The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite
CHAPTER 61

Lyra

"Ready?" I asked Sally, turning from the mirror. She looked like an angel in her light blue dress, her white-blond hair cascading in perfect ringlets down her back. She would be a hit amongst the males at Ryan's birthday party. "Almost," she said, fumbling with a necklace. "How do I look?"

I smiled. "Perfect, as always." I glanced at my own reflection, smoothing down the folds of my silk blue dress. It was the one Ryan and I had picked out together on our shopping trip. I loved how it made my green eyes pop. Dressed in finery, my make up on point, didn't stop how my stomach twisted every time my mind replayed Killian's words.

Ryan and I had promised each other no more secrets. Cool, right? But a future? That wasn't going to happen. Not with the Luna trials looming over us.

Ryan's Luna-his forever mate would be determined by the trials. Once that happened, I wouldn't wait around for him to throw me a bone while he paraded some she-wolf under my nose... had pups with her... maybe even came to love her...

"Earth to Lyra. You okay?" Sally asked, staring at me in the mirror.

My hand paused, hovering with the mascara wand. I shoved it back into the tube. "Yeah, no worries, just lost in thought." A piece of me longed to open up and really talk, to untangle the knotted mess of emotions weighing on my chest. But another side cringed at the idea. It felt like all I ever did lately was complain about Ryan, repeating the same worries over and over and once again.

In the end, I couldn't bring myself to go there.

Sally shrugged, fluffed out her hair, and then rubbed her lips together, evenly dispersing her peachy-pink lip gloss. "Okay, I'm good, let's go."

We walked out of the dorm, the cool night air a welcome relief after the stuffy room.

"So," I said, breaking the silence as we made our way across the courtyard, "are you really going through with the trials?"

Sally had confided in me about the mounting pressure from her father to take part in the trials. He had ambitions to elevate his status within the pack with Sally as Ryan's Luna. Time and time again she'd told me how much the idea terrified her, how the mere thought of being thrust into that spotlight made her tremble. Her father refused to listen.

She sighed. "Remember that time I went home for one night?" At my nod, she continued. "I told my dad then that I loved Liam, and until I can get over him, no other wolf will do."

I stopped in my tracks, my eyes wide with shock. "You told your dad? About Liam?"

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as her shoulders straightened with pride.

"That took a lot of courage," I said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "Standing up to your father like that, especially about who you love... I'm really proud of you."

Sally's smile widened at my praise. "Thanks, Lyra. It wasn't easy, but it felt right. I need to live my own life, you know? My father can't control my life forever, right."

We reached the entrance of the pack clubhouse, the sound of music and laughter spilling out onto the lawn. Sally squeezed my hand.

"I'll catch up with you later," she said, already scanning the crowd for her friends. She spotted the group of she-wolves, each in a beautiful dress of blue, and hurried off to join them.

I watched her go, a pang of sadness hitting me square in the heart. Sally and I hadn't been as close lately, especially since I'd become friends with Whitney. It was like the closer I got to Whitney, the more distant Sally became. Speaking of the Wolf, Whitney sidled up to me, squeezing me on the arm. Her dark brown hair was shiny and threaded with pearls in an intricate up-do while her dress of a silvery blue hugged her curves. " Wow! Your dress is beautiful Whitney!"

"This old thing?" She twirled, laughing at her quip. "I'm hoping it will blow Liam's mind... so much so that he will finally settle on our mating date." "Well, if that is your objective, I'd say "

"Liam is just so freakin' fine," Whitney cooed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "He's tall, handsome, and has the most gorgeous smile. I can't stop thinking about him!" She clasped her hands together, pressing them against her chest. I opened my mouth but closed it again as Whitney said, "We're meant to be together. I just know it!" She twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, a dreamy expression on her face. "I've been dropping hints for weeks now, hoping he'll ask me to be his mate."

I nodded, trying to show interest, but it was hard to get a word in. Whitney seemed lost in her own world, gushing about Liam's every detail.

"His eyes, Lyra, have you seen his eyes? They're like pools of melted chocolate, so warm and inviting. And his hair, it's always perfectly tousled, like he just rolled out of bed." She sighed, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "That's great, Whitney. I'm happy for you," I said, forcing a smile. It wasn't that I wasn't happy for her, but her constant chatter about Liam was starting to wear thin.

"I just can't wait for him to ask me. It's going to be the most romantic moment of my life!" Whitney squealed, bouncing on her toes. "And then we'll be mates, and everything will be perfect."

I smiled and nodded, letting her continue her gushing. It was clear that Whitney was head over heels for Liam, and nothing I said was going to change that. I just hoped that Liam felt the same way about her, or else she was in for a world of heartbreak.

"Since I've been here, he has been so kind. So wonderful. He mind-linked with me while he was away, telling me not to worry. He was on a mission for Ryan and would be with me soon. Wasn't that thoughtful? Most males leave their she- wolves in the dark, but not Liam. He even apologized for worrying me."

I tried to interject, but in true Whitney form, she barreled on. "You know, my dad originally wanted me to mate with Ryan. Can you believe it? I mean, sure, Ryan's the Alpha and all, but he's not my type." She waved her hand dismissively. "Really? I had no-" I managed to say, but Whitney cut me off again.

"Ryan is way too tall," she said with a shudder as if his height was something sinister. "And way too intense. I'm honestly a bit afraid of him." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "And then there are all those rumors about him killing his father and running through women like a forest in springtime. I could never be with a cheater, and Ryan... that player...would definitely cheat on his Luna. The stories Liam has told me... Lyra you wouldn't believe!"

I wasn't very familiar with Liam, but as Ryan's Beta, he knew all the juicy details about his Alpha. His words backed up what Killian had told me about Ryan's player ways. I nibbled on my lower lip, feeling a whirlpool of doubt churning in my stomach. I fidgeted restlessly, wishing I could be anywhere but here, trapped in this awkward conversation.

Out of nowhere, Liam came to my rescue. "Whitney... there you are. Can we talk for a sec?" He shifted his weight from foot to foot.

"Of course, darling." Whitney batted her eyelashes at him.

I caught the quick grimace that passed over Liam's face before he covered it up with a big fake smile. Whitney didn't seem to notice. Call it a gut feeling, but I had a hunch their little chat wasn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows. Liam's jaw clenched as he led Whitney away, his shoulders tense. I let out a sigh, relieved to be free of that uncomfortable situation even as the Whitney had planted gnawed at me as I watched them go.