Chapter 12 Lira
Lira
I had been avoiding both father and son since everything happened. Alpha Kael had been avoiding me too. It was for the best, but I couldn’t ignore the constant yearning I had for him.
I often wondered what he thought was happening between us three that night. Rowan had dismissed it as us having ‘fun’. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at him. I was both ashamed and scared that he’d get involved if he saw the tears in my eyes.
As soon as Rowan left with Alpha Kael, I ran to my room, scared that Alicia would start her own assault. My room was locked, and I didn’t come out for three days. And for those three days, I had been jumpy every time I heard a knock on my door.
I didn’t want it to be Rowan, but I also didn’t want it to be Alpha Kael. My stomach twisted into knots every time I thought about meeting him.
Once again, I felt the dread as I heard a knock on my door. I slowly walked towards it and opened it. Lucy, the maid who had been attending to me since I got to the mansion was the one there. She had a light expression on her face. She was like a breath of fresh air.
“Hey, Lucy.” I said, and winced at the sound of my voice. It sounded so tired and hoarse. Lucy noticed, and chuckled a bit.
“Good morning, ma’am.” She replied. No matter how many times I tell her to call me by my name, she refused, so I already gave up. “I’d have gone to get you some ginger tea for your throat, ma’am, but the Alpha requests you join them for breakfast.”
Them.
My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, and if it could have dropped lower it would have. Not only was I going to see him, but I was going to see everyone else I had been avoiding.
No, no, no! I didn’t want this! I didn’t want to go down for breakfast. I just wanted to be in the sanctity of my room, but an Alpha’s command is one I couldn’t refuse.
She sent me an apologetic glance. “I’ll take my leave ma’am.”
I nodded and turned to get dressed. Looking through my wardrobe, it felt like I had lost whatever little fashion sense I had. During the past few days as I rotted in my room, I only wore my oversize t-shirts and underwear.
After looking through, I settled for a burnt orange dress and made my way to the dining room.
The hallways seemed colder than usual. My bare feet whispered against the marble floor as my reflection flickered across the polished walls. The scent of pinewood candles and cinnamon toast floated faintly through the air, a cruel reminder of the normal life I could never have. Every step toward the dining room felt heavier, like I was walking into judgment itself.
At the dining room entrance, I paused. Through the crack of the door, I could see them all, Rowan sitting lazily in his chair with that smug grin, Alicia twirling a lock of hair between her fingers, my mother beside Kael, glowing in the golden morning light streaming through the tall glass windows. Kael sat at the head of the table, composed, unreadable, but every line of his jaw made my heart ache.
“Ugh. I just lost my appetite.” Alicia said as soon as she saw me. She dramatically dropped her fork, letting it clatter loudly against the plate. But for some reason, she didn’t stand and storm off like I hoped.
“Good morning.” I greeted. My mum looked up at me beaming. I was happy to see her too. She looked like she was being well taken care of, and that warmed my heart. At least one of us was genuinely happy.
“Lira, my darling. Come and sit beside me. Alpha Kael has an announcement for all of you.”
I wanted to look at him so bad, but the coward in me couldn’t do it. As soon as I sat down, Lucy dropped a plate in front of me, and my mother plated the soft and delicious looking pancakes and scrambled eggs.
“Thank you.” I muttered, staring at the food and still keeping my head down. I couldn’t bring myself to look up at him. Not when my mother was here, and definitely not when I had touched myself to the memory of us fucking last night.
The memory was vivid, his breath against my skin, the roughness of his hands, the way his name had almost slipped from my lips before I stopped myself. Every time I blinked, I could still feel him. And now, here he was—acting like nothing ever happened.
Alpha Kael cleared his throat, and began his announcement. “There is a Charity ball happening tonight. I’m going with my Luna obviously.” He paused and I looked up to see him give my mother a smile.
Our eyes met but he moved on like I was nothing. Like I was insignificant. Like I wasn’t his mate, and like he hadn’t been thinking about me too.
Shame burned my cheeks and I forced a smile as I watched my mother intertwine her fingers with his.
He was hers too, but pack law, and by everything that recognized their relationship as valid. But me. I had to hide that he was my mate. No matter what, I had to keep it in me so my mother could be happy. She had done so much for me already. The last thing I wanted was to betray her.
I already had. And I hated that I wanted to do it again.
“Rowan, and Lira, you both have to attend with your respective dates.” He added.
This has to be a joke.
Alicia had already latched onto Rowan’s shoulder while I lost my appetite. “Of course, Rowan is taking me with him to the ball. Aren’t you, baby?” Alicia cooed. But the sight of her coy smile being wiped off her face was so satisfactory.
“No.”
We all looked at him as he said it. I wondered why he wouldn’t let Rowan take his lady toy with him.
“I have decided that Rowan will take Lira with him as his date to the party. Since, he has no one to take with her. And bringing a date is mandatory.”
“But… What about me?” Alicia whined as she shot me daggers.
I ignored her as I was still in shock myself. My mouth opened and closed several times, unable to form words.
“You can get anyone you want to take you to the charity ball, princess.” Her father spoke this time, half soothing her, and half warning her not to cross the Alpha.
“But I want to go with Rowan.”
“Rowan is off limits for tonight’s charity ball.” Alpha Kael said, his tone firm.
The silence that followed was unbearable. I could hear my own heartbeat thudding in my chest. Rowan smirked faintly, as if enjoying my discomfort. Alicia sulked, pouting like a spoiled child, but my eyes drifted toward Kael again. For the briefest second, his gaze flickered, something raw, something possessive, and then it was gone.
I watched as they discussed and the realization hit me like a bucket full of mop water. Disgusting. I’d be better off alone. If I went with Rowan, it was certain that he was going to make my life a living hell.
Taking in a deep breath, I found my voice again and stood up. “I don’t want to go to the Charity ball with Rowan.”