Chapter 312

Chapter 312
Valor

I was staring blankly out the window, lost in thought, when suddenly Lyra crashed into my line of sight. I nearly yelped out loud.

Absolutely terrifying!

If it weren't for this mission, I would never have agreed to meet this Beta. Just looking at her made my stomach churn.

Lyra seemed completely oblivious to my horror. She smiled as she settled into the seat across from me, putting on what she probably thought was a shy expression.

"Alpha Valor, you really don't need to feel guilty about the other day," she said.

I forced an awkward smile.

I glanced toward another corner of the café. The next second, Freya's voice crackled through the tiny earpiece I was wearing.

"Valor, I'll owe you a favor for today's work. If you can figure out who's really behind Lyra, I'm willing to give up three points in our cooperation with York Corporation."

Lyra's only interested in me right now, so I'm the only one who might be able to find out who's pulling her strings.

I caught sight of Freya in the distance, giving me an encouraging thumbs-up.

My face scrunched with misery. The reason I'd agreed to help Freya wasn't for those three percentage points - I just wanted her to think better of me. But now I'd gotten myself into this mess!

I was starting to regret this decision. Was it too late to run?

"Alpha Valor, you don't look well. Are you feeling sick?" Lyra leaned forward with fake concern, her entire body pressing closer to me.

I could see straight down her dress, and I nearly passed out.

I quickly averted my gaze, my mind screaming with alarm.

I remarked, "Lyra, don't you think you're being a bit too... forward?"

Lyra didn't seem to think so at all. She grabbed my hand without permission. "I'm only this bold around you. Maybe it's because we have such good chemistry? If you don't mind, after we finish eating, could we go somewhere else to get to know each other better... more intimately?"

More intimately?!

Inappropriate images flashed through my mind. I hastily pulled my hand away from her grasp.

Lyra pouted, looking dejected as she withdrew her hand. She'd been so forward, but I was still treating her like she had the plague.

Lyra began ordering with obvious irritation, while I immediately shot a pleading look toward Freya.

Freya deliberately ignored me. Lucas, sitting across from her, also gave me an encouraging gesture, mirroring Freya's thumbs-up.

My vision went black and I nearly fell off my chair. Great, they are treating me like their entertainment!

"Alpha Valor, I've finished ordering. Is there anything you'd like?" Lyra leaned forward again as she handed me the menu.

I immediately caught a whiff of her overpowering perfume and nearly gagged. I quickly backed away.

I replied, "I'm not hungry. Whatever you ordered is fine!"

Seeing my panicked expression, Lyra pretended to be hurt. "Alpha Valor, don't you want to see me? I feel like you really dislike me."

She finally noticed! I really do dislike her!

But I couldn't show it.

"How could that be? You're the most..." I started to gag mid-sentence but, catching Freya's pointed look, forced myself to finish. "You're the most adorable and beautiful girl I've ever met!"

Lyra blushed and playfully swatted at me.

My mouth twitched.

Freya's voice came through the earpiece again. "Valor, try asking about her personal relationships, or how she's doing at Sterling Group."

Following Freya's guidance, I changed the subject. "By the way, Lyra, I don't think you've told me where you work."

Lyra smiled brightly. "I work at Sterling Group, though I'm just a small employee."

I responded, "Sterling Group? That's an incredible company. The fact that you got in shows you're very capable!"

I paused, then continued. "Oh, and that day I heard you on a phone call with someone. Is that person your mate?"

Lyra was caught completely off guard by this curveball.

She hesitated for a long moment and explained, "Please don't misunderstand! That person is actually a high-level Alpha at Sterling Group. He was giving me some work assignments, not my mate!"

Sterling Group high-level Alpha?

The moment those words reached them, Freya and Lucas exchanged glances. They had their answer.

They'd had their suspicions, but now they had confirmation.

"Valor, you can retreat now!" Freya's voice came through the earpiece for the third time, and I felt like I'd been granted salvation.

I shot up from my chair.

Lyra looked confused.

Before she could react, I rattled off at lightning speed. "Sorry, but something urgent came up at the company. I have to go. Please, take your time eating!"

With that, I bolted and disappeared in a flash.

Lyra sat there stunned.

---

"Did you guys hear what she said back there?" I gasped as I stumbled back to Freya's car, drenched in cold sweat. "That was terrifying!"

I was babbling while wiping my face with a handkerchief, still pale from the ordeal.

Freya and Lucas were covering their mouths, trying to stifle their laughter at my traumatized appearance.

Hearing them laugh, I pouted with wounded dignity. "You're actually laughing at me! If I wasn't trying to help you, would I have made such a sacrifice? Would I have been sexually harassed?"

Lucas immediately reached out and patted my shoulder, giving me an approving nod.

He said, "I have to admit, I'm truly impressed this time. From now on, I'll never mock you again when we meet. You're the bravest, most fearless Alpha I know!"

Faced with Lucas's effusive praise, I shot him a suspicious glance. "Really? Didn't you used to really dislike me? Why the sudden change of attitude?"

Lucas cleared his throat. "You really handled this beautifully today, and you genuinely helped us. I should thank you for that."

Freya nodded along. "Valor, we owe you a big favor. Whatever you need help with in the future, we'll agree to it!"

I immediately felt like my character had been elevated in Freya's eyes. Did this mean I was truly part of their inner circle now?

Even though I couldn't date Freya, as long as I could be her friend and stay by her side, watching her be happy - that would be enough for me!

The comforting embrace of acceptance swelled within me, tinged with a poignant awareness that this bond of friendship was all I would ever share with her.