Chapter 162
THIRD PERSON POV
“When were you planning to tell me?” Xavier looked torn as he stared at Lyra.
He wasn’t the only one. The entire BloodFang pack gathered outside the pack house by the shore. Lyra had called for a meeting. Dimitri had gone to arrange with the army where they were camped. He had been in the Shadow Claw pack for five days, and it was time to leave the North. She had promised to go with him. She didn’t have a choice. There was a throne waiting for her to take; it was not just her birthright but also her duty.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” She sighed and rested her back against one of the jagged rocks. “But, this is something I have no choice but to do.”
“So, you’re just going to leave us?” Reed spoke, and Amaya just glared at her sulkily.
“If there was any other way, I would take it. But you’re in good hands. Xavier already has Alpha Blood—my Blood. Regardless of that, he has the wisdom and strength to lead you properly. As for a pack, we can all agree that the dessert isn’t good for most of the pack. I would speak with Ryker to hand over the rights to my father’s pack—I mean Alpha Damien’s old pack. You can build there and start afresh. It’s a good land, viable and rich, enough for you all to thrive. And you can easily have allies.” She added.
“I don’t want to be Alpha. You are our Alpha,” Xavier growled.
“It is settled, Xavier. I already tendered your name as Alpha to the BloodFang pack to the council.” Her gaze flickered over to Fabian. “Fabian is a good hand; he would make a fine beta.” Then she stopped to look away from the crowd as the wind whipped her hair such that it shielded her face.
She wasn’t usually emotional, but today she was. She didn’t like goodbyes, but unfortunately, this was one that she had to make. They were people, too.
The pack members gathered around her and, one after the other, went in for a hug. They understood it was something she had to do. She was a princess, a soon-to-be Queen. They had no right to tie her to them.
After the tearful goodbye hugs, Xavier walked with Lyra back to the pack house. They had rarely had time to talk since the kiss at the hospital. Lyra had avoided personal discussions since then, knowing Xavier wanted to talk. But now, it wasn’t something she could avoid.
When they got to her room, Lyra began to wonder if coming up here was a good idea.
“Is it true?” He asked.
“Is what true?” She turned to face him. He was staring at her intently.
“You and the Alpha King. Are you both second-chance mates?”
Lyra drew in a deep breath, then exhaled and nodded. “Yes. I found out when we arrived.”
Xavier nodded and took slow steps towards her. “Do you love him?”
“Xavier, that’s not the point.” She started to argue, but Xavier stopped her.
“Tell me you love him, and I will stop. I would kill my feelings for you and let you go.” His voice, earnest.
“Xavier,” She looked at him apologetically.
“I love you.” He whispered close to her lips. They were standing so close, barely separated by a breath. “I’ve loved you from the moment I set my eyes on you,”
“—I don’t know.” She whispered. Stunned at her response. Her beating heart and her inability to come to terms with what she felt for Ryker spoke more volumes than her words.
Then Xavier kissed her, long and hard, like a devotion. Lyra was stunned. Too shocked to react.
“You love him, Lyra. You still do,” Xavier breathed against her lips, then sighed and took a step back.
“I wish we had never come here,” He finally spoke, giving her a painful smile. “Maybe then, you would have been mine.” Then he bowed and walked away.
The moment the door flung open, Ryker stood in the doorway. His eyes were dark with anger, and his face unreadable. For a moment, Lyra thought he was going to lose it, and they would go into another fight. Both men stared at each other for a hot minute. Then Xavier bowed slightly and walked out.
When Xavier left, Ryker walked in and shut the door behind him. His hot gaze remained fixed on Lyra. Same with hers.
Suddenly, he marched towards her with maddening speed. Lyra gasped in surprise.
“What are you doing here—” But her words were swallowed by his lips. Hot, possessive and demanding.
“Ryker,” She moaned his name in his lips, and it made him deepen the kiss even more, until they were both out of breath.
“What are you doing?” She gasped in shock.
“Erasing his trace from your lips.” He kissed her again, lifting her in his arms before moving to the bed. Their hands were hurried. Neither stopping to rip their clothes off before seeking the warmth of their bodies.
They both lay spent and exhausted. But Ryker was alert. His gaze was sharp as he stroked her hair and took in her features.
“When were you going to tell me you were leaving?” His voice was low, and she stirred.
“It shouldn’t matter to you.” She got up from the bed and walked towards the window. It gave her a view of a part of the pack house.
“You are my mate, Lyra. It should matter,” He sounded angry. Then Lyra stopped to face him. “That’s convenient,” She hissed. “We should reject each other for good this time.”
“Don’t you dare, Lyra, I’m not accepting your rejection,” Ryker growled. His eyes narrowed as he watched her every move.
“I told you it was just sex, didn’t I?” She tossed her hair back and turned away from the window.
“It wasn’t just sex for me, Lyra. I love you.” His voice was hoarse from emotion.
“I don’t care,” She roared.
“Do whatever you want. But I am not leaving you. Not now, not ever. You are mine, and I am yours, forever.” His jaw tightened as he pulled up his pants and stormed out of her room.