71: Something Like That

Lyra“Lyra?” Habeela rounded the corner and froze at the sight. “Is there a problem?” she asked calmly.“This is between my wife and me,” Aaron snapped.“It isn’t,” Habeela countered, stepping forward. “Take your hands off her right now.”Aaron laughed, tugging my arm. “Who are you to tell me what to do? Come on, Lyra, we’re leaving.”That was the moment Habeela moved.Her hand disappeared into her handbag. She pulled out a small canister, stepped directly into Aaron’s space, and slammed her thumb down on the nozzle.The pepper spray erupted directly into Aaron’s face and he let out a loud cry of agony. His grip on my waist vanished as his hands flew up to his face. I fell forward on my hands and knees, gasping for air.“My eyes!” Aaron continued yelling. “What did you—”“My goodness,” Habeela grinned. “It worked.”She slipped the small canister back into her handbag before grabbing my upper arm, her strength surprisingly solid as she yanked me to my feet. “Move, Lyra!”Habeela dragge

72: I am Going To Train You

LyraThe gates shut behind us as we drove into the compound.The car had barely stopped when I saw him.Raguel was halfway into the back seat of a waiting car, one hand gripping the open door while three guards surrounded him. His posture was rigid, and his face was filled with fury.The moment his amber eyes swung toward our car, he literally deflated. He got out, slammed the door shut and strode toward me.Before I could even open the door, he yanked it open and wrapped his hands around my waist, lifting me down effortlessly. His eyes swept over my face first, then my shoulders, and then the rest of my body for any injuries. His nostrils flared as he scent-checked me right there on the driveway.“I’m fine,” I said quietly but he didn’t answer.Instead, he gently took my chin between his fingers, turning my face from one side to the other like he was searching for bruises I hadn’t noticed.“Raguel, I’m fine,” I repeated.Only then did he release a slow breath.“You’re late,” he raspe

73: Set Up a Meeting With Him

RaguelFor all the stories people told about Alphas and Lycan rulers, nobody ever mentioned that half the job involved a ton of paperwork.I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple before reaching for the next report.Tax disputes, border patrol rotations, a request to expand a village clinic, a complaint from two neighboring packs arguing over grazing rights.Despite all of the work, it was strangely comforting and predictable.Unlike everything else my life had become.A knock sounded against the study door.“Come in.”My beta and close friend, Emily, stepped inside carrying a black folder beneath one arm. Her head was bandaged where her scalp had split during the rogue attack.Her expression immediately told me this wasn’t another budget proposal.“We have a problem, Raguel.”I closed the file in front of me. “When don’t we?”She managed a faint smile. “This one’s new.”She crossed the room and placed the folder on my desk. “We have a situation with Aaron.”The name alone was en

74: I'll Kill You

RaguelFor some reason, I let Aaron choose the meeting place.There was no point inviting him into my territory when I wanted him so relaxed he’d spill the beans on his own.The café sat on the outskirts of the city, overlooking a quiet lake that reflected the gray afternoon sky. It wasn’t crowded, but it wasn’t empty either. Enough people lingered over coffee and newspapers that neither of us would be tempted to make a scene.Emily had protested when she came back with Aaron’s response.“It could be a trap.”“I wouldn’t know until I get there,” I’d replied her.Aaron was already seated when I arrived. He looked different from the man who had stormed my gates. This time, he was freshly shaved, his clothes were expensive enough to suggest someone had recently taken an interest in financing his appearance.His eyes, however, remained the same—restless, sleep-deprived and wild.He watched me cross the room without standing.I took the seat opposite him.For several seconds, neither of us

75: Miguel Again

Lyra Servants drifted through the corridors carrying fresh flowers and groceries, maids spoke quietly as they walked past, and somewhere in the distance, I could hear the clanging of swords from the training grounds where Raguel insisted I would soon begin embarrassing myself. His words, not mine. “You’ll embarrass yourself for a week,” he’d said with that infuriating confidence of his. “Then you’ll improve.” “What if I don’t?” “Then you’ll embarrass yourself for two weeks.” I had threatened not to attend but he’d simply smiled and told me he’d see me later. I smiled to myself at the memory as I looked over the book I’d been pretending to read for the last twenty minutes. The key word being pretending because my thoughts kept wandering back to Aaron and all that happened yesterday. A knock interrupted my thoughts. “My queen?” “Come in.” A maid, Nora, stepped inside with an amused smile. “Luna Habeela is here to see you.” The book snapped shut. “Really?” “Yes. She insist

76: Co-Partners

LyraMiguel recovered from the shock quickly and he crossed the distance between us in two quick strides. He gently took hold of my wrist, and guided me farther inside before carefully pushing the door shut.“Don’t say anything.” Miguel’s voice dropped to little more than a whisper. “The guards patrol this side of the grounds every fifteen minutes,” he murmured. “If they hear voices, they’ll come in to investigate.”I blinked at him. “You sound very experienced.”He smiled sheepishly. “I’ve had quite a bit of practice.”He slowly let go off my hand, letting out a long, ragged breath.I took my time to look around the building.The dozens of candles filled the small stone chamber with a soft golden glow that danced across old portraits and polished marble. There were two carved memorial stones standing side by side. Fresh white flowers rested before them and the air carried the faint scent of incense.“What are you doing here?” I whispered, my voice shaking.“I know what my brother sai