Kate's POVI sat in the back seat of the black SUV, staring out the tinted window as the city passed by in a blur.My heart was heavy, but I set my face. The driver's hands were firm on the wheel, gaze fixed on the road ahead."How much longer before we get there?" I asked, ending the silence."Ten minutes, ma'am," he replied without glancing at me. His voice was polite but firm, the tone of a man who had mastered keeping his focus.I nodded and settled back in my seat, releasing a slow exhale. Ten minutes. Just ten more minutes before I'd be standing in front of Mark once more.A quick flash of movement in the side mirror caught me by surprise.I looked over, and a black sedan was following quite close behind us. Its windows were dark-tinted.The driver must have seen me look back because he told me, "That's one of our security vehicles, ma'am. They will stay behind you until you reach your destination."I relaxed and focused on driving once again.I pulled into my handbag for my pho
Lyra's POVKira shook her head. “No. At least, I don’t think so. If she does, she’s hiding it well. But she knew Ladon was referring to her, so I'm sure she has questions. I'm just surprised she hasn't started asking."“What happens if Orion doesn’t take it well?” I asked quietly.“Then we make him take it well,” Kira said, her voice firm, almost protective. “Kate’s not the enemy. But Orion needs to know the whole truth before something happens, and he finds out the other way.”There was a pause, through which passed the restless wind and the faint ticking of the couch frame under our weight.The clouds dimmed into dark silvers, and away in the background, I could hear the faint rumble of thunder.Kira leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment, as if she was listening to something beyond the storm. “You’re worried,” I said lowly.She opened her eyes, gave a half smile that did not touch them, and said, “I always worry about the people I care about.”That tugged at something in me. “
Lyra's POVWe stood there for a moment, watching it go out through the gates. Then Kira sighed softly. "I hope everything goes okay.""Me too," I said softly.We returned inside, but my thoughts remained with Kate. Encountering her brother after all these years. I couldn't even start to think of what that would be like. A mix of excitement and terror, no doubt.When we returned to the dining room, Orion remained seated there, his arms crossed over his chest in a lounging manner. His dark eyes locked onto mine, not blinking. "Come with me," he said.I got a brief glimpse of Kira as I followed Orion. We entered into one of the side rooms, a spacious sitting room that was full of tall windows through which shafts of light streamed."You will have to be prepared for tomorrow," Orion said to me. "Working out with me is not going to be easy. I am not going to go easy on you just because you are…" He paused, searching for the right words."I did not think that you would," I said, folding m
Lyra's POV "Orion, I think it's a bit risky, though. With all that's been happening. I mean, Kate going by herself is one thing, but there are so many unexplained things lately. Who knows what might happen?"Orion turned to me, his own face a mask. "She's not going alone," he answered curtly. "She'll be going alone to visit her brother, but she won't be going alone the way you're saying it."Kate's eyes widened in bewilderment. "What are you even saying? If I'm not going with Kira or Lyra, then who am I going with?"Orion leaned back in his chair, his gaze held steady upon her with quiet firmness. "I've had some of my men offer to ride with you, just to provide guard. You won't be alone, Kate. I'm just seeing to it that your brother isn't scared of any non-humans who may be out."Kira's eyes widened in surprise, her initial concern eased somewhat. "So you're bringing people with her, but not someone who would frighten her brother?"Orion nodded. "Right. He's human. We need to be caut
Lyra's POVBut I couldn't help but ask, "Do you know him well? Lucas?"Orion's eyes flew towards me again, this time more harshly. "Well enough." He took a sip of water. "He likes to make a spectacle of it. Always has. But he seeks control. That's his weakness."Kira tilted her head. "If you know his weakness, then maybe you do have an advantage.""Maybe," Orion replied, but the intonation of his voice suggested that he was not actually going to answer anything else.The room grew silent for a moment aside from the soft clinking of silverware.I could see Kira glance between the two of us as if she felt some tension that had been left unspoken.Kate cut across the silence. "Will you and Lucas be fighting on your own? Or will there be backup?It will be one of the alphas," Orion said. "The tournament rules do not allow for interference. But that does not necessarily mean there won't be surprises.""Surprises?" Kira echoed, furrowing her brow.Orion looked down at his plate, cutting the
Lyra's POVWe sat down together, and the maids brought breakfast, warm bread, eggs, and slices of roasted meat. We didn't waste any time; we started eating.We were halfway through breakfast when Kira spoke, her voice quiet but certain."I don't think Orion would want your brother to come here," she continued, staring over the rim of her teacup at Kate.Kate's fork hesitated in mid-air. "Why not?"Kira set down the cup. "He's not a werewolf. And Orion doesn't particularly like having human houseguests in his mansion."Kate blinked and nodded slowly. "That's fine. I understand. My brother's safety is all I care about."I tilted my head, intrigued. "Is he your brother?""Yes," Kate answered with a small smile. "Just me and him. I don't even know my dad. Our mom raised us by herself.""Where is your mom now?" I asked softly.Her smile faded. "She died three years ago."There was a second of table quietness. I leaned over and squeezed her hand gently. She squeezed back, her look gentle b