All Chapters of Ruthless Obsession: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Lyra Ashbourne POV"Did you honestly think you could slide into my territory without paying the blood toll, Declan?" My fingers wrap tight around the heavy iron lock of the Ashbourne Pack Lodge, securing the boundary before I even turn to face him.The sunset has already dipped below the jagged pines of Black Hollow City, leaving the bedroom draped in heavy, blood-red shadows. I had spent the entire day resting my slim, Epsilon werewolf body, letting my muscles recover from the grueling cycles of Silverclaw Moon University. At five-foot-five and built slender, my Epsilon rank means my bones don't hold the heavy, brutal mass of the dominant wolves, but my skin is still highly sensitive, aching for a raw touch. I had finally finished cleaning the hearth and sorting my garments, but the scent of an uninvited male suddenly floods my hallway."I brought back your copy of the ancient glyph runes, Lyra," Declan Wolfsbane says, leaning his muscular frame against my doorframe. He is one of the

Lucien Draven POV"I do not mean to cause offense by offering my resources, Lyra. Please, do not turn away from me."I glide across the polished obsidian floor, my movement so swift and silent it carries the barest whisper of cold air. I stop directly behind her. The intoxicating scent of her skin—fresh rain and crisp, ripe orchard apples—hits my senses like a physical blow. She spins around, her chest nearly brushing mine. She is so close that if I lean down a mere fraction of an inch, my fangs would graze the soft, tempting curve of her throat."I possess the proper training for the Blood Scribe Order, Master Draven," Lyra says, her voice trembling but her gaze locked onto mine with fierce determination. "And you know my loyalty to the Draven Vampire House is absolute."She stares at me, her bright blue eyes challenging my authority. She looks incredibly delicate, her slim, five-foot-five Epsilon werewolf frame appearing so vulnerable against my muscular build. A familiar, dark wave

Lucien Draven POV"I shall fetch the morning scrolls from the archive myself, Master Draven," I murmur, watching him adjust his dark coat behind the mahogany desk. "I know your meeting with the elders demands absolute focus.""Make sure you do, Lyra." Lucien's dark, broad shoulders shift as he slowly loosens his tie by one single, agonizing inch. "Because if Lord Valecrest lingers in the Scarlet Council Wing again, I will personally lock the ancient gates."My blood burns at his possessive tone. "You have nothing to fear from Cassian. My loyalty belongs entirely to the Draven Vampire House."He stares at my pale face, his dark eyes darkening with intense arousal before he turns sharply to leave for the lower chambers.Lucien Draven POVMy morning had been so consumed with the Elders of the Crimson Throne that I had been forced to pass on our combat training in the shadow-ring with Cassian Valecrest. He had not found it entertaining when I reminded him that my absence gave him an unear

Lyra Ashbourne POV"I am going to have to ask you to keep her visit to yourself." Lucien's dark face tightens as he shifts his massive frame behind the mahogany desk."No, it is not what you think. It is strictly council business with Vivienne, but you know how Kaia reacts to her name. And I wanted to apologize for sending you out earlier—lunch was exceptional, and I hated that it ended on such a bitter note.""I understand, Master Draven," I say, smoothing my leather skirt down over my pale thighs. "My lips are sealed when it comes to Kaia. Keeping secrets is my specialty."Keeping secrets is second nature to me, but I never expected Kaia and her vampire father to drag me into the middle of their blood feud when my slate-stone chimed the moment I returned to the Ashbourne Pack Lodge. I had been treading carefully around my new scribe position, hoping Kaia would not take offense to me serving her cold-hearted father, especially since she had gone completely silent over the past few mo

Lucien Draven POVA few moon-cycles had passed since my confrontation with Kaia Draven, and she still had not returned to the Draven Blood Manor. She remained sequestered at Ronan Blackmoor's shadow fortress, determined to prove her autonomy, while my beast burned with helpless frustration. I could not simply march into the Blackmoor domain, slaughter his guard, and drag my daughter back to the manor by her wrists. She had seen twenty-two moons, as much as I hated to admit her maturity.And so had Lyra Ashbourne.My mind continually drifted back to her pack lodge, remembering how close I had come to pinning her slim frame against the cushions, craving her skin while she intentionally provoked my beast."You have been dangerously quiet since the sun rose," Cassian Valecrest said, crushing his raw venison portion between his fangs. He was the only ancient lord who would order raw meat in the most refined hall of Black Hollow City.We had vacated the Vampire High Council Floor for the mi