The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 58

Ryan

Whitney's knock startled us both, and I reluctantly pulled away from Lyra. Her eyes widened, her hand instinctively smoothing her hair as we both tried to act casual. But the sly look Whitney shot our way told me she knew exactly what we'd been up to.

Her concern for Liam seemed to outweigh her curiosity, though. It struck me as odd that Liam hadn't spoken to Whitney before leaving, but I figured he'd sort it out with her and her father upon his return.

Regardless, the moment between Lyra and me was broken, the intimacy shattered, since I wasn't sure if we could recapture it, I left her, trying to convey my apologies through my expression.

I tossed and turned all night, as my regret went beyond the interrupted kiss.

Lyra deserved to know the truth about her father before rumors started flying. That's why I'd been scouring the campus the next afternoon, searching for her. After twenty minutes of fruitless walking around, I finally spotted her heading back to her dorm.

"Lyra, wait up!" I called out, quickening my pace to catch up with her. There were things we needed to discuss, difficult truths that couldn't be postponed any longer.

She turned, her eyes widening as she saw me. "Ryan? What are you doing here?"

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Can we talk somewhere private? There's something I need to tell you."

Lyra hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, follow me."

We walked in silence, the tension between us palpable. I couldn't help but steal glances at her, admiring the way the sunlight danced across her face. She led me to a secluded wooded path, the same place we were supposed to meet before. "This is where we were going to meet, isn't it?" I asked, cocking a brow.

Lyra nodded, her eyes meeting mine. "Yeah, it is. What did you want to talk about, Ryan?"

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to replace the right words. "Lyra, I... I need to tell you something."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. What I had to say would hurt her, but she deserved the truth.

"Lyra, there's something you need to know about Jacques," I began. "We had to extract information from him using Wista's magic... there is a chance... a very slim chance according to the Healer that it may have caused his death." Lyra's eyes widened, a mix of shock and betrayal flashing across her face. She took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief. "Ryan, how could you? Was that really necessary?"

I reached out to her, but she flinched away from my touch. The hurt in her eyes cut me in half. I had to make her understand.

"Lyra, please listen to me," I pleaded, failing to keep it from my tone. "There's more. Jacques revealed something terrible before he died."

Lyra folded her arms across her chest, her gaze hardening. "What could be worse than you torturing him to death?"

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of my next words. "Vivian and Jacques conspired to kill your father, Gregory. They're responsible for his death."

Lyra stumbled back as if I had physically struck her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and a strangled sob escaped her lips. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms and comfort her, but I knew she needed space to process this devastating news.

"There's one more thing," I continued, my heart breaking for the pain I was causing her. "With Gregory gone, Blake and Viola have taken control of the pack."

***

Lyra

I stood there in shock, my eyes brimming with tears as Ryan's words sank in. Gregory, the man I had called father my entire life, was dead. A wave of sadness washed over me, and I felt my knees buckle beneath me.

Ryan reached out to steady me, his strong hands gripping my shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Lyra," he said softly, his eyes filled with concern.

I shook my head, trying to process the news. "I'll never know what truly changed him," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. Ryan's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

I hesitated, unsure if I should reveal the secret I had been carrying. But as I looked into Ryan's eyes, I had to tell him the truth. "Gregory wasn't my father," I confessed, my voice trembling. "He was my uncle." Ryan's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know this?"

I bit my lip, knowing the answer would likely upset him. "Killian told me. My birth-parents were killed and I was given to him to raise, my closest relative. Killian also said that it was to keep me safe as I... I am the next White Wolf, "I admitted reluctantly, bracing myself for his reaction.

Ryan's jaw clenched, and I could see the anger flashing in his eyes. He released his grip on my shoulders and took a step back. "Killian," he repeated, his tone laced with bitterness. "Of course he did." Ryan's eyes flashed with fury as he turned to face me. "Don't you see what Killian is doing?" he growled, his voice rising with each word. "He's manipulating you, Lyra. He's filling your head with fantasies and false hopes for his own gain."

I opened my mouth to protest, but Ryan cut me off. "Especially this nonsense about you being the White Wolf," he scoffed, shaking his head. "There hasn't been a White Wolf since Luna Harbringer, and you know it."

His words hit me like a slap in the face. I wanted to argue, to defend Killian and the truth he had revealed to me, but doubt began to creep into my mind. What if Ryan was right? What if Killian was just using me for some ulterior motive? "Think about it, Lyra," Ryan continued, his tone becoming more persuasive. "Why would Killian suddenly reveal all of this to you now? Why wouldn't he have told you sooner if it were true?"

I felt torn, my heart and mind at war with each other. Part of me wanted to cling to the hope that Killian had given me, the belief that I was destined for something greater. But another part of me couldn't ignore the logic in Ryan's words. "He's trying to seduce you with these fantasies," Ryan said, his voice softening slightly. "He knows how much you want to belong, to have a purpose. But he's just using that against you."

Tears stung my eyes as I looked at Ryan, confusion and pain swirling inside me. I wanted to believe Killian, but Ryan's arguments were convincing. The harsh truth of his words began to sink in, and I felt my heart breaking all over again.