Chapter 122 122

Chapter 122 122
DERRICK’S POV

Sleep completely abandoned me after what happened the previous night.
No matter how many times I closed my eyes, the memories kept replaying vividly inside my head... Lyka’s expression, the hurt in her voice, the way fear briefly flashed across her face because of me.
Because of what I almost became.
I dragged a tired hand down my face as I paced endlessly through my room, frustration gnawing at my chest like a living thing.
“I shouldn’t have said that…” I muttered under my breath for what felt like the hundredth time that night.
But even that apology sounded pathetic.
Too weak.
Too incomplete.
I exhaled harshly while leaning against the wall, my thoughts spiraling once again.
Should I apologize directly?
Should I pretend nothing happened?
Should I simply avoid her completely until things cooled down?
None of the options felt right.
The truth was simple... I had no idea how to face her after everything I said.
Especially after practically telling her to run away from me.
I clenched my jaw tightly.
The worst part was that I meant every single word.
That danger inside me was real. Phoenix was still there. Watching. Waiting.
And every passing day, I could feel its influence becoming heavier inside my body.
What if I truly lost control one day? What if the next person standing in front of me wasn’t some enemy...
But Lyka?
The thought alone made my stomach twist violently.
Before I realized it, my feet had already carried me toward her room.
I stood outside her door silently, staring at it like some fool while countless thoughts fought inside my head. Several times, I raised my hand intending to knock, only to lower it again moments later.
Ridiculous.
An Alpha feared by countless people was standing outside his mate’s room struggling to knock on a damn door.
If anyone saw me right now, they would probably laugh themselves to death.
“Are you planning to stand there forever?”
Her voice startled me instantly.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing Lyka leaning casually against the frame while staring at me with obvious amusement dancing inside her eyes.
Damn.
I got caught immediately.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
“No,” I replied quickly. “I was just…”
Before I could finish speaking, she suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me inside the room forcefully.
“If you came to say something,” she said while shutting the door behind us, “then say it properly.”
The warmth of her hand lingered against my skin even after she let go of me.
I swallowed hard.
Honestly, being alone with her again after last night made me strangely nervous.
“I came to apologize,” I admitted quietly. “About yesterday.”
My voice lowered further.
“I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. You were only trying to help me, and instead, I pushed you away.”
Lyka listened silently while crossing her arms.
Then she raised an eyebrow.
“And?” she asked expectantly.
I instantly recognized that look on her face.
She was doing this on purpose.
“But…” I hesitated before forcing the words out anyway. “I still think you should stay away from me.”
The moment those words left my mouth, her expression shifted slightly.
Disappointment flickered briefly across her face before disappearing.
Inside my head, Charles growled irritably.
What are you doing? Stop pushing our mate away.
I ignored him completely.
If keeping her safe meant becoming the villain, then so be it.
“I know you don’t actually mean that,” Lyka replied calmly.
I frowned immediately.
“And why are you so sure?”
Honestly, why couldn’t she just listen to me for once?
Why was she so stubborn?
“Because you can’t stay away from me,” she answered confidently before wrapping both arms loosely around my neck.
The closeness instantly destroyed whatever composure I had left.
I could smell her scent clearly now.
Warm.
Sweet. Dangerously distracting.
A quiet sigh escaped me before I could stop it.
Damn it.
She was right.
I couldn’t even look directly into her eyes without my chest tightening painfully, so how exactly did I expect myself to walk away from her completely?
“Since we both know you’re incapable of leaving me,” she whispered teasingly, “sit down and let’s talk properly.”
Before I could argue, she pushed me lightly toward the bed.
I sat down reluctantly while she settled beside me.
Far too close beside me.