“Why did you have to take so long to come home? Roderick was here and ready to take you to the temple. But he got tired of waiting!” She stomped her feet like the spoilt brat that she was.
“Tune it down, Nora. She was with me, don’t forget,” father said, putting a rein on her anger, though she rolled her eyes. “You’d better be home tomorrow. He’ll be here again to take you to the temple.” She huffed. “I wish you were here to see how eager he was to end this silly thing with you.”
“I am just as eager, Nora. You don’t have to worry; I have no intentions of taking back something I rejected.” I turned to leave.
“Drop the illusion, Lyric. He rejected you first.” Nora’s words wounded me, freezing me to the spot.
For a moment, I felt the bitter reminder of a pain I’d been trying to bury.
Without sparing her a glance, I walked away.
***************
JARIS
Xyla and Xylon came over to spend some time with me when they were done with their mother. They simply played with their tabs while I focused on some tasks.
But the whole time, I noticed Xyla was unhappy.
When it was their bedtime, one of their nannies came over to take them to the room.
I pulled Xyla aside. “Is something wrong?”
She remained silent, dropping her gaze to the floor.
“You know you can tell me anything. Do you need something? Anything at all?”
She shook her head. “I am just worried about Xylon.”
“What about him?”
*I’m afraid his crisis will return and no one will be around to help him. For the first time today, someone was able to treat him in minutes. It’d be nice if she could be around more often to help him.”
Someone? “Are you referring to mum?”
She shook her head, then glanced back at the door suspiciously. Xylon and the nanny were waiting outside.
“Mummy told me not to tell you, but I’m worried about Xylon. Mummy wasn’t the one that had taken care of him today,” she revealed, surprising me. “It was one beautiful aunty. She had been wearing a red dress.”
Red dress. My thoughts spun.
Hold on. Alpha Bennett’s daughter!?
LYRIC
I woke up feeling better than I’d slept the previous night. I made a mental calculation of the things I needed to do.
Since father’s union with Darkspire didn’t work out, it was safe for me to return to Draconis, right?
Draconis was a human country. Over there, I had a job, good human friends, and kind neighbours. It was nothing like the chaotic and violent world of the wolves, and I’d very much love to return to it.
I concluded on telling father about it before the end of today. I’ll also end my final mate bond with Roderick, then I’ll be free. My life would go back to being perfect.
My heart was light with joy as I freshened up and decided to drive out for breakfast. Of course, there were tons of food in the house, but I felt like cruising around the Pack-one last time, at least. My father’s pack was quite beautiful.
But just as my car turned onto the street, a ridiculously bright red car swerved right into my lane, nearly slamming into me. I had to stomp on the brakes so hard I thought I’d snap my foot off. The seatbelt yanked me back, saving me from kissing the steering wheel.
Now, who the hell was this blind oof? You’ve got to be kidding me!
The offending car just sat there, far too close to mine, as if daring me to lose my temper. Well, congratulations, buddy-you won. Fury bubbling under my skin, I threw open my door and stomped over, ready to give them a piece of my mind.
“Hey!” I knocked on the tinted window. “What are you doing? You almost hit me!”
I couldn’t see who it was yet, but obviously, it had to be an arrogant, mannerless twerp.
The front door finally opened, and out stepped a man in dark shades, leaning casually against the car like he’d just parked in a VIP spot at the Oscars.
“You’re lucky I didn’t run into you completely, ’cause trust me, that was my intention,” he drawled in a grumpy tone. What? Was he kidding me?
“Are you-” I paused, instantly realizing how familiar he looked.
There was something about his cocky smirk and perfectly messy dark hair that struck a chord.
I furrowed my brows, trying to recall where I’d seen him. And then, like lightning, it struck me.
“Jace!?”
The grin that’ spread across his face could’ve rivaled a toothpaste commercial. He pulled off his shades dramatically, tossing them onto the dashboard like he was auditioning for a rom-com. Then, in the most exaggerated announcer voice, he declared, “Ding-ding-ding! Give the lady a prize! Took you long enough, Lyric. I was beginning to think your memory got fried in the crash that almost happened. Come here!”
Before I could stop myself, I burst into laughter-the kind that makes your stomach hurt-and practically threw myself into his arms.
**********
Jace and I were childhood friends, long before I got my scar. He was the one person who never shied away from me, although at some point, he became inconsistent as he was away to a new country. I was devastated when he left ’cause he had been the one true friend I had left.
We haven’t seen each other in over fifteen years. I was surprised when he could recognize me without my scar. Apparently, Rufus had taken a picture of me at the airport and had it sent to him.
“So, how have you been, Lyric? I haven’t seen you in like, what, thirty years?” Jace said as he locked some whipped cream off his fingers. We were in a cozy little restaurant by the window, sharing breakfast.
“Jace! I’m only twenty-five.” I rolled my eyes at him.
“Alright, fine. But you’ve grown into one beautiful woman, Lyric. Like, literally,” he pointed at my face, making me laugh.
I let my gaze roam over him like I was just seeing him for the first time. “You too, Bee. You’ve grown into a fine young man.”
And I was serious. He has really worked on his body and developed all the abs and…
“Hey, we’re adults now. Stop calling me that name.” He stabbed his finger in the air toward me.
I couldn’t help but laugh. He’d always hated that name.
We talked about so many things, including how Roderick had used and dumped me.
“I swear, if I ever see that slimy Alpha, I’ll rearrange his face,” Jace fumed.
“I’m afraid you can’t. He’s one of the most powerful Alphas now,” I rolled my eyes, although my heart hurt from the truth.
“And my father’s the Lycan Chairman-don’t forget that.”
Well, that also was true. Jace’s father had the power to declare war on a Pack. Apparently, Jace was his heir and would be taking over once his father retires.
But then, there was no need for a war.
“So, have you found someone yet?” I asked a while later, wanting to change the topic.
Jace had always had issues sustaining a relationship with a woman. It was one of the problems I worried about for him.
“Nah. Believe me, Lyric, I’ve tried. I’ve given a lot of bitches too many chances, but it’s just not working out. I don’t know.” He shrugged.
“Maybe it’s because you’re not trying enough. You’re too flirty to stay committed, Jace.”
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.