Chapter Five

Lyra’s POV

Heavy, ragged breaths escaped from my lips as Randall plopped by my side after several hours of intense sex. 

I'd say it was the best that I'd ever had but it was my first. I had vowed that no man would touch me except for my mate, but right now, I couldn't tell if Randall was the right man, given that he had already rejected me. 

I rolled over to my side to stare at his strong arms, which had held me firmly as he ploughed into me, sending me into ecstasy as several orgasms rippled through me. 

I even lost count of how many. 

I traced my eyes from his arms to his perfect body– his well-chiselled chest and rock-hard abs that begged to be touched and his handsome face, more handsome than any man I had ever set eyes on. 

I yearned to touch him, to plant kisses on his chest and just let my emotions free, but as I stuck out a hand, I paused, and gently let it fall back onto the bed, fearing what he would do, seeing how much he hated me. 

“Would he ever forgive my father for a crime he didn't even commit?” I wondered, still harbouring hopes that we could be together. 

Yes, he had already rejected me but our bond remained untouched. His wolf called out to mine each time we got close. Perhaps, there could still be a chance for us?

With another deep sigh, I finally tried to reach out to him, but before my hand could rest on his chest, he quickly sat up and turned sharply to me. 

Cold. Detached. There were no better words to describe the look on his face as he turned the other way and rose to his feet. 

He hurriedly put on his clothes as if nothing had happened. Then he turned to me, almost expressionless. 

“Are you alright?” I asked. 

He scoffed and began walking to the door only to abruptly stop as if he remembered something. 

“For the record, this meant nothing to me,” he remarked bluntly. 

“No word of it can be heard by anyone outside this room or else, I'll make you pay for it,” he warned. 

His words sliced into me like a hot knife through butter, shedding every glimmer of hope that I harboured concerning us. 

I parted my lips to respond but he put out a hand and stopped me, glowering at me with widened eyes. 

“This was a mistake. It should never have happened. You seduced me. That's all,” he said, absolving himself of any part in the matter. 

“Is that so?” I chuckled sadly. 

“Maybe you should learn to have better control then,” I retorted, my insides burning with untamed rage.

His jaw clenched as he straightened, taken aback by my words. Then he drew closer to me, his eyes narrowing as he pointed a finger at my face. 

“That was my wolf, not me,” he drawled. “And he's the only reason why I didn't toss you away like the trash that you are.”

He paused a little and then smiled. “But I must admit, the sex was good. Maybe a little too good for a virgin like you,” he said. “Knowing your father, I didn't think you'd be a virgin. Maybe you're actually a bit more decent than he is.”

If I could, I'd have smacked the hell out of his cheek but all I could do was watch as he spat those words like I was truly a piece of filth that he could use and toss to the side. 

My lips slightly parted in shock as he turned and headed to the door. Pulling the knob, he returned his gaze at me and added, “You must always remember what you are, Lyra. Just a means to an end. Nothing else.”

And with that he left the room, slamming the door as he walked away. 

I fell back on my bed with both my hands behind my head, drenching my sheets with my tears. 

The pain of his rejection stung my chest even harder than the one I felt back in the dungeon where I was tied up like a criminal. 

The way he looked at me, the disgust in his eyes as he shook his head before he turned to leave… 

They flashed in my head almost at the same time, bringing with them waves of regret for offering myself to him on a platter. 

“Damn!” I yelled, grabbing one of the pillows and tossing it to the wall behind my table. 

I pulled on my bedsheets like they were the enemy, like it was their fault that Randall couldn't love me back. 

Suddenly, my door was forced open and Susan strutted into my room. She glanced around the room for a few seconds, seemingly amused, with her hands on her waist.

“Why are you here?” I asked, my face twisting into a deeper frown. “Could you not knock before coming in?”

“Knock?” She chuckled, shaking her head as she stared disdainfully at me. “You're a maid, remember? You should be thankful that I still let you stay in this place.”

I stood from the bed and walked over to her, staring at her with a steely resolve. If she wanted trouble, I was prepared to give it to her. 

“Calm down, young lady. You should get used to being told what to do,” she softly said, placing her left hand on the table. 

“But that's not why I'm here.” A smile sprouted on her face for a few seconds before her visage turned straight. 

“I only came here to tell you that I'm not your enemy. At least, not yet. And this tension between us… I'd prefer it didn't exist.. “

I stared at her, puzzled, struggling to believe a word that she said. “Is that so?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Look, I have my plans. I've had them long before you stepped foot into this pack, and this closeness of yours with Randall might get in the way,” she said, licking her lower lip.

“I don't like it when people get in my way so I only came here to ask you nicely to stay out of my business or else…”

She paused, leaning closer to me, her tone low and dangerous. “Or else, I think I might need to make your life more miserable than what Randall would do to your murderous father. We wouldn't want that now, would we?”

That was all it took to set my heart burning. I gritted my teeth, balling my hands into fists and shot her a warning glare. 

“My father is not a murderer!” I retorted through ragged breaths. “I won't stand here and let you talk about him in that manner.”

“Would you rather sit, then?” She sneered, pointing a finger at my forehead but I quickly slapped it away.

Her response was instant.

A hard slap landed on my right cheek, stinging it so hard that my ears rang, sending a wave of pain through my entire being as I let out a yelp. 

“How dare you lay your filthy finger on me?” She growled, as I stared at her wide-eyed. 

My left hand rested on my cheek as I reeled from the pain, my heart racing as she glared at me menacingly. 

“Oh, you're going to regret this. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be sorry,” she vowed. 

As she raised her hand to hit me again, the door swung open and Susan immediately began to sob, pointing her finger at me. 

“She hit me. This bitch hit me!” She cried as Randall watched from behind the door.