Lyra’s POV As I lay down to sleep, I was in a dilemma. There was no other way out than to agree to return home the next morning. If Uncle Felixe could find out my mentor’s phone number, he could also get me out of this hotel. I wondered if Leandros were coming at all. Had they not invited him? Had my uncle insulted him for what he did to me? What other reason could be for him not to turn up for Hera’s birthday? He was quite close to Hera. After a fitful sleep the next morning, I trudged home. It was Saturday and my office was closed for the weekend. With Hera’s birthday the next day, I had no way of escape. The moment I parked the car, the chaos inside the house made me dread going inside. I had no contact with my friends from Lucania for the last four years. What if they bore a grudge against me? I was socially awkward and couldn’t do small talk to salvage a situation. Still, I trudged in gingerly, smiling at the entire crowd gathered in the living room. Thankfully, my uncle was
Lyra’s POV Despite the chaos all around us, Granny and I sneaked out in the evening before Leandros’s arrival. Everyone was busy tending to the battalion of pups and no one noticed us. “So, where’s this Purple Beats of yours?” asked Granny as we got into her car. “Downtown, near Mackenzie’s.” She drove on and I smiled, feeling free. “Drink in moderation. We have to return home and face your hot-headed uncle.” We chuckled at the description, all the way enacting Uncle Felixe’s reaction to our escapade. It was so hilarious, we were soon laughing to our heart’s content. We reached the club and walked in with confidence. Although my last experience was bitter, this time I wasn’t underage anymore. The bouncers winked at Granny Ebony as they allowed us inside. I chuckled at her antics, and soon we were negotiating our way through the crazy club crowd. Granny Ebony nudged the creepy guys aside with her elbows as she made way for me. As if I were still underage! We booked ourselves a tab
Leandros’s POV I gazed at my mate in my arms, and my heart skipped a beat with excitement. It had been so long since I had seen her, let alone hold her so close in my arms. I had stopped hoping for her years ago, although Leo howled in pain every night lying alone in my bed at night. I tried hard to ignore the pain in my heart, overworking myself every day to the limit. Now, holding her in my arms healed the dull ache in my heart, and the longing in my soul, but only momentarily. I knew I would have to release her soon. My parched eyes drank her in. She had grown so beautiful, her body filling up in the right places. It was almost as if I was holding someone else rather than my little mate! She wasn’t little anymore but seductively curvaceous, taking my breath away.Relief washed over me, knowing I could rescue her just in time from the clutches of Nick Berkeley. It was like history repeating itself, only this time she wasn’t in her senses to interact with me. “Let us go. You have
Lyra’s POV I stirred, turning over and trying to open my bleary eyes. My head felt heavy, like a block of wood, but it was the searing headache that made me wince. What had they mixed in my drink to make me feel this way? A shudder went down my spine at the thought of what could have happened to me. Was it a nightmare? I opened my eyes and found myself in my bedroom, safe and sound. Yet the splitting headache and the horrible taste in my mouth were proof that it wasn’t a nightmare. Last night I went to Purple Beats after Granny incited me. Nick and his friends had harassed me and spiked my drink. If Leandros hadn’t arrived on time, I would have been abused and left to die! I sprang from the bed with a start as realization hit me hard.Leandros had saved me. Leandros was here. Despite the throbbing in my head, I staggered to the washroom to freshen up. I wanted to fix myself up before going out to thank him. Did Uncle Felixe find out about our late-night escapade? I was totally out
Leandros’s POV I could sense her presence behind me, her scent penetrating into my mind and body forcefully. I had no control over the mate bond attracting me towards her. Yes, despite the years that have passed by, she was still my one and only mate. She might have forgotten me, but I was still stuck four years ago to the day she rejected me. “I’m so happy that you came back for Hera’s sake, Leandros. She was too upset since morning,” said Lena and I sighed. If Felixe, Derrick, and Zephyrus hadn’t come over to my studio apartment this morning to get me, I would have reached home by now. “Yes, she wanted Felixe to cancel this party,” said Zephyrus, looking over my shoulder at Lyra. I dreaded turning around to face her. Last night was different. She was almost on the verge of losing her consciousness. “How are you feeling now, Lyra?” asked Zephyrus and my breath hitched as a feeling of intense need coursed through my body. It was the need to claim my mate as mine. She was a gift fr
Lyra’s POV Pressed against his hard chest, I drowned in his mesmerizing eyes, my hands sliding up his shoulders instead of pushing him away. The world stopped revolving around me as I fought the urge to smash my lips to his like I used to. Would he kiss me back this time? I wasn’t underage anymore. At that moment, I forgot about his betrayal and his family waiting for him back in Lucania.My intoxicated mind was brimming with the intense love I had kept hidden for so long. I couldn’t hide it any longer. All I knew was he was still my mate, and I belonged to him. His hold tightened around my waist while his eyes darkened like thunderclouds. In a split second, he tangled his fingers in my hair to grip the back of my head. A gasp escaped my lips, realizing his intentions. His mouth covered mine, dominating and hard, leaving me stunned. I hadn’t expected to receive my first kiss from him tonight. I wasn’t even prepared! Taking advantage of my parted mouth, he thrust his tongue inside m
Lyra’s POV The next morning, Uncle Felixe had already left for work when I woke up. I knew I was late today, but what could I do? All night, I couldn’t drive Leandros and his smoldering kiss out of my mind. I lost count of the number of times I replayed it in my head. My lips still throbbed as if he had kissed me just now! Added to that were his controversial dialogues. They left me more confused than before. When I finally slept in the wee hours of the morning, I couldn’t wake up. To top it all, I forgot to set my alarm last night! In five minutes, I got ready for work and dashed out to my car. There was no time to grab breakfast, even. After the bombshell Hera dropped last night, I trudged over to my room. There was nothing I could do about it than wait for my uncle to initiate the topic. I couldn’t give Hera away and fight his decision now. So, the wisest thing to do would be to wait for him to tell me. I drove over to work and reported to my mentor, Mr. Greenville. He was furio
Lyra’s POV I was bored at home for the next two days with nothing to do. I lost the sense of direction after the bitter experience at Mackenzie’s. It had taught me one thing. I couldn’t work under anyone. The independent streak in my nature would always cause a clash with my superiors. I hated being dictated to. “You can pursue your master’s,” suggested Hera as we sat in the living room, waiting for my uncle’s return. “I want to work simultaneously.” “Why don’t you start your fashion line? Decide what you want to specialize in,” suggested Granny while I gaped at her. Of course, the thought had been playing in my mind for almost a month, but I wasn’t confident I could do it. “What if I fail?” Granny shrugged and gazed at her mobile phone. “Learn from your failures and try harder until you succeed.” Hera looked excited and prodded me on. “Yes, mom is right. Why don’t you try at least? You can study online and do this in your free time.” I gaped at the two of them, mulling over th