“Ly—Lyra!” I wheezed between coughs, pounding my chest. “Are you serious right now? After everything? Mom would skin us alive if she heard that!”
Maria’s eyes widened with sudden understanding, and she clapped her hands together. “Like a romance story! Mommy deserves someone strong who can take care of her and ease her worries.”
I straightened up, still clearing my throat, face burning. “We are not playing matchmaker,” I declared, yanking open the pantry to grab packets of noodles. My voice came out steadier than I felt. “Mom’s got enough on her plate with Frost Fang and keeping the packs stable. The last thing she needs is us meddling in her business… especially with him.”
I turned away and filled a pot with water, pretending to focus on it instead of the anger tightening my jaw. Matt
