Chapter 6: DEER DRAMA AND DINNER DITCHES

LYRA'S POV

My whole world tilted as I stared at the man who had saved my son. The rush of painful memories I had tried so hard to bury slammed into me like a tidal wave. I nearly lost my balance, but Thorne was quick— steadier than ever— his arms reaching out just in time to hold me firmly by his side.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

I gave a small nod, though my mind was still spinning. I hadn't even begun to process the situation.

"Thank you," I muttered, fully aware of how humiliating it would've been if I had collapsed on that floor.

"My pleasure," he replied with a grin— one so warm and disarming it almost made me forget the tension thick in the air.

Carefully, I stepped away from Thorne, creating a bit of distance without seeming rude. Only then did I fully acknowledge Duncan.

"Alpha Duncan," I greeted with a perfectly measured smile. "It's quite unfortunate we had to meet under such circumstances because I, uh, I..." Lying was never my strength, and right now it was failing me miserably.

"What she means," Thorne interjected smoothly, "is that she has prior commitments. But your efforts in helping locate our son are truly appreciated."

I breathed out, relieved. Thorne, ever my silent shield, came to my rescue once again.

I quickly took Ryan by the hand and sent him off with the guards toward the packhouse.

"I’ll see you later, Alpha Duncan," I said, already turning away.

"Would you consider joining me for dinner tomorrow? A gesture of appreciation," he added, his voice stopping me mid-step.

I paused only for a moment. If there was one thing I had grown to despise over the past years, it was being in the same room with Alpha Duncan Smith.

"I'll think about it," I replied without turning back. I left the staff office. Their voices faded behind me, but I caught enough.

"She won't be able to make it. She already has something planned for that time tomorrow," Thorne said in my defense. His words made me feel appreciated— cared for— and that alone meant everything.

"Well," Duncan replied coolly, "I think it’s up to the Alpha to decide whether or not she cancels her schedule."

He hadn’t changed one bit. Still arrogant. Still entitled. The very idea that I would drop everything for him was as absurd as ever.

Truthfully, I had no memory of planning anything for tomorrow, so I knew Thorne had only said that to protect me. And for that, I was thankful.

When I got to the packhouse, I found Ryan in the living room watching TV.

"Ryan," I called softly.

"Yes, mummy?" he looked at me, his eyes bright. I crouched to his level, taking his small hand in mine.

"Why did you pull such a stunt today, son? You had me and everyone else worried sick."

"I’m sorry, mum, but I was just testing my powers. They’re really cool!" he said, and his excitement made me smile in spite of myself.

For a fleeting second, I longed to be a child again— to live like Ryan did, carefree and joyful. But that thought faded quickly. I had no memory of my parents. I didn’t even know what they looked like. No amount of fantasizing could give me the childhood Ryan had, but I would make sure he never had mine.

"I understand, honey. But you know you could’ve gotten lost. If someone hadn’t found you…" My voice broke, and a tear slipped down my cheek. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.

"It’s okay, Mama. Don’t cry," Ryan said gently, wiping my tear. "I was saved today— and I was hunting a deer. A really big deer."

"Oh, a big one, huh? Did you kill it?" I asked, humoring him.

He shook his head. "The stranger did. I was going to fight him for it, but he outsmarted me."

"How so?" I asked, chuckling.

"There were so many of them! And he said he killed it so it was his." Ryan pouted.

"Let me get this straight. He said he killed it, or he really did kill it?" I asked. I saw his face fall.

"I would’ve killed it if they hadn’t been there," he muttered. His disappointment was genuine, and though the idea of a four-year-old hunting deer was... questionable, I didn’t have the heart to crush his spirit.

"How about we focus on something else besides deer hunting?"

"Like what?"

"You could go fishing with Uncle Thorne tomorrow. I hear it’s really fun." I looked at him with hopeful eyes, praying he'd take the bait instead of wandering into the woods again.

"It is fun. I went with Uncle Thorne last Christmas," he replied, then added seriously, "but it wouldn’t be ice fishing if I go tomorrow."

"Why not?" I asked, momentarily confused.

"Because there’s no ice, it’s summer," he stated matter-of-factly.

"I get that, sweetheart, but fishing is still fun— ice or not."

"Okay, mummy." I kissed both his cheeks and was just heading upstairs when the doorbell rang.

Ryan jumped from the couch and raced to the door before I could even ask who it was. Clearly, I still needed to teach him about that.

"Uncle Thorne!" Ryan beamed. "Mum said you’d take me fishing tomorrow!" I palmed my face as Thorne stood at the door, clearly caught off guard by the setup I’d landed him in.

"Go upstairs, Ryan. I need to talk to Uncle Thorne for a moment," I said, stepping forward.

"Okay, mummy." I waited until he was out of earshot before approaching Thorne.

"Did you get rid of him?" I asked, exasperated— referring to Duncan, of course.

"Yeah," Thorne nodded, "but I can’t say the same about the thing he brought." He opened the door wider, revealing a large, lifeless deer on my porch.

"I tried to get rid of it," he added, raising his hands in surrender.

"I understand," I sighed.

Before I could say more, Ryan came bounding downstairs again.

"Is that my deer?" he asked excitedly.

"It sure is. Wanna find out what it tastes like?" Thorne asked.

"Yes!" Ryan exclaimed.

I let out a breath of relief as Thorne hoisted the deer and the two of them headed away. I still had to get a grip on myself and, hopefully, avoid any more encounters with Duncan. Honestly, I might just skip his dinner altogether.