Chapter 20 – Friends Forever

~ LYRA ~

I look Tess dead in the eye. "I need you to give yourself a chance to think about this seriously, Tess."

She drums her fingers over her hipbones and tosses her long, strawberry-hued hair over her shoulder. "I want to know where you're getting your information from. Just so you know, a palm reader or a magically found crystal orb doesn't count."

"My stepfather," I say, my eyes never leaving hers. "Silas just finished explaining to me the reason for my current predicament. And that is my father."

"Whoa. Back up." Tess blurts, finally lowering her hands from her hips, her posture no longer on the offensive. "How did the topic go from Ronan to your father?"

This is the part I dread. "That's because my real father isn't human."

She stands frozen for a few seconds, and I wait in silence for her to speak. "Can you pl...please repeat that? I don't think I heard right," she whispers, her voice almost breaking.

There's no going back from this. Once Tess knows the truth, she’ll have to take it or leave it. The walls seem to close in as I take a deep breath, afraid of the ramifications of sharing the news—knowing I could lose my only friend, knowing I don’t have any other choice.

Stop delaying the inevitable, I tell myself and take in another breath.

Resigned, I exhale softly and say, "My father isn't human. He's a werewolf."

---

~ TESS ~

"He's a what?" I exclaim, hoping like hell my ears are deceiving me. Lyra has to be making a joke—a really stupid, messed-up joke—and I’m not digging her attempt at bad humor.

"You heard me," she whispers as she tucks a couple of unruly curls behind her ear, a nervous habit I’ve become way too familiar with.

"Why are you only telling me this now?" I’m grappling for words, trying and failing to explain what I’m feeling. "How could you keep something like that from me?"

"I didn’t keep anything from you, Tess. I just found out myself. Last night, to be precise."

"Last night? Was this before or after you visited Moonmark Ink?"

"A bit of both, actually," she replies, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I always thought I was different, but it wasn’t until I went into Moonmark and met Ronan that I..." She exhales slowly, clearing her throat before whispering, "That’s when I knew for sure."

It’s not hard to imagine what she’s thinking. She’s smitten with Ronan, watching him from the corner of her eye, letting her fingers linger on his arm as she told him she was packing a few things and would hurry back. I’d picked up on all that the few minutes we were together in the study.

And that other guy—the one who’d tossed me into a room and left me speechless—he flashes before my mind. All muscles, tattoos, and attitude. Eyes like molten gold and an aura that turned my skin inside out. A warm tingle erupts in my stomach, and goosebumps scatter across my skin. For a moment, I’d actually considered sticking around just to see what no-name-tattoo-artist might do next.

Then it hit me.

I was flirting with something dangerous enough to break every bone in my body without blinking.

Slamming back to the present, I shove off the memory and cross my arms. That man—while good-looking and sin incarnate—had essentially threatened me. Climbing out that window might have been my smartest decision yet. I rely on me. Always have. Relying on someone else? That's asking for disaster.

I look at Lyra and release a breath. I can’t freak out. Not yet. I need to know if she’s sure.

"Are you sure, Lyra?" I finally whisper.

She nods. "Ronan showed me things that confirmed it to me last night."

"Showed you or made you feel," I tease, raising an eyebrow. Humor has always been our shield during rough times. Hopefully, it works now, too. Judging by the shade of red creeping up her face, it’s working.

"Oh please, Tess. Have you seen him? You can’t blame me."

No, I really can’t. But that doesn’t mean I’m letting her off that easy.

"Says the woman banging him ten ways to Sunday. At least I’m still on the fence."

"You’re on the fence about everything," she counters, eyes sparkling. "Maybe you should go out and find a werewolf. It might change your life."

Even though she’s joking, the words hit me hard. A spike of panic slices through my chest. That man from Moonmark... his stare... the way my entire body reacted to him. I shiver just thinking about it. He’d take what he wanted—without asking.

Trying to regain control, I toss my hands back on my hips. "Thanks for the offer, but I’ll stick with BOB when it comes to my sexual needs."

"You’re not upset?"

I reach out and give her a gentle slap on the cheek.

"How could you even think that, Lyra? I would never be upset about something that was never in your control in the first place." I step closer to the one person I’ve always trusted. "Friends forever, remember?"

"Even if I’m not who you thought?" she asks softly. "I’m not human, Tess. I might become one of the things that freak you out."

It’s true. I’ve never liked the paranormal. But this is Lyra.

"Not possible," I say. "Not even in a million years. We’ve been through too much—shared too much—for this to change anything. I don’t care what you are. You’re still you. That hasn’t changed."

"Oh, Tess. I really hope so," she whispers with a tired sigh. "Everything’s happened so fast. Yesterday, I thought I knew who I was. Today, I feel like I know too much and nothing at the same time."

I cross the room and pull her into a hug. She collapses into me, clinging so tight I can barely breathe—but I don’t complain. Over the years we’ve taken turns being the strong one. Right now, it’s my turn.

"It’s going to be okay," I murmur, running my hand through her curly hair. "It’s like Maura says. Everything happens for a reason."

"Do you really believe that?"

I don’t know how to answer. So I stay quiet, anchoring her to the moment. Friends forever. Just like we promised each other when we were seven, facing our first schoolyard bully.

She’s home. She’s safe. To hell with the rest. We’ll face whatever comes next like we always do.

Together.