Chapter 25 Lyra’s Big Announcement

Chapter 25 Lyra’s Big Announcement
LYRA

The silence that follows my words is crushing, as everyone waits for my announcement. 

My palms turn slick with sweat, my heart pounding so hard against my ribs it feels like it might burst straight out of my chest. The longer they stare, the harder it gets to breathe. 

I keep my eyes forward, refusing to look at Dean beside me.

I almost laugh inside my head.

What the hell was I thinking? 

Did I really believe I could announce my breakup with Dean in front of my father and the Alpha? A bond they’ve waited years for. A union my father has built plans, hopes, and alliances on.

I was absolutely delusional.

“Lyra,” Father says at last, snapping me out of my spiral. His voice carries a thin edge of impatience. “What is it you wish to say? We’re waiting.”

I straighten quickly, blinking hard. A tight, polite smile settles on my lips as I rub my damp palms against my jeans beneath the table.

“It’s… it’s not a big deal, Father,” I say. “I just—uh…”

My mind scrambles. Empty, and blank. 

“I just wanted to—”

“Lyra wishes to take part in the spoken word poetry performance at the upcoming Inter-Pack Hunt.”  Dean’s voice cuts in beside me.

My eyes fly open. Spoken word poetry?

I turn to him in disbelief. He’s calm and completely unbothered. Eating his food like he didn’t just throw me under a moving carriage.

I can’t believe this.

“Spoken word poetry…” Father repeats slowly. Disappointment is clear in his tone, and I suddenly find the table far more interesting than his face. “Why, Lyra? You’re wolfless. You’ve never had an issue staying behind during the hunt before. What’s driving you to participate now? And of all things… poetry?”

A sharp, mocking snort follows.

Roxanna.

I don’t even look at her. My blood boils anyway, but I force myself to stay still. One wrong move and I might leap across the table and wipe that smug look off her face.

“Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?” Alpha Flame laughs, turning to Father. “I happen to enjoy spoken word poetry.”

That does absolutely nothing to ease the heat crawling up my neck.

Then Dean does something worse. He reaches for my hand.

Before I can comprehend what he’s up to, he’s on his feet, my fingers trapped in his grip. The contact burns but I keep my face neutral, swallowing the irritation down.

“Father. Lord Magnus,” he says respectfully, dipping his head. “May I steal Lyra away for a moment? I have something important to show her.”

“Of course,” Alpha Flame replies easily, waving him off. “Go on.”

Dean bows to my father, then leads me out of the dining hall and into the now-empty kitchen.

The moment we’re alone, I rip my hand out of his grasp. My eyes blaze as I whirl on him.

“What the hell was that?” I snap. “Spoken word poetry?”

He lifts that stupid, arrogant brow at me.

“I saved your ass back there, Lyra,” he says coolly. “That was the best excuse I could come up with at that moment. Which is more than you did. I mean, you couldn’t even say anything.”

I scoff, folding my arms tightly over my chest. “Then why drag me in here?”

“To ask what the hell you thought you were doing,” he snaps, stepping closer. His body looms over mine, eyes dark and heavy with irritation. “What was that ‘big announcement’ supposed to be?”

A slow smirk curves my lips.

“Maybe it’s exactly what you think it was.”

His eyes flare. His jaw locks so tight I can almost hear his teeth grind. He takes a deep breath, but it does nothing to cool him down. Then he scoffs, looking at me like I’m some reckless child.

“And you thought that was smart?” he says sharply. “Announcing our ‘breakup’ in front of both our fathers?” He lifts his fingers, mocking air quotes.

I don’t answer. I just stare at him, hard and unblinking.

Because deep down, I know he’s right. Our union was never about us. Not once. It’s politics, power, and alliances. Thinking I could end it with a dramatic announcement was stupid. All it would earn me is punishment, not freedom.

“Listen, Lyra.”

His voice softens as he steps closer, his body pressing lightly against mine. His thumb lifts, brushing near my cheek, his breath hot against my face. The anger drains from his eyes, replaced with what seems like regret. “I know you’re angry. And you have every right to be. I’ve been an asshole. I admit that. But I want to fix this. I want to make things right again. Just… give me one chance.”

Once, those words would’ve melted me. Once, I would’ve believed every syllable.

But that girl is gone.

Before I can respond, footsteps echo through the doorway.

Dean and I turn at the same time.

Reid walks into the kitchen, calm and unhurried, his presence instantly swallowing the space. He’s shirtless with muscles carved like he knows exactly what they do to people.

I blink, forcing myself to ignore the stupid flutter in my stomach as he passes us without a glance and heads straight for the fridge.

So he’s been home this whole time and didn’t bother showing up for dinner.

The audacity.

I almost admire it.

Dean stiffens beside me, anger flashing fresh across his face as he watches Reid move around like we don’t exist.

And me? I have to fight back a smirk.

Reid grabs a can of juice and starts to leave, then stops a few feet away. He looks over his shoulder, face blank as ever, though I swear there’s a faint, smug curl at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh. Sorry for interrupting,” he says dryly. “Your… little moment.”

His gaze flicks between us.

“Maybe try a private space next time. Lovers’ quarrels get awkward.”

Then he’s gone. Just like that.

“Son of a motherfucker.” Dean mutters through clenched teeth, staring after him.