Chapter 138
LYRA’S POV
I had replayed this scenario a thousand times in my head—no, a million, and yet I was still not prepared for the moment I would come face to face with him.
Ryker.
The moment we appeared at the Northern river bank after I had pictured the map in my head with the help of Liora, I had urged everyone to move ahead—it was the right thing to do. But the true reason why I kept lagging and looking for an excuse was to delay meeting him.
Before my eyes met his, Liora was already clawing inside me; she wanted out—wanted to run to him. Her behavior surprised me. Especially since we both had history with Ryker. But this was not the time to talk to her about her betrayal.
He looked so handsome. More handsome than the last time I saw him. He looked taller, broader, maybe a little lean, but he still had those brown eyes that would make you do anything.
But that was in the past.
He was dead to me.
I practiced slow breaths inside me, all the while maintaining a flat expression—the kind that made it difficult to know what was going through my mind.
Funny how today was my birthday. The irony of it all.
I was brought here exactly two years ago as a slave, and today, I am back as an Alpha.
I approached my men, whose knees were on the ground, one knee bent, and their heads bowed, and acknowledged them.
“Where is Xavier?” I didn’t see him anywhere. I didn’t wait for a response and stepped between them and stood face to face with Ryker.
He was holding hands with a beautiful woman. I didn’t want to look to feel anything. Whatever he did with his life was no business of mine.
And with a slight incline of my head. “Alpha King.” I greeted.
“Lyra,” His voice was soft, smooth, almost like silk. It drifted over me, caressing me like a soft blanket.
What was this? I shouldn’t feel anything for him, not after all this time. Who cared what his voice sounded like?
“It’s Alpha Lyon,” I answered. Then he nodded. “Very well, Alpha Lyon. Please—” He moved aside and gesticulated to the entrance of the pack house.
The pack house looked bigger than I remembered it. It appeared as though there had been some restructuring that had been done. Extra walls graced the sides of the buildings. And when I stepped in, I realized I was right. The edifice was larger. Intentionally made bigger to accommodate the growing pack.
It was smart…
Well, he always had a good head for running the pack. Maybe not in other matters.
His presence close to me suddenly made heat spread all over my legs. I clutched my pants tightly at the sides to hide my sudden body reaction. But Ryker thought it was the perfect time to brush against my arm lightly. I almost gasped as a ripple wave of current passed through me, making me stop in my steps slightly.
And when I looked up at him, his eyes were on me too. They gleamed in the lights, and I realized that he had felt it too.
I instinctively looked away. Coming here was a bad idea. Everything with Ryker in the mix was a bad idea.
“Where is Xavier?” My attention turned to Fabian. He was always with Xavier. And I noticed how he suddenly looked uncomfortable and couldn’t meet my eyes.
“I don’t see my beta.” I turned to face Ryker. We were currently in the halls. My pack members were already digging into the meal that was provided, they had warm blankets on their backs, and I felt relieved.
“Lyra, it’s you,” Ezren and Lief spoke at the same time. They had suddenly appeared beside Ryker while my attention was on my pack members.
“Hmm,” I gave them a slight nod and turned my attention back to Ryker with a questioning look.
“There’s been a situation,” He said.
My gaze flickered to Fabian, and my jaw hardened suddenly. “Is he dead?” My voice was cold like frost, and my eyes sharpened instinctively.
“No,” came Ryker’s short reply. I noticed his jawline hardened too, like he was barely restraining himself.
“Then he’s been taken.” I spat coldly.
Ryker nodded. “Yes.”
I gave a short nod and exhaled loudly.
“Alpha, you need to rest. You’ve barely slept, and you’ve barely eaten.” Reed spoke and stepped closer.
Lyra didn’t blink. “I’m not resting until Xavier is here,” I answered.
“Take me there,” I turned to Fabian and was almost out the door when I suddenly felt knocked by a dizzy sensation.
Someone caught my elbow, and that was all I remembered.
The next morning, after grabbing something to eat, I marched to the halls where Ryker and his Alphas were gathered, in addition to the council and other pack leaders and Alphas alike. There were lots of people—each leader from various packs.
The moment I approached, they stopped mid-conversation and stared at me. I wasn’t new to this. Only this time, I wasn’t at the bottom of the fucking food chain.
Ryker changed positions and stood beside me, and made contact while looking at my face.
What was his deal?
This guy still hadn’t changed. Walking up to me and staring me down like he owned me. Again.
From the corner of my eye, I could see a few of my warriors who were in the room frown slightly. Their eyes held questions, and I knew that soon enough, they would come to know about Ryker and me.
“You should be resting.” He murmured, moving closer and rubbing his fingers against mine slightly.
“I’m done resting,” I answered. “What’s the plan?” He seemed to be lost and comfortable with just staring and feeling my fingers. Maybe he liked the idea of electricity jolting through both of us at intervals until Ezren cleared his throat. “We’re considering a forward assault. The Lycan camp is fortified, but if we strike from the eastern ridge—”
“Why?” I cut in, not taking my eyes off Ryker. We were still in some sort of a glaring match.
“There’s a barrier,” Lief added. “Magic. We can’t breach it.”
“Then why are you still here?”
The room became silent. Perhaps it was due to the shock of having a woman in their strategy room or a woman Alpha.
“We’re strategizing.” Ryker finally spoke, moving closer to me. Not caring what anybody thought.
Lyra looked at him. “While my beta is held captive or worse, dead?”
Ryker’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t stop staring at me. ”You’ve changed, Lyra.”
I looked at him for a full minute, then turned my attention to my men. “Take me to the barrier. NOW!!!”
And I walked away from the table—the men—Ryker.