Chapter 27 THE AGREEMENT
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN | THE AGREEMENT
LYRA
After the conversation with Anika, I went back to the ball only to meet thousands of warriors outside. The moment they saw me, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
I was confused at first, but when I looked around, I noticed the party had been stopped, and everyone inside, including the guests, had been forced to search for me.
When Damien saw me, the worry and anger in his eyes faded away for a second, and he rushed over. “Where have you been? We've looked everywhere for you. Did anyone try to harm you?” His hands roamed over me, checking to make sure I was fine.
“Nothing happened. I just needed space. Everything was becoming overwhelming,” I lied.
Looking around for Damian, I couldn’t find him, neither could I find Orion. Not sure why I was even looking for the latter. I just hoped he had taken his nonsense and left.
If only he had any idea of the terrible plans Anika and I had for him.
“Where is Damian?” I asked when I couldn’t find him.
“He went into the forest to look for you with some warriors and guests. I stayed back with a few in case you returned here.”
I nodded in understanding, glancing at the number of people present. If this was only a few, I couldn’t imagine how many warriors he brought to search for me.
“How long have I been gone?”
He checked his watch. “About an hour now.”
“And you recruited the warriors of your whole pack to search for me? That’s ridiculous.”
Despite my words, my heart warmed at the gesture. It felt good to know someone cared enough to move mountains for me.
“When are we going back home? I’m so tired and hungry,” I asked.
My eyes widened when I realized I had called their house home. Had I grown so comfortable with them that I now saw their place as mine?
No, I couldn’t let that happen. I had to make sure I didn’t get too comfortable. I couldn’t trust them, no matter how safe they made me feel. I needed to stand my ground and be ready to leave at any time. I must not fall for any of them.
But deep down, I knew not falling for them might already be too late.
“Lyra!” Damian yelled, running toward me before pulling me into a tight hug. “I was so worried. Where have you been?”
I hugged him back, patting his back awkwardly. “I went out for some fresh air.”
“We were so worried about you. Never scare us like that again, ever!”
I only nodded in response, genuinely tired and just wanting to leave.
“Can we go now? I’m exhausted,” I said, yawning to prove my point.
I saw Orion walking toward us but ignored him. My hatred for him had grown after Anika told me everything he’d done to her. I had always thought he loved her, that everything he did to me was because he didn’t want to lose her. But now I saw the truth clearly.
He never loved her. I don’t even think he’s capable of loving anyone. He was only with her for what he could gain. Once she was no longer useful, he discarded her in the cruelest way.
“Are you alright? Is the baby fine?” he asked, trying to come closer, but the twins stopped him.
I knew he was pretending because of my child, and honestly, I wasn’t ready to give him even a second of my attention. I was tired and just wanted to lie in bed.
“Let me talk to my mate,” Orion hissed, clinging to the lie he had cooked up.
He fought his way through and grabbed my arm, and that was all it took for me to explode.
“Don’t touch me, you bastard! You are not my mate, and you never will be. Even if you were the last man on earth, I wouldn’t have anything to do with you!”
He brushed my words off as if they were nothing. “You’re only saying this because you’re angry. Come home with me. Let’s settle our feud.”
I finally understood why he was doing all this, he wanted to take me back to the pack so he could control me again. Once he did, he’d make sure I was kept on a leash until I gave birth, then he’d throw me away.
That realization only made me angrier. When he tried to touch me again, I slapped him so hard he staggered back.
“If I could, I would kill you with my bare hands! The audacity you have to think you can claim me after rejecting me and embarrassing me in front of the whole pack. As if that wasn’t enough, you framed me for the murder of my only friend, a death I believe you had something to do with, and then you sentenced me and this child to death. The same child you’re now desperately trying to claim. What gives you the right to claim any of us? The only reason I’m alive today is because of the Valentino twins, and I’m grateful the Moon Goddess gave me a second chance with them!”
He didn’t even flinch as my voice rose. He stayed calm, no remorse on his face. “I made a mistake.”
I scoffed and turned around, walking toward the car. There was no point talking to him. No matter what I said, that heartless bastard wouldn’t stop.
“I should have let Damien kill you that day,” I told him one last time.
“I don’t care what you think, Lyra. I don’t want you. But no matter what happens, that child belongs to me, and nothing will change that. I’m going to get my child back,” he said as I entered the car.
The twins got in after me, and we drove off.
As we left, I couldn’t help but remember the last thing Anika said about my child.
“Orion isn’t the father, and I can prove it.”