Chapter 48
Kessler POV
The news about Annie’s pregnancy hit me like a boulder. How could I be so reckless to have my way with her without protection?
I kept pacing back and forth. Mum mustn’t have heard of this. If she does, there is no going back as regards me taking Annie as my Luna.
I clenched my fists, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within me. I needed to think, to find a solution before this situation spiraled out of control.
“I don’t know how to feel if I should be happy that I will have an heir soon,” Dolph whined in my head. “I wish it was Lyra.”
The thought made my heart tug. Just when I felt I should give Lyra and me a shot, this happened.
I couldn’t stand to see the hurt in her eyes. It was heartbreaking. I couldn’t fathom how she would see me.
“I messed up, and I know I made this one mistake that was going to hurt me for the rest of my life.”
Seeking an outlet for my pent-up anger, I made my way to the gym. With each punch, I released a fraction of the frustration and self-loathing consuming me.
“Why would you do it, Kessler?” I grunted between punches, the sound of my fists hitting the punching bag echoing in the empty gym.
“Why would you do it without protection?” I intensified my punches, each blow fueled by regret and remorse.
“Are you happy now, seeing Lyra’s disappointing face?” I threw punches, frustration fueling each blow.
“I wish it was Lyra,” I continued, each punch punctuating my words.
“Meaning I’ll have to fulfill her uncle’s wishes.” The weight of the situation settled heavily on my shoulders as I let out a frustrated grunt.
As sweat poured down my face and my muscles burned with exertion, with each strike, I tried to drown out the voice in my head that taunted me with reminders of my mistakes.
Consumed by my thoughts, I continued to throw punches relentlessly until I received a mind link from Zach.
“Kessler, you need to make your way down to the dungeons.”
“Okay,” I replied, severing the link with urgency.
One of the rogues, captured during the attack, appears fearful, as if he’s terrified for his life as if something dreadful will happen to me.
“Of course, who dares come to my territory and try to cause trouble?”
I quickly shower in the bathroom attached to the gym, dress up, and head to the dungeons.
“What is it, Zach?” I inquire as I approach.
He tilts his head towards the rogue, indicating that something is amiss.
“What’s happening? Isn’t he cooperating?”
“He said he wanted to speak with Lyra,” Zach responds, his expression mirroring mine.
“Lyra?” My fury bubbles to the surface. What could he possibly want with Lyra? Does he have a history with her? Are they lovers?
The mere thought of someone else having their way with Lyra fills me with dread. “Hypocrite,” Dolph’s voice echoes in my head.
“Dolph, I know I messed up. Now isn’t the time to make me feel worse than I already do.”
I realize that I need to fully accept Lyra into the pack so that I can connect with her, but the question remains: will she be willing? I decided to mind-link Julie instead.
Noticing Julie’s tense demeanor, I wait anxiously for her response.
After what feels like an eternity, Lyra and Julie finally arrive at the dungeons.
However, Julie quickly excuses herself, understanding that the matter at hand doesn’t concern her.
Lyra enters, her eyes puffy as if she had been crying. My wolf whines, blaming me for the distress evident in our mate’s demeanor. She isn’t looking happy.
I shut down the link with Dolph completely, focusing solely on Lyra’s presence.
She bows her head respectfully. “You called for me.”
“Yes, I did,” I confirm, my tone serious. “One of the rogues said he won’t say anything except when he sees you.”
I could see fear in her eyes, her heart beating fast, but she managed to say, “Not to worry, let’s take a look.”
I place my hand on the small of her back, feeling tingles that strangely calm me, but she discreetly moves herself away from me.
“Shit,” I mutter to myself, realizing the futility of expecting anything different.
Once Lyra saw the rogue, her eyes beamed with joy and with a mix of sadness.
Shawn, she said quietly, but the rogue hearing her voice stood up immediately.
“Lyra, look at you, y-you l-look so beautiful, you have grown into a beautiful woman,” the rogue stammers.
I see a blush on her face, and frustration boils within me. “What the fuck,” I mutter under my breath.
Zach walks to me and places his hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me. “He has a thing for Lyra,” he whispers, confirming my suspicions.
“Can you please leave us to talk?” Lyra said calmly.
“No way in hell will I leave you with this guy,” I replied firmly.
“Trust me, he won’t hurt me.”
Zach walked to me and gestured for us to leave, understanding Lyra’s request. Reluctantly, I followed, leaving Lyra alone with the rogue.
Lyra’s POV
The sight of Shawn standing before me left me conflicted. Should I feel relieved that he’s here, or worried about his impending fate? Knowing Kessler’s ruthless nature, I couldn’t help but fear for Shawn’s life.
Part of me wanted to embrace the opportunity to reconnect with him, but the circumstances couldn’t be more unfortunate.
Shawn and I were childhood sweethearts; he was the son of my father’s Beta. We had wished we would be mates because of the love that radiated between us.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
“Is the Lycan king your mate?” That was the first question he asked. I was unsure if I should acknowledge him as my mate or not, but I nodded my head.
His face fell, but he managed to give a small smile and said, “No wonder his possessive demeanor.”
I blushed and asked him, “Why are you here?”
His face fell, and he confessed, “I didn’t want to be part of this scheme, but I was held at ransom.”
That piqued my interest. “What scheme and what ransom?” I inquired.
“Jack,” he mentioned, looking down.
“Shit,” I muttered, realizing Jack had something to do with the attack.
He slowly nodded his head. “I didn’t want to be part of this, but he has my father as ransom.”
I felt a surge of anger. Why is Jack bent on ruining people’s lives with his hungry quest for power?
“Lyra, Jack is planning something big, and it will be best if you inform your mate to be prepared for any form of attack.”
He motioned for me to move closer, which I did, leaning in to listen intently.
He slowly moved his mouth to my ear. “He is planning to take over the Moonpeak Pack himself since you are not fulfilling your part of the bargain.”
I was shocked and livid, but his voice brought me back. “I know he is no match for the king. That’s why I purposely allowed myself to be captured, so he can help save my father.”