Chapter 8

Lyra's POV

"You know, I wonder what sweet connection you have with Kelvin." Alira walked into the room, I knew she wanted to start her taunting again.

"Don't be ridiculous. He's my guardian." I wanted to slap back those words and I regretted saying them in the first place.

"Guardian." She repeated with an amused expression before laughing out. "Guardian or lover?" She asked. I had a gut feeling she was up to something but I couldn't care less. I needed to rest right now.

"How do you feel going about people's business and not minding yours? I've never recognized you, not until you started moving about like a jobless person, of course, you're jobless. Or maybe I'm mistaken, this is your way of getting recognition." She stared at me with an unbelievable gaze and wobbled her head from side to side.

"You're pathetic." She was angry because I could see her face turn to light pink. If not for how she's been badmouthing me, I would have described how beautiful she is. But, she isn't worth it.

"Thank you. You can leave now." Was I dismissing her? Yes. Am I afraid of her? No. Do I want to rest? Yes.

Can I ever get peace? What the hell am I even thinking about?

I was fucking sold by my stepmother– sorry, by the stepmother of this person's body am in right now.

What sort of date is this?

"How would you think the Alpha would react knowing you're meddling with his property?" A male voice resonated from outside the room.

Keto?

It's him.

"And how's that your business?" Alira was been so sarcastic right now.

"Because it's mine and I'm the beta of this pack. I get to tell you when to stop if you are overstepping your boundaries. Your familiarity with the Alpha doesn't change anything!" It was evident in Keto's eyes and voice that he was pissed off by Alira's behavior.

"Fine, fine. No need to lecture me." Her eyes were staring at me with hidden meanings even while responding to Keto. "I thought she was bought as a slave. And then she's miraculously the Alpha's mate, he didn't acknowledge the mate bind, he fucking rejected her so why can't she be treated as the lowlife that she is?" Alira was getting frustrated.

Is she blind or daft?

Can't she see that I'm suffering?

Whoever thinks I'm happy? 

"Alira!!!" Keto growled and it was a warning. "I would never want to report you to the Alpha, he has earned you today, and reporting you for the exact same thing he warned you off would be a great punishment, mind your ways and leave!" He ordered and she hissed and walked away.

Anyway, he did too but not after staring at me for seconds as he shut the door behind him and went outside.

I woke up with a start, my senses jolted awake by the icy cold water splashing onto my face. I screamed, instinctively standing up and stumbling backward, my eyes flying open to take in the unfamiliar surroundings. The water dripped from my hair, sending shivers down my spine.

"Good morning, Princess," Alira's saccharine voice echoed through the room, her smile twisted in amusement.

I glared at her, wiping the water from my face. "What's your problem, Alira?"

Alira sauntered closer, her eyes glinting with malice. "Just thought you needed a little wake-up call. After all, you're not exactly the most popular person around here."

I narrowed my eyes. "And what exactly have I done to you?"

Alira's smile grew wider. "Oh, you don't even remember, do you? You think you're so special? Is that what you think? I'll make your life a living hell."

My anger simmered, but before I could respond, Jacob burst into the room.

"Alira, leave," he commanded, his voice firm.

Alira's expression turned sulky, but she wasn't going to leave.

"You have no right to tell me to leave Kelvin. Who the hell do you think you are?

Jacob turned to me, his eyes softening but behind those eyes were lies. "Sorry about that. I didn't think she'd bother you."

I raised an eyebrow. "What's going on, Kelvin? Why are you being so nice to me?"

Jacob's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "I've told you before and I'm not going to repeat it again. I know you didn't wake up well this morning. So let's just say, I'm invested in your well-being."

I snorted. "Invested? You mean you want something from me." I'm overreacting and it seems like I know something.

I'm not doing a good job of keeping my anger in check

Jacob's eyes flashed with irritation, but he quickly masked it. "Let's focus on getting you ready for the day. Alpha Orion wants to see you."

My stomach twisted into knots. "What does he want now?"

Jacob shrugged. "No idea, but you should be prepared."

I sighed, resigned to my fate. "Fine. Help me get dressed." I would act however I want to. I will do whatever I think is right.

"Kelvin?" I asked, my voice low.

"Yes?"

"Why are you really helping me?"

Jacob's expression remained neutral, but his eyes flickered with something – guilt, perhaps? Nah, Lyra you're exaggerating.

"Let's just say I have my reasons, Lyra," he said, his voice smooth. "Now, shall we get ready?"

I nodded, still wary, but played along. For now.

---

As I finished dressing, Jacob handed me a brush for my hair. Our fingers touched, and I felt a jolt of unease.

"Kelvin?" I asked again.

"Yes?"

"Stay away from me."

Jacob's eyes narrowed, his smile twisting. "Oh, Lyra. You're going to need me sooner or later."

I wanted to strike his head. The word 'escape' occupied my head. 

"Kelvin?" I called out.

He paused at the door.

"What's going on between you and Alira?"

Jacob's expression turned inscrutable. "Nothing that concerns you."

With that, he left, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Did he foolishly forget that I'm to meet the so-called Alpha Orion?