The cold winter breeze gently moved the curtains, causing Lyra to shiver as she curled into a ball. Her long lashes fluttered open to see her room in darkness, with the flickered fireplace as her light source. She was perplexed by the fact no one woke her after the treatment.
Sitting up from the bed, she noticed Leo's absence and hasn't returned yet. Releasing a breath, she was relieved to some extent of privacy for once. A low growl rumbled from her stomach, breaking the silence to know she was hungry.
There was a knock at the door that surprised her. She jumped out of bed as she walked over to answer the door. The two maids from earlier were present, holding a couple of items that made Lyra's brows rise.
"Young miss, I'm glad to see you awake," the older maid smiled, entering her chamber holding a dress.
"We need to dress you for dinner. The Alpha has invited you to join him for a feast," the young maid beamed. She was gesturing to Lyra to the dresser of the room.
Lyra was shocked by what was happening but kept her mouth shut and allowed the women to do their job. When they were done, both women beamed at their work and did not need to do much, thanks to the natural beauty Lyra was born with.
The ladies led her down the corridor, stopping at the double doors leading to the dining hall. Lyra was anxious. Never in her entire life had she experienced such a glamorous lifestyle. It was too much for her. She swallowed the lump in her throat to steel herself. Give her a task, and she will gladly do it without question if it comes to labor; however, being on the receiving end of such treatment was baffling. She took a deep breath to remind her it was a simple dinner and nothing more. Little did she know it would be more than she expected.
When the doors opened, she was graced with an elegant long table adorned with candelabras alight and a grand feast. The room was filled with distinguished guests who filled the seats with Viktor in a white uniform with light blue lining that nicely accented his blonde wavy hair, making him dignified at the head of the table. All the stares were trained on her, and she gulped in nervousness. She was famished, but the environment she walked into made her stomach queasy even more. Viktor gave an ecstatic smile as he noticed her arrival and gestured her to come sit at the two empty seats next to him.
"Are you going just to stand there all night?" a low, husky voice whispered by her ear shot her nerves through the roof. Leo stepped into her view and gave Lyra a beguiling smirk. His eyes were fixated on her, looking from head to toe.
Lyra wore an elegant green dress that accentuated her every graceful movement. Though simple, the gown was a silken emerald fabric that clung to her figure in all the right places. The off-the-shoulder neckline revealed her delicate collarbone down to her well-developed breasts that were daring to spill. The bodice was intricately adorned with patterns that trailed down her flowing skirt. No jewels could accent her beauty, especially her aquamarine eyes.
The gown's emerald hue complemented Lyra's eyes, creating a mesmerizing display that heightened her natural beauty. Her black wavy curls were tied in a low bun, revealing her flawless skin and a few unruly curls trailing over her cheeks. She brushed the strand behind her ear and bit her lip. The whole ensemble screamed allure and sophistication, leaving Leo slightly dazed.
He straightened his posture before offering his hand to her. Lyra was a nervous wreck and took his hand in support, leading her to a seat next to Viktor. All eyes were on her, and she focused on the hand interlocked with hers. Pulling the chair out for her, she gracefully sat. Viktor was all smiles, and she could imagine a fluffy blonde tail wagging by her presence.
"Glad you could join us, Lyra. You look stunning," Viktor flirted with Lyra, making her blush. Leo was not amused and scoffed under his breath.
Lyra turned to Leo and didn't like his attitude, so she smiled at him mockingly and faced Viktor.
"That's very kind of you, Alpha Viktor. I also am very grateful for the hospitality you've given us," Lyra thanked, bowing her head in respect.
"Please, call me Viktor," he insisted. Lyra could not refuse and could only nod in respect.
Leo snorted, rolling his eyes. The damn player holds no bounds to whatever woman comes his way, and Lyra is falling for it. He took a goblet filled with wine from the staff in his hand and sipped. Swallowing the annoyance along with it.
Lyra couldn't help but see a new side of Leo was displaying. Was he jealous? Impossible! The daunting man barely showed any emotion; it was unbelievable how he was even breathing. Now that she looked at him better, he was dressed in a different attire that surprised her.
