“Uh-uh. Trust me, I’ve tried, Ly.”
Suddenly, there was a certain interruption.
The restaurant suddenly went quiet as two men walked into the place, two men whose presence screamed power. They had the built of guards with faces as hard as rocks. I recognized them in an instant. They had been with Jaris yesterday.
My heart skipped a beat. Was it a coincidence that they were walking towards our table?
“Uh… Do those guys think we have an extra seat here or something?” Jace asked, watching with suspicion.
The two men finally came to a stop before us.
“A warm morning to you, Ms. Harper,” the first one spoke. He looked kinder than the other. “We’re deeply sorry we have to interrupt this moment, but we’ll need you to come with us.”
Huh?
“Do I know you? Jace asked, squinting up at them. “Wait, are you with one of those cults that sells essential oils? Because if you are, we’re gonna have to pass-our pyramid scheme plate is already full.”
The first man ignored him and kept his eyes on me.
“Why?” I demanded.
“Alpha Jaris seeks an audience.”
The name affected me to my core.
Wow. Was he finally ready to see me? Maybe he wanted to finally accept the contract? But shouldn’t they have reached out to father first?
“Why does he want to see me?” I looked up at them.
“You’ll have to come with us to get an answer to that question, Ms.”
My hand tightened around my fork.
No. I’d already made up my mind on what I needed to do. I was going back to Draconis, back to my normal life. I was done with the people here.
My jaw tightening, I forced the words out. “I’m sorry, but I’m not seeing him. You can tell him I’ve changed my mind.”
LYRIC
The men stared at me, like I’d just told them the moon was made of cheese.
“What did you say?” The second man spoke for the first time. He was the grumpiest between the two.
“I’m sorry,” I dropped my eyes. “But I really don’t want to see him.”
“Are you telling us to deliver a message to Alpha Jaris? You expect us to tell him you refused to honor his request?” The second man, asked, stepping closer.
Okay, I’ll admit it. He was handsome-if “handsome” meant looking like you wrestled mountains for fun-but he was intimidating as hell.
“Hey, I’m sure she was clear enough,” Jace spoke up before I could. “Why don’t you tell your Alpha to send chocolates or flowers next time? Girls love those stuff.”
But the men didn’t look like they were there for jokes.
“You’re coming with us. This instant,” the second man said in a tone that brooked no room for further argument.
But I wasn’t changing my mind.
To my shock, he grabbed my hand, though, to be fair, his touch was surprisingly gentle for a guy who looked like he could crush boulders.
“Hey! Get that hand off her!” Jace shot up so fast he nearly knocked off his chair.
No. No. I didn’t like where this was headed.
“Why don’t you stay out of this, Mr. whoever-you-have? This is no business of yours.” The second man grumped. He was too rude, unlike the first man.
“That’s where you’re wrong. She’s my bestfriend, so it’s my fucking business.”
“Kael,” the first man called, tapping his partner on the shoulder.
Kael. So, that was his name.
But Kael didn’t seem like he was done. Whoever he was, he had serious temper issues.
He remained focused on Jace. “If you don’t step back this instant, I’ll make you regret it.”
“What happens if I step forward, then? Do I get a gift card?” Jace took a step toward him.
I stood up, trying to defuse the situation, but it was too late. Kael swung, landing a clean punch to Jace’s jaw,
And right there, the two men got engaged in a heated brawl.
They threw punches at each other, crashing over tables, breaking cups, flower vases and important items.
The restaurant turned into a full room circus. It took the intervention of stronger men to be able to pull them apart. Kael’s partner held him firmly when they were separated while I did same to Jace.
“We’re leaving!” Kael’s partner angrily said, and it wasn’t a suggestion.
“This isn’t over!” Kael spat out, wiping off blood from his lips with the back of his hand.
Jace wasn’t in a better state.
Fortunately, they left.
“Are you alright?” I turned quickly to Jace, holding his face.
“I’m fine. Just tell me my nose is still cute. Is my nose still cute, Lyric?” He looked genuinely worried.
Geez, it was difficult staying angry around Jace, even when you’re aware that your situation just got fucked.
JARIS
I’d just finished from an intense meeting with the elders and retired to my room to get changed.
I found Marta in when I arrived, seated on my bed.
My spirits dampened. “You don’t get to come in here without my permission, Marta. I thought I’d made that clear enough?”
“I’m sorry,” she rose from the bed. “I just had sc
Not asking what it was, I ambled to the table w to share and wanted to wait for you.”
“Aren’t you… curious to know what the good news is?”
I could tell she was hurt from her tone. of wine.
“When were you going to tell me the truth?” I asked instead, my back still turned to her. “The truth that someone else had treated Xylon, not you?”
When she said nothing, I turned around to see her looking pale.
“Uh…” she cleared her throat. “What’re you talking about, Jaris?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.