I felt I’d already pissed Jaris off enough and news like this would really tip the scales. But thankfully by some
I took a deep quiet breath.
“What is going on with you two? What aren’t you done with?” Jaris snapped, getting in my face.
Good Moon. Now, I have to deal with this.
“It’s-It’s nothing.”
Staring into his face, all I could see was irritation.
“Lyric Harper, who exactly are you?” His voice was colder than an Arctic breeze. “Do you really have this much complications with men? Will I have issues with my Luna always found flirting with men?”
“No!” My voice was near a shout. By the moon, I hate it when he implies that I’m loose. “I promise you, it’s not what you think. I’m not like that.”
Gods, it hurt. It hurts to have to defend myself against such absurd accusations.
“Are you sure about that? Because so far, I’ve been dealing with the men in your life. Just three days ago, you were dancing almost naked in a club with men who you let romance you as they please. Then, you got followed by two men whose clear intentions were to force themselves on you. Yet, when I saved you, you were furious like I’d interrupted something good. And now, today, I’ve had to deal with-how many is it?”
I wanted to scream. It was too much to take in.
“Okay, first; I was never naked to the club. I didn’t know I had to watch my dress sense since I was still very much single. Secondly, I’m telling you, I have nothing with these men.”
“Then, explain Roderick to me at least.”
“It’s… It’s complicated!”
I sighed. Goodness, it was really complicated. He’d get really mad if I told him I was still bonded to Roderick. It might be considered a breach of contract and I could get locked up for real.
What have I gotten myself into?
His jaw drew tight. “You disobeyed me today when you left my chauffeur hanging.”
I forced myself not to roll my eyes. “I told Kael over the phone. I wanted to go with my father.”
“I don’t take lightly to disobedience, Lyric.” He stepped toward me. “And tonight, you’ll understand how dire the consequences of your actions can be. Tonight, I’ll punish you; make you feel hurt deep in the bones. Tonight, you’ll learn never to disobey me. Ever again.”
My lips were dropped open in shock as I watched him speak. His eyes looked so threatening, and it didn’t sound like they were empty threats. He was going to hurt me… tonight.
LYRIC
When he turned to leave, I took off in a pursuit. “Fine! Let’s talk.”
But he didn’t break his stride or spare me a glance.
Damnit. All he made were threats and I was already losing my mind.
“Okay, I’m sorry. Alright? I was just pissed over what happened with the guy from the club. And-And the fact that I couldn’t terminate the contract. I felt tricked. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.”
But he still didn’t look at me. Damn him, he was as hard as rock.
Reaching the entrance of the hall, he went in without sparing as little as a glance at me. And in that moment, I knew I was fucked.
I couldn’t enjoy a thing from the rest of the funeral. All I wanted was for it to come to an end so I could run to my hotel.
Or maybe I could go now. That way, I’d get to escape whatever Jaris had planned for me.
Yet, a part of me was still scared to leave without his knowledge or permission or something.
The rumors were not complete. Jaris was a big time manipulator. Knew how to mess with people’s heads.
I kept my eyes on him all through the party, watching how detached he was from everyone he met.
He looked so different from the man I’d slept with five years ago. Had he simply pretended that night to get me to his bed? What went wrong?
JARIS
Fear was one of the most effective forms of punishment.
I knew that was what Lyric was experiencing, and it brought me a strange sense of satisfaction. And I wasn’t even done with her.
No one had ever disobeyed me. I wasn’t about to let her make a habit of it.
I could feel her eyes on me, following my every move like a hawk. If we weren’t in a public gathering, I was sure she’d have run after me.
My blissful moment was soon interrupted by the arrival of two unpleasant guests.
Zarek and Chloe.
They were holding hands, trying to wear their perfect smiles as they walked toward me.
Zarek Callahan. Alpha of one of the top ten ranking Packs.
On a normal day, we weren’t supposed to have any problems. But the issues between Zarek and I were beyond personal. “Jaris,” he gave a curt nod.
I said nothing, sipping from my glass. After all, there were other Alphas he could talk to beside me.
“How have you been, Jaris? I assume the news of the King’s death must have hit you really hard.” He continued talking. Now, I was irritated.
“Thaddeus was not my personal King. He was a king to every one of us.”
As soon as I spoke, the smile Chloe had been forcing on her face vanished.
The pain was there, very clear now.
I couldn’t believe that after five years ago, she still hadn’t gotten over it.
“You’re right.” Zarek nodded. “He was a king to us all. Tell me, who do you think is fit to replace him?”
I chuckled.
Oh, truly, it was admirable. How hard he was trying to act normal like he still wasn’t pissed about the fact that his current mate hadn’t chosen me over him.
Five years ago, Chloe had been madly in love with me, despite knowing I had no intention of being with her.
We only had sex for one night, and she didn’t want to let me go. She rejected Zarek who was in love with her, just so she could be with me. She hoped that someday, I’d get to choose her.
But in the end, I had to force her to leave. I wasn’t interested in keeping a woman.
Since then, Zarek had been furious with me for bedding the girl he loved. But I still couldn’t understand how it was any fault of mine. In my defense, yes he loved her, but she didn’t love him and wanted me. Besides, they weren’t mated yet.
“I am sure there are many more people that would be delighted to have that conversation with you, Zarek.” I emptied the wine in my glass. For me, I totally have no interest.”
Setting the glass down, I walked away
If there was a good thing about me, it was how accurate my instincts could be sometimes. Something in me told me that Ittle scared Lyric would want to run for the heels after my threat.
So, she wasn’t the only one who kept an eye out for me. I did the same. And the moment I realized she was missing, I left the hall
It didn’t take me long to find her scurrying toward the direction of the gate.
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.