Chapter 8
924 Words
Lyra woke before the sun.
She couldn't sleep. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Ronan, of the training, of everything that had changed. She touched her lips. She smiled.
She was in love.
She dressed quickly and made her way to the training grounds. Ronan was already there, waiting. His silver eyes found her immediately.
"You're early," he said.
"So are you."
He smiled. "I wanted to see you."
Her heart fluttered. "You saw me yesterday."
"And I wanted to see you again."
She couldn't help but smile. He walked toward her, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Ready to train?" he asked.
She nodded. "Ready."
***
The training was intense.
Ronan pushed her harder than Marta ever had. He challenged her. He tested her. He refused to let her give up.
"Faster," he commanded. "Stronger. Don't hold back."
She didn't hold back. She shifted and ran. She dodged his attacks. She fought back. Her wolf responded eagerly, surging with power she didn't know she had.
When she shifted back, she was breathless. Her body ached. But she was smiling.
Ronan watched her. His expression was unreadable. But she saw something in his eyes. Pride.
"You're stronger than I thought," he said.
She shrugged. "I had a good teacher."
He laughed. It was a low, warm sound. She had never heard him laugh before. It made her heart soar.
"Come," he said. "I want to show you something."
***
He led her away from the training grounds, past the pack buildings, toward the edge of the territory. The forest grew thicker. The path narrowed. Lyra followed without question.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll see."
He led her to a small clearing hidden behind a waterfall. The water was flowing down the rocks, sparkling in the sunlight. A pool of crystal-clear water lay at the bottom.
Lyra stopped. Her breath caught.
It was beautiful.
"What is this place?" she whispered.
"My secret place." He looked at her. "No one else knows about it."
She stared at him. "Why are you showing me?"
He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Because I trust you. Because I want you to see this part of me."
She didn't know what to say. Her heart was full.
He sat on a large flat rock near the water. She sat beside him. The sound of the waterfall filled the silence.
"I used to come here as a boy," he said. "When my father pushed me too hard. When the pack expected too much. I would come here and forget everything."
She looked at him. His face was softer now. Vulnerable.
"You were lonely," she said.
He nodded. "I was. Even surrounded by people, I was lonely."
She reached out. Her hand found his.
"You're not alone anymore," she said.
He looked at her. His silver eyes were deep, searching.
"Lyra," he said. His voice was rough.
She leaned closer. Her heart was pounding.
He reached up. His hand cupped her face. His thumb traced her cheek.
"I want to kiss you," he said. "I've wanted to kiss you every day since the hunt."
Her breath caught. "Then kiss me."
He leaned in. His lips met hers.
The kiss was slow at first. Gentle. Exploring. Then it deepened. His hand slid to the back of her head, pulling her closer. She melted into him, her hands fisting in his shirt.
She felt his warmth. His strength. His desire.
He pulled her onto his lap. Her legs straddled him. His hands gripped her waist. His mouth moved to her neck, trailing kisses down her throat.
She gasped. Her head fell back. She wanted this. She wanted him.
But something stopped her.
Fear. Not of him. Of herself. Of losing control. Of giving everything and being left with nothing.
"Ronan," she whispered. "Stop."
He froze. He pulled back immediately. His eyes searched her face.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head. Tears burned her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just... I'm not ready. I've never done this before. I don't want to rush."
He stared at her. Then his expression softened.
"Hey." He cupped her face. "It's okay. I'm not going to rush you. We'll go as slow as you want."
She nodded. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," she said again.
"Don't apologize." He kissed her forehead. "We have time. I'm not going anywhere."
She leaned into him. She felt safe. Wanted. Loved.
They sat in silence, watching the waterfall.
"I've never shown anyone this place before," he said. "You're the first."
She looked at him. "Why me?"
"Because you're the only one who's ever seen me. Really seen me."
Her heart swelled.
"I see you too," she whispered.
He kissed her forehead again.
"Stay with me," he said. "Just for a while."
She nodded.
She stayed.
***
When they finally returned to the pack grounds, the sun was setting.
Lyra felt different. Lighter. Happier.
She had seen a side of Ronan no one else had seen. She had shared something intimate with him. And he had respected her boundaries.
She was falling deeper in love.
***
That night, she lay in bed, unable to sleep.
She touched her lips. She smiled. She thought about the waterfall. The kiss. The way he had held her.
She had never felt this way before. Safe. Wanted. Loved.
She hugged her pillow and closed her eyes.
For the first time in twelve years, she wasn't afraid of what the future held.
She was excited.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD