The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 41

Ryan

The entire weekend I sulked, the sting of Lyra's no-show gnawing at my insides. I couldn't just let her slide without facing the consequences. Deciding to take matters into my own hands, I planned to take over her training classes. I called Mr. Thompson, her current teacher, into my office. When he entered, his eyes darted around and his shoulders hunched.

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, voice wavering slightly.

"Relax," I leaned back in my chair. "You're not in trouble."

His shoulders sagged, and he let out a long breath. "Oh, thank goodness."

"I need to get a better understanding of the talent in your class," I continued. "And frankly, I could use the exercise. I'll be taking over your training sessions for a while."

Mr. Thompson's eyes widened for a moment before he laughed, a sound filled with relief. "Of course, Alpha. Anything you need."

"How's your wife doing?" I asked, knowing he'd been worried about her.

"She's due to go into labor any day now," he beamed. "Your request couldn't have come at a better time. Not having to teach my class will give me more time with her."

Envy hit me at his happiness. I pushed it aside. I'd have my Ly-Luna soon enough. "That's great to hear. Spend all the time you need with her."

"Thank you. I can't tell you how much this means to us."

"No problem." I stood up and offered him my hand.

He shook it firmly, gratitude written all over his face. "I'll let the class know you'll be stepping in."

"No need," I said, already planning how I'd handle Lyra when I saw her next. And yes, I wanted it to be a surprise. "Go home to your wife."

The Thompson's words about his wife's pregnancy struck a chord within me. As he left my office, I leaned back in my chair, my thoughts drifting to the future I'd always imagined for myself. I pictured a little girl with Lyra's vibrant green eyes and my dark, wavy hair. She giggled as I chased her through a field of wildflowers, her laughter the high tinkle of bells. My heart clenched at the thought, a bittersweet longing for a reality that seemed further out of reach with each passing day.

But then, like a storm cloud blotting out the sun, my mind turned to the promises Lyra made. She'd sworn to come clean, to reveal all her secrets. Instead, she'd left me waiting in the woods like a fool, my hope slowly turning to ash as the minutes ticked by.

Anger surged through me, hot and bitter. My fists clenched, the knuckles turning white with the force of my grip. How could she do this to me? She knocked me down over and over. Did she expect me to just take it?

I pushed myself out of my chair, my jaw set and my eyes hard as flint. I stormed out of my office, heading towards the training field. If Lyra thought she could avoid me, she was sorely mistaken. I was determined to push her to her limits, to make her feel even a fraction of the frustration and hurt that coursed through me.

I took my place at the front of the class, my presence commanding instant attention. Lyra stood near her friends, eyes on me. I refused to meet her gaze and give her the satisfaction she thought she deserved. Instead, I surveyed the gathered she-wolves, their postures straight and attentive.

"Shift, now!" I barked.

Clothes came off in a hurry and bodies blurred as they changed form. Fur replaced skin, and claws dug into the soft earth. They stood before me, a pack ready for my command. "Run drills, ten laps around the field." I pointed towards the track, my eyes hard.

They took off, their paws pounding against the ground in a rhythmic beat. But Lyra remained human, her green eyes wide and uncertain. I turned my gaze on her, my jaw clenched. "What are you waiting for? Go!" My clipped words left no room for argument.

She hesitated for a moment before breaking into a run, her human legs straining to match the speed of the wolves.

At first, she stumbled, lagging far behind the pack. A flicker of satisfaction went through me - see, she wasn't so special after all. But then, slowly, her stride lengthened, her pace quickened. She moved with a surprising grace for a human, her golden hair whipping behind her like a banner.

The anger that had consumed me began to ebb, replaced by a grudging admiration. She wasn't giving up, not even when every wolf was yards ahead of her. By the fifth lap, she'd caught up to the middle of the pack, her face set in a mask of determination.

When she crossed the finish line in third place, a genuine smile tugged at my lips. "Good job," I called out, surprising even myself.

Her eyes met mine, a mix of relief and apology shimmering in their depths. It was as if she was saying, I know I messed up.

As the other she-wolves shifted back, a pang of... something hit me. It wasn't quite jealousy, but a possessiveness I couldn't deny. I wanted Lyra to be mine, in every way, but so much stood between us. a wall we couldn't scale. Brittany, a blur of white fur and bared teeth, slammed into Lyra, sending her tumbling backward onto the grass with a startled cry.

She scrambled to her feet as Brittany shifted back, a fake apology spilling from her lips.

"Oh my goodness, are you alright?" Brittany's voice dripped with insincere concern. Brittany's preened this way and that, attempting to draw my attention with her bare "ass"-sets. I'd seen her body a thousand times before, and it held no appeal now. My focus remained solely on Lyra, curious to see how she'd respond.

Lyra dusted herself off, a wry smile on her face. "Just peachy. Thanks sooooo much for asking."

The barb earned a chuckle from me, a low rumble of amusement. Lyra might be wolfless, but she wasn't without claws.

Brittany's lips curled into a sneer. "You should watch where you're going. Wouldn't want you to get hurt."

Lyra stepped closer, her posture radiating defiance. "I think we both know that was no accident."

I tensed, ready to intervene if things escalated further. But Lyra surprised me yet again.

She leaned in, her voice, clear. "You can try to intimidate me all you want, but it won't work. I'm not going anywhere."

Brittany's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could retort, I cleared my throat loudly. "Enough. Brittany. Lyra, a word?"

Brittany shot Lyra a venomous glare before stalking off, her hips swaying in an exaggerated manner. It wouldn't be right as an Alpha to roll my eyes, but damn did I want to.

Lyra approached me, her chin held high despite the weariness in her eyes. "Yes, Alpha?"

I gestured for her to follow me, secretly pleased she had shown me respect by using my title. She followed me away from the curious gazes of the other she-wolves and when we were out of earshot, I turned to face her. "You held your own out there," I said, my tone gruff.

She spaced out for a minute then she shrugged, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I'm tougher than I look."

"I'm starting to see that." I paused, studying her face. "About the other night..."

Her smile faded, and she looked down at her feet. "Ryan, I'm so sorry. I wanted to come, I really did. But something happened and I... I couldn't."

I fought the urge to demand answers, to shake the truth from her. Instead, I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm not going to lie, it hurt. I thought we were past the secrets and the lies."

She met my gaze, and sincerity swam in their depths. "I know. And I want to tell you everything, I do. I just need to figure out some things first."