Chapter 18 Lyra
Kessler’s expression softened as he looked at me, concern evident in his eyes. “I heard you crying out in your sleep,” he explained gently. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Still shaken and unsure of how to respond, I hesitated before finally speaking. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded in response, and a sense of relief washed over him. Watching him stride to the door, I feel a pang of regret. Despite everything, there was still a part of me that longed for his presence.
I got up and went to the bathroom, splashing some water on my face as I stared at myself in the mirror. After drying my face with a towel, I walked back to my room.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I realized I needed to do something spontaneous. For once, I had to set aside all the emotions I’d been holding inside.Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
I needed to forget about my uncle, my mom, Kessler, Tristan, and even Annie. It was time to break free from the rollercoaster of emotions they had put me through.
Just as I was pondering my next move, Julie walked in with a warm greeting. “Good morning, Lyra,” she said.
“Good morning, Julie, and thank you for yesterday,” I replied, grateful for her support.
Her teasing tone and questioning look caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger rise within me.
“What?” I asked sharply, my frustration evident in my voice.
I’m surprised by how quickly my emotions change, but Julie remains unfazed by my outburst, her expression teasing.
“I see His Highness just leaving your room,” she continued with a hint of amusement in her voice.
As her words sank in, a faint blush tinged my cheeks, betraying my embarrassment. I tried to compose myself, but Julie’s teasing only made it harder.
“Good to know that you two are getting along,” she teased further, leaving me speechless and flustered.
“No, Julie, you’ve got it all wrong,” I interjected quickly, trying to clear up any misconceptions. “I think he just sensed I was restless and came to check up on me. It’s probably just the mate bond at work.”
Kessler trusts her to be my maid because no one else knows that I’m his mate, except for Zach and her. They must be close to letting her know something about him.
It’s a good thing that he cares, She continued. “Kessler has been through a lot, and he’s like a brother to me. And I will be forever grateful for his help”
Julie’s words left me stunned, realizing the depth of her concern for Kessler and the bond they shared, she seems to know a lot about Kessler.
As I absorbed Julie’s words, a sense of realization washed over me.
She continued “Behind Kessler’s cold and commanding demeanor lay a softer side. The emotional pain of losing his mate had left a lasting impact on him.”
“You being in his life now gives him a reason to keep going,” Julie continued. “I haven’t seen him happier like this in a long while, now that he’s found you as his mate.”
I was stunned by this new revelation, my mind swirling with thoughts and emotions.
I couldn’t help but reflect on our time together, the moments when Kessler seemed distant and aloof, as well as the times when he looked at me with intense desire.
It was clear that there was more to Kessler than met the eye. “It’s complicated,” I muttered under my breath, my teeth clenched. “And I can’t stand him because he murdered my dad,” I added, my voice filled with bitterness.
Julie approached me, her expression somber. “Lyra, there are still many things you don’t know,” she said gently. “It’s not my place to reveal them, but eventually, the truth will come to light.”
I mulled over her words, torn between dwelling on the past or moving forward.
Shaking my head, I made a decision. “Run a bath for me,” I instructed. “I’m going into the city today. I want to familiarize myself with my surroundings.”
“Sure, my lady,” Julie replied obediently as she headed to the bathroom. I took my time in the bath, lost in thought. Memories of Kessler’s touch flooded my mind, stirring conflicting emotions within me.
“But you enjoyed every bit of it,” Sasha purred in my head.
“Sasha, you’re such a traitor,” I retorted, frustration evident in my voice. “I wonder why you find so much peace with my father’s killer. You’ve been so calm that I wonder if I still have my wolf.”
She chuckled humorlessly. “Lyra, you’ll always have me around,” she said, her voice echoing in my mind. “But I and Dolph have a special bond that I can’t explain. I know you feel it too with Kessler, but you’re holding back on your emotions.”
“True, Sasha,” I conceded, acknowledging her insight. “It will take time for me to heal and come to terms with the fact that he’s my mate.” With that, I severed the link with Sasha and focused on lathering my body with soap.
After finishing my bath, I stepped outside the bathroom to find that Julie had already laid out my outfit for the day on my bed. I feel grateful for her thoughtfulness.
I took my time dressing, slipping into a sky-blue gown with black polka dots that hugged my figure perfectly.
As I finished getting ready, Julie walked in and began styling my hair. While she worked her magic, I asked her a question that had been on my mind.
“How well do you know my uncle?” I inquired.
“To some extent,” she replied, her fingers deftly weaving through my hair. “His mother is a member of this pack, and your father and Jack share only one parent.”
I was shocked by her response. “Are you sure?” I asked, needing confirmation.
“Yes,” she affirmed confidently.
As I made my way outside the door, I walked through the corridor and witnessed something truly emotional.
A wolf had just recognized his mate, and the experience was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The way he looked at her with such love and adoration, as if she were the only person in the world, made my heart skip a beat.
He ran to her and pressed his lips against hers, and in that moment, everything seemed magical. I watched them in awe, wondering why my own life had to be so complicated.
The questions swirled in my mind as I made my way to the city. Why couldn’t I feel happy like those wolves when I found my mate? Why did I feel so conflicted whenever I was around Kessler? And why did it have to be him, the one who killed my father? I looked up and asked the moon goddess, “Why?”
The thought made me feel sick to my stomach as I navigated through the bustling streets. Julie tagged along, likely with the impression that Kessler would skin her alive if she left me all by myself.
We stepped into a cafe to order some coffee. After taking a sip of the steaming coffee, a wave of warmth spread through my body, soothing my nerves and calming my heart.
With each sip of the rich aroma and bold flavor of the coffee, I felt a sense of clarity and renewed energy.
Kessler has given Julie his credit card; whenever I want to swipe mine, she would hurriedly swipe his. I would roll my eyes whenever she did that.
As I took my time exploring the city, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Every time I turned around, my heart would race, and I felt a sense of urgency to quicken my steps.