Chapter 82

Chapter 82:

Dread settled in my stomach as I undressed to check myself. There was no trace of anything on me, nothing that looked like I had been touched. But I could feel it—his arms around me, his mouth on mine, his scent.

This was too real to be just a dream.

A few minutes later, I was with the ICT team, asking for the security footage. As Luna, the moment I told them that someone might have broken into my room, they didn’t hesitate to help.

I checked the footage, and it hit me like a punch to the gut when I found nothing. No one had entered my room, not even while I was at work.

So, was it all a dream? Was that how the pill worked—making everything feel real?

When I bathed that morning, I didn’t try to touch myself. There was already a deep satisfaction in my belly, an unexplainable calm that unsettled me.

JARIS

I had done many bad things in my life—killed people for minor offenses, hurt those I shouldn’t have.

Yet none of it had ever brought me as much relief as having a taste of Lyric.

Maybe my approach hadn’t been right, but I didn’t care anymore. Last night was one of the best nights I’d had in years. I slept peacefully and woke up feeling as light as air.

The last time I’d felt this way was five years ago. I never thought another woman could make me feel the way Princess once did. I believed that part of me was gone forever—with her.

Throughout the morning meeting, I couldn’t stop thinking about Lyric. It was infuriating how much space she occupied in my mind, considering we weren’t even friends—and probably never would be.

When the meeting ended and I headed downstairs with Nerion and my assistant, we passed by a mall in the complex. I’d walked past it countless times, but this time was different. My eyes caught on a dress in the display window, and I knew instantly—it would look perfect on her.

I stood there, my hand resting lightly in my shirt pocket as I admired the diamond-studded dress. I imagined her wearing it, her hair tied into a messy bun, her dark eyes shining, her lips painted red. She would look magnificent.

Your source:

“Do you wish to get it for Marta?” Nerion asked beside me.

It took all my restraint not to roll my eyes and ask if he had lost his mind. When had I ever personally gotten anything for Marta? Whenever she wanted to shop, I simply handed her the card and let her do the rest.

Turning away from the display, I resumed walking out of the building with my entourage behind me. But as I did, an idea struck me. The only time Lyric had ever gone shopping was for the mating ceremony.

Taking out my phone, I dialed Kael, who I knew was in Darkspire.

“Kael. I need you to do something for me p>

LYRIC

Jace kept me company through the morning.

We were in my room—him casually lying on my bed, talking about random things after breakfast—when someone knocked on the door, interrupting us.

“I’ll get it p>

I stood up and opened the door. On the other side was Kael. His eyes traveled past my shoulder and landed on Jace. His shoulders tensed immediately.

“Hi,” I said, clearing my throat, bringing his gaze back to me.

“Lyric.” His tone was serious. “Please, get dressed. I’ve been asked to take you somewhere p>

My brows furrowed. “Can I know where? And who asked you p>

“Alpha Jaris. You can dress simple. I’ll wait in the car p>

He was gone before I could ask another question.

I closed the door and turned to Jace with a look that said, this is what I have to deal with.

“He told you to dress simple. I don’t think it’s anywhere serious,” Jace muttered without looking at me. His eyes were distant, like he was lost in thought.

I met Kael at the car and got into the back seat.

“Can I know where we’re going now p>

But the grumpy man didn’t say a word.

We drove for a while before pulling into a large shopping complex. Okay…

“The Alpha wants you to shop for new dresses,” Kael finally said.

My brows shot up to my hairline. Was he kidding me?

“I don’t… understand. Why? Are we going somewhere p>

He shook his head. “He just wants you to have them for other occasions p>

Getting out of the car, he opened my door for me. I was forced to step out. Now I understood why he hadn’t told me back at the pack—he knew I would’ve refused immediately.

“I didn’t even bring the black card!” I grumbled as we walked toward the entrance.

“Don’t worry. I have a substitute p>

Right.

I crossed my arms over my chest as we entered the store. Two sales representatives quickly greeted me. Kael stayed behind while they led me deeper inside, showing me racks of beautiful dresses.

They looked too expensive. How many could I possibly buy from here? And why was Jaris doing this?

My stomach tightened as thoughts of my last dream flashed through my mind. Him sending me on this shopping spree wasn’t helping.

For over an hour, I tried on different dresses and ended up leaving with more than five bags. I’d wanted to stop long before that, but Kael appeared and told the ladies to bring me more until he thought it was enough.

I was stunned.

I thanked him in the car, a small part of me actually excited about the clothes. They were really beautiful.

I guess I’d have to thank Jaris later… as hard as that would be.