Chapter 23

Chapter 23:

JARIS

I noticed Lyric tense up as well. She quickly darted her eyes to meet mine before looking down at the floor.

I could easily read her. She might try to be brave all the time, but Lyric was someone who had been accustomed to fear her whole life. This fire she was always spitting was her way of forcing herself to be strong, not easily intimidated. She was trying so hard to be someone else. And now, it left me curious. Who was Lyric Harper before all of this?

“Uh… I’m sure your son is lovely, Alpha Maxwell, but my daughter is already taken,” Alpha Bennett answered, surprising the others.

“Wow. Are you serious? Who is this lucky man p>

Alpha Bennett looked at me, but my mood was already ruined, and I didn’t want any further introductions.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, giving a curt nod to the other Alphas before walking away, knowing I was leaving an embarrassed lady behind.

LYRIC

My whole life, I’d never met anyone more rude. More arrogant.

How could he walk out on Father and me? Was he ashamed of having me introduced as his soon-to-be Luna? Yet, he had stormed into the club and ripped out a man’s heart for my sake.

Embarrassment colored my cheeks as Father and I continued our walk. But soon, he got too involved in a conversation with some Alphas that I wasn’t interested in.

I had to find a way around to avoid being bored.

I made it to the wine counter to ask for something light. While waiting for my order, I felt a light tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Jace. My mood brightened at once.

“Goodness! Forgive me, pretty lady, I must have tapped the wrong person. I’m looking for Lyric, and you sure look a lot like her,” he said, his hand on his chest.

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I laughed and hit him on the shoulder. “Stop joking around, Jace. I’m glad you made it p>

“Well, you know who my father is,” he shrugged. “I had to be here p>

Jace and I had actually planned on coming together, but something came up that delayed him.

“So, how’s it? Have you seen him around?” he asked, darting his eyes around.

I didn’t need to ask who he was referring to.

“Unfortunately, I did. He walked out on Father and me.” I didn’t care what it looked like. To me, he was disrespectful for doing that. Well, he was at the top and probably felt untouchable.

“Oh, girlfriend, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but I think you’ve got yourself entangled in a bit of a problem. That guy is the most dominating Alpha I know. He clearly loves control, and you’re in for a scary ride p>

My drink was served, and I glared at Jace when he took it instead of me.

He ignored me and sipped from it. “Well, fortunately for you, it’s just for a year, right? A hundred and sixty hours p>

“Jace!” I gasped, hitting him on the arm.

Geez! We were in public. I needed to be more composed.

“Thank you for the vivid description of how long I’ll be stuck with the monster,” I rolled my eyes.

“Monster? He doesn’t look like a monster, Ly. He’s the complete opposite p>

I rolled my eyes again, refusing to dignify that with words.

We were soon interrupted by the presence of Kael. Geez, I preferred dealing with Nerion.

Kael was always grumpy and short-tempered, while Nerion was the gentle one. I wasn’t surprised Jaris picked Kael as his beta. The two were a perfect match made in Hades.

“Ms. Harper,” Kael said, keeping his gaze solely on me, not even glancing at Jace. “I’d advise you keep your distance from men. This is a public event, and as you must know, people tend to make news out of things like this. It might turn bad when they discover you’ve been engaged to Jaris the whole time p>

“Now, just when I thought I’d seen the worst p>

But what men have I been with exactly?

“Are these Alpha Jaris’ words or yours?” Jace asked with a grimace.

Kael finally looked at him, but his eyes were icy. “Doesn’t matter to you. What matters is they weren’t referred to you p>

“Well, sadly, I’m not wearing a skirt and a wig. So please, don’t tell me the men she’s meant to stay away from are me p>

Kael shrugged. “If you think of yourself as a man, why not p>

Jace huffed. “I’m more of a man than you’ll ever be, brute p>

“Really? You didn’t fight like one at the restaurant the other day. Or maybe it’s because I’m just a lot stronger. I hardly noticed whatever skills you’ve been honing for years p>

This seemed to get to Jace more. The mirth vanished from his eyes as he stepped up to Kael.

Oh, please. I couldn’t deal with this again. Not anymore.

“Jace…” I tried to hold him back, but he wrenched his hand free.

“Are you sure about that?” He stared Kael right in the eye. “If I remember correctly, you left with some pretty bad bruises. Unless you want to pin it on a Halloween costume p>

“Like you said, ‘If you remember correctly.’ I guess now we know you also have memory problems p>

“Guys, please stop.” I stepped between them.

It was a good thing they hadn’t drawn any attention yet.

I turned to Jace. “Jace, it’s the King’s funeral. Trust me, the last thing your father wants is you getting your knuckles bloody here.” I turned to Kael next. “I heard you, and for the sake of peace, I’ll avoid every man here at the party. Thank you. Now, can you go? Please p>

I desperately prayed in my heart that Jace wouldn’t utter another word.

Thankfully, Kael left, but not without giving Jace a threatening glare.

“I honestly don’t know how long I can put up with this,” I said to Jace, frustrated.

If I had known Jaris would be this controlling, I never would’ve left Draconis to listen to what Father had to say.

Jace had gone back to drinking, but I could tell he was really pissed.

“I need some air,” I muttered and left the hall.

But as soon as I stepped outside, I regretted my decision.