Chapter 90 Burning Truth
Chapter 90
Lyra's POV
Ryder laughed, the sound violent in his suddenness. It filled the room, rattled the glass, pressed in on us from every side. He bent at the waist, clutching himself, breathless with amusement.
Repeat?" He rose, eyes sharp now. “Are you threatening me?”
"Repeat?" He straightened up, wiping his eyes. "Are you threatening me?"
He crossed his arms over his chest. His smile didn't reach his eyes.
The big room suddenly felt smaller. The air pressed down on my shoulders. I knew Ryder. I really knew him. A spoiled brat . Always wanting his way. Acting like he owned everyone and everything. Just like his father.
My lips curved into a smile that wasn't friendly. "Threatening you?" I tilted my head. "Do I sound like a threat?"
The words hit him like a punch. His eyes went wide. He blinked fast, like someone had splashed cold water on his face while he was sleeping.
"If I sound like one, then you must be joking."
Ryder's mouth twisted. The laughter died. He took one step toward me. Then another. His face turned hard as stone.
"I see." His voice dropped low. "You must be a stubborn omega. One who will still end up warming my bed."
I looked at him, from his perfectly styled hair down to his expensive shoes. I shook my head slowly.
"Me? Warming your bed?" My nose wrinkled. The words tasted bitter in my mouth. "That would be the grandest delusion."
I took a breath. My hands clenched at my sides.
"You were never wrong, were you? Rosa must be making the greatest mistake of her life. Bringing curses upon herself. Fighting for you to be king of Stormfang Pack."
I paused. Let the words sink in.
"It's a pity that won't happen during her lifetime. She will never be queen.” I paused a bit, my eyes locked on him,.. “And you will never be king."
His face changed. Red crept up his neck like spilled wine. Thick veins popped out on both sides of his throat. His jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding.
He moved closer. Too close. I could smell his anger.
"If I didn't care about your blood spilling all over my floor..." His finger jabbed toward me. "Especially after what you just said... I promise you wouldn't walk out of here alive!"
He leaned down. His breath hit my face.
"Because Rosa, who sent you here, wouldn't dare tell me that..."
"Maybe she doesn't know yet." I didn't step back. "Maybe she hasn't figured out what kind of animal you are. The kind who can't control what's between his legs."
His face went from red to purple. Every word I threw at him landed like stones. His hands shook at his sides. I could tell from his expression he wasn't prepared for this. Not today. Not from me.
"But since you decided you don't want my blood on your floor..." I shrugged. "My best advice? Don't send your men after me."
I waited. I watched his eyes brewing with anger.
"So what happens if I do?" He stepped even closer, the tension in the room increased.
"Watch and see." My voice stayed calm. "Most of them might not come back home. Just like you left your throne as Beta to hide here. Like a dog in his kennel."
I turned on my heel and replied. "This isn't a threat. It's advice. You can take it or leave it."
My feet carried me toward the door. Each step echoed in the quiet room. I made it several steps away when his voice shot out behind me.
"Is this how you threatened Rosa too? Is that why she trusts you so much with our secret? Why did she send you here?"
I stopped. I didn't turn around.
"What selfish secret?" My words floated over my shoulder. "Secrets that kill innocent people? That makes a once\-glorious pack unlivable?"
My feet started moving again. My shoes on his fancy floor.
I didn't look back, but I felt his eyes burning into my back. He stood frozen, shocked, watching me disappear from his sight.
Thank the goddess I'd paid attention earlier. When the omega servant led me through the house, I'd memorized every turn. Every hallway. I knew exactly how to get out, even with all the expensive paintings and fancy furniture trying to confuse me.
I reached the main door. My hand grabbed the handle. I looked around for the servant who'd let me in, but he wasn't there.
Good.
I pulled the door open. Stepped outside. Then I turned back toward the house.
I spat on his fancy doorstep.
"Good riddance."
The journey back to Stormfang Pack wasn't pleasant.
The bus bounced over every bump in the road. My body slammed against the hard seat again and again. Other passengers pressed against me from both sides. Someone's elbow dug into my ribs. The air smelled like sweat and old food.
I tried to find a comfortable position. There wasn't one.
The hours crawled by. My back started aching. Then my legs. Then everything.
Finally, the bus jerked to a stop. The driver's voice called out: "Stormfang Pack!"
I pushed myself up. My legs wobbled. The ache in my body had settled deep into my bones. I grabbed the seat in front of me to steady myself.
Other passengers shoved past me toward the exit. I waited, then climbed down the bus steps carefully. My feet hit solid ground.
A big sigh pushed out of my chest. Home. Sort of.
The bus drove away, leaving me in a cloud of dust. I coughed and waved my hand in front of my face.
My legs didn't want to move. Every muscle screamed at me to rest. But I couldn't stay at the bus stop.
I forced one foot in front of the other. Slow. Steady. Each step hurts.
The familiar buildings of Stormfang Pack rose around me. Even though this place held bad memories, something in my chest loosened. At least I knew these streets.
I'd walked only a short distance from the bus stop when I saw someone.
My feet stopped.
A figure stood ahead. Something about the way they moved made my heart skip.
Familiar. But strange.
Someone I knew.
But what were they doing in Stormfang Pack?