Chapter 36
Kessler’s POV
I stormed out of her room in anger. How dare she try to reject me? I could feel her emotions running high from the mate bond.
“Fuck this mate bond,” I muttered as I kicked the table in my office.
I mind-linked Julie. “Go to Lyra’s room now,” I commanded without waiting for a response, I severed the link.
Dolph was pacing restlessly; he was beyond furious that Lyra wanted rejection. Dolph whined in my head.
“It’s not as easy as you think. So many things are at stake. I find myself thinking about her every damn time of the day.
My anger was livid when I saw her with Xavier. He sure does have a way of infuriating me.”
“I know he wants her from the way he looks at her, and he is unaware that she is my mate.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
“How long do you intend to keep her hidden? You keep messing with her head, just like she complained. Not now, Dolph,” I groaned.
“Every time I see her, she stirs up emotions. I try to bury them deep down, and most times she looks unfazed like she would rather be somewhere else than be around me.”
It’s like a constant battle within me, torn between wanting to protect her and wanting to distance myself to spare her from the complications of our bond. But every time I see her, my will weakens, and I’m reminded of why I can’t stay away.
I yearn to be there to comfort her, to scoop her into my arms, and assure her that everything will be well. But I’m conflicted because plans are in motion regarding Annie.
Alpha Bayne will be furious and may choose to sever ties with us. Am I ready to risk that?
My mother must not know about Lyra. Julie had informed me that my mother had a conversation with Lyra, and I trust she didn’t give away her identity.
My mother returned, unable to stop talking about how beautiful and charming the young lady she encountered was.
I smiled inwardly with pride. That’s my mate. She has a way of leaving a lasting impression. But my mother was furious that she didn’t know who she was.
I needed to talk to someone. In the wake of the time my father walked in.
I tried to comfort myself so he wouldn’t see me, but I failed miserably.
As my father entered the room, his eyes narrowed in concern at the sight of me. “Son, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with worry.
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “Just… dealing with some personal matters,” I replied vaguely, hoping to deflect his attention.
But my father wasn’t easily fooled. He stepped closer, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. “You can talk to me, son. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together.”
I slumped down in my chair, then I felt a pang in my chest. Gripping my chest tightly, I realized I was feeling her emotions something was wrong with Lyra.
“I mind-link Julie. What’s happening to her?”
“Alpha, she has been crying nonstop. I don’t know how to console her,” Julie responded, her distress evident through the link.
My father’s voice brought me out of the connection. “Have you found your mate?” he asked, his tone curious yet cautious.
As I took a deep breath to steady myself, I met my father’s gaze, grappling with the weight of his question. “Yes,” I admitted, “But things are complicated.”
His expression softened with understanding. “You may be the most feared Alpha, but you will always be my boy because I know you too well when you are conflicted.”
“You haven’t been yourself since we got here, and I don’t want to pry,” he continued, his concern evident. “And seeing you holding on to your chest, I know nothing other than the mate bond is at work.”
“Who is she?” he finally asked.
“Lyra. Lyra Bash Aiden’s daughter.”
“Hmmm, she must be a phenomenal woman,” my father mused.
“Yes, she is,” I said, smiling as I thought about her.
“And why haven’t you presented her to the council?” he asked.
“She doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. She hates me, Dad. She can’t stand my gut. She wants to reject me,” I replied, my heart breaking with each word.
“Why so much hatred?” he inquired, his voice filled with concern.
“Because I killed her father. I wish I could turn back time to make it right…”
He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “And how have you been treating her?” he asked gently.
“I’ve not been the best,” I admitted, a pang of guilt piercing through me. “But I assigned Julie to her, Dad. And to know that she said she’d rather go rogue than submit as my mate…” My voice trailed off, the weight of her rejection still heavy on my heart.
I looked down, unable to meet my father’s gaze.
“Then what, son?” he prompted gently.
“I didn’t know how it happened, but I marked her without her consent,” I confessed, the weight of my mistake heavy on my conscience.
“Now you have to face the consequences of your actions,” my father replied solemnly.
“What do I do, Dad?” I asked, feeling lost and overwhelmed.
My father placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes, emotions can be complicated, son. Give her time. She may come to see things differently.”
“You have to present her to the council,” he advised, his tone firm yet supportive.
Then my mum burst in: “You will present no one else to the council except Annie. Not under my watch will you get mated to a rogue.”
Damn, this heightened hearing of the Lycan.
My mum and Annie’s mum are best friends, and they have agreed that to make their bond stronger, their children have to marry each other.
“Mum, I’m sorry. I want nothing to do with Annie,” I said without looking up.
My dad gave me a thumbs-up.
Then I felt it again, a pang in my chest. My emotions were running high, and Dolph was restless, shouting, “Mate, mate, mate.”
“I mind-link Julie, what the fuck is going on with Lyra?” I boomed with anger through the link.
She panicked and said, “I’m sorry, Alpha, but I can’t find her in her room.”
“What do you mean you can’t find her?!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with urgency. “I gave one fucking command not to leave her sight.”
“She asked me to return the used plate she used to the kitchen,” Julie explained, her tone apologetic, “and when I got back to her room, she was nowhere to be found.”
Panic surged through me as Julie’s words echoed in my mind. “Search every inch of the pack grounds. I want her found, now!” I commanded, my voice laced with urgency. Then I serve the link immediately.”
“God damn you, Lyra!” I cursed under my breath. “She had it all planned. It seems she’s in some trouble.”
I got up from my seat, and my mum looked at me with a deadly glare. “Where do you think you are going?”
“I’m going to find my mate,” I said in anger.
“You will sit your arse down and watch your temper around me. Do you get it?” she said, her eyes blazing with anger.
I was boiling with anger, but I managed to sit.
“I want you to cut every tie with Lyra. She is a Bash. They are trouble, especially her uncle. Fix your emotions and prepare for the mating ceremony with Annie,” she said, then walked out without batting an eyelid.
I looked to my dad for help, but he said nothing as I slumped into my chair in despair.