Chapter 8 Lyra
I hurriedly distanced myself, not wanting him to witness the pain in my eyes as he appeared comfortable with a she-wolf I didn’t recognize.
Sasha, my wolf, growls, eager to take control witnessing the lady’s closeness to Kessler, but I manage to suppress her.
Turning away from that scene, I go ahead. The fragrance of flowers fills my senses, momentarily distracting me, as I walk to the source of the fragrance.
As I follow the enchanting scent, the path leads me to a stunning garden. A gentle breeze carries their sweet aroma. Inhaling deeply, I take in the fresh air.
Suddenly, a voice interrupts my thoughts.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, my lady?” The speaker has a charming smile, and I am captivated by the moment.
I gaze at him in silence, observing him. He is a young man with a natural charm. His physical traits are captivating, with his well-defined jawline. His eyes are alluring, and his tousled dark hair has a hint of rugged appeal, making it hard to look away.
He clears his throat to regain my attention.
Caught in my moment of observation, I snapped back to reality, realizing he had noticed me checking him out.
I offer a faint smile to clear the awkward moment.
He grins, “I’ve seen you before,” he states.
“If that’s your pickup line, you need to step up your game.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
His laughter fills the air as I make my way to a chair, and he joins me. “I’m Xavier. What’s yours?” he asks.
“I’m Lyra,” I reply.
“You are breathtakingly beautiful,” he compliments, leaving me blushing and at a loss for words. “Thank you,” I mumbled, covering my face in embarrassment.
Xavier continues the conversation, “What brings you to this delightful garden?”
I hesitated for a moment before deciding to share a bit, “I needed a break.”
He nods understandingly, “I get it. Sometimes, a serene place like this is the perfect escape. Are you okay, though?”
I sigh, appreciating his concern. “Yes, I am, thanks for asking.”
As we chat, Xavier’s company brings a comforting distraction, yet I refrain from revealing my complicated past.
Suddenly, a loud growl disrupts our conversation. Xavier, filled with fear, bows and swiftly departs, leaving me bewildered.
“What does he want from me?” I question myself with an eye roll.
Moments later, Kessler approaches, his expression menacing. He forcefully removes the scarf from my neck, inspects the mark, and asks, “Does it hurt?”
Feeling a fiery discomfort from his touch, I instinctively distance myself, stifling the ache in my core.
Kessler’s eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His actions are confusing, and I can’t decipher his motives.
“Kessler, you marked me,” I finally speak, my voice filled with desperation, wishing desperately for it to be a dream, a nightmare that I could wake up from.
He draws nearer, his hand gently cupping my cheek, a shiver running down my spine. A spark ignites, and I clench my legs, resisting the pull of desire.
“It’s for the greater good,” he whispers, his breath lingering on my skin. “Not under my watch will you go rogue.”
I take in a shaky breath, trying to regain composure, but my heart races uncontrollably.
His intense gaze holds mine, and in a swift motion, he captures my mouth, his tongue dancing with mine. His hand tangles in my hair, and a soft moan escapes my lips, swallowed by the intensity of his kiss. Every fiber of my being resists, yet the overwhelming desire leaves me powerless.
Each touch and kiss ignites a fire I fight to control. He is possessive, and the mate bond is undeniable.
While the kiss deepened, I felt the undeniable connection, yet I was angry as I fought the battle of resisting his touch or succumbing to the desire.
The intense heat swells within me as the mark burns, forcing a response. Despite my initial resistance, I find myself giving in completely.
Clutching his shirt, I pull him closer, and he smirks, well aware of the effect he has on me. The wetness in my core intensifies with his touch.
Realization dawns on me as I hastily push him away, panting heavily. His gaze, dark with lust, looks at me intently.
The wetness beneath me and the pain in my neck subside, but the tingling sparks remain.
He licks his lower lip teasingly and says, “It seems like you want to devour me.”
“N-no,” I stutter, denying the longing in my eyes.
Ignoring my protests, he advances, and I shiver as I stumble back, finally meeting a wall. He moves toward me, his hands resting on the wall, effectively trapping me.
His mouth moves to the spot where he had marked me, and he licks it with his lips.
An unexplainable wave of electricity sends vibrations through me, worsening the craving for him.
He runs his hand through my hair, his touch soothing me to my core, but I muster the strength to push him away.
However, my feeble attempts are in vain as my hands remain weak in their position.
His overpowering scent and minty breath envelop me. Then he whispers, “Lyra if I slip my finger inside you, I swear you are dripping wet for me. And you say you hate me?”
That is the breaking point. Summoning all my strength, I push him away forcefully, slipping out of his grasp, and dash inside.
In a state of panic, I run without a clear direction and accidentally crash into a wall.
As I look up, I find myself face to face with a man, he has a devious smirk, sending shivers down my spine. Fear grips me, but the sound of Julie’s voice rescues me from my distress.
“Lyra,” she calls out. I seize the chance to move past the mysterious man, feeling his eyes follow me.
“Lyra, are you okay?” Julie asks with concern.
I don’t say a word, so I just nod, placing my hand on my chest, and feeling my heart pound.
“Let me walk you to your room,” Julie offers.
“Thank you,” I replied.
Walking through the corridors, we pass by Kessler’s chamber, memories of the moment he marked me there flash through my mind. I rub my neck nervously as I walk to my room.
Julie has prepared a cold bath for me, and I am grateful for her assistance. Funny how I initially thought I wouldn’t need her help.
As I enter the bathroom, thoughts of the recent encounter with Kessler consume my mind. I hadn’t felt those emotions before. He stirs up feelings that I can’t explain.
One minute he is ignoring me; another minute, he is with another lady; another minute, he growls at someone trying to make a conversation with me; and now, he made me wet all over for him, my body craving his touch once more.
I wrap a towel around myself and step outside. Julie has placed comfortable clothing on my bed – a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
I move to the dresser to moisturize my skin, but my eyes catch sight of a folded paper. I am curious as I take the paper and open it to read its content.
“I hope you are fulfilling our agreement while I make Tristan lift the bounty off your head.”
My eyes widen in shock, and fear grips me, wondering how the letter got into my room.