Leo's striking figure wore a simple black attire, yet he held himself in grace and commanding presence. The tailored black suit, adorned with subtle gold lining, clung to his form in a way that hinted at the sculpted muscles beneath. The jacket and white shirt emphasized his broad shoulders and a defined waist, leaving Lyra to trail down before someone cleared their throat. His crimson orbs were locked onto hers, and her cheeks burned by the embarrassing fumble she got herself into. Though the scar on his cheek accented his deadly nature, his face alone was seraphic and alluring.
She decided to focus on her meal, which made her mouth water. Seated between two dashing men, she could hold off since the food was calling her name. Taking a bite from the meat had her tastebuds explode with tantalizing spices and flavors, and a moan escaped her lips. Viktor was pleased she was enjoying herself and decided to help himself with the meal. Leo kept a watchful glance before eating a few pieces before drinking his wine. He couldn't stop looking at her; it was starting to annoy him.
There was not line of aristocracy in Evrax as it was domain of mainly wolf shifters. So the etiquette of decorum was out the door. Most of the men in the hall ate with their hands as the devoured the meats and delicacies. Laughter and chatter were all Lyra could hear as the festivity was energetic. She felt comfortable as the attention strayed away from her.
The dinner continued with small conversations among the guests, and it was a lively party. The lingering stares from the people died down, and she could breathe. She took a sip from the goblet that Viktor offered her, curious by the honey-color liquid. Her eyes widened at the sweet and tart flavors that complimented one another, and she gulped more.
"Slow down. It's rather potent for humans," Viktor chuckled, amused by Lyra's excitement about the beverage.
"What is this?" Lyra enquired; the taste was exquisite, and her muscles relaxed. She tried ale from her grandfather's canter and didn't appreciate the bitter taste it left behind. She was not into drinking alcohol but she would indulge in the festivities her village would have during the celebration of a great harvest. Her mood dampened for a moment at the faint memory she will cherish as it will be the last in Sparrow Peak.
"This is Mead made from Negoke. Though I prefer our brand in Evrax, this will suffice," Viktor responded, more biased to his taste in liquor. He had a sweet tooth and indulged in honey-flavored liquors and other enticing activities. His lips curled in a coy smile.
"You've gone soft, Viktor," Leo quipped, taking a swig from his wine. Viktor scowled at his remark.
"Is that a challenge, Leo? We could spar and see how rusty you've gotten since the last time we faced," Viktor countered, his smile strained. Livening up the party would do some good on this stiff broad of a man.
Leo merely smirked, considering the enticing offer. It's been ages since he last saw his comrade, and he wouldn't mind engaging in a bit of exercise and seeing how much Viktor has grown since his last encounter.
Excited about the sparring match, Lyra's eyes beamed at Viktor. She hasn't held a sword in a while and has been itching for action. Knowing Leo's overprotectiveness would probably squander the idea, but she felt braver and spoke,
"I wouldn't mind watching you two men fight, but I would like to join as well," hinting the idea to Viktor, hoping he would catch it. Leo narrowed his gaze at her, already anticipating her little plan. Before he could refute her words, Viktor chimed in.
"Splendid, I don't mind training you. We can see to it tomorrow," Viktor's silver eyes gleamed at the idea. He would assess her capabilities and possibly more while testing Leo's predicament—killing two birds with one stone. He would pat his shoulder but would hold off for now.
As their dinner drew close, entertainment was brought in to liven up the room. Knowing Viktor's promiscuous ways to the liven the crowd of people who enjoyed the lavish lifestyle, a string of performers rolled in with music and dancers.
Lyra was astonished by the performance of the beautiful dancers who danced gracefully around them; however, the women dressed rather revealingly started to stalk towards their location. Two seductive women clad in glistening, form-fitting ensembles that sparkled with sequins and intricated lace, the performers embraced the art of temptation. The first dancer, her dress a cascade of crimson silk and black lace, moved with sinuous grace with the sway of her hips an invitation. Her hazel eyes locked on Leo as she danced to the rhythm with a magnetic allure. A deliberate invitation that spoke of carnal desires. Many dancers flaunted their beauty around the men, leaving Lyra rather uncomfortable.
