The sun dipped low, painting the horizon in hues of gold and crimson as Lyra finished her first day of training with Cassian. Her muscles ached, but there was a lightness in her chest she hadn’t felt in days. Cassian had been patient with her, his sharp commands tempered with encouragement. It was a side of him she hadn’t expected but appreciated deeply.
As the training session ended, Adrian watched from the shadows, his crimson eyes fixed on Lyra and Cassian. He had never seen Cassian exhibit such patience, such care. It twisted something deep within him, a jealousy he could no longer suppress.
When Cassian left to attend to pack matters, Adrian approached Lyra near the pack’s boundary. The silver light of the rising moon bathed them in a soft glow. Lyra turned as he drew near, her expression softening.
“Adrian,” she said, her voice tired but kind. “What are you doing out here?”
He hesitated, his usually confident demeanor faltering. “I’ve been trying to protect you, Lyra, but…” His voice dropped, raw with emotion. “It’s more than that. I love you.”
Lyra’s breath caught, her eyes widening. “What?” she whispered, unsure if she had heard him correctly.
Adrian stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “I don’t care about Cassian or anyone else. All I want is you.”
She didn’t know how to respond, her thoughts swirling as she searched his face. Before she could speak, Adrian’s gaze dropped to her hands, calloused from training, and then back to her eyes. “You were with him today. Training,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “You looked… happy. He was patient with you. Patient in a way I’ve never seen him be with anyone.”
Lyra blinked, caught off guard by his words. “He’s trying to help me become stronger.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “And what about us, Lyra? Do you feel anything for me? Because I—”
“Adrian, stop,” she interrupted, her voice trembling. “I’m mated to Cassian.”
He shook his head, stepping even closer. “You don’t love him,” he said, his tone firm, desperate. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Lyra opened her mouth to reply but hesitated, her silence cutting deeper than any answer. Adrian’s voice broke as he repeated, “You’re not in love with him, right?”
***