The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 71

Lyra

The woods were quiet, the only sound being the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. I walked along the familiar path to the place where we'd always met. I stop just before, smoothing my hair down and adjusting my top. With a quick swipe of my tongue to wet my lips, I rounded a bend.

There he was, Ryan leaning against a tree. My heart thumped erratically at the way his arms crossed over his chest. I mirrored him, not wanting to give into the desire to touch him. To run my fingers over his soft lips, across his stubble filled chin, down the smattering of hair on his chest that led to his happy place...

"Lyra," he said, his voice a low baritone that pulsed my center. "I'm so glad you came."

I stopped a few feet away, breaking my stance to twist, hands twisting nervously in front of me. "Yeah, well... you asked so I came... even though we aren't supposed to see each other."

Yeah, it still stung that he wanted to hide me away. But I understood. If I was going to (more than likely)risk my life, no way would I get disqualified at the last minute for "fraternizing with the Alpha."

Ryan pushed off the tree and closed the distance between us. "I know," he said, reaching out to take my hands in his. "But I needed to see you. To tell you how proud I am of you for entering the Luna Trials." My eyes widened in surprise. "You are?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Ryan tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, his touch gentle and electrifying all at once. His gaze roamed over my face with a hunger that made my knees weak. The intensity in his deep blue eyes spoke volumes about his longing...

For me!

"Lyra, you astound me with your courage," he said, his voice low and husky. "Even after everything we've been through, after you thought I was hiding you away, you found it in your heart to forgive me."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing at his proximity. "I...I can't stay mad at you, Ryan." I might be strong in some ways, but I was damn weak when it came to him.

His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over my skin in a feather-light caress. "I do care about you, Lyra. More than you could ever know. The thought of you not winning these trials..."

He trailed off, his brow furrowing with worry. I placed my hand over his, offering him a reassuring smile.

"I won't lose Ryan. I'm stronger than I look, remember? I have something else. Something that makes me different."

Ryan's eyes searched mine, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "The White Wolf," he whispered, almost reverently.

I nodded, feeling a surge of power at the acknowledgment of my true nature. "I don't fully understand it yet, but I know it's a part of me. And it's going to help me through these trials."

Ryan's thumb brushed over my knuckles, sending shivers down my spine. "I want to help you, Lyra. In any way I can."

I tilted my head, curious. "How?"

"Well," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief, "I can provide you with extra training resources. Give you access to the best coaches and facilities."

My brow furrowed. "Is that allowed?"

Ryan chuckled. "It isn't against the rules. In fact, it's a tradition of sorts. The Alpha always helps his favorite in the trials."

"His favorite?" I repeated, my heart skipping a beat.

He nodded, his gaze intense. "In the past, Alphas had gone to great lengths to ensure their chosen candidate's success. Like when Alpha Jameson hired a team of elite warriors to guard his favorite during the trials." My eyes widened. "Really?"

"Oh yes," Ryan said, a hint of pride in his voice. "And then there was Alpha Rex, who provided his chosen with a secret training ground deep in the mountains."

I shook my head in disbelief. "I had no idea."

Ryan's expression grew serious. "I want to do the same for you, Lyra. I want to make sure you are safe and prepared."

I bit my lip, a sudden fear gripping my heart. "Ryan," I said, my voice trembling slightly, "I'm worried about getting hurt during the trials."

His jaw clenched, and I could see the anger flashing in his eyes. "It is true that other contestants have... done away with their rivals in the past. You shouldn't concern yourself with that." "Why not?" I asked, my voice small.

"I have watchful eyes on you at all times," Ryan said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "My most trusted warriors will be there to protect you when I can't." He took a shallow breath, and his blue eyes pleaded for understanding. " And I am damn sorry I can't, Lyra. You have to believe me."

My heart sank at the thought of needing protection... of not being able to see Ryan... be with him, but I knew he was right.

"I understand," I said, trying to keep disappointment from my voice.

"If anyone found out about us," Ryan continued, "they could use it against you. They could say that I was showing favoritism. Which is allowed, just as long as it's not thrown into everyone's face."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "I know." We had to be careful.

He cupped my face in his hands. His eyes searched mine.

"I believe in you Lyra." He said. "I know you will win this... for yourself. For us."

I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me. "I will," I whispered.

Ryan pulled me into his arms, holding me close. I melted into his embrace, my body pressed against his, feeling every hard line. He smelled like pine and wood smoke, like home. I tilted my head back to look at him, my pulse thrumming in my veins. "Ryan," I breathed, "I..."

He silenced me with a kiss, his lips soft and urgent against mine. I kissed him back with everything I had, pouring all my longing into the embrace. Our tongues met, exploring each other's mouths, tasting and teasing.

I broke the kiss and sank to my knees, twigs and tiny rocks dug into my flesh, but I didn't care. He had tasted me. I wanted to taste him. It was all I could think about after he defended me in front of everyone.

I unbuckled Ryan's pants, then slowly pulled down his zipper with trembling hands. Shrugging down his pants and his black tanks, his erection sprang free, standing proud and hard and jutting many inches away from his body.

I licked my lips in anticipation, my heart pounding in my chest. This was what I'd been waiting for.

Lowering my head, I took him into my mouth, feeling the velvety smoothness of his skin against my tongue. He tasted like salt and musk, a combination that was intoxicating. My lips wrapped around him, my tongue swirling around his shaft, teasing and pleasing.

Ryan let out a low, guttural groan, his hands resting on my head, guiding me. I sucked and licked, my cheeks hollowing as I worked him deeper into my mouth. My throat constricted around him, and for a second I imagined how his length... his girth would feel inside of me, filling me up, making me whole....

"Lyra...little-one... You will be my undoing."

As I worked him, his arousal built alongside mine as his hips thrust into my face. His breaths became ragged, his moans growing louder. He was close, so close.

His big hands tightened in my hair as he looked down at me with dark, hungry eyes filled with desire. "I can't hold on... I'm about to—"

I didn't give him a chance to pull away. I clamped my hands on his tighter-than-tight-ass and pushed him forward into my face. My nose sank into his rough curls and I gagged slightly at his base.

I didn't stop.

Not even when he shouted out my name and undulated like a sapling in high wind, his salty warmth sliding down the back of my throat.

It was a powerful feeling, seeing him come undone... the way I made him so vulnerable.

Except for his soft panting, Ryan was still... watching me lick him from base to tip. When I released him with a small "pop" a shudder went through his tall frame. Smiling, I stood up, and without a word, we leaned in and kissed, our tongues intertwining, our bodies pressed together.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Ryan rested his forehead against mine. "We can't do this again," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Not until the trials are over."