Chapter 12

LYRA

I woke up the next morning with Zade’s words still running through my head.

You’re mine now, Lyra. And I don’t share.

Seriously, who said something like that and expected me to sleep peacefully afterward?

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. The courtroom kept replaying in my mind, especially the part where Zade stood in front of everyone and announced that I was his fated mate. He sounded so sure of himself, like there wasn’t even room for doubt.

Meanwhile, I was still trying to figure out what the hell happened between us at the gala.

I felt something when he kissed me. I couldn’t deny that. But did that automatically mean we were fated mates? And if it did, why was he so certain when I barely understood any of it?

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, dragging me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, expecting maybe one or two messages. Instead, my screen was packed with notifications.

Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.

Gossip blogs, news outlets, and social media accounts were all talking about the hearing. One headline read, The Cursed Devil Finally Finds His Fated Mate. Another asked whether Zade Vane’s dangerous reputation would destroy the woman destined to stand beside him.

I clicked on one article, and that was my first mistake.

According to the writer, Zade’s fated mate was either the luckiest woman alive or the next victim of his so-called curse. The comments were even worse. Some people wondered how someone like him could find a mate at all, while others claimed I must be desperate to tie myself to a man with his kind of power.

Then I found a post accusing me of using Zade’s feelings to escape Julian Croft.

She played the victim, got herself a rich Alpha, and now she wants everyone to believe she’s his fated mate.

I dropped the phone onto the bed.

People didn’t know a damn thing about me, yet they were talking like they’d been in my bedroom, followed me around, and watched my entire life unfold. Apparently, standing in a courtroom was all it took for strangers to decide they knew my motives.

I never asked for any of this. I didn’t want my name trending or random wolves picking apart my private life over breakfast. And I definitely didn’t sign up to become the latest topic of conversation just because Zade decided to make a public announcement.

I threw the covers aside and headed for the door. All I wanted was breakfast and a little fresh air. Maybe if I got out of my room, I could stop thinking about the courtroom for five minutes.

But when I opened the door, two security guards stood outside.

I stopped short. “Uh, what’s going on?”

Neither man moved. One politely informed me that they were assigned to my wing.

“Since when?”

“New instructions from Alpha Vane, ma’am.”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I found Mrs. Hale downstairs and asked her what was going on. She set down the tray she was carrying and explained that Zade ordered additional security overnight.

“Mr. Vane wants to make sure you’re safe,” she said.

“Safe from what? People writing nasty articles about me?”

“Not everyone who takes an interest in you will do so for innocent reasons.”

I stared at her, waiting for her to explain further, but she returned to her duties.

Great. So now I had gossip columns dragging my name through the mud and armed guards outside my room.

And Zade didn’t even bother to ask me what I thought about any of it.

I found Zade in his private office after breakfast, already dressed in a dark suit with his laptop open and his phone pressed to his ear.

Papers covered half his desk, and he was going through some report while giving someone instructions about a business deal.

I stood by the door until he ended the call.

“Care to explain why there are two guards outside my room?”

He set his phone down. “You saw them.”

“Wow, really? I thought they were there to decorate the hallway.” I walked farther into the office. “Zade, why are there guards outside my room, and why am I finding out about this from Mrs. Hale?”

“I ordered extra security last night.”

“Yeah, I figured that part out. Why?”

He closed the report on his laptop. “Because the situation has changed, Lyra. The entire supernatural community knows you’re my fated mate now. Anyone who wants to get to me knows exactly where to start.”

I folded my arms. “You think someone is going to attack me?”

“I think it’s a possibility worth taking seriously.” His tone was matter-of-fact. “Julian is already angry about our marriage. Thorne wants to use the law against us, and there are people in this city who would love to see me lose something I care about. You’re an easy way to get my attention.”

His argument made sense. Powerful people could be vicious, and I wasn’t stupid enough to believe everyone would leave me alone just because I haven’t done anything to them.

Still, the thought of being watched every time I stepped outside my bedroom made my skin crawl.

“So, what’s the plan? I stay locked up in your penthouse while your guards follow me around?”

“You can move freely inside the building. If you need to go out, my security team comes with you.”

“And I suppose I need to submit a written request, too?”

“Don’t start, Lyra.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I making your morning difficult?”

He gave me a flat look. “I’m trying to keep you alive.”

“And I appreciate that, but I can take care of myself. You can’t seriously expect me to live like every person who speaks to me is plotting my murder.”

“I expect you to understand that some people will use you to hurt me. I’m not gambling with your safety just because you don’t like the precautions.”

I shook my head. There was no getting through to him when he got like this. Zade could turn anything into a business decision, even my safety.

“Fine. Keep your guards. Just don’t expect me to enjoy having an audience every time I want a cup of coffee.”

I left before he could come up with another argument.

Later that afternoon, Mrs. Hale informed me that Zade was attending a charity gala that evening and expected me to accompany him.

I looked up from my phone. “He expects me to go?”

“Yes, ma’am. Your dress will be ready shortly.”

I considered telling her to let him know he could find another date. The last thing I wanted was to spend an evening surrounded by people who’d probably read every nasty article about me.

But hiding in the penthouse wouldn’t make the gossip disappear. If anything, it would give everyone another reason to talk.

I sighed and put my phone aside. Fine. I’d go to the gala.

That didn’t mean I planned to make the evening easy for Zade.