Chapter 144
THIRD PERSON POV
Lyra sat stunned and blinked the moment Xavier’s lips touched hers. Her eyes opened wide the moment she felt the softness of his lips on hers, and she watched in shock the moment his lips left hers.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
“Xavier, you can’t do that.” Her voice, barely above a whisper, was tinged with an element of disbelief and surprise.
“Why? Is it so wrong?” His gaze on her was strong, and Lyra found herself tongue-tied. Before she could respond, Ryker’s angry voice boomed behind them, causing Lyra to jump in shock.
“Yes. Absolutely!” Ryker marched over to stand between them.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Lyra queried Ryker. Her brows furrowed in annoyance, but she was too tired to protest.
However, Ryker didn’t respond. His anger was with Xavier and the fact that he had crossed the line.
“And who are you to her?” Xavier stood, ready for a fight.
“She is my hate. Touch her again and be ready to fight to the death.” Ryker responded with a growl.
“What is wrong with both of you?” Lyra was already standing up, fuming.
“Lyra, you need to rest. Please, you shouldn’t get up yet until I call the doctor over.” Xavier hurriedly rushed forward, but Ryker stood in front of him, daring him to make another move.
“Can you both just get out of my way? If you want to fight, do so outside, but not here.” Lyra suddenly shouted, angered at the two men and their sudden possessive behavior towards her.
The men glared at each other, and eventually Xavier backed down by taking a few steps back while Ryker moved out of her way and stood by her side.
“Uhm, are you going to stand watch or something?” She turned to look at Ryker and hissed before getting out of bed. However, the moment her feet touched the ground, she swayed slightly and held her head in pain.
Ryker was quick on his feet. He wrapped his arms around her quickly to steady her. Sparks flew between them quickly, and she threw him a hateful glare, but Ryker refused to let go. She managed to steady herself and yanked her hand off. “I can walk to my room, thank you, Alpha,” She replied between clenched teeth, angry at her cursed fate and the bond between them.
It was confusing for Lyra, especially since she had rejected him. She couldn’t understand why she felt sparks when he touched her and why her wolf was betraying her now when she should be all teeth and fangs at this man. She clenched her chin and looked ahead, staring daggers at Xavier. He had kissed her and was here about fighting Ryker in her room. She wondered what had gotten into him and hissed. It had to be this damn pack. She thought. Whatever it was was causing all these anomalies.
First, Ryker’s touch sends exciting sparks all over her as though they were still bound, and Xavier kisses her like she was his life.
She couldn’t wait for this war to be over so she could leave and move on with her life as she had these past few days.
She moved out of the ward, ignoring the curious looks from a few members of the pack who were around the hospital for other appointments. She just needed to go to her room and rest, as she could no longer stand the smell of disinfectants at the hospital. As soon as Lyra stepped out of the building, she felt a sudden chill from the cold that made her shiver involuntarily, and her breathing became harsher. She was still so weak.
“Why am I so weak now? I only gave a little blood,” She thought and reached out for Liora.
‘That’s because you’re fighting the mate bond.’ Liora responds weakly.
“What mate bond?” Lyra questioned, moving slowly while trying to focus on her breathing. ‘I rejected him. It’s not possible we are still mates.’ She hissed as it took her a lot of strength to move.
Suddenly, she felt her body lifting into the air and gasped at the sudden impact of the touch. She didn’t need to look to know it was Ryker.
When she looked at him, she found a stubborn set of chin looking straight ahead. She wanted to argue but didn’t have the strength to, and so she settled for his assistance.
While they approached the pack house, Lyra buried her face in his chest, as she couldn’t face her men, who looked up to her. This was the most vulnerable she had ever been, and it came as a shock to them. Even others who didn’t know their history looked at the duo in surprise but kept quiet as this was between the Alpha King and another equally powerful Alpha.
Xavier, on the other hand, trailed closely behind. If looks could kill, he would have killed everyone on sight. He was murderous and fuming with rage, but Lyra had been angry at him and had warned him off, which made him hold himself. Now, he was livid because he didn’t have the right to touch her, so who gave Ryker the right to do so, or was it because he was the Alpha king?
He hated bullies and arrogant men the most. And with Ryker’s display of dominance and possession over her, it only made his dislike deepen further.
“You can put me down now,” Lyra finally spoke the moment Ryker got to the floor of her suite. However, Ryker didn’t bulge. He only responded with another growl and kept on walking until he got to her room.
“Alpha King,” She tried again with a sarcastic edge to her tone. “I think you’ve done enough. Can you put me down now?” She asked again, glaring at him stubbornly while he still ignored her. Ryker moved over to the bed and settled her in it.
“We need to talk,” He finally answered her with an equally intense glare.
“No, we don’t,” She hissed and turned to find Xavier also. He had just come in.
“We have to talk, Xavier, but not now. I need rest.” She met his gaze, and he nodded, then turned to leave, but stopped with a frown when he noticed Ryker wasn’t bulging.
Ryker gave him a questioning look with an arch of his brow. His stance was firm like that of the man who wielded power, and his piercing gaze cut through Xavier.
“Did you not hear her? Leave,”
“Then why are you still here? She needs her rest, and you also have to go.” Xavier fumed where he stood, and something shifted in Ryker’s gaze. Then he walked over with slow, measured steps, his aura chilling as he advanced.
“What right do you have to question me, beta? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO QUESTION ME? HER MATE.”