The Lunar Queen (Lyric and Mason) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Lyric POV

We walk into the dining room, which is filled with people. The noise hits me first-laughter, movement, voices overlapping-but it dulls almost instantly as my senses stretch wider than they ever have before, catching everything underneath it. I see Mason and Aria, and they are both marked, which makes me smile. It’s real-but quieter now, like I’m watching myself feel it instead of being

pulled under it.

We walk up to the table, and I introduce myself, saying, “Hi, I’m Lyric.”

She responds, “Oh my goddess, you are beautiful,” causing me to blush. The reaction is automatic, familiar-but it doesn’t sit the

same way in my chest anymore.

I reply, “Thank you, so are you,” and laugh. “I’m so happy you guys met before the ball and are marked,” I add, smiling.

“Thank you, that means a lot coming from you,” she says, blushing herself.

“You are adorable,” I say to her, laughing. And I mean it–but there’s a part of me that’s watching, measuring, aware of everything around me in a way I never was before.

I sit across from them, and Winter and Dom sit next to us.

“Sunflower, I’m happy for you, and I’m glad you found your true mate. I will forever be sorry for what you went through,” Mason

says.

I smile at him. “Mason, stop apologizing. I don’t blame you for anything,” I reply. My voice is soft-but there’s something final in it now, something settled. “Everything is exactly how the Moon Goddess wanted it to be,” I add.

The words sit heavier in the air than they should, like they carry more than comfort-like they carry truth.

“We have one thing to handle before the ball tomorrow,” I continue. The shift in me happens without effort-lighter emotions sliding back, purpose settling in its place. “Where is Elias?” I ask.

“He’s in his room, waiting for you,” Cole responds.

“Well, tell him to meet us in front of the pack house,” I say.

I stop and turn to Mason. “Kelsey didn’t have anything to do with what happened; Summer blackmailed her,” I say, looking at him.

“How did you know what I was planning?” he asks, surprised.

“I read your mind when I healed you earlier. I’m sorry,” I reply. I don’t look away. I don’t soften it. I just say it.

“Kane, come,” I call, and his eyes turn gold, the color of his wolf.

20

لی

|||

<

1/3

&

Chapter 71

“My queen,” Kane says.

“She is not responsible for what happened. When she returns home, leave her be. She has nothing to do with you losing me,” 1

state. The command settles into the space between us-quiet, but absolute.

“I will leave her alone. You have my word,” he replies.

“Thank you,” I say.

When Elias walks up to us, he hugs me. “I’m so happy to see that you are okay,” he says.

“Thank you,” I reply. Mira comes running out of the pack house.

“Lyric!” she screams, slamming into me.

“Hey, Mimi,” I say.

“I’m so happy you’re okay,” she says.

“Thank you, me too,” I respond.

My dad and Uncle Liam come out next. I walk over to Uncle Liam and hug him tightly.

“I missed you, sunny,” he says. “I’m glad you’re okay. Your aunt is resting,” he adds.

“I will visit her later,” I say, letting my hand linger just long enough to feel the shift in him-his energy smoothing out under mine

before I pull away.

“You’re her, aren’t you?” he asks softly.

“You knew?” I inquire.

“I had an inkling when you were born. I always knew she had a pup outside of their line, but nobody ever managed to find him to know if he lived or died,” he explains.

“Well, he survived and is my mother’s ancestor,” I say.

“I’m not sure how Cole and I aren’t related, since both of our lines come from Eloise,” I add.

“Genetics-although Eloise’s pup with her mate was siblings with the pups she had with Lucian, many generations of Blackwoods and Frasers have diluted any genetic ties you two might have shared,” he replies.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome, Sunny. Are you ready?” he asks.

2/3

Chapter 71

8

“Yes, I am,” I reply as we head to the cells.

The smell hits me instantly, making me gag. It’s thick-metallic, sour, soaked into the walls-and my body recognizes it before I can

stop it, memory and reality colliding in my chest.

Cole is immediately on me. “Are you okay, princess?” he asks.

“I’m fine. Just not used to the smell,” I say. Lie. I aftr used to it-and that realization sits heavier than anything else.

2

Comments

4

Write Comments

<SHARE

|||

3/3

12:38 Thu, Jul 2 b ) P

The Lunar Queen