Chapter 19 — Meant to Find Him

~ LYRA ~

Everything is so freaking surreal.

I release a soft sigh, shoving the last of my clothing into my bag.

I woke with an unusual daze on the couch. At first, I hadn’t known how I’d gotten there, but then as I came to, I began to remember bits and pieces of what had occurred. I'd immediately rose and went in search of Ronan, only to be hit with another surprise.

Ronan and Silas were together—and they were being civil to each other. The truth is, I’d initially walked into the office braced for war, so when I found both of them talking amicably, without a gun in sight, I saw it as an omen that positive things were yet to come. It was like a ray of sunshine finally breaking through intense clouds.

I’d settled into the chair in Silas’s office and gotten a few snippets of truth as both men gave me their undivided attention while they explained to me that my father was a werewolf who’d abandoned my mother early in her pregnancy. It felt like the pieces were finally falling into place when, out of nowhere, Tess had shown up.

When she stormed into the office and saw me sitting beside an enormous, clearly supernatural man, whose hand rested possessively on my thigh, a look of betrayal and discomfort had flashed across her face—and I couldn’t blame her. I knew how bad it looked.

I’d called Tess in a panic the night before, unable to tell her anything concrete. I’d told her to find Ronan Bane if she didn’t hear from me in twenty-four hours. Knowing Tess, I knew she probably went into a panic. So I understood why she carried that look. I was safe, unharmed, and at home—and I hadn’t called her. I knew that if I wanted to salvage the one friendship I’d relied on my entire life, I was going to have to do some sucking up.

Too bad Tess wasn’t in a forgiving mood.

As soon as we made it to my room, Tess let it fly. I listened as she vented, knowing she needed the outlet. When I learned Tess had journeyed to Moonmark Ink looking for me, I wasn’t surprised.

Tess didn’t like things she couldn’t understand—especially things that could shift forms and potentially people. It was the only fundamental thing we didn’t have in common. I didn’t say a word as I finished packing my things while listening to her, aware that confrontation was inevitable.

“You should have called me or at least answered your phone,” Tess repeats for the hundredth time, her voice heated. “I went looking for you! I could have become a wolf snack.”

“I didn’t have a chance,” I finally say, zipping my bag closed. “I planned on calling you as soon as I got home.”

“Your new boyfriend wouldn’t have anything to do with the loss of brain cells, would he?” Tess snaps. “You couldn’t pry yourself away from him for two minutes to tell me you were okay? Don’t you think I deserved that much? You said you were in deep shit, Lyra! I was scared to death.”

“Believe it or not, I wasn’t thinking about you at the time.” I know it sounds harsh, but Tess and I have always been honest with each other. “I wanted you to tell Maura and Silas I was okay, so they wouldn’t worry. In case it slipped your notice, I’m dealing with some crazy shit right now.”

“Believe me, I noticed. It’s kind of impossible not to when you bring a werewolf home. What are you thinking? You know how dangerous they are.” Tess lowers her voice as anger mars the beauty of her face. “He could hurt you and your family. You’ve seen the news. You know what they’re capable of.”

“Yes, I’ve seen the news.” I whip around, facing Tess. “News that’s brought to the public by humans, with human interests, who don’t trust the paranormal beings they discriminate against. Yes, there are some supernatural beings out there that are dangerous, like the vampire that attacked me and Elias—”

Tess gasps, cutting me short. “Wait, a vampire attacked you? And you went with Elias? Elias and not me?”

I can’t help but sigh. “Yes, and yes. Tess, you know there was no way you were going to agree to come with me.”

“Damn right! I wouldn’t have approved, and I'd I've made damn sure you didn’t go either. No sane friend would encourage her friend to go to her death.”

My eyes light up. “You don’t know him, Tess. Ronan will never hurt us.”

“You don’t know him either,” Tess retorts. “You just met the guy.”

“You’re wrong.”

Tess isn’t aware of my dreams. There’s a part of me that knows Ronan better than I know anyone else. The connection between us is so strong I know precisely where he is in the house—exactly where I left him at the foot of the stairs—as though I can feel him somehow. I’m anxious to leave the room and return to him, craving his scent and closeness. He replaces anxiety with calm, eradicating the doubts that plague me.

Tess plops her hands on her slim hips. “One night with a werewolf, and you’ve decided to go to bat for the other team? Is that it?”

I am on the other team.

What Ronan told me is true. The mark on the back of my ears isn’t a coincidence. My father passed his genes—his werewolf genes—to me. Like a key opening a lock to the unknown, my future and what it holds now seems limitless. There’s no room for fear, only acceptance, and a small spark of excitement. There’s so much I’ll now be able to do, so many things I’ll be able to learn. And I’ll learn them with a sexy-as-sin man who sets my blood on fire.

Damn it to hell.

Why did I have to start thinking about him now? That simple thought makes my skin prickle with heat, anticipation pumping through my system. The night before was an appetizer. I want to touch him, tease him and taste him. There are no limits. Ronan isn’t a blushing violet. He wants me open, honest, and raw. There won’t be any secrets, only two people exploring everything together.

For a moment I imagine his fingers darting over my throat, my flesh tingling at the remembrance of his caress. Tonight, he’ll touch me again. He’ll expose me to his gaze, eyes combing over me in lust, and I’ll let him.

And just like that, all my elation and desire turns to sadness as I meet Tess’s gaze, the emotion ripping me out of my horny daze.

How would I explain that I’ve always been different? That I just hadn’t known how different until now. I take in a deep breath. “What if I told you I was meant to find Ronan?” I ask the question slowly, because I know attempting to broach the topic with Tess is treasonous. Tess easily feels threatened by supernatural talk. “What if I said our meeting wasn’t accidental?”

“I’d say you’ve been watching too many supernatural movies and reading too many werewolf tropes. It’s either that or you’ve gone mad!”

Shit, I think. This is going to be one hell of a talk.