MasukZANE Lyra’s face drops at the question. Every last drop of emotion in her eyes disappear. “That won't happen,” she grinds out instantly. It’s not an answer… certainly not the one I wanted to hear. So I say the words that have been on my mind for so long. “Lyra, have you ever given any thought to the idea that we might be fated?" She stares at me, like she is trying to decide if I am joking. Then she releases bitter laugh. "We're not." Gods, her blunt refusal hurts more than that wolfsbane-laced dagger in my chest. My voice is much lower, barely a whisper as I ask, "How do you know?” "Lycans don't get fated mates," she shrugs like it is nothing, yet the words hit like me a blow. Because it makes no sense. If lycans don't get mates. If we aren't fated... then why does my body scream for her in a way it never has for anyone else. Why does she calm me in a way that no one else ever has? Why can she enter my shield? No, she is wrong. She has to be wrong. "How sure ar
Zane I just stare at her. Journal. She just said journal. “How on Earth do you—” The words catch, sticking in my throat as I shake my head. Did she really know? Not just about the relic. Or history. About everything? How is that even possible? My pulse slams in my ears, and I cannot keep the edge out of my voice. “Lyra. How did you…” I exhale slowly, trying to organise my messy thoughts. “You knew? She doesn’t flinch. She does not even look guilty. She simply takes another slow sip of wine and sets the glass down like she has all the time in the world. "Not when you dragged me into the forest on your little fucking mission," she sighs. "But Xander told me the whole history afterwards." I bite back the sudden wave of jealousy at her having such an emotional bonding moment with my cousin. If he shared so much with her, how much did she share with him? Does he know what she is? Are there other secrets between them? Secrets she would not share with me? Gods.
LYRA I can’t sleep. Maybe I slept too much yesterday. Maybe it’s the reminder of getting stabbed. Or maybe it’s the Alpha down the hall who keeps popping into my head like some persistent song I can’t turn off.After tossing and turning for a good two fucking hours, I simply give up and slip out of bed. I peel off my pj’s, leaving them in a bundle on top of my messy bed.After quickly pulling on a workout outfit and tying my hair into a braid, I decide not to put on shoes. The feeling of the cold ground beneath my feet might just help tire me out. Spoiler: it doesn’t. The trees, the soil, the smell of nature. All things that should calm me just… Don't. Finally I just give up, and by the time I circle back, my muscles are looser, but my head is still a mess. I walk down the hall toward my room, not giving a single shit that I’m dragging dirt across the clean floors. But when I pass the living room door — I stop dead. Zane’s sitting on the couch, resting his elbows on hi
ZANE I feel another strange sense of hope expanding in my chest. "Do you know what it is?"Her face crumbles slightly, but she quickly composes herself. A slow exhale leaves her lips as she looks around the office, refusing to meet my eyes. "I do, but before you ask, no, I can’t tell you ."The hope in my chest is immediately replaced with anger. My hands land on my desk as I lean towards her. The wood groans under my grip before I force my hands to loosen. My wolf lunges against my skull, furious at being shut out. At being handled. My power spikes before I drag it back under control.I hate this - being spoken to like a child in a game I do not understand. She flinches, her eyes drop to the floor, and she moves further into the chair. "Why the hell not?" "I can not interfere with fate. I have found loopholes. Ways to reveal what I may, but I can't reveal all.” She sighs again. “You need to find the weapon on your own." I pinch the bridge of my nose, slowly straighten
LYRAThe second I hang up with Alex, I put my phone on silent and sink into the bath like it’s the only place left on earth that makes sense.Lavender oil. Bath salts. A ridiculous pink clay face mask. The whole works. I lay there until my skin is wrinkled and the water turns tepid, pretending the steam can melt away the last twenty-four hours of my life. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t. But I sure as hell feel better.When I finally drag myself out, I smother every inch of me in body butter until I’m slick enough to slip through a locked door.But then my nails catch my attention, and I cringe. By now, they are chipped and dull from all the training, which is completely unacceptable. Perhaps some striking red nails are exactly what I need to get me back into my warrior mindset.It’s mani-pedi time. Maybe a massage. Maybe a full-body wax.Screw it, all of the above.Ellie told me about an entire street of salons in the human city. I’m sure we can find an available one. In fact, we sh
LYRA “Hey,” I breathe out. “Lyra?” His voice changes immediately. “What happened?” Damn him and his magic brotherly spidey-senses. “Uh-uh. No losing your shit,” I cut in, pointing a finger at my phone like he can see me. “I’m not—” “You are. I can hear it. If you want me to say anything, you have to promise you won’t go all big brother on me.” There’s a beat of silence. “You’re not telling me unless I promise?” “Correct.” “Goddess, you’re a pain in the ass.” “And yet, here you are, answering my calls like the loyal brother you are.” He sighs, like he’s already regretting it. “Fine. I promise not to lose my shit.” “And you can’t tell Nova until after the baby’s born.” “What?” “You heard me. She doesn’t need this stress right now.” “Lyra—” “Nope. No Nova until post-baby. Those are my terms. Take them or I hang up and you can spend the next few days wondering if I’m dead in a ditch.” He groans, but it’s more frustration than actual refusal. “You do rea
ZANE The morning light feels wrong, Something in my gut twists, as Lyra consumes my thoughts once again. The way she looked at last night’s gathering. Her family. Damn it… she has probably left with them. Closing my eyes, my thoughts spiral back to the office… Her eyes. Her face. Her moans. Her
LYRAI wake up alone, the morning sun stabbing through the blinds, and my head immediately groans in protest. Great. Just great. The last thing I want is to relive… that moment. My stomach twists as memories of last night flashes through my mind, and I wish - wish - I could crawl under the covers a
LYRA Elara gasps. “Oh. My. Gods.” I raise a brow in the mirror, but I already know what she’s reacting to. Because I look dangerous. The long black dress clings to every curve like it was custom-melted onto my skin. The thin straps barely hold it up, and the back dips so low I might as well
Lyra Zane steps out of the shower, leaving me right there to catch my breath. He wraps a towel around his waist, and rakes his fingers through his wet hair. A single water droplet falls from his hair onto his chest. My eyes trail the drop running down his chest, between his abs, and over that del







