Lyra’s POV The song ended, and I gasped at the sight of Leandros giving me a standing ovation. It made my heart fill with satisfaction. I was sure he loved the song I composed and sang for him. If fashion design hadn’t been my passion, I would surely have taken up music as my career.Leandros came forward, and I smiled at him shyly. Had I confessed too much? Did he understand what he meant to me? Did he feel my love for him? He enveloped me in his warm embrace without a word! Even amidst the loud applause all around me, I could feel his heart thumping wildly in his chest. Was it because of me? “I’m touched, Lyra. I’m deeply touched. Thank you for the wonderful gift. Did you compose it?”“Yes,” I whispered breathlessly.His mouth brushed against my forehead and I wondered if he kissed me there. He released me and led me to our table. I couldn’t meet his probing gaze. It was a different thing to sing from a distance, but now, seated across from him, I felt conscious of myself. The
Lyra’s POV Lena parked her car, and we bundled out on the sprawling compounds of the packhouse. Being with the Luna of the pack had its advantages. Everyone treated us with respect. Lena and Hazel introduced me to everyone as Leandros’s fated mate. Hazel’s aunt, Cassie, and her sister, Carla, planned a formal welcome for me. I blushed at all the attention I received. Lena’s mom, Syble, the daughter of the Moon Goddess, blessed me, inviting me to her popular diner, The Hungry Wolf.Carla, the packhouse kitchen supervisor, served us a delicious lunch. Orion Grenier, the pack’s spy and his friend, Michael, joined us for lunch, and Hazel introduced me to them as Leandros’s mate.“So, are you liking it here in Lucania?” asked Michael. “Yes. It’s a lively place.” “How did your uncle give you permission to stay here?” he asked, and I smiled, not elaborating further.The dinner was so good I ended up overeating.“Gosh! I’m so full, I can’t move an inch.” They chuckled knowingly since thei
Leandros’s POV I tried my best to keep myself calm around Lyra. She was young, and I didn’t want to scare her with my short temper. Hazel lectured me a lot the next day at my office. She stormed in unannounced and made me realize my mistake. “Scale it down, bro. She can’t deal with your temper. Don’t forget, she’s nine years younger than you.” “I’ve got it. I promise I won’t lose my shit again. But it wasn’t entirely my fault. Michael shouldn’t have incited me.” She got up to leave. “Yes, he has apologized for pulling your legs.” I sighed with relief, the matter forgotten. After last evening, Lyra had stopped freely interacting with me. I didn’t like the apprehensive look on her face ever since I erupted. Hazel was right. She was too young to deal with me. I swore to make it up to her in the evening. I kept postponing the urge to call her throughout the day. I didn’t want to portray a creepy picture of myself. It was evening when we concluded the meeting and wrapped up for the da
Lyra’s POV After dinner, I dreaded going to the bedroom, knowing Leandros would want his kiss. This time, I was adamant. He just couldn’t expect me to kiss him all the time. What about my needs? Even I needed a kiss from him? I was almost eighteen. Yet I hadn’t received my first kiss from my mate. What was the big deal about turning eighteen? I hated his backdated principles. No one was here to judge him if he kissed me now. I refused to give in to his demand this time. If he needed a kiss, he would have to kiss me first. I helped Lena wrap up the cleaning up.“Thanks for your help, Lyra. I wouldn’t have managed so much without the two of you. I hope Zephyrus rescues Hera soon and returns home fast. I’m exhausted.” “Any news so far about Hera?” She shook her head. “They might have just reached Aromania. I’ll call him tomorrow.” She trudged over to her bedroom while I braced myself to face my mate. I had expected him to come here and create a scene, but strangely, he hadn’t. It w
Leandros’s POV For the next four days, we took it up as a challenge to persuade one other. While I wanted her to give in and kiss me, Lyra wanted me to take her out. With both of us obstinate, none of us gave in. Therefore, the situation was hostile at home. While I came over to my office, Lyra spent her time at Lena’s school helping her. The inauguration of the learning center excited her, but sadly, there were no courses suitable for her. She was adamant about pursuing a degree in fashion design and nothing else. It was a hopeless situation as the best colleges for Fashion Design were outside the state of the Northern Territories and in Ontario. I couldn’t let her go so far away from me. Zephyrus called to inform me they had rescued Hera, and she was recuperating. Once she was better, Felixe would take her home to Yellowknife. It was a relief indeed, and I waited for Zephyrus’s arrival from Aromania. It was evening, and I had wrapped my work for the day when my phone buzzed with
Leandros’s POV The next day, I waited all day for Zephyrus’s call. His phone was unreachable and there was no way I could know why he had called me last night. Maybe he was on his way home. I couldn’t meet Lyra too before leaving for work. After the kiss we shared last night, she had been hiding in her room. Therefore, I couldn’t tell her I was planning to take her out tonight. I called her at lunchtime, but she avoided taking my call. It was frustrating to know she was avoiding me. I would have to normalize the situation between us tonight. However, a call from Stavros in the evening ruined my plans with Lyra. “Come over to the packhouse right now. Zeph just arrived. It’s urgent.” I frowned with worry, a feeling of dread spreading over me. What could the urgency be? Why did Zephyrus call me so many times last night?I dropped my plans with Lyra and drove over to the packhouse. It was good that I didn’t inform Lyra about my plans or she would have been upset. Parking my car, I r
Lyra’s POV My heart thumped wildly with excitement as I reached the closet. I had always wanted to see the place where my mate had grown up. I wanted to meet his first crush, his aunt, who had brought him up. Now that wish would come true. It would be my first trip outside my country to a foreign land. “Stop, Lyra. You can’t accompany me.” Leandros’s desperate plea brought me out of my excitement. I turned to see the torn look on his face. “Why not? I have my passport. I can ask Uncle Felixe to send me my bank card to withdraw money. There’s a lot of money in my account.” “It’s not about money or documents. Uncle Georgios, the king of Aromania, is unwell and I’m going to see him. This isn’t a joyous occasion for you to visit them. Please, Lyra, try to understand the situation. I’ll take you when he recuperates.”“My presence won’t hamper his treatment in any way, Leandros. I’ll take care of him too. Don’t leave me here and go away. I hate being alone.” My heart twisted in pain at
Leandros’s POV I reached the kingdom of Argyros after almost twenty-four hours. I didn’t want to involve my folks in Aromania. What if King Iliad declared war on them? It was better to talk to him first. Nestled in northwestern Greece, in the Zagori region of the Pindus Mountains, the kingdom of Argyros was inhabited by the Argus Howlers. Dimitra’s family had ruled them for years, but the situation was bleak now.This was the only generation where, in the absence of a male Alpha heir, the Alpha king was in a dilemma. Princess Dimitra was a weak heir with no interest in ruling her pack. As such, her father was forced to resort to unfair means to get her mated to an able alpha male who wouldn’t take advantage of her situation. Having known me since childhood, the Alpha king trusted only me with his daughter. It was understandable since I belonged to an alpha lineage, too. My mom was the daughter of the alpha of our neighboring pack when she eloped with my father.The car brought me fr