Chapter 76

Chapter 76:

LYRIC

I lay in the bathtub, one leg draped over the edge, my head leaning back.

It had been a long day—a crazy one. All I wanted was to get some sleep.

Staring into nothing, I thought about Jace’s discovery. I still had a hard time believing what he’d said. Of course, Jace was my best friend, and he’d never lie about something this serious. I just couldn’t believe Marta could be that heartless and reckless.

How could she risk lying to the entire Darkspire? It was as if she were certain the truth would never come out.

I clicked my tongue, thinking of the poor kids. Who were their real parents? And how would they feel when they found out that the people they’d grown to love weren’t really theirs?

What would Jaris do when he learned the truth?

So many questions—it frightened me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, deciding to think of something better. And of course, the only “better” memory I could come up with was of him.

Before I could stop myself, my fingers were already on my wet core. I bit my lower lip, trying to suppress my moans, but in the end, I failed. They escaped shamelessly as I touched myself to that strange dream again.

My scream echoed through the bathroom as I made myself come. I panted heavily, squirming in the tub.

Coming down from my high, I was too exhausted to move a limb, and before I knew it, tears were falling.

I cried because it had felt too good. Cried because I wanted more—but couldn’t have it. It was just a stupid dream. How could a dream have this kind of effect on me?

JARIS

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If Marta hadn’t come in when she did, I was certain the pen would have snapped in my hand.

“Where were you, Marta? I called an hour ago,” I growled. My patience was wearing thin. Damn it. This wasn’t good.

“I’m… I’m sorry, Alpha. My grandmother called for me. I just got back and came running when I heard you summoned me p>

I regarded her.

She “came running,” yet she’d had time to change into one of her red lace nighties.

She “came running,” yet she’d had time to shower and brush her hair, judging from how damp it looked.

She “came running,” yet she’d had time to apply purple lipstick. Marta looked gorgeous right now. Since we met, she’d been desperate for my attention and had done everything she could to get it.

She’d put in more effort to seduce me than Lyric Harper ever had. In fact, Lyric had never done anything seductive. Yet here I was, tormented by my memory of her.

I raked a hand through my hair, groaning. I was still wearing my suit pants and white shirt, only the jacket missing.

“Come here, Marta,” I ordered impatiently. She did, walking sensually. The bulge in my pants was almost painful.

You can do this, Jaris. You can take control.

When she was close, I grabbed her by the neck and slammed my lips against hers. She moaned in response, throwing her arms around me and deepening the kiss. I can do this, I told myself repeatedly. I can use Marta as a distraction. I can get Lyric out of my head.

Yet as my hands roamed over Marta’s body, it didn’t feel like hers. She didn’t bring out the response Lyric did. Her hair didn’t smell like apple shampoo.

She was different. She wasn’t strong enough to get Lyric out of my head.

I pushed her to the edge of the table, wrapping her legs around my waist. Her hands were already working to unbutton my shirt.

This shouldn’t be difficult. I was already hard as rock from the moment she came into the room. She was horny for me too. All I had to do was take out my dick and fuck her senseless, get it all out. Even if I wouldn’t be able to come, it would bring me some kind of peace.

I wanted more than just jerking off in the bathroom. I wanted to feel myself deep inside her, moving my hips and filling her up with my cum.

What the hell has Lyric done to me? Why can’t I think straight? Why can’t I want anyone but her?

With a hiss, I pulled away from Marta, my thumb brushing my lower lip. My shirt hung open. Marta’s eyes were heavy with lust; she looked like she might cry from the loss of contact.

“Jaris…” She reached for me, trying to pull me close.

But I didn’t let her. She wasn’t Lyric. No one could ever be.

For a moment, I wondered if it had to do with the mate bond. Could that be why I was so desperate for her? Then I remembered these obsessions had started even before the mate bond. This was something different.

“Get out, Marta,” I rasped, turning toward the bathroom.

Her gasp was audible. “J-Jaris p>

I didn’t give her the chance to speak. I knew a lot must be running through her head. It was the second time I’d given her hope. But I was just as hopeless.

And as I pleasured myself with my hand in the bathroom, I came to a conclusion: I was done managing without Lyric Harper. The Moon knows I tried. I tried to keep her out of the way. But now, I was done.

I was getting a taste of Lyric tomorrow.