Chapter 11: What exactly was it about Lyra...

CAELAN’S POV

The moment Lyra and I were alone, I turned away, my back to her.

There was a long silence followed by an awkward shuffling of her feet before she spoke. Her voice sent that familiar calm sensation over me.

“You called for me.” She said

I nodded.

“I got a report from the leader of the warriors. You interrupted a training session.” I accused

There was a small snort before she replied. “Interrupted is not a word I would use for what happened.”

“Then why were you there?” I asked.

“I was curious.”

With raised brows, I turned around. “Curious?”

She nodded. “I wanted to see the warriors train. I was excited.”

“I see,” I said. “Is there a reason why that excited you?”

Lyra pursed her lips, her cheeks reddening softly. I felt a tiny sting of annoyance.

“Did you by any chance find a man to give you attention?” I asked again.

I found myself taking a step towards her. My body begged her to answer the question as a feeling I could not name stirred up in me.

“I beg your pardon?” Lyra frowned, her gaze narrowing against me. “Are you trying to imply that I am throwing myself at one of your men?”

I didn't answer; instead, I asked another question.

“Why were you suddenly flustered when I asked for a reason why you went to the training grounds?”

She scoffed. “I was not flustered.”

“You were.” I replied,

“I was only ashamed to talk about my interest in the training,” she replied, her fists clenched at her side. “I can assure you I have no desire to be with any rogue.”

Anger sliced through me at her words. While I was satisfied that she had no desire to be any man in the pack, I felt her words insult me. Even though I was the rogue king, the strongest of all the rogues, I was still a rogue myself.

And the way she spoke, it was almost as if she didn't see us as a part of the realm. Like we were worthless.

“Do you think you are better than everyone here?” I asked

“What?” She was obviously confused from the way she threw her head back in surprise.

“I said, do you think because you were not exiled that makes you better than us?” I snapped.

“I—no, that's not what I mean.” She replied quickly.

“What do you mean?” I closed the gap between us.

She shook her head. “I was just trying to tell you I have no desire to be with any man.”

Fear crossed her face. She was scared.

She had every right to be. I was furious.

My blood raged, and I clamped my teeth together, trying to hold in my anger.

She stepped back, but I followed. Soon, I had her back against the wall, caged with nowhere to go.

“I didn't know it would make you so angry.” She said.

But my mind has already begun to run off on a different track. I began to notice every little detail, the soft shine on her skin, her wide innocent eyes that pleaded with me.

I was weak against those.

And then, there was the way she kept biting her lower lip in distress, making it pop, with a small hint of saliva.

I could feel the desire pulse in me.

“Lyra?” I called softly.

“Yes?” She whispered.

I pulled her against me, my hand against her waist.

She gasped, wriggling.

“Stay put,” I said harshly.

For some reason, she didn't fight back.

“Everyone calls you the King. But I want to know your name.”

My lips curled in a small smile.

“Caelan,” I said.

“Caelan.” With a soft whisper, she relaxed against my hold, and I pressed her against me, allowing her to feel every bit of me, my desire.

This was something I had never done before.

The emotions, the feel of her against my skin, all of it. It felt so strange yet exciting.

And I wanted to explore it.

I was the king. I had the power to do what I wanted.

I dipped my head, my eyes locked on hers.

Lyra’s lips parted slightly, her head tilted upward as if she was waiting for our lips to seal.

I was close, almost there. I could already taste the sweetness even before our lips touched, the tingles.

Just as I was about to seal the kiss, a thought popped into my head.

“You don't deserve her. You are pure evil. You will destroy her.”

I backed away quickly, letting Lyra go.

She looked at me in surprise, her eyes confused as she bit her lips again.

I groaned and swallowed hard.

Fighting my desires, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, trying to pull myself together.

“Leave.” I said

“What?” She looked more confused than before.

“I said leave. I do not want to see you any more.” I repeated.

Lyra barked out a bitter laugh. “Was that a test to prove that I am not better than anyone here?”

I was amazed at how she came to such a conclusion, but I didn’t try to correct her. Instead, I walked to the window and looked at the view beyond it.

She didn't say another word; the next thing I heard was the door closing behind her as she left.

“Fuck!” I swore roughly

How could I have let that happen so easily? It was almost as if I had no control over my own body.

What exactly was it about Lyra that made me act and feel so different and alive?

This was not good. Whatever it was that kept pulling me to her, I needed to put an end to it before it became a problem I couldn't control.

It was bad enough that my pack had their reservations towards Lyra; the last thing I would want was for them to hate her completely due to my selfish interests.

Besides, I could never have her. Not with the kind of things I had done in the past.

There was a reason many Alphas trembled at the mere sound of my name, and that fear was achieved with more than just threats.

Blood was spilled.

Lyra wouldn't be able to bear that. She was too innocent for me. And maybe it was better if I left it at that.