Chapter 167
LYRA’S POV
I patted my hair one last time, staring back at my reflection in the mirror. The lady staring back at me with deep blue eyes looked divine. Exquisitely dressed in a light gold dress that hugged my curves perfectly, with tiny sleeves and a deep cut at the back that plunged all the way to my waistline, leaving my back bare. My hair was tied into a stylish bun with soft curls dropping at the side, and my blue eyes looked almost glassy; you could see right through them. I opted for a lighter makeup.
The party had started hours ago, but I was still in my room. My father’s last question cut through me like knives.
He was right. If I didn’t want Ryker, then who else did I want among those Alphas? The truth is that I had to choose one of them. There was no running away from it. Scratch is running away. That was out of the question. And I couldn’t go back to join my old pack either.
Father had almost exterminated an entire species just because he thought I was dead. What do you think he would do when he found out I had run away from the palace? I didn’t want to think about it. There was no point running. This was my bloodline, my heritage, my home. Besides, there were things I needed to still find out. Like who had been behind my mother’s death. Father was an overprotective person. There is no way he would have entrusted his mate to people he didn’t trust. Since I came here, I learnt no one had survived alongside my mother except one she-wolf. My mother’s hand maiden. Unfortunately, there had been an incident that led to her losing her life. Some story about her not being able to withstand the torture father had repeatedly caused his men to inflict. But I suspected foul play. And whenever there was foul play, you could count Varkas in. That guy was a solid pain in the ass, not to mention that he doesn’t appear to be who we think he is. But I don’t have proof. It’s just a feeling.
Ever since I got to the palace here, I have seen a lot of things. Studied people and Varkas, there seems to be an air around him. He didn’t seem like a beta. He had the air of a powerful Alpha. I have only sensed that aura around him twice when he was not around his father. Not to mention, he has been annoyingly flirtatious. What an ass he was.
I took in a deep breath outside the halls.
“Let’s find out who is interesting enough to pick my fancy. After all, this was a marriage of convenience. Could as well make it one of mutual understanding if I could find one person to level with.
The moment I stepped into the hall, heads turned, and I could hear gasps and murmurs as I walked past the crowd with my head high. Soft harmonica played in the background, and there were people on the dance floor dancing to a contemporary sound infused with modern-day music. It was beautiful.
At the head of the table sat my dad. He had a light twinkle in his eyes, and a small smile curved his lips. I could tell he was seeinghis mother. He never failed to mention that I was a spitting image of my mum. On the table sat the five Alphas who had moved on to the final stage, where they would have to court me, hoping I would give them a chance. Ryker was also among them. He had been staring at me from the moment I stepped into the room,m but I chose to ignore him. Not after the stunt he had pulled last night when Father left us in his study. He had kissed me. What was most shocking was that I had liked it when his lips claimed mine. There was a rush of heat in my veins that made me cling to him shamelessly. Until reality snapped.
I wasn’t going to be falling under some mate bond shit. He had done that one time too many. The mate bond was nothing to Ryker.
“Daughter,” My father’s voice cut through the music as I approached. “I was beginning to wonder when you would grace us with your presence. Your suitors have been waiting, I’m afraid and perhaps tired of keeping an old man company,” He added with a smirk.
The other Alphas and council on the large table smiled and chuckled at his joke.
I smiled calmly in response. “I was a little tired from earlier, and I took a nap but overslept. Forgive me father,” I smiled, then swept my gaze to the Alphas whose attention was fixed on me. “Alphas,” I bowed slightly with a smile on my face. Ryker had been throwing murderous glares at the Alpha,s and he didn’t like the way they were sizing me up. His overprotective glare was making me excited, no, thrilled even. It made me want to push his buttons.
Just you wait, Ryker, I’m going to make you bleed.
“Forgive me for attending the ball so late,” I took a seat by my father’s side, slowly walking past Ryker while meeting the gaze of all the Alphas who were my suitors, assessing them openly. After all, one of them would be my husband. I might as well start taking a look at the merchandise properly.
Then Alpha Casper stood up. His eyes never left mine as he approached. Then he curtsied in front of me and took my hand, then brought it to his lips.
“Would you do me the honour of having the first dance, my lady?” He asked, flashing me a charming smile. I must admit, he was indeed a very handsome man. I was going to refuse again, but when I caught Ryker staring daggers at the back of Alpha Casper’s back, I thought against it.
“What a charmer.” I smiled again, leaning closer to Alpha Casper before standing to my full length. “Of course,”
I swept my gaze over the other Alphas who were looking at Casper enviously. Each of them wished they had asked me first.