Chapter 82
For a brief moment, I was completely distracted, forgetting my worry as I stared, almost mesmerized by the sight in front of me.
Lirian froze when he heard the steward’s voice, and he stood up quickly, wincing slightly at the movement. “Why did you let her come up?” he asked, his tone sharp with surprise and a hint of annoyance.
“Miss Sophia insisted on seeing you,” the steward replied, bowing slightly.
Lirian grimaced, his face tense. “Take her back down. I’ll come down later.”
Before the steward could respond, I stepped forward. “No need. I’m just here to check on you. I’ll leave after I see you’re okay.“”
Lirian’s eyes flickered with frustration. He looked a little worse for wear, more haggard than usual. “You should have told me you were coming,” he muttered.
I raised an eyebrow. “And why’s that? Am I disturbing you? Or are you doing something I’m not supposed to see?” I teased, half–smiling.
He fell silent, his expression unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line. I watched him closely, wondering what was going through his mind. The tension between us was palpable, and my curiosity got the best of me.
I focused, reaching out with my ability to read his thoughts.
*I didn’t even dress properly… it’s a bit embarrassing to appear in front of her like this… Can she stop staring?
I almost burst out laughing. His internal monologue was a far cry from the composed, unshakeable Lirian I knew. “Lirian,” I said playfully, “even when you’re sick and injured, you’re still ridiculously handsome.”
He cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed, and a faint blush crept across his cheeks.
Aglanced around his room, noticing the stark contrast to my own. His space was minimalist–black and white, devoid of warmth.
It felt cold, unwelcoming, Just like the rumors that swirled about his pack.
Chapter 82
Unlike my room, which was filled with pinks, gifts, and mementos from my family, Lirian’s environment seemed like a reflection of his inner world–isolated.
“I’ve never been to your house before,” I said, trying to make light conversation. “It’s… different.”
Lirian sat on the edge of his bed, watching me in silence. He didn’t say anything, but I could feel his gaze on me, studying my every move. Once again, curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked into his thoughts.
*Sophia looks… happy, bright. Like sunshine… I really like it.*
The heat rushed to my face, and I quickly looked away. Before I could gather myself, Lirian’s voice cut through the moment. “Sophia,” he said, his tone serious. “We need to… keep some distance between us.”
The cool evening air settled around us as I looked at Lirian, my voice tentative. “Do you… already hate me?”
A glimmer of pain flickered in his eyes, and he shook his head slowly, his gaze moving away as if searching for something beyond the room. “No,” he murmured, his voice soft but strained
“It’s not that at all. It’s just… I’m afraid, Sophia. I’m not as good a person as you think I am. I worry that if I get too close to you, I might end up doing something that will make you unhappy.”
There was an edge of vulnerability in his words, one that hinted at feelings he seemed unwilling to confront fully.
I searched his expression, feeling a rush of warmth and empathy that both confused and captivated
- me.
“Is that why you’ve been distant? Why you asked me to leave?”
Lirian’s eyes flicked back to me, his gaze intense yet clouded with something that seemed like regret.
“Yes. I thought… if I kept a little distance, I’d be able to stop thinking about you. But the truth is, the closer we are, the harder it is to keep my mind off you.”
For a moment, we stood there in silence. A soft tension lingered between us, unspoken words hovering in the air. I had noticed his absence today, his failure to return my messages, and I had
worried.
Now, hearing him admit his struggles with his feelings, I understood him more deeply. He was pushing me away to protect us both, but there was another fear lingering beneath his words. I could
chse it.
Just as I was about to press further, we were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
turned and watched as a man entered, his steps sure, his gaze firm and assessing.
It was none other than Alaric, Lirian’s father and the current Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack. His presence seemed to fill the room with authority and quiet strength, and I suddenly felt self–conscious standing there.
Alaric’s gaze fell on me, surprise softening the edges of his otherwise stern expression.
“Sophia,” he greeted, his voice low and calm, though a faint curiosity lingered beneath his usual composure. “What brings you here?”
To my surprise, this rumoured cold blooded and murderous Alpha was very gentle with me. He looked at me with a smile, like a warm and amiable elder.
After he entered the room, he glanced at Lirian with a flirtatious gaze, and Lirian’s face immediately reddened.
I w
I was a little curious as to what secrets they exchanged in their gazes.
Chapter 83
