181
LYRIC
The monster gave me a location and warned me not to tell anyone about it. It’s not like I was planning to. The last thing I wanted to do was distract Jaris from what he had to do tonight.
I got rid of the tears on my face with makeup and was just about to head out when Jaris came in again. He was fully dressed this time.
“You ready?” There was hardly any mirth in his voice.
Gone was the playful Jaris. This was the cold Alpha that had serious business to attend to.
“I-” My eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m sorry, but could I catch up with you later?”
He cocked him brows. “Why?”
“I’m sorry, I’m just… having these cramps. I think I need to take some drugs and rest for a while.”
He didn’t hide the displeasure from his face.
“Isn’t there a way you could rest during the flight there?”
“No, I’m sorry. I think it’ll get worse if I move around as soon as I take the drugs. Remember you’re going earlier right? I’ll be there before the trial starts.”
He still seemed reluctant to leave. “I was…hoping we’d fly together. Wanted us to talk about something.”
“What is that?”
I saw it again–the flicker of sadness in his eyes.
But as quickly as it came, it was gone.
“I’ll just see you later.”
I slammed my hands against the table as soon as he left.
Oh, damn Caden. Damn him and everything he’s ever loved. This was supposed to be perfect for Jaris and I. I should be with him, encouraging and talking about the trial with him. This was never the plan.
When I was sure he must’ve gone, I picked up my bag and left.
I told Mrs. Bastina to remain calm and that I had the situation under control.
It was a thirty minute drive to the location. Hopefully, I’d be able to round up quickly and really meet up with Jaris before the trial.
I was surprised the location he gave me was an actual house. I thought it’d be an
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abandoned building or the temple.
I took a deep breath just before I knocked on the door, and the little bit of confidence I felt moments ago faltered when Caden opened up.
“Lyric,” he called with a smile, leaning against the frame. “That was fast.”
My hands tightened beside me. “Where are they?”
He stepped aside. “Do come in..”
A storm of drums thundered in my chest, turning my legs to jelly.
I’d have to be alone with him. gods, I wished I didn’t have to do this.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the house and flinched when he locked the door.
I darted my eyes around the large living room. There was no sign of the kids.
They might be in one of the rooms.
I tried going further to check the rooms.
“Don’t waste your time. They’re not here.”
What?
I snappily turned to him, my eyes wide with rage. “So, where the hell are they?!”
He went to the wine counter where he took out a bottle of wine and took his time to
open it.
“They’re being sent back to the Pack.”
Hearing his words, it felt like I was under a cold shower. Relief crushed my bones, but it was quickly replaced with the last fear I had left–escaping him.
“D–Did you hurt them?”
I watched as he approached me with two glasses of wine.
“How could you even take them? They’re kids, for Moon sake! You don’t involve kids in such nonsense!”
I hated how nonchalant he was whenever I talked about the fact that he’s been unreasonable. He just never seems to care.
“Here.” He held one of the glasses to me.
Selene forbid I actually take anything from him. “I don’t want it.”
His eyes grew cold. “If I have to say it again, you’ll bleed.”
Though furious, I took the glass from him but took it nowhere close to my lips.
When he turned his back to me, my eyes darted to the door. Would it be possible to escape him? Since the kids were safe, if I could get away from here, everything would be fine.
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“What do you want with me?” My voice came out raspy.
“Would you believe me if I said I was bored and needed someone to talk to?”
He took a seat facing me. I watched his eyes eat me up as he drank from his glass. ” You’re one gorgeous lady, you know that, right? Your dress–It’s quite pretty.”
If Jaris had been the one saying these words, I imagined how good they’d make me feel. But coming from this monster? All I wanted to do was puke.
“I see you and my brother made up after the little incident at the diner.” His lips tipped up in a smile.
Fresh rage burnt through me at the recollection of what he did and how much it affected Jaris.
“You mean the one where you tried to trigger your brother? Yeah, we did make up. You know, it’s easy to be understanding when you care about someone.”
I didn’t miss the way his smile vanished. It’d have brought a small smile to mine if I wasn’t so scared and nervous right now.
Seconds passed. He brought his wine to half.
“What do you see in him, huh?” He furrowed his brows in curiosity. “What does everyone see in him?”
Every instant that passed wrapped the moment in deeper sadness. He wasn’t just teasing anymore but was being painfully honest.
“I was supposed to be better than him. Or at least we should’ve been equals. From a young age, Jaris has always had everything I wanted–control, the people’s support. Now, he is about to become King–a position I’ve always wanted.”
He dragged his eyes from my head to toe. “He has a family. Kids.” He hissed the last word. “I thought he couldn’t have kids! Just like me. But like always, he’s different.”
What? Caden couldn’t have kids?
“Call me bitter, but I want it all.” He laughed, emptying his glass into his mouth. “I want everything my brother has, and I’m going to get it.”
Maybe if it were someone else, I’d have felt bad for them. But coming from Caden, I didn’t feel a thing; not after what he’d done.
Jaris didn’t ask to be born different. He didn’t ask to have control and get the people’s. support. He and the people around him didn’t deserve to suffer for it.
I recoiled when Caden stood up and started toward me. He looked more dangerous, making me take a step back.
I forced myself to stop moving and stood still until he was standing in front of me. His eyes dropped to my full glass of wine.
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“You haven’t touched your drink.”
Fresh fear gripped me. I could see he was getting tired of talking and wanted to ‘act‘. This was the time to get out of here.
Without further hesitation, I splashed the wine on his face, broke the glass on his head and ran for the door while he hissed behind me.
I’d have made it. Oh, gods I’d have made it had the door not been locked when I reached it.
No. No.
I continuously turned the knob but it wouldn’t open. I didn’t see Caden lock it with a key when I entered, so why couldn’t I open it?!
I was seized by fear, every fiber of my body quaking as I turned around to look at him, my back pressed against the door. The side of his head was bleeding, his fingers coated in it. He was going to kill me!
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