Chapter 5: Alpha Kade
Lyra's POV
5 Months Later
I woke up, and the first thing I felt was Riven's warmth. His arm was around my waist, fingers tracing lazy, sensual patterns on my stomach as if he couldn't help but touch me, even in sleep. I rolled over gently, not wanting to wake him, but of course, he did.
"Where in the world do you think you're going?" His voice was deep and drowsy, flavoured with that kind of soft laughter he always reserved for mornings with me. He had his own room, but a lot of times he chose to sleep in mine and I was happy for it.
I smiled, just barely. "It's morning, Riven. Some of us don't have the luxury of sleeping in until noon."
He growled low and pressed his face into my neck. "I'm the Alpha. I make the rules. Stay a little longer."
And I did.
For several minutes, I let myself go again, sink into his arms and forget everything else.
Five months ago, when Riven had chosen me to be his mate, I'd had no idea what I was getting myself into. I'd been scared—maybe even suspicious. But he'd waited, so patiently and gently. He listened, he watched me, and he provided me with anything that I needed before I was even able to think about asking. He treated me like I was important. Like I wasn't some broken servant girl from another pack with a denied mark.
I loved him.
I absolutely did.
The only problem I had was his best friend Zoe who always came to breakfast with us as if her sole purpose was to annoy me.
She was literally everywhere— laughing too loudly or touching him just a fraction too closely.
"You're staring at me," Riven grumbled without opening his eyes.
"I am not," I whispered back, smiling into his chest.
"You are," he repeated, opening one eye. "And I like it."
I smiled gently. "You're impossible."
"And yet, here you are," he smiled. "Still choosing me each morning."
My heart relaxed slightly. I stretched up and brushed the corner of his mouth with a kiss.
Finally, we took a bath together and got dressed and stood up. Palace breakfasts were usually casual except when something significant was occurring. Today wasn't, thank goodness.
We walked hand in hand down to the dining room, my hand nestled in his like it was always supposed to be. Like I was always supposed to be here—with him. Because I was. It had taken a while, but I knew it now.
The table was already set when we arrived, and of course, Zoe was there.
I could not help but take my eyes off her presence.
She grinned warmly at Riven and barely glanced at me. "Riv, I had your favourite honey rolls set out from the kitchen this morning. You've worked so hard."
"Really?" Riven looked surprised, looking at me as if he didn't know what to say.
I smiled at him and sat down beside him. "That was nice," I said to him, though my voice was tense.
Zoe sat opposite us, her gaze sweeping over me as if I didn't exist. "You looked exhausted yesterday, Riv. I told the cooks to put the soothing herbs in the tea today. Hope that's okay."
"I usually make his tea," I said to her, attempting to sound nonchalant.
"Oh," she blinked, playing dumb. "Well. I didn't think you'd not be busy."
I wasn't. I wasn't too busy to check on my mate. I bit down instead.
Riven of course, didn't pick up on the subtext. Or maybe he did but didn't give it much thought. He leaned over and kissed my temple, saying in a soft voice, "You okay?"
"Sure," I whispered in return but in a dismissive tone.
I was beyond annoyed.
I had breakfast, but the moment we'd finished eating, I stood up and laid a kiss on Riven's cheek. "I'm going for a ride," I whispered. "I just need a little fresh air."
He glanced at me in irritation. "Do you want me to accompany you?"
"No, no. Just a quick ride. I'll be right back." I smiled and squeezed his hand before walking away.
The stables were peaceful, quiet—just what I needed. Laila whinnied at the sight of me, tossing her mane like she'd been waiting for me all morning.
"Hey, girl," I whispered, rubbing her nose. "Let's go have an adventure."
I mounted and saddled her and let her walk at a slow pace as the wind blew through my hair. I didn't have a destination in mind. I just let her take me wherever the trail might lead.
Somehow, I ended up back at the stream.
The same place where I had first encountered Riven.
I could still remember the experience rather clearly. I had been so lost then and he had come out of nowhere to claim me as his mate. I rode further until I could see that I was at the very edge of a stream. The place where my horse stood was steep and I knew that one more step and we would be plunged into the water.
I tried to climb down from Laila’s back without startling her but I only ended up losing my footing and I was certain that I was going to fall onto the rocky ground and possibly sustain a nasty injury. If that happened I could forget the little freedom I had; Riven would never allow me to leave his side again—he was possessive that way.
However, the moon goddess smiled upon me as someone broke my fall.
The person's scent smelled vaguely familiar but I doubted that it was anyone that I knew. I was just grateful to this person because otherwise I would have sustained a serious injury.
I looked up to thank the person who had caught me only to realise that I was staring into Alpha Kade's eyes. I pulled myself away from his hold at once, surprised to see him. As I stared at him, the rush of emotions I had thought were gone forever flooded through me. I was instantly reminded of his harsh rejection that had driven me out of his pack. What was he doing here now? I knew this was not his territory and quite frankly the other Alphas under the council did not like coming anywhere near Alpha Riven.
“Lyra!” he exclaimed but I only stepped further away from him.
“Why are you here?” I asked him when there was a good amount of space between us.
“I'm here for you, Lyra,” he said, his voice smooth as silk.
“What do you mean? You rejected me, remember?” I could not forget the humiliation I had faced when he had rejected me publicly without any pity as though I meant nothing.
“Let's go home, Lyra.”





























































