CHAPTER 17 - Chat Up

Ryan My nightmare bled into the pale morning light, but it wasn't the fear that lingered. It was that damned shower fantasy, swirling in my head. If I'd just been focused on Lyra's betrayal, on the sting of her abandonment, maybe I wouldn't have been so… careless. And what came next could have been avoided. Thoughts of Lyra invaded my mind, igniting a fire within me that refused to die. Memories of her body and our imagined encounter fueled my desires, making my heart race and my body react in ways I couldn't control. My cock rose in my sleep pants as once more I imagined her silky skin sliding against mine while she danced seductively against me. With mischief gleaming in her eyes, her fingers trailed across my chest and then downward to palm my hardening bulge. “You like that, Alpha,“ she purred. My heart pounded in my ears as desire surged through me like lightning, igniting every nerve ending. The smell of her scent filled my nostrils - sweet and heady like summer flowers - making it impossible for me to think straight. She whispered teasingly against my neck, her breath hot against my skin as she nipped at my earlobe, "You're so tense," she murmured huskily, her hand stroking me under the material of my pants. My pulse sped up- double time. My breathing hitched. Try as I might to suppress it, a rolling shudder rolled through me… Damn it! Not again! I growled, spilling my frustration into the room at the seed spilled in my pants. A hot sticky mess I’d have to take care of before I could start my day. I rose on my elbows, still trying to catch my breath. The soft cotton of my white sleep shirt clung to my sweaty skin, and I tugged at it in irritation. Swinging my legs over the side, I sat up and ran a hand through my messy hair, dragging out the tangles and pulling them harder than necessary. In less than 48 hours Lyra Evergreen had burrowed beneath my skin, a relentless itch I couldn't scratch. Around her, I felt like a pup stumbling over his own paws. And my discipline… my control? Gone, scattered like dust in a whirlwind. The frustration boiled within me, a desperate scratch for action. I was about to bolt from the room and go for a punishing run when Liam's voice echoed in my mind. Liam: Alpha, the wife of the guard would like to speak with you. Today if possible. 'The wife of the guard who attacked Lyra? What could she want?' With a heavy sigh, I pushed all other thoughts aside to answer Liam: Why does she want to see me? Liam: She didn't say. But she seemed insistent. Sentencing pack members was final. Mates of the guilty usually accepted their fate, fading into somber silence. Yet, something about this woman's request gnawed at me. Protocol be damned, there was a flicker of curiosity I couldn't ignore. Perhaps she had information, a reason to challenge my decision... 'I'll meet with her,' I sent back to Liam. 'In my office. One hour.' I severed our mind-link and rose from the bed. Instead of a run, I'd take a cold shower. It was all that was needed to cleanse myself and reset my focus. On my way to the bathroom, I retrieved a new towel from the rack to place on the heater. As I planned, I'd go check on Lyra. Just to see how she was settling in. Nothing more. She had already weaseled her way into my thoughts too much. I wouldn't let her dictate anything else. *** The cold shower did its job, clearing my head and washing away the lingering remnants of my fantasies. I dressed quickly, donning a black t-shirt and jeans before heading out to make my way to Harbringer. As I walked through the pack grounds, members greeted me with respectful nods and murmured "Alpha". I acknowledged them with a tilt of my head, not pausing to chat. "Morning, Alpha," a young woman said, her eyes bright with admiration. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" I gave her a brief smile. "It is. Enjoy it." She beamed, stepping aside to let me pass. I continued on, my thoughts drifting to Lyra despite my best efforts. I wondered how she was adjusting, if she'd made any friends, if she was happy... 'Stop it,' I chided myself. 'She's not your concern.' But even as I thought it, I knew it wasn't true. Lyra was my concern, whether I liked it or not. There was something about her, a pull I couldn't resist no matter how hard I tried. As I neared the path, a group of young pups raced by, their laughter echoing in the air. They skidded to a halt when they saw me, their eyes wide. "Alpha!" one of them squeaked, hastily bowing his head. I chuckled, ruffling his hair. "At ease, pup. Enjoy your play." They scampered off, their giggles trailing behind them. I watched them go, a pang of longing in my chest. Would I ever have that? Pups of my own to teach and guide? 'Not if you keep pining after a woman who betrayed you,' a voice in my head whispered. I shook it off and kept walking. As I entered Harbringer, so did the scent of her in my nostrils. It was faint, but unmistakable. My wolf stirred, eager to follow it, to find her… 'Control,' I reminded myself, shushing my whining wolf. 'You're here to check on her, nothing more.' I caught Lyra's scent again, stronger this time, pulling me forward. But before I could take another step, a hand grabbed my arm, fingers squeezing my bicep. "Well hello there, Alpha," a sultry voice purred. "Fancy seeing you here." I turned to see Brittany, one of the pack's more... forward females. She batted her eyelashes at me, her red lips curled in a coy smile. "Brittany," I acknowledged, trying to shrug off her grip. But she held fast, her nails digging into my skin. "I sang at the Crescent Moon Lounge last night," she pouted, her bottom lip jutting out. "I didn't see you there." I suppressed a sigh. "I had other matters to attend to." "More important than hearing me sing?" She moved closer, her scent cloying in my nostrils. I stepped back, putting some distance between us. "Pack business. You know how it is." Her eyes narrowed, but she quickly covered it with a saccharine smile. "Of course, Alpha. You're a busy man." She finally released my arm, trailing her fingers down my bicep. "But you know, I could always swing by later tonight. Give you a private performance." The insinuation in her tone was clear. But I had no interest in her offer. My focus was on Lyra, on making sure she was settling in okay. "I appreciate the thought, Brittany. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline." Her smile faltered, a flash of irritation crossing her features before she smoothed it away. "Another time then. You know where to find me." With a wink, she sashayed off, her hips swaying. Brittany was persistent, I'd give her that.