Chapter 26 The Favor
LYRA
Dean and I return to the dining room a few minutes later, his pleading and guilt-laced speeches sliding straight off me.
He’d grown angry when he realized I wasn’t buying any of it, and that was when I suggested we come back inside because honestly, I don’t have the strength for his drama tonight.
Besides, I now have a bigger problem; the stupid spoken word poetry mess he dumped on my head.
As we near the table, I stop short. There’s someone new seated there.
Reid.
Fully dressed this time.
I almost scoff. Of course he decided to join dinner now. I swear, that man runs on pure unpredictability. No one ever knows what he’ll do next, probably not even himself.
I quietly take my seat, which happens to be directly opposite him. Dean settles beside me again, his body stiff, his glare burning enough to shoot laser as it lands on Reid. Across the table, Roxanna is fidgeting, adjusting her clothes, subtly pushing her chest forward like she’s on display.
How ridiculous.
I can’t believe that for a second, I thought she’d finally grown some shame after how Reid humiliated her. Clearly not. She’s still trying, still fishing for his attention like she didn’t get burned already.
“You two alright?” Alpha Flame asks, eyes narrowing as he studies Dean and me. “Or do you need some adult advice?”
Dean frowns. “Advice? About what, Father?”
“Oh, come on,” Alpha Flame chuckles knowingly. “You can’t hide things like this from us. Lovers’ quarrels are normal.”
“Lovers’ quarrel?” Dean repeats, confusion evident in his tone.
Same question in my head.
Without meaning to, my eyes drift to Reid. He’s calmly cutting into his food, gaze fixed on his plate, acting like the rest of us don’t exist.
That asshole.
Did he… did he tell them?
Alpha Flame’s next words answer that for me.
“The Alpha Prince here,” he says, nodding toward Reid with clear respect, “mentioned that he walked in on you two having a rather heated discussion in the kitchen.” His eyes return to us. “And I’m glad he did. I doubt you would’ve brought it up yourselves.”
Dean’s grip tightens around his cutlery, knuckles whitening, eyes burning as they lock onto Reid.
And again, I’m not angry. Just entertained.
Reid is absolutely doing this on purpose, just to get on Dean’s nerves. And it’s working beautifully.
“So,” Father says calmly, “do you want to tell us what the issue is?”
Dean exhales slowly beside me, forcing himself to cool down.
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t insult us, son,” Alpha Flame says. “You can’t pretend everything’s fine—”
“It’s alright, Alpha Flame,” Father cuts in. He smiles, but I know that smile. It’s the kind that comes with a silent warning.
“I’m sure the two lovebirds will sort it out themselves,” he continues. “They understand what this union means for both our families.”
His eyes shift to me. The warning in them is unmistakable.
“They wouldn’t sabotage something we’ve spent years building.”
I drop my gaze back to my plate, appetite completely gone.
“Yes,” Alpha Flame nods. “You’re right, Lord Magnus.”
Just when everyone finally returns to their meals and when my shoulders start to loosen, another voice interrupts the quiet.
Roxanna’s.
“Actually, I have something to say too. I’d like to ask for a favor, Father.”
My fork slows. Father pauses mid-bite.
“What kind of favor?” He asks.
Roxanna hesitates, her gaze flicking to me for a split second before sliding away. But instead of looking back at Father, her eyes drift to Reid.
He’s still eating calmly. Still pretending nothing exists beyond his plate.
“Since my sister already has a suitable mate arranged,” Roxanna says gently, “I was thinking I should have an arrangement too. That way, we can both be mated on the same day after graduation. It feels fitting. A proper send-off for us both.”
Father nods slowly, considering it. “That does sound reasonable. Do you have someone in mind?”
My stomach twists. I already know the answer.
Her posture, her stare, and the way her voice tightens is a dead giveaway.
“Yes, Father,” Roxanna says, eyes still glued to Reid. “I would like to be engaged to Alpha Prince Reid.”
The room drops into shock. My stomach sinks straight through the floor.
Father freezes. Alpha Flame stiffens. Dean’s head snaps toward her. And Reid?
Reid keeps eating.
Like she didn’t just throw herself at him in front of everyone.
I stare at her, disbelief burning through me. Does she ever learn? Does humiliation fuel her instead of stopping her? This man has rejected her over and over, coldly and clearly, and she still keeps offering herself up like a fucking sacrifice.
“Are you certain?” Father asks carefully, glancing at Reid before turning back to her. His hesitation is obvious. I mean, anyone would hesitate giving their daughter to a cursed, exiled Alpha. “You may still meet your fated mate.”
“I love him, Father,” Roxanna cuts in quickly. “And I would appreciate it if you grant me this favor.”
Father falls silent. Then, slowly, he turns to Reid.
“What’s your say, Prince Reid Hades?” Father asks. “Would you accept an arranged mating with my daughter, Roxanna, as a favor to me?”
My chest tightens for reasons I don’t understand.
Turn her down. Please, turn her down.
Reid sets his cutlery down at last. He lifts his head, eyes meeting Father’s. Then he glances at Roxanna briefly, before returning his gaze forward.
“First,” he says calmly, “I thank you, Lord Magnus, for welcoming me into your home after my exile.” His eyes flick to Alpha Flame. “And you, Alpha Flame, for allowing me into your pack despite everything you’ve heard about me. That is a favor I won’t forget.”
Then he looks back at Roxanna.
“But this,” he continues, voice unwavering, “I must decline.”
Relief crashes into me so hard my chest aches.
Oh, gods. Why the hell am I even reacting this way?
Roxanna’s face crumples. Tears gather in her eyes, disbelief contorting her features.
“And why?” Father asks, clearly wounded now. I can understand it; rejection stings worse when it’s public. “Do you not find my daughter desirable?”
“It’s not that,” Reid replies. “It’s just that I cannot love her the way she wants.”
The table goes silent again.
“I’m in love with someone else.”
My heart knots painfully. Wait, what?!
“And who is this girl,” Alpha Flame asks, curiosity sharpening his voice, “who has made you turn away so many beautiful maidens?”
Reid doesn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes lift and land on me.
My breath stutters and my palms go damp.
“All I can say,” he says slowly, eyes locked onto mine, “is that I cannot reveal her identity. But she is someone I am madly, recklessly, in love with. No matter how hard I try to fight it.”