Chapter 22

Kieran POV

I had to adjust myself before heading down to the dining table. My father, his beta, and Lyra were already seated without me.

“Apple stew?” I was shocked that someone actually made this. No one makes better apple stew than my late mother. 

I ate in silence as we all did; my father didn’t say a word, and I knew why he was doing this. He didn’t want us to talk about Valeria in front of his Beta and Lyra. 

Why would I talk about a woman I don’t love?

After the meal, Lyra went to bed and didn’t say a word to me. She dozed off in my arms, and I woke up in the morning to discover that she wasn’t in bed with me. 

“Lyra,” I called her name, but heard no response. 

I got up from bed, stretched out my arms, and got into the washroom,m but she wasn’t there. I wondered if she had left the house.  

I was surprised to see her running back into the house through the front gate. She went for an early morning run to wherever, and she got me worried at some point.

Lyra has never woken up to go out for a run, so what’s making her do this now?.

“Hey, darli, ng.” She was panting profusely when she walked in, startled to see me standing by the window. 

“You left without saying a word,” I demanded to know why she would do that when she knows that it’s not safe out there. I have enemies, and if they can’t get to me, they can get to people close to me. I don’t want Lyra to be a victim in my battles. 

“Yes, I did because you were fast asleep and you looked like someone who was enjoying the slumber and wouldn’t want to be disturbed,d so I left without saying a word to you. Don’t be mad, I’m back in one piece.” She replied, pulling off her singlet in my presence. 

“When did you start going for early morning runs? It’s unheard. Besides,  as you and I know, the pack doesn’t sit well with you roaming around.” 

“It’s none of my concern. I need to bathe and go down for breakfast. We’re going to the office today, right?” She changed the topics immediately, standing fully naked in the middle of my room. 

“I’d like to go meet Judge Johnson so he’ll speak to the land owners on my behalf and get a fair price.” I knew what the plan was, but she wasn’t willing to agree to it. 

“I thought were the one speaking to them.” She retorts, holding her hair in her hands. She styled it into a ponytail. 

“With Judge Johnson, we have a better chance at striking a good bargain.” I undressed right before her as well and watched her stand in shock as she stared at my thick abs. 

“I can make a good…”

“Trust me on this one, we need Judge Johnson, and that’s the path we’ll follow. Is that understood?” I asked,d but she failed to respond.

I sauntered into the washroom for my bath, leaving her inside the bedroom. While standing under the shower, I felt her hands wrapping around me. 

She washed my body herself and even helped rinse me off,ff but deep down I knew why she did that, but I wanted her to beg for it. As soon as she rinsed me off, I walked past her back into the room with a towel in hand. 

“You wouldn’t…”

“We’ve got work to do, remember. So take care of yourself.” I replied and closed the door. 

She wants me, yet she can beg for it. I want her to submit to me. It’s a contract, but I like my woman submissive,e and Lyra was, but I don’t know what changed within two days of her absence. 

I waited for her before getting dressed. I picked out my outfit and was shocked to see how she was going to style out her own outfit. 

“Since you’re wearing blue today, I’d wear white, and if the reporters follow us to the courtroom, then I’ll look into their eyes and give them that middle finger because they deserve it.” She wore a wide smile on her face as she dried off her hair before jumping on my body. 

“You’re suddenly not scared of it?” I chuckled softly while she kissed me before replying.; 

“Yes, because you’re there to protect me and you’ve got able-bodied men to hold it out for us.”

“Alright, let’s get dressed then.” I watched her wear her white dres. I have planned a surprise shopping spree after our day at the office today, but before that, we have to go see the judge. 

I helped with the hooks of her bra and the zip of her dress, staring at the marching outfit. Her dress had this blue design around it,t so it matched with my white trousers and blue shirt. 

She styled this outfit to match mine. I was impressed. I got on my left knee to help with her heels. 

“I think we’re all set.” She picked up her purse and her phone and held my hand, leading me out of the room.

My father was the only one at the table, and he looked shocked to see our outfit. 

“What are we celebrating,g son? You don’t dress this way with Valer Ia,  and this befits your standards, and to think that you did this without the stylist.”

“We got it handled, sir.”

“I wasn’t speaking to you, Lyra.” My father lashed out at her, then turned his back to his meal in front of him. 

“Fathwee’re going to meet Judge Johnson to have an upper hand for the land in question?”

“What about breakfast?” He pointed to the plates covered for both of us. 

She declined breakfast because of my father’s act, and I had to support her on this one. 

“We can get a meal on our way, Father. You don’t need to worry about it.” On that note, we left the house and got into the SUV. 

“Your father’s angry at me,emed I don’t know why.” She let out the moment we were outside the gates. 

“He’s like that sometimes, bitter and rude. You have to understand him to tolerate his words at times.”

“I hope it doesn’t become too frequent.” She expressed her dissatisfaction, drawing closer to me to rest her head on my chest. 

“Do you think Judge Johnson would agree to help you out?” She asked a valid question, undermining my authority and at the same time putting that old man above me. Only if she knows that I’ve got him in my palms. 

“He doesn’t have a choice; he owes me one favor, and I intend to use it now.” I chuckled as she pulled out my phone and tablet. It was obstructing her from resting well. 

“Let’s see how the results would be then.” She sighed as my phone started ringing, dragging out attention. 

“Your mistress is calling.” She laughed it off like it was a joke to her. 

“Let her. When she’s tired of calling, she’ll stop,” I commanded while she held the phone in her hand for about a minute. 

“You can do this.” She answered the call and returned it to its former place. 

“Hello, Kiera,n are you there? Talk to me and stop being silent. Hello.”