Ronan’s POV
Her cheeks warmed.
“I want to make sure you live.
That’s all.” Lyra replied.
“Do you ever get tired,” he asked quietly, “of watching, worrying, carrying responsibility that isn’t yours?”
Lyra chuckled lightly.
“Sometimes.
But it’s what I do.
It’s how I survive, and how I help others survive.”
“You’re relentless,” he muttered.
“Stubborn.
I suppose that’s why you’re still alive.”
“I do try,” she said, a spark of humor in her eyes.
“Even if it’s exhausting.”
He allowed himself a small smile.
“Good.
You’ll need that stubbornness here.
Things are different in Blackthorn pack.
You won’t get the mercy you might expect elsewhere.” Ronan said.
“I don’t expect mercy.
Only the chance to do what’s right.” Lyra mumbled.
He thought about it.
“And if what’s right goes against what the pack expects?
Will you still do it?” Ronan asked her.
She paused for a few seconds, staring at him.
“Yes.
Because I couldn’t live with myself otherwise.
Even if it angers the pack.”
He let out a low hum.
“Brave, or foolish.
Maybe both.
That’ll take some getting used to.” He muttered.
She smiled faintly.
“I suppose it will.”
“And if the antidote doesn’t work as we expect?” Ronan asked.
“What then?”
“You’ll let me know…
Every symptom, every change.
I’ll adjust.
That’s why I’m here, Alpha.
I won’t let this fail.” She said calmly.
Ronan nodded slowly.
“Good,” he said.
“I like that.
You have a way of making me feel safe and on edge at the same time.”
“Safe and on edge?” She asked, tilting her head.
He smiled.
“Safe because I trust you.
On edge because you’re unpredictable.
I’m not used to that.”
She laughed softly.
“I’ll try not to be too unpredictable.”
“Don’t try too hard.
I rather enjoy it.”
Her small, hesitant smile did something strange in his chest.
Not a warning.
Not a challenge.
Approval.
Interest.
His wolf recognized it instantly, even as his mind wanted to argue he should feel nothing for an omega.
His eyes flicked to the plate in front of him.
“And the food.
Are you certain it’s safe?
I trust you, but still.”
She met his gaze firmly.
“I’ll always make it myself,” Lyra said firmly.
“Nothing will be poisoned.
Every herb thoroughly checked before I use it, every ingredient checked.
You’re safe with me.
I promise.”
He relaxed slightly.
“Good.
Because I’m not about to die from ashvine, not when you’re this invested.”
Her cheeks warmed again.
“I just want you to live,” she whispered.
He studied her for a long moment.
“You’re an unusual omega,” he said finally.
“I don’t know if I should admire you or be wary of you.”
“I suppose,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips, “you’ll have to decide for yourself.”
His wolf stirred, quiet and insistent, whispering that this one was different.
For the first time in a long while, Ronan realized he was curious about her.
Not just her skills or her knowledge of poison.
Her.
Her presence, her thoughts, the way her wolf moved quietly alongside his.
He didn’t know what to do with that.
The door slammed open before he could respond, banging against the wall.
Ash walked in without knocking, eyes fixed on the papers in his hands.
Ronan groaned inwardly.
Of course.
Of all the days for Ash to interfere with his dinner, it had to be today, he thought.
“Ronan,” Ash said flatly.
“The report you asked for.
Border control, patrol routes.”
“Leave it.
I’ll review it after dinner.” Ronan said in a clipped tone.
Ash looked up, as if he was suddenly realizing that Ronan was not alone.
He blinked in surprise.
His gaze flicked to Lyra, and for a moment, something unreadable passed over his face.
Then he turned and left as quickly as he had come.
The sound of the closing door left a silence heavier than before.
Lyra rose quickly.
“I should go.” she said quickly, her voice almost a whisper.
He looked at her, brow slightly raised.
“You don’t have to,” Ronan said, his eyes softening slightly.
“I… I know,” she said, swallowing hard.
“It is… inappropriate.
I should not have come in here without permission.”
His lips pressed into a straight line.
“It’s done.
You brought food.
You’ve done your part.
That’s enough.” He paused.
“It’s only dinner.
There’s no reason to act like this is improper.”
His wolf stirred at her closeness, at the sound of her voice.
He didn’t want her to leave yet.
He noticed the slight tremble in her hands as she adjusted her skirt, the way her eyes kept flicking to the table and back to him.
He didn’t understand the pull he felt, the tightness in his chest, the way his mind kept racing.
She was small, an omega, and yet fearless in a way he rarely saw in anyone.
Before the tension could settle further, she said.
“I’ll leave now, Alpha.
You should eat in peace.”
He said nothing, just watched her.
She bowed slightly, turned, and left, the door closing softly behind her.
Ronan sat back in the silence, thoughts running wild.
Something about her had unsettled him in a way he couldn’t name.
And for the first time in a long time, he found himself wanting to see another person again.
He wanted to see Lyra again.