Chapter 5 A Hostile Confrontation
~LYRA~
I hold my breath. Is he going to tell father what he did? That he cheated on me with Roxanna?
"Truth is..." Dean continues. My heart slams hard against my rib cage. "I asked Lyra to stay back home because she was running a fever when I stopped by earlier to pick her up for school.”
I blink, the tightness in my chest melting away.
Against my will, I finally shift my eyes to Dean. He meets my eyes briefly and I wonder if that’s a look of remorse on his face because it makes me want to gag.
“Is that true?” Father’s voice pulls my attention back to him. Maintaining my composure, I nod once. Somehow, that small voice in my head urges me to tell my father the truth about everything.
But I don’t. Because I know Father couldn’t care less. This whole arrangement is for his selfish gain. What I want or say doesn’t count.
“Have you received treatment?” He asks again. His tone is so casual, lacking any warmth or care. It’s like he’s interviewing me. But it doesn’t bother me because I’ve grown to know him this way.
“Go back to your room then.” He says, then speaks at Dean, getting up on his feet. “Come with me to my study.”
Dean follows him at once as they walk out of the living room, but not without sparing me a glance and mouthing: I’m sorry.
Once they’re gone, I follow immediately, taking the staircase. I hear Roxanna’s footsteps behind me.
“Lyra, we need to talk.”
She grabs my wrist, stopping me to my feet. I whip my head to face her. Her eyes are soft and remorseful, but I don’t believe her. This isn’t the first time she’s slept with someone’s boyfriend and never for once has she felt any remorse.
So there’s no chance in hell I’m believing her pretentious ass.
“I’m sorry, Lyra.” A tear falls down her perfect, flawless face. I steal a quick glance at her perfect figures. She’s wearing a short, mini denim skirt that hugs her curves so well. Her armless tank top shows off her toned body and a bit of cleavage.
My chest sours in a strong sense of jealousy I’ve never felt towards her before.
It’s so easy to see why Dean cheated on me with her.
“Listen Lyra, I know I’ve made a big mistake but I promise—” The words die down in her mouth at once as her gaze follows something behind me.
Curious, I turn my head in time to see Reid brushing by me down the stairs, as he wears his leather jacket over his shirt. He doesn’t say a word to us and just walks past us like we’re ghosts.
As I watch him leave the house, I am reminded of our tense moment in my bedroom, and my spellcasting mistake.
I cringe inwardly and turn my attention back to Roxanna. She’s still watching Reid’s receding figure. I notice the way her eyes dim with intrigue.
It’s that look she gives whenever she’s found a new catch. A new dick to ride.
I scoff in irritation and disbelief, and snag my wrist off her grip. She immediately looks back at me.
“Checking out another guy just right after you’ve just finished fucking your own sister’s boyfriend.” I scowl bitterly. “I see how much you’re sorry for your actions.”
I storm away at once, ignoring her calls. I reach my room just to see Dean already waiting for me inside.
I want to tear out my hair in frustration. Why can’t these two just let me be?!
I try to exit the room again but he moves fast, grabbing my hand and spinning me around to face him.
His eyes are vulnerable and regretful. The same look he gives me every single time I catch him with his dick in a chick.
“I know you have every right to be mad at me, but please, hear me out, baby.”
I shake my head, emotionally drained. I just want to be alone. “Just let me be, Dean. Please—”
But he quickly tugs me closer, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. The warmth and masculinity of his body melts the rage in my heart, just like they always do.
Only this time, I find myself comparing the feeling of his proximity and that of Reid’s. That dark, dangerous, intoxicating essence only Reid possesses. I wish I could feel that with Dean.
“Lyra?” Dean’s voice sounds from behind me. There’s curiosity in his tone and I sense him tensing up against me.
Then, he says it:
“Why do you scent differently?” He pulls away slowly, his eyes locked to mine. There’s fear and suspicion in them. “Have you been with another male?”
My mind blanks, and my body stiffens.
Scent differently?
Panic whips through me instantly. Fuck. It must be the soul-bound link between Reid and me.
Shit… no.
I snap myself into control before he notices I’m stalling.
“Fuck off,” I spit, shoving him backward. He stumbles, then stabilizes, staring at me like I’ve lost it. I meet his gaze with a sharp glare. “Maybe check yourself. You're clearly the one who reeks of someone else after sticking your dick inside my sister.
Thankfully, he buys into my story, realization flickering in his eyes. Relief loosens the tight coil in my chest. For now, Reid and I are still safe.
Still, I remind myself that this isn’t over, yet. I have to find a way to break this soulmend link soon. If more people sense it, I’m done. Father would skin me alive.
Dean exhales a slow, irritated laugh and steps toward me again. “What’s got into you today? You never react like this. You’re usually reasonable and—”
“Maybe I’m done being that girl,” I snap, my voice rising. “Maybe I’m tired of swallowing everything you do.”
He freezes, baffled, like he’s staring at someone else. I drag my fingers through my hair and force my breathing to steady. “You know what? I don’t have time for this. Leave. Just leave me alone.”
I turn away, heading for the bed, but he grabs my wrist and yanks me back roughly. I gasp, my eyes going wide.
“What the hell are you doing? Let go!”
His expression contorts, anger storming behind his eyes. His grip tightens and his fingers dig into my skin.
“This is your fault,” he hisses. “If you’d just stopped playing good girl, and given me your virginity, I wouldn’t have had to find someone else to deal with my blue balls.”
For a second, I can’t even form words. Disgust burns through me. What does he even take me for? Some naive, clueless cave girl?
“Blue balls?” I scoff. “Seriously? That’s pathetic, even for you.”
I yank my hand free and turn, but he grabs me again. This time, he pulls me roughly into him. His mouth crashes against mine in a forceful kiss.
“Stop!” I push at his chest, but he doesn't release me. “I said LET GO, DEAN!”