There was an array of emotions running through her. Caught off guard by the unexpected display in front of her, she couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort creep in. The beautiful she wolf noticed the lingering gaze from Lyra and gave a taunting smirk, which furrowed her brows in return. Why the weird the weird look? It's not like Leo and Lyra were together, so to speak; Lyra rolled her eyes in the end. The air in the room felt stifling, and she decided to excuse herself quietly from the whole debacle.
Lyra rose from her seat, stepped away from the room, and exited. With one glance toward Leo, she noticed his lingering gaze on her before a lingering finger held his chin to force him back to the beautiful dancer. The was the queue Lyra needed to take her leave.
'Men,' She scoffed. The meal was exquisite, but the entertainment soured her appetite. Maybe some fresh air would do some good. She exited out of the dining hall and stepped to the adjacent double doors.
The balcony overlooked the courtyard adjacent to the dining hall. The sky was clear with the moon gazing down. The air was crisp and cool, releasing a fog breath from her lips. She pondered over her relationship with Leo and contemplated her questioning feelings. She was beginning to doubt herself in this complicated web of emotions. The dance and Leo's aloof yet possessive nature left her in a whirlwind of confusion.
Leaning against the cool stone railing, she gazed at the moonlit sky. The moon's silver glow cast a serene light over the courtyard, creating a sense of tranquility. The distant sound of the ongoing party inside the dining hall reached her ears, but she felt a sense of solitude.
Lost in her thoughts, three drunken men stumbled over to the courtyard from the party, their reddened faces showing how heavily intoxicated they were. The men noticed her presence, and one of the drunk men staggered forward with a leering grin.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" he slurred, eyeing Lyra up and down.
She straightened, and her moment of peace broke. She took a step back, trying to maintain a safe distance.
"Looks like we've got a pretty little lamb that strayed away from the party," another one of the men chimed in, his words slurred and accompanied by laughter from his companions. "How delectable."
Lyra glared at them. She was in no mood to be another form of amusement. Her eyes darted around, searching for an exit. She didn't realize how small the area was by the time her back hit the other side of the stone railing—Dammit. The distant music and laughter from the hall felt worlds away. She gripped her dress in frustration.
The third man, bolder than the others, stumbled closer, blocking her view from the party. "Why don't you join our little party, sweetheart?"
Lyra's heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of fear and frustration building within her. She had faced challenges and dangers before, but this situation was different. The men were wolf shifters and she assumed were close allies to Alpha Viktor.
"I appreciate the invitation, but you should consider sniffing somewhere else," Lyra replied, her voice steady, showing defiance as she straightened.
The men chuckled, amused by her brave front. "A feisty little one, aren't you?" one of them sneered.
Before the situation could escalate further, a deep voice cut through the tension. Leo stepped onto the balcony, his presence commanding attention. The drunken men stumbled back, momentarily sobered by his imposing figure.
"What's going on here?" Leo's voice held a dangerous edge, his crimson eyes narrowing at the three intoxicated men.
Now realizing they had crossed a line, the men mumbled apologies and hastily retreated. Leo's cold gaze remained fixed on them until they disappeared back into the party.
Lyra let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She looked at him in frustration, a faint mix of gratitude in her eyes.
"I didn't need your help," she lied, looking away as he approached her. Leo raised an eyebrow, not buying the words she said.
"Clearly, you had the situation under control."
"I could have handled it," She argued, crossing her arms as she furrowed in annoyance.
Leo's lips curved into a smirk. "Of course, you could have." Lyra turned to argue with him but was taken aback by his appearance.
The tension between them lingered, the moon above casting a silvery glow on the courtyard. The shine from Leo's white hair emitted an ethereal glow, appearing divine. Her lashes fluttered to see if she was imagining it but was drawn back to his piercing red orbs. She was puzzled by Leo's origin; he wasn't a demon but wasn't human either. The more she thought about him, the more he became an enigma.
"What are you, Leo?" Lyra couldn't help but voice her curiosity. Forgetting about the previous argument or the troubling issue that almost occurred. Leo stood at arm's length, peering down at her. His eyes darkened at the words that reached his ears.