Chapter 77
“I was so consumed with fury that I didn’t check who sent the picture. Now, hearing his voice makes me burn with anger,” I growled. “What do you want?”
He gave a sinister laugh. “Is it bad to check on my favorite cousin?”
“Fuck you, Conor! You know very well that we aren’t on the same page, so cut the pleasantries.”
“I’m not here for your games, Conor,” I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. “What do you want?”
Conor’s laughter turned colder, his tone icy. “You are no fun, Kessler. I thought you would appreciate the fact that your rejected mate is in safe hands with me. She is one hell of a hottie, and I can’t wait to make her mine.”
The anger boiling within me surged to its highest degree. I couldn’t bear the thought of Lyra in the hands of that despicable, good-for-nothing Conor.
“You wouldn’t dare, Conor,” I hissed, my eyes narrowing with fury.
“Touche. It seems I’ve struck a chord,” Conor taunted. “I can imagine how senseless and gullible you must feel to reject your true mate and choose that good-for-nothing, devious, scheming girl as your chosen mate.”
My whole body vibrated with anger. “Shut the fuck up, Conor! and you’ll see just how far I’ll go to protect what’s mine.”
Conor chuckled arrogantly. “Oh please, Kessler. You can’t control everything. She’s not yours to protect anymore.”
The rage inside me reached a boiling point. “You’re delusional if you think I’ll stand by and let you ruin her.”
“You had your chance and you blew it,” Conor retorted,
“I never took you for a fool, but you’ve proven beyond all reasonable doubt that you let a good woman slip away.”
“I shot back at him with venomous words, “What do you know about taking care of a good woman? We all know what you did to your mate.”
Conor is unfazed by my verbal attack. “Oh, nice one. One of the reasons the Moon Goddess gave me a second chance. I’m going to cherish Lyra coming into my world and make her mine.”
“You wouldn’t dare, Conor,” I groaned in agony, frustration evident in my voice.
“You’re conflicted and delusional,” Conor countered dismissively. “Kessler needs to remind you that you rejected her, and she’s free to be with whoever she chooses. Bye, Kessler. Just know that she’s in safe hands now.”
With those parting words, Conor abruptly ended the call, leaving me staring at my phone in disbelief.
Thoughts raced through my mind like wildfire. How did she get involved with Conor? Did they have any history together?
The fury within me intensified, my Lycan nature threatening to burst forth at the mere thought of Conor getting close to Lyra. “She is mine,” I growled fiercely, my grip tightening on the phone until I couldn’t contain my rage any longer.NôvelDrama.Org © content.
In a fit of anger, I hurled the phone against the wall, watching with satisfaction as it shattered into pieces. The sound of the impact echoed in the room.
“This can’t be happening, Conor can’t have Lyra, not in this lifetime. I won’t let it,” I whisper, disbelief and determination mingling in my voice.
“I’m ready to burn down bridges to earn Lyra’s trust again,” I admit to myself, feeling the weight of my mistake with Annie. It took losing her to realize how important Lyra is to me.
Sensing my unease Zach’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “I guess that was Conor.”
My jaw clenched with frustration and worry, I nod in response.
“What does he want?”
“He has Lyra and threatened to make her his,” I grumbled, “Can you imagine the insolence?”
Zach gave a weary smile. “Kessler, I don’t know what to say to ease your pain, but I know you’re strong. You’ve always given Conor a run for his money, so winning Lyra back should be just the beginning.”
I released a long sigh, letting all my emotions spill out. I couldn’t keep up the brave front any longer.
Zach moved closer to me, his gaze steady and understanding. There was no need to hide anything from him; he had been my trusted friend since childhood.
“You’re afraid, Kessler. I never thought I’d see this day when you’d be afraid,” Zach remarked, his voice tinged with concern.
My voice laid bare, resigned to fate. “I need not hide it from you. I’m afraid that Lyra will fall in love with Conor. I’m afraid I won’t stand a chance with her again. She probably hates me right now.”
“No, Kessler, I won’t let you accept defeat,” Zach interjected firmly, his eyes reflecting determination. “You’re the strongest, most loving, and sweetest person I’ve ever known. One of the reasons I’ve stuck by your sorry arse. You need to banish that thought from your mind, get up, and claim your rejected mate. Conor has nothing on you.”
“You’re right, Zach,” I admitted with a heavy sigh. “I’ve said and done things that I’m not proud of. I haven’t been the best partner to Lyra. I’ve made her question her sanity and trust in me countless times. And to add to that, the betrayal with Annie and making her my Luna… I doubt she’ll ever want to be with me.”
Zach placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You shouldn’t give up on her, especially now that she’s carrying your true heir.”
His words hit me like a revelation. The realization that Lyra was carrying our child, our legacy, filled me with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
“You’re right,” I said firmly, determination shining in my eyes. “I won’t give up. I’ll do everything in my power to make things right with Lyra and prove that I can be the mate she deserves.”
“That brought a glimmer of hope amidst the thoughts waging war in my head, I’d like to go for a run. Come with me, Zach.”
Zach’s eyes sparkled with excitement as we made our way to the window. I leaped out of the window and shifted mid-air, relishing the rush of freedom. It was something I always enjoyed doing. I noticed Dante, Zach’s wolf, following suit as we raced through the woods, heading towards the serene lake ahead.
The cool breeze against my fur and the pounding of paws in the woods calmed my mind, even if just for a moment. Running through nature always had a way of providing clarity.
My thoughts drift to the day we both rescued Lyra from the wolf pursuing her. I stand beside the lake, enjoying the peaceful nature it brings.
Zach reminds me through the link, “Do you remember the last time we were here?”
“What a coincidence,” I replied aloud, “that’s exactly what I was just thinking about. She’s a phenomenal woman. She breaks every rule I’ve put in place and still lingers in my heart despite the rejection.”
After a satisfying time at the lake, which helped cool down the growing temper regarding Conor and winning Lyra, I resolved to win her back no matter what. With that determination in mind, I made my way back to the pack.
As we journeyed, I received a mind link from the private investigator I had hired to dig into Annie and the guy we encountered earlier that day.
“Alpha, you need to hurry and see that I have what you requested,” Nolan the private investigator’s urgent message echoed in my mind.
I quickened my pace, eager to see what information the investigator had uncovered. The prospect of finally gaining insight into Annie’s motives and the stranger’s connection.
Excited and determined, I quickly relayed the news to Zach as we continued our journey back to the pack house. With every ounce of strength in my paws, I hastened my pace, eager to unveil whatever mystery Nolan had uncovered.