LYRA’S POV
The black Maybach glided through the estate as darkness settled over the territory.
Lights from the surrounding mansions formed a glowing ribbon outside the windows.
I sat by the window, staring at my blurry reflection in the glass.
Then I stole a glance at Kael beside me.
He leaned back with his eyes closed.
The passing light sharpened the lines of his profile, and his long lashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes.
How could he growl that loudly and look this calm?
Did he really have such a short temper, like Grandma had said?
“What are you thinking about?”
His voice startled me.
I looked up and met his dark, clear gaze, the kind that always seemed to see too much.
“Nothing.” I quickly looked away.
The car had stopped.
I glanced out the window and realized we were at a different house, not the one where we had registered our marriage.
“Where is this?” I asked.
Kael’s mouth curved slightly as he glanced at my flushed ear, amusement flickering across his face.
“We’re home,” he said simply.
“Get out of the car.”
Nikola, his driver, got out first and opened my door.
He was about to say something, but Kael had already taken my hand and started leading me inside.
The house was grand, designed in a modern minimalist style with floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting the courtyard lights.
A private pool shimmered like liquid emerald in the darkness.
If I had thought the first house was beautiful, this one was majestic.
I was still taking it in when barking erupted from deeper in the courtyard.
Nikola’s expression changed.
“Mrs.
Hart, be careful—”
But it was too late.
Before he could finish, a dark shape shot out from the bushes.
A massive German Shepherd charged toward us.
He stood nearly waist-high at the shoulder, all muscle and glossy fur, his eyes fierce in the darkness.
A chill shot down my spine.
I yelped and instinctively backed away, only to bump into a solid, warm chest.
Kael’s arms closed around me, steadying me.
His voice was low, calm, almost amused.
“Down, boy.”
The dog stopped immediately and sat.
His tail began to wag, and the fierceness vanished from his eyes.
I blinked.
“You keep dogs like that around?
Seriously?”
“He’s one of my personal guards,” Kael said, his breath warm near my ear.
“He won’t bite unless I tell him to.
But I should have warned you.”
“Yeah.” I let out a shaky breath.
“A warning would have been nice.”
“He’s protective of the house,” Nikola added from behind me.
“He doesn’t like strangers, but he’ll learn to like you, Mrs.
Hart.”
I hoped so.
There was no way I was living with a dog that hated me.
I stared at the huge dog.
He was looking back at me with curious, intelligent eyes.
Then he let out a soft whine, almost as if he were apologizing for scaring me.
“Hi,” I said cautiously.
His tail wagged harder.
Nikola chuckled.
“He likes you.
That’s a good sign.”
I wasn’t sure whether it was a good sign or just another complication in my already complicated life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KAEL’S POV
Her body was pressed against mine, soft and warm.
Her sweet scent filled my lungs, and for a moment, I went completely still.
I swallowed, but kept my arms firmly around her waist.
What the hell was wrong with me?
Cerberus tilted his head and sniffed at Lyra, his posture slowly relaxing.
Then, to both Nikola’s surprise and mine, the beast who usually bared his teeth at almost everyone cautiously moved closer and rubbed his head against Lyra’s calf.
Lyra only clung to me more tightly, mumbling something under her breath, probably begging the Moon Goddess to save her.
Was she really that afraid of dogs?
I should have warned her.
I should have kept them away until she was settled.
My jaw tightened at the thought of how badly she had been frightened.
Cerberus let out a soft, almost pleading whine.
Lyra finally looked down at him.
Her eyes widened with curiosity.
The other dogs hanging back in the courtyard stopped barking too.
Their ears perked up, their tails wagging as they watched.
Nikola’s mouth fell open.
“I’ve been coming and going from this house for years, and apart from you, Alpha, I’ve never seen these bastards give anyone a friendly look.
I feed them.
I clean up after them.
They still bark at me like I’m an intruder.”
He shook his head.
“Now look at them.
Luna shows up, and suddenly they’re all lapdogs.”
I looked down at Lyra, her head still pressed against my chest.
Did these traitors just prefer women?
A strange, possessive feeling stirred in my chest.
“Have you hugged me long enough?”
Only then did Lyra seem to realize she was clinging to me.
Her face flushed, and she quickly stepped out of my arms.
“I…
I’m sorry.”
The corner of my mouth twitched as I looked down at her.
Behind my back, my fingers curled once, still remembering the softness of her waist against my palm.
I forced myself to focus.
She was my wife in name only.
Nothing more.
Cerberus came over again.
Lyra cautiously reached out and stroked his head.
The German Shepherd immediately leaned into her touch, his eyes half-closing as his tail wagged even harder.
“What’s his name?” Lyra asked, looking up at me.
She was crouched on the ground, her emerald dress pooling around her as she stroked the dog’s head.
Her eyes were bright with curiosity.
Cerberus gave a low, contented rumble and leaned his weight against her legs.
I pressed my lips together.
“Cerberus.”
“That’s a majestic name.” Lyra rubbed his ears and laughed.
“He really likes me.”
Cerberus’s tail wagged even harder.
Her smile widened.
“Well, I like you too, buddy.”
Buddy?
I stared at the two of them, a frown pulling at my face.
Why was she touching him like that?
Why was she looking at him like that?
“Nikola.”
“Alpha?”
“Find a cage and lock him up.”
Nikola stared at me.
“What?
Why?”
Even Lyra looked up at me, almost pleading.
“But I want to play with him a little longer…”
Absolutely not.
How could she tell the dog she liked him when I was standing right there?
“Alpha,” Nikola said, still baffled, “the dogs always roam freely in the garden.
You’ve never cared before.
And Cerberus isn’t going to hurt her.
He’s behaving perfectly.”
“I said lock him up.”
Nikola immediately stopped arguing and went to take the dog away.
Cerberus kept looking back at Lyra, whining softly as he was led off.
Lyra looked amused.
“He looks so offended.”
I took her by the wrist and led her inside, my thumb brushing lightly over her skin.
“He’s still an animal.
It’s better to keep your distance.”
And I didn’t like the way he looked at her.
The interior was modern and minimalist, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the courtyard.
The furniture was clean-lined and simple, with only a few pieces of art breaking up the space.
The faint scent of cedar hung in the air, the same scent that clung to me.
I spent more time here than at any of the other houses.
This place felt more like home than anywhere else.
“Our room is on the second floor.” I released her wrist and pointed toward the spiral staircase.
“First room on the left.”
Her shoulders tensed.
“Our room?” she asked carefully.
“We’re spending the night together?”