Chapter 48 Longing
Lyra stood frozen as she felt the crushing strength of Ryker’s grip locked around her wrist.
“Ryker, it’s me!” she cried out at once.
Why did she think it was a smart idea to sneak up to him?
His fingers were firm, and she could see the anger in his eyes for a brief second before he finally let go.
“What are you doing here?” Ryker demanded, his voice a low growl.
Lyra swallowed and instinctively pulled her hand back, rubbing her wrist with a soft hiss. “Rex told me you were out here, and I came to check on you,” she said quietly.
Ryker’s brows knit together. “She didn’t have to. I wanted to be alone.” He muttered to himself and then rubbed his face.
Lyra was still standing there, rubbing her sore wrist. Without asking permission, he reached for her again. This time, he was far gentler, lifting her wrist and turning it slightly as he inspected it for bruises.
Ryker was very much aware of his brute strength, and he hated using it wrongly. This was one of those times.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked softly, running his thumb over her pulse.
She shook her head. “Just a little, but I’m fine. I guess I startled you.”
His jaw tightened. “I didn’t know it was you.”
“I figured,” Lyra muttered softly. “You were expecting Tessa.”
Ryker looked away sharply. “I don’t want to discuss Tessa right now.”
Lyra scoffed bitterly and crossed her arms. “She doesn’t think the same, you know. She believes she owns you and wants to fight me every chance she gets.”
“I’ll talk to her,” Ryker replied stiffly. “Don’t worry. Tessa is not bad, she’s just emotional right now. She’ll move on.”
“She doesn’t have to,” Lyra said, watching his face closely. “I already told her she can have you.”
Ryker stared at her like she’d slapped him.
He clenched his fist. “Yeah,” he said slowly. “I figured. But just because you’re ready to throw away your marital vows doesn’t mean I want to do the same.”
Lyra blinked, stunned. “What? Are you serious right now? Are you really talking about marital vows? You slept with her. I didn’t force you to.”
“I thought you were dead!” Ryker snapped. “Now you’re here, and I don’t want her anymore! I don’t want anyone.”
“Oh, how very convenient,” Lyra shot back. “What about the other woman? The one you rejected me for?”
Ryker looked away with a hiss. “There’s more to that story, Lyra. I’ve told you this before.”
“Then tell me!” she snapped, stepping closer. “Tell me why you picked her over me. I deserve to at least know the woman I died for!”
“Sierra had nothing to do with your death!”
Lyra laughed sharply. If only he knew.
If only he knew that her death happened that very night. If he hadn’t left her stranded on that desert road, she never would have gone to Cassian for comfort. She never would have drowned. Never would have died and come back as this abomination.
Ryker noticed the sudden sadness on her face. His voice softened. “What happened that night?”
Lyra wiped her eyes quickly. “Nothing.”
“I’m not a soothsayer, Lyra,” he said quietly. “If you don’t tell me, how am I supposed to know?”
“I don’t want you to!” she burst out. “It doesn’t matter. I died, Ryker. I was reborn, and I don’t even know what the fuck is wrong with me anymore. I don’t know who I am!”
Her voice cracked. “I’m fighting this half-breed power with everything I have. Every second feels like I’m losing myself.”
Ryker grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into his chest before she could step away. Lyra broke then, tears spilling freely as she clutched at his shirt.
He didn’t remember deciding to hug her. He just did. His arms wrapped around her instinctively, hands rubbing slow circles over her back. He hated how much she frustrated him, but he couldn’t stand the sight of her tears.
“Hey,” he murmured. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
She shook as she cried. “It’s not okay. I’m a hybrid. I’m forbidden by both werewolf and vampire.”
“I’ll find a way,” Ryker continued. “I heard about a witch in the human town. They say she’s fixed cases like this before. It might be a myth, but I’m willing to try.”
Lyra looked up at him, eyes glossy.
How could he try? The Blood King was hunting her blood. She was bound to him whether she liked it or not. There was no escape.
But she stayed quiet and wiped her tears.
“It doesn’t matter,” she whispered. “I guess you’ve already decided you don’t want me anymore.”
Ryker hissed. “Why would you say that?”
“Because you saw me kissing Dax.”
His lips curled. “Stop reminding me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
“You can do what you want, Lyra. You’re not a prisoner,” Ryker said stiffly.
But she reached up, cupping his face. Her thumb brushed his jaw. “It was your lips I imagined all along,” she admitted.
“Stop trying to patronize me,” he hissed.
“I’m not lying. I want you, Ryker. It’s been so long since we—”
“Don’t,” he cut in sharply. “Don’t say it.”
But his body betrayed him anyway. She felt him hard against her, his arousal undeniable.
Her breath shuddered.
“Why?” she whispered. “Don’t you want us to have sex anymore?”
“You don’t have to pretend to want me,” Ryker said harshly. “You can stay in the pack without us being together.”
“But what if I want you for real?” she challenged. “Have you seen how you look, Ryker? Which woman wouldn’t want you?”
Ryker pulled away abruptly. “You don’t sound like yourself.”
“Really?” she snapped. “Because I desire you? Because I want my husband to make love to me?”
A growl ripped from his chest. “Stop it.”
“Stop what? Stop telling you how much I want your hard cock inside me?”
Before Lyra could react, Ryker grabbed her face and kissed her hard, slamming her back against the cold metal of the tank.
The kiss was brutal, desperate, full of rage and hunger. Her moan was soft, melting into his mouth.
When he abruptly pulled away, Lyra was panting, her body arching toward him, rubbing against him shamelessly.
Ryker was shaking as he backed off.
“I don’t share, Lyra,” he said coldly. “And I won't let you won’t teach me.”
Then he turned and walked away, leaving her dripping for him once more.