Chapter 45 Jealous Mutt
Lyra woke to excruciating pain.
Not a sharp stab anywhere she could point out. Rather, it was everywhere, like her entire body had been forged in fire and then dropped from a cliff.
The moment she tried to stretch even a little, a jolt shot up her shoulder, down her ribs, and right across her back.
She felt like Humpty Dumpty.
Hissing in agony, she groaned. “Ugh, damn!”
“Don’t move around so much. The stitches are still fresh.”
The deep voice came from behind her, and she recognized it immediately.
Lyra whipped her head around, too fast, and regretted it instantly. Pain exploded behind her eyes, and she winced loudly. But she still forced her gaze toward the corner of the room.
Ryker stood there, staring at her with a frown. He had a steaming cup in his right hand, and Lyra could smell the cinnamon.
“Ryker, hey,” she groaned.
“You're moving around too much,” he grunted and moved to her.
He set the cup aside and came to her without hesitation, one arm slipping behind her back as he helped her sit.
He was careful, gentle even, but his face stayed slightly upset. Like he was pissed at her and couldn't even hide it.
“How long have I been out?” she whispered.
“Long enough for the pack doctor to patch you up,” he replied, tone clipped.
Looking down, Lyra saw the extent of her injuries. She swallowed, feeling the tight pull of bandages wrapped around her shoulder and arm. She lifted her hand carefully and winced as she touched the edge of the dressing.
Ryker caught her wrist mid-air.
“Don’t pick at it,” he said. “It’ll heal before the week is over.”
“It was silver bullets,” she said softly.
“I know.” He sat back. “The doctor took them out. They didn’t touch your bloodstream. We used our strongest herbs. You’ll feel sore for a bit, but you’ll live.”
Lyra exhaled a shaky breath. She stared at her lap for a moment, then asked the question she had been terrified of.
“What about Dax?”
Ryker’s jaw tightened as she mentioned the name, and he shrugged. “He’s worse than you. The bullet hit him hard. But he’ll live.”
Relief washed through her so fast her eyes burned as she blinked back tears. She was almost sure Dax wouldn't make it, and she would possibly die of the guilt. He'd been hurt because of her.
“They’re prepping him for a transfusion as we speak,” Ryker added, leaning back in the chair but never taking his eyes off her.
Lyra nodded slowly. “I'm glad he's fine,” she sighed.
Ryker grunted in reply but said nothing more. He picked up the cup again and handed it to her. “Drink this for the pain.”
She reached out, but as soon as she took it, he turned as if to leave.
“Ryker,” she blurted. “I know what you saw.”
Ryker didn't reply; he just stood still.
“What you saw with me and Dax, it’s not what it looks like.”
He paused, turned to her, and raised one eyebrow.
“You mean kissing my kid brother right in front of the pack?” he asked calmly, too calmly. “Yeah. I’m sure it’s not what I think.”
“It was a dying wish,” Lyra said softly, looking down.
“Dying wish, my ass,” Ryker scoffed. “Lyra, I’m an alpha wolf. I could smell your arousal all the way from the gate.”
Her heart stopped. “I did not,” she muttered weakly. She wasn't even sure if it was a lie or not.
“Even with all that blood,” he continued, “I could still smell it. You were wet for him.”
Her cheeks flamed, and she looked away.
“That’s not true. He was dying. He asked me to kiss him, and I didn’t know what else to do.”
“None of that matters,” Ryker said flatly. “He’s my brother. I’ll keep him alive. And you don't owe me anything.” He shrugged once. “You’re free to love who you choose.”
Lyra’s head snapped up. “Really? Is that how easy it is for you to walk away from me now?”
Ryker’s expression didn’t change, but the pain and frustration in his eyes wasn't hidden.
“It’s never been hard,” he said quietly. “All you have to do is push me away, and I’ll be gone. And you know exactly how to do that.”
He turned to leave again, and she knew she couldn't let him.
Her voice broke as she called out, “Ryker… wait. I need help.”
“What?” he asked.
Lyra had to quickly come up with something. She blurted, “I want to lie back down.”
He was by her side in seconds, and his hands carefully slid behind her shoulders, adjusting the pillow and lowering her gently, making sure her stitches didn’t pull.
This close, Lyra could smell him. His deeply soothing scent wrapped around her, and she sighed blissfully.
When he finished, she reached out and grabbed his hand without thinking.
“Ryker…”
He froze.
Lyra swallowed hard.
“I miss you.”
His eyes flickered to her hand, then to her face. “Lyra, stop this.”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you while I was in the Titanium Pack,” she whispered.
Ryker looked away. “I hope Darius didn’t hurt you.”
She shook her head. “At first, he thought I was his daughter. He treated me well. But when he realized I was a half-breed, he planned to kill me.”
Ryker’s jaw clenched so hard she heard his teeth grind. “I’m glad Dax found you in time,” he said.
Lyra nodded. “I was scared you were trapped. That Oscar set you all up. I thought that you could’ve been dead.”
“It takes more than a measly little newborn vampire to kill me.”
She gave a weak, breathy laugh.
“Yeah, I figured.”
Ryker turned to face her, his dark eyes staring right into her soul.
Without thinking, her hand went to his face before she even realized she moved it.
Ryker stiffened instantly.
“Lyra…”
But she didn’t let him finish. She leaned forward, resting her head on his shoulder, inhaling the scent she had craved so badly.
“Your scent is what I missed the most. It calms me,” she whispered.
Ryker inhaled sharply, chest rising against her cheek. His breath changed and was suddenly shaky.
“Lyra,” he warned, his voice dangerously trembling.
“Stay with me,” she whispered, moving her lips over his earlobes.
He pulled back so fast she lost her balance for a second.
“Rex will stay with you until you recover.” His tone snapped back into alpha mode. “Everything you need will be provided.”
He rose, heading for the door.
“Ryker!” Lyra called out, but he didn’t turn.
She watched him walk away, but she noticed the bulge in his pants as he left. She smirked.