The Lunar Queen (Lyric and Mason) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Lyric POV

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When we pull up to the bowling alley, I am pumped. I love bowling. For the first time in days, the excitement feels real instead of forced, like I can actually breathe without everything sitting heavy on my chest. “Okay, so we most definitely should do teams, I say. “And since we are evenly matched, I say guys vs girls” I add. “Oh that definitely sounds like a plan” Dom says. “Yup, are you guys ready to lose?” Winter teases. “How are you so sure you’re going to win?” Xavier questions. “Oh, you will see Winter replies.

We head to the front to pay for our lanes, and of course, the Alpha King does not pay, which earns a small eye roll from me. Of

course he does not. We get our shoes and head to the lanes. Each girl faces her mate, and I face Cole. The first strike, they thought

it was luck. After my turkey, they all knew they were screwed, and I can feel their attention shift, feel their eyes on me in a way that’s different now-less teasing, more impressed, and it settles something quiet inside me. The girls and I beat them badly-three

games in a row-before they quit on us.

“Where the hell did you learn to bowl like that, Lyric?” Dominic asks.

“Winter and I used to come here all the time as pups. We’d ride our bikes to town and do everything,” I reply. “Bowling and archery

were my favorite things to do,” I add.

“You’re good with a bow?” Cole asks, raising an eyebrow.

I scoff. “Good? I’m the best shot in the pack,” I say confidently, lifting my chin just slightly because this–this is something I know

I’m good at, something nobody ever took from me.

“Show me then,” he challenges.

“Sure thing,” I respond, walking out of the bowling alley toward the archery range.

When we step inside, the owner greets me. “Hey, Lyric, it’s good to see you up and about,” he says with warm eyes.

“Thanks, Ryan. I appreciate that. Can we get a few bows and arrows? You can just give us two target lanes on rotation,” I request.

“Got it, kiddo. How long?”

“Two-minute intervals, for an hour,” I specify.

“Got it. Here you go,” he says, handing me two bows and two sets of arrows.

“What exactly did you two say to each other?” Xavier inquires.

“I asked for moving targets that rotate out every two minutes in different places in the lane,” I explain.

“Oh,” he responds.

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Chapter 41

“Ready?” I ask everyone.

When we reach the lanes, Cole goes up against me, because I can’t possibly be a better shot than him. “I know you’re the king, but

I’m about to show why you might need to find a replacement,” I say, winking at him, even though there’s something in his eyes that

makes my stomach flip in a way I don’t fully understand yet.

The bell signals the first target. Head shot.

The bell rings again. Head shot.

Three more targets-all head shots-before the targets reset for the next two, and by now I can feel it-the shift, the silence behind

me, the way they’re actually watching instead of joking.

“You are incredible,” Cole says as he walks up to me. “Shooting like that, you’re going to be a force to be reckoned with at the

palace when you join the program,” he adds while approaching. “You are beautiful,” he says softly, looking at me, making me blush,

and it hits differently than anything else anyone has said to me in a long time.

“Thank you,” I reply, looking away. He hooks two fingers under my chin and gently turns my face back to him. “Don’t hide from

anyone, you’re beautiful. You brighten up a room, Lyric. Mason is damn lucky to have you as his mate.” he whispers.

“Okay, nobody’s called me beautiful in a long time,” I say quietly, and I don’t even mean to admit that out loud, but it slips anyway.

“Then I will make sure you hear it whenever I can, so you do not forget.” he promises, and something in my chest tightens like 1

want to believe him even though I know I shouldn’t.

“It’s 4:30, guys, let’s head back,” Dominic signals.

“This has been so much fun. I’m glad you came out with me. Mira, I’m really happy I get to see you more. Call me and text me,” I

say as we get into the car.

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