THE WORTHLESS MATE OF THE ALPHA

Chapter 6

Lyra woke with the memory of silver eyes burning into her soul.

She lay still, staring at the ceiling, her heart pounding for no reason she could name. The hunt. The attack. The way Ronan had caught her. The way he had held her. The way his eyes had softened, just for a moment.

She touched her lips. She had almost kissed him.

Or had he almost kissed her?

She didn't know. She didn't know anything anymore.

The morning light crept through her window. She forced herself out of bed. Her body still ached from the hunt. Her arm was bandaged where the wolf had clawed her. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the confusion in her chest.

She dressed and made her way to the dining hall.

The pack was already gathered. Warriors ate and laughed. Children ran between tables. Lyra kept her head down, moving toward her usual corner.

But before she could sit, someone grabbed her arm.

She flinched. Her body tensed, waiting for a blow.

"Relax," Marta said. "It's just me."

Lyra exhaled. "Sorry. I didn't"

"I know." Marta pulled her toward a table. "You're eating with me today."

Lyra blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. Sit."

Lyra sat. Her body trembled. She had never eaten with anyone at Silver Creek. She had always been in the corner, invisible. The thought of being seen made her stomach twist.

Marta placed a plate in front of her. "Eat."

Lyra looked down at the food. Bread. Meat. Vegetables. Fresh water.

She ate slowly. Her stomach protested. But she forced herself to keep going.

"You're thinking about him," Marta said.

Lyra nearly choked. "What?"

"The Alpha. You haven't stopped thinking about him since the hunt."

Lyra's face burned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Marta smiled faintly. "I've been alive long enough to know when someone is in love."

"Love?" Lyra's voice cracked. "I'm not he doesn't"

"He does."

Lyra shook her head. "He called me broken. He said I was nothing. He doesn't want me."

Marta's eyes softened. "People change. Feelings change. He's been different since he came back from Silver Creek. You've changed him."

Lyra didn't know what to say. She looked down at her hands.

"I can't believe that," she whispered. "I can't believe anyone would want me."

Lyra walked through the pack grounds.

She was still thinking about Marta's words. About Ronan. About the way he had held her. About the way his eyes had softened.

He's been different since he came back from Silver Creek. You've changed him.

She shook her head. She couldn't believe it. She wouldn't believe it.

She was walking near the training grounds when she heard voices.

"Seriously? The Alpha carried her?"

"I saw it with my own eyes. He carried her back from the hunt. Wouldn't let anyone else touch her."

"Maybe he's finally claiming his mate."

"Finally? He doesn't want her. He's just stuck with her because of the bond."

Lyra stopped. Her heart clenched.

She recognized the voices. Sera and one of her friends. Sera was standing with her arms crossed, her face twisted with fury.

"The Alpha doesn't want her," Sera said. "He's too powerful for someone like her. She's broken. She's worthless. He'll realize it soon enough."

Lyra stepped back. Her chest ached.

She had heard those words before. Broken. Worthless. She had heard them all her life. But coming from Sera, they hurt differently.

Because deep down, Lyra believed them.

She turned and walked away. She didn't want to hear anymore.

***

That evening, she sat in her room.

She stared at the wall, her mind racing. Sera's words echoed in her head. Broken. Worthless.

She pressed her hands against her face. Tears burned her eyes.

They're right. He doesn't want me. How could he? I'm nothing.

A knock came at her door.

Lyra froze. Her heart started pounding.

"Come in," she whispered.

The door opened. Ronan stood in the doorway.

He looked different. His expression was not cold. It was uncertain. Almost vulnerable.

Lyra's breath caught. "What are you doing here?"

He stepped inside. The room felt smaller. His presence filled everything.

"I wanted to see you," he said. His voice was quiet. "To make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine."

"You're not." He moved closer. "You've been avoiding me."

Lyra looked away. "You've been avoiding me too."

Ronan was silent for a moment. Then he said, "I was trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"Myself." He sat on the edge of her bed. "I don't know how to do this. I've never done this before. I don't know how to be... what you need."

Lyra stared at him. She had never seen him like this. Vulnerable. Unsure.

"You don't owe me anything," she said. "You don't have to be anything for me. I'm just"

"Don't." His voice was sharp. "Don't say you're nothing. You're not nothing. You're not broken. You're not worthless."

Her heart pounded. "How do you know?"

"Because I see you." He reached out. His fingers brushed her cheek. "I see you, Lyra. And I can't look away."

She couldn't breathe. His touch was gentle. Tender. Nothing like the cold man who had grabbed her chin in Silver Creek.

"Ronan," she whispered.

His eyes dropped to her lips. Then back to her eyes.

"I want to kiss you," he said. His voice was rough. "But I don't want to rush you. I don't want to scare you."

She shook her head. "You're not scaring me."

He leaned closer. His forehead touched hers. His breath was warm on her face.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered. "Tell me you don't want this."

She didn't tell him to stop.

She closed her eyes.

And he kissed her.

His lips were soft at first. Gentle. Questioning. Then deeper. More urgent. His hand slid to the back of her head, pulling her closer.

Lyra melted into him. She had never been kissed before. She had never been touched with kindness. She had never felt anything like this.

She kissed him back. Her hands fisted in his shirt. She wanted to be closer. She wanted to stay in this moment forever.

He pulled away. His forehead rested against hers.

"Lyra," he breathed.

She opened her eyes. His silver eyes were dark with emotion.

"I don't know what this is," he said. "I don't know what I'm doing. But I know I don't want to stop."

She nodded. She couldn't speak.

He kissed her again. Slower this time. Deeper.

And for the first time in twelve years, Lyra felt something she had never felt before.

Wanted.

***

When he left, Lyra lay in her bed, unable to sleep.

Her lips still tingled. Her heart was still racing. She touched her mouth, remembering the feel of his lips on hers.

Ronan kissed me. Ronan Blackthorne kissed me.

She had never imagined this. She had never imagined anyone would want her.

But he did. He wanted her.

And she wanted him too.

She smiled. For the first time in twelve years, she smiled.