leaving briefly to make good on his promise of food.
When Lyra sank into the tub, she sighed blissfully, warmth seeping into her skin. The water embraced her, easing the lingering ache in her muscles. The fever that had plagued her felt distant now, muted, almost gone. For the first time in weeks, her skin didn’t feel like it was flaming. She didn’t feel so bothered.
She closed her eyes.
The soreness between her legs was undeniable, but it was the good kind. The kind that reminded her she was wanted by her man. Once again, she was chosen.
Finally, she had her husband back.
And she didn’t want it any other way.
She stayed there longer than she meant to, drifting in and out of thought until she heard footsteps in the bedroom.
A naughty thought popped up in her head and she smirked.
“Could you come soap my back, Ryker?” she called, laughing softly. “I can’t seem to move, and you are the reason I’m so tired, you know.”
He didn’t reply, and she laughed out loud. “Are you shy, Alpha?” she teased playfully.
Still, there was silence.
“I thought you said you’d bring me food,” she added, pushing herself up and stepping out of the tub, grabbing a towel and wrapping it loosely around herself.
She opened the bathroom door, ready to tease him some more with a strip show. But she was shocked to find a lady standing in their bedroom.
It was Tessa, and she looked furious.
As soon as she saw Lyra, she spat on the floor.
“What are you doing here?” Lyra asked, stunned.
“So,” Tessa snarled angrily, “you finally bewitched him into sleeping with you, you whore.”