Chapter 8
Word had it that Aubrey spent two whole hours scrubbing herself clean that night. Since then, she’d been hunting down every scented oil and incense she could get her hands on-bathing morning, noon, and night.
Savanna was practically glowing when she told me all this. “Lyra, you really are something else,” she said, grinning. “Quiet one moment, and then-bam! You strike like thunder.”
I’d just learned that phrase from Elliana-it meant I was amazing.
So naturally, I grinned and took the compliment with pride.
“But Lyra,” Savanna added gently, “you’ve been giving the Alpha King the silent treatment for days now. What if you wear down his patience?”
Lucian had sent all sorts of strange and fancy gifts to my room lately-I refused every single one. Instead, I stayed buried under the blankets, sulking. “If he gets tired of me, then I won’t be his Luna anymore!” I huffed.
He had Aubrey anyway. And maybe others too, someday.
So many Lunas… Lucian was clearly a big, fat jerk.
Savanna saw how upset I was and didn’t push. She just tucked me in and quietly left the room.
That night, maybe because I was too angry, I had a terrible nightmare. I woke up shaking with fear.
Clutching my pillow, I tiptoed out of bed and looked for Savanna. But I couldn’t find her anywhere.
Left with no other choice, I made my way to Lucian’s chambers.
His room wasn’t far, and Callum was standing guard outside.
“Lyra?” he asked, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
The room inside was completely dark. Lucian must’ve already gone to bed.
“I’m here to fulfill my duties,” I said sleepily, hugging my pillow to my chest.
Callum blinked, then quickly stepped in front of me. “Lyra, you need the Alpha King’s permission
for that…”
But I was too scared to sleep alone.
Just as I opened my mouth to protest, a foul stench drifted out from the bedroom.
My sleepiness vanished instantly. I shoved past Callum and ran inside.
“Lucian! There’s a bad guy!” I shouted.
Chapter 8
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And there he was-someone standing by the bed, sword raised high, about to strike.
I only had time to hurl my pillow at him.
It hit, but not hard enough to stop the blade from plunging straight down into the bed.
“Lucian!” I screamed, eyes brimming with tears.
Even a tiny prick from a needle had made me cry once-what would that kind of blade feel like?
The man turned toward me, eyes full of fury, and charged with his sword.
I stumbled backward, tripping over something on the ground.
Before I hit the floor, a shadow swept past and pulled me into a strong, cold embrace.
A hand covered my eyes-another flew forward and sent a dagger slicing through the air.
I heard a grunt. Then something heavy hit the floor with a thud.
“Take it away,” Lucian’s voice ordered, sharp as ice.
I grabbed his hand and yanked it off my face, heart thudding as I looked up. It was him-Lucian. His beautiful face, cold and stern.
Callum stepped forward, bowing slightly. “Alpha King, Lyra said she came to fulfill her duties.”
Lucian raised a brow and looked down at me. “Not mad at me anymore?”
I puffed out my cheeks and pulled away, silently checking him from head to toe. When I confirmed
he wasn’t bleeding or full of holes, my chest caved in, and I burst into tears.
He looked stunned. His cold fingers fumbled as he wiped my cheeks. “Are you scared?”
“If you’d been in my room tonight…” I sniffled, looking up at him, “would the bad guy still have
come?”
