Chapter 50 Frenemies
Lyra woke slowly, dragged out of sleep by a smell so rich and warm that her stomach reacted before her mind did.
It was food. And it smelled heavenly.
Her lashes fluttered open, and for a second she didn’t recognize anything.
The ceiling above her was unfamiliar, even the wardrobe to the left looked strange.
“Where am I?” she muttered sleepily, stretching.
A faint scent of soap and something distinctly male hit her nose and she inhaled deeply.
It wasn't Ryker, that was for sure. Nothing here smelled like him.
Her muscles protested as she shifted again. She could feel the soreness everywhere at once.
Then she saw him.
Dax stood near the small table by the window, balancing a tray piled with food. There was everything she could ever want for breakfast. Fresh fruits, eggs, bacon, bread. And of course, the smell of rich, dark coffee she hadn’t even realized she’d been craving.
“Hey, pretty sleepyhead,” he said with a crooked smile.
Lyra blinked, pushing herself up on her elbows. “What am I doing here?”
Dax chuckled softly and walked closer. “You fell asleep on the couch last night. You were out cold. I didn’t want to wake you, so I brought you here.”
Her gaze flicked around the room again. It was definitely his. Neat, but with little space to live around.
Weapons neatly arranged against one wall, boots and rifles on the floor, and a folded jacket on a chair. The bed she was in was very large.
“Oh,” she said quietly, slightly uncomfortable with the thought. Then, after a beat, “Thank you.”
He nodded, sensing it. “I hope that’s okay. I slept on the chair though, didn’t touch you.”
“I know,” Lyra said quickly. “It’s fine. Really.”
Dax relaxed a little and lifted the tray. “I brought you breakfast.”
He set it carefully on her lap, adjusting the pillows behind her back. Lyra’s stomach growled loudly at the sight of the food, betraying her instantly.
She let out a small, embarrassed laugh. “You really didn’t have to do this. I’m not supposed to be the one being taken care of. It should be you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Who says you don’t deserve to be taken care of too?”
She didn’t answer that. Instead, she picked up a fork and took her first bite. The taste was heavenly. She sighed softly, eyes closing for just a moment as the flavour spread through her.
Dax watched her with quiet satisfaction. “See? Worth it.”
As she ate, her thoughts wandered to dark and unwanted topics. She couldn't help but think of Ryker and Rex. The way Dax had said it so casually last night. They thought she was dead.
Without even looking, they headed back home. Without her.
Had they really abandoned her?
Was the Blood King right? Was there a part of the IronFangs that already saw her as disposable? An abomination they were only tolerating because of Ryker?
So far, it was only Dax who had stayed. Only Dax who had gone looking, and only Dax who was here now, feeding her, making sure she was okay.
She stabbed a piece of fruit harder than necessary.
“Hey,” Dax said gently. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
She forced a shrug. “Nothing.”
He didn’t buy it. “That look doesn’t mean nothing.”
Before he could press further, there was a knock at the door.
Dax glanced toward it. “Come in.”
The door opened, and Rex stepped inside.
Lyra’s shoulders stiffened immediately. She kept her eyes on her food, suddenly very interested in her plate.
“Morning,” Rex said with a bright smile. “I heard you were awake. Wanted to check on you.”
Lyra hummed in response, looking away.
Rex frowned. “Are you okay? You look pale. I can get the doctor if—”
“Don’t bother,” Lyra said flatly.
Rex blinked. “What?”
“You don’t have to pretend to care,” Lyra added without looking up.
The room went quiet.
Rex stared at her, clearly stunned. “Pretend? What are you talking about? I’m not pretending. I want you to recover.”
Dax stepped closer to the bed, sensing tension. “Hey. We don’t need to fight.”
“I’m not fighting. I guess Lyra woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Rex scoffed lightly. “Whatever. I was actually here because Ryker’s been looking for you all morning. I just came to confirm you’re fine so I can tell him.”
Before anyone could respond, the door swung open again.
Ryker stood there.
His eyes were filled with rage as they landed on Lyra in Dax’s bed.
“You’re here?” he asked, disbelief and anger mixed in his voice.
Lyra finally looked at him. “Yeah. I spent the night here. I figured I’d only be safe with Dax around.”
Rex’s head snapped toward her. “What does that even mean? You have your own room. You’ve always been safe.”
Ryker lifted a hand. “It’s fine. Lyra can sleep wherever she chooses.”
Lyra’s lips curled slightly. “Exactly. I wouldn’t want to interrupt you and Tessa. Or Helen.”
Ryker blinked. “What? Are you serious right now? What is wrong with you?”
She shrugged. “You tell me.”
“You’re insane,” Ryker snapped. “Yesterday you were telling me how you—” He stopped abruptly, hissing. “You know what? Forget it. Do whatever you want.”
“Gladly,” Lyra shot back. “And about the stupid things I said, that was yesterday, and I regret it. I didn’t mean any of it. You’re dead to me right now. I want nothing to do with a pathetic man like you.”
The words hit hard.
Ryker’s eyes darkened. “Watch your tongue, woman! I am still your alpha, Lyra. You’d better remember that.”
Rex stepped between them, confused. “Guys, am I missing something? What is all this drama? Why are you acting like this, Lyra? What did Ryker do wrong? Why are you upset?”
Lyra swung her legs off the bed and stood, ignoring the pull in her wounds. “Ask him. Or maybe he should ask you.”
Rex was so stunned that his mouth hung open.
Lyra scoffed. “You both deserve each other.”
Then she turned to leave.
Ryker grabbed her arm. “You’ve been hot and cold since you got back. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Dax moved instantly, shoving Ryker’s hand away. “Hey! She’s trying to recover. Leave her alone.”
Ryker stared at his brother, fury flashing in his eyes. For a moment, it looked like he might say or do something unforgivable.
Instead, he hissed under his breath, turned on his heel, and stormed out.
Rex looked at them both and said, “You know what, this is bullshit!” And then he was gone too.
The door slammed behind them.
Lyra stood there shaking, heart pounding wildly and the food forgotten on the bed.
Dax placed a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”
She nodded, though she didn’t feel okay at
all. Somewhere deep inside, something reminded her of her unique situation.
She was a stranger here. And she wasn't so sure that would ever change.