The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 26

Ryan

I stood outside Lyra's dorm room, teeth tugging at my bottom lip. My hand hovered over the doorknob, unsure if I should knock or just barge in. I had never been one to second-guess myself, but Lyra had a way of making me question everything I thought I knew.

After a beat, I made my choice. I knocked on the door, my knuckles barely grazing the smooth surface, yet it seemed louder than it should have been.

Nothing stirred on the other side.

I knocked again, harder this time. The rattling door must have created a draft as a scent I'd smelled on my fingers seeped through the cracks.

Lyra...

My head spun. My mouth went dry. I went from zero to steel inside my jeans. I placed my nose near the doorjamb, inhaling deeply, taking in the sweet essence of Lyra's arousal that lingered there. The heat built inside me, muscles tensing with need.

As much as I wanted to, I couldn't push things too far. I had come to find answers not...to come. The Lyra of my past was the same liar of my present. She hadn't changed. She'd burned me once already, and I wouldn't let it happen again. I couldn't.

With a deep breath, I pulled out my master key and turned it in the lock, pushing the door open.

As soon as I stepped inside, the aroma hit me like a tsunami- dragging me under and rolling me inside the wave. I staggered toward her, fighting my wolf-myself to remain in control. I would wake her up and...

All fight left me at the sight of Lyra nestled in her sheets, one pale arm thrown over her head and the other curled around a pillow. She slept peacefully, breaths coming in slow and even through slightly parted lips. A faint silver glow from the moon sliced across her cheek. Her lashes twitched, brushing against her skin like butterfly wings.

She was so damn beautiful.

But so far removed from innocence.

"Lyra," I nudged her shoulder and sat on the bed, waiting for her to rise so we could... What had I come here to do?

She turned to lie flat on her back bringing both arms above her head. Blonde hair spread over her pillow like angels wings. Her eyes blinked open, heavy-lidded, and for a moment, her gaze seemed unfocused. As she registered my presence, a flicker of surprise crossed her features.

"Ryan..."

I stiffened. In more ways than one.

She went on, her voice raspy with sleep, "I was dreaming... dreaming you kissed me. Is that what you came here to do?"

Who was I to say no?

Her breath was warm against my skin when I bent down to trace my lips across her smooth cheek.

Before I could rise, her sigh of contentment hit the air, sending a cascade of shivers down my spine. The hair on the back of my neck prickled when she nuzzled into my touch, her skin warm and inviting against mine.

It was all the encouragement I needed. Forget the questions. The recriminations. That could wait for another time.

The scent of her, the feel of her, it was intoxicating, and I found myself craving more.

I fisted my hands in the softness of her sheets, knuckles whitening as I held myself above her, once more fighting the temptation to surrender to the moment.

That didn't stop me from meeting our lips met in a tender kiss as I pressed my lips against hers, a gentle touch that was at odds with my urgency to claim her. I soon deepened it as her hands kneaded the muscles in my back. Our tongues danced, exploring and tasting. She curved her arms around my neck and with a strength that caught me off guard, she pulled me on top of her.

Big mistake.

Even through the layers of her comforter, I could feel her heat.

And gone was myself control.

She arched into me with a soft whimper.

My wolf howled in frustration when I pulled back to look down at her... to gauge her reaction at the direction in which we were heading. She looked up at me, emerald eyes half-lidded. Whether to hide her desire or her lies I didn't know which. Either way, it was time for me to leave.

I was about to stand when she brought her smooth hand to my face and traced the stubble on my chin. "Ryan... don't stop."

I nearly exploded in my jeans from her voice alone. What would it be like inside her? I had to resist. I should resist.

But...

My wolf turned circles when I pulled back the cover and found her laid bare. My cock inched over my waistband, the head glistening wet.

Uncovered and out in the open, her scent was so strong, my eyes watered. I reached between her legs and found her wet.. the mattress sheet damp, and me way past caring about the mistake I was about to make.

One hand cupped her breast teasing the nipple, while the other slid onto her hip, caressing her skin gently.

My heart beat like a drum as I leaned down to once more capture her mouth with my own, our tongues tangling. I moved further down, across her chin to murmur soft words of affection against her neck while my thumbs grazed across her bare skin, tracing circles that made her whimper...

"Ryan... take me."

My lips paused above her skin, shoulders tense.

She almost had me. She almost made me fall...

I rose from the bed in one swift movement, breathing ragged.

"I can't do this," I panted out, every inch of my crying to be with her. To take what she was offering. "I can't be with you."

Her lie was a poison. It lay between us like the quilt that matched her eyes. How could I give myself to someone who deceived me so completely?

Her eyes rested on me, watching my body tremble with a mixture of confusion and longing.

I didn't say anything. Didn't explain myself. Instead, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving her alone in the darkness.