Now, The Alpha Wants Me Back

Lyra’s pov The ballroom shimmered with the bright lights and torches hung in gold, lined across the walls. There was laughter across the room and the scent of expensive perfume wafted across the air mixed with the mouth watering savoring scent of the delicious food passed around in exquisite trays by the Omegas. But I couldn’t breath. The air was also thick with something. Whispers. The type of scornful ones, that when I heard it, It felt like my neck was squeezed tightly with a vice. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off her all night.” “Who is she?” “Don’t you know? It’s Sable.” “Who’s she? What woman has the power to make Lyra’s man look so distraught and distracted.” I swallowed, forcing a smile as I ignored them, grabbing Cassian’s arm, just like I always did in public gatherings because I always felt safe and comforted, especially when he would wrap his arms around me. But he didn’t. And I felt even more a fool, standing there with my arms wrapped around his stiff one at his sid

Lyra’s pov The next morning I woke up to the soft hum of dawn and the chill of what my reality was. It was clear from the strewn sheets that he had slept in here. Probably crept in after I had shut him out in the middle of the night. My heart softened as I reached out, grabbing the sheets, like I was feeling for the scent of him. Today was Sunday. Sunday mornings were one of our sacred ritual day- always had been. Cassian and I hunted together every week since our mating. It was one of our many traditions that made us closer and despite the crazy days so far, I was hoping on just getting some time alone with him. So when I came down the stairs an hour later dressed and fastening the belt of my cloak, I froze, extremely shocked at the scene before me. Cassian stood in the foyer, dressed in his hunting wear, laughing with her. Sable. In a hunting wear as well. Her hair glowed like gold in the morning light, her hand brushing his arm as she smiled up at him. The sight was enough t

Chapter FiveLyra POVI gasped and nearly fell backward off the stairsThe stone beneath me was cold and slick with night dew, and for a second my heel skidded before I caught myself, scrambling away from him like a startled animal. My heart slammed violently against my ribs, loud enough that I swore he could hear it.He didn’t move.Just stared at me, brows drawing together in faint confusion, like he couldn’t decide whether I was frightened or offended, or both.“Is… anything the matter?” he asked slowly.The way he spoke, unhurried, low, unthreatening, only made my nerves worse.I swallowed, my throat dry, and forced myself to meet his gaze. Green eyes glowed faintly in the dark, not feral, not cruel. Curious. Assessing. Ancient.“You’re the Dark Lycan,” I said.The words tasted strange in my mouth. Forbidden. Dangerous. Like speaking a curse aloud.He blinked once. Then he straightened to his full height and chuckled softly, a sound that rumbled deep in his chest.“I suppose I am,”

Lyra POVBy the time I left my room, my wolf was already restless.She paced beneath my skin, claws scraping against my ribs, unsettled in a way I didn’t understand. For years, she’d been quiet, subdued, obedient, dulled down until I barely felt her presence at all. I’d thought it was normal. Necessary. Something that came with being a Luna who learned to survive by not taking up too much space.But now?Now she pressed against my chest like she wanted out.Not because of Cassian.That was the strangest part.Her agitation didn’t pull toward him the way it should have. It didn’t lean into the bond or soften at the thought of his presence. Instead, it reacted to memory.Green eyes in the dark.A calm voice that didn’t demand or judge.A hand that had reached for mine without expectation.I clenched my jaw and shoved the thought away.Draven.Thinking of him now felt like a betrayal all on its own, dangerous, confusing, unwanted. I scolded myself silently as I walked down the corridor,

Lyra POVThe first thing I learned that morning was that authority means nothing when people stop believing in it.“Lina,” I said, adjusting the clasp at my wrist as I stepped into the corridor, “I want the west sitting room aired out. Open the windows, replace the cushions, and bring in fresh tea service. Cassian will be meeting with the patrol leaders later.”The omega straightened immediately. “Yes, Luna.”Her voice was quick. Obedient. But her eyes flicked down the hall, toward the lounge.I noticed it.I pretended not to.I walked the length of the corridor, forced myself to breathe evenly, to move like I still belonged here. Like the walls still recognized me. Like the scent clinging to the drapes wasn’t slowly being overwritten by something sweeter. When I returned an hour later, the west sitting room was untouched.The windows were closed. The cushions remained heavy with last night’s stale smoke. The tea service was gone entirely, replaced by a silver tray I did not own.I st