I'm disappointed in you

"Curious, aren't we?"

Lyra jolted out of her thoughts at the sound of a familiar voice. Her face paled at the sight of the man sitting leisurely on the balustrade of the balcony.

Her body instinctively moved back, causing the man to chuckle at her reaction. Rowan hadn't intended to scare her, but watching her curiously stare at Linda had piqued his interest, and he couldn't help but approach her silently.

While Lyra struggled to process the situation—her thoughts torn between fleeing or feigning ignorance in the hope that he would spare her—Rowan had been intently watching her, his gaze unwavering.

His expression shifted as his sharp eyes pierced through her disheveled state. "It's a shame how easily Cassian can hear your thoughts," he mused, tilting his head. "But I doubt the rest of us would find them pleasant. Am I right, Lyra?"

She swallowed hard when he let out a faint chuckle, his tone laced with mockery. She was used to being looked down upon, but something about Rowan's words made her stomach churn.

She couldn't forget that he had once attacked her, and yet he was a close friend of Cassian.

'Does Cassian know?'

The thought struck her like a bolt, making her heart flutter with unease.

Rowan jumped down from the balustrade, his movements effortless, and strode toward her. His lips curled into a playful grin as she instinctively took another step back.

"I doubt you have a place in Cassian's life," he murmured. "Mate or not, a weakling like you will never fit the bill."

His words cut deep, sharp as a blade. Lyra's eyes burned with unshed tears. She already knew she stood no chance, but hearing it over and over again made the weight of her reality unbearable.

Rowan continued to watch her, his gaze unreadable, before shifting his attention toward the parked carriage.

"Linda—that's her name," he said, sharing a meaningful look with Lyra before turning away.

Then, without another word, he leaped off the balcony.

Lyra gasped, instinctively running to the railing, only to watch him walk away as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Linda's sharp eyes darted toward Darius.

"We already have a guest, don't we?" she asked, her gaze locking onto the Beta.

Darius hesitated for a moment before giving a curt nod.

"And where is Cassian? I was expecting him to welcome me," Linda added, her voice carrying a hint of disappointment.

Darius pressed his lips together. He had expected the Alpha to personally greet Lady Linda as he always did, but even he found it odd that Cassian was nowhere to be seen.

Linda studied Darius for a few seconds before turning toward the guest chambers. However, she suddenly stopped.

"I would like to meet the guest," she declared.

Darius stiffened, caught in a difficult position, but before he could object, Linda had already changed course, making her way straight toward Lyra's chamber.

***

"My lady, do you wish to rest?" Penny asked as soon as she saw Lyra step back into the chamber.

Lyra looked at her absentmindedly, her thoughts still tangled in Rowan's words. Before she could respond, a sudden noise startled both of them.

Penny quickly stepped out to investigate, returning moments later with a worried expression.

"Lady Linda wishes to meet you, my lady," she announced.

Lyra's brows furrowed in confusion, but before she could fully process Penny's words, the door flung open, and Linda walked in.

Lyra's eyes widened at the sight of the striking woman before her. She had always believed Miranda to be the epitome of beauty, but standing in front of Linda, she found herself reconsidering.

Her thoughts drifted to her own reflection, and an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.

'I could never be as beautiful as her,' she thought, lowering her gaze.

"Privacy," Linda suddenly announced, her voice cutting through the silence.

Lyra and Penny exchanged a cautious glance, but without a word, the attendant retreated, leaving Lyra alone with Linda.

Lowering her gaze, Lyra avoided the sharp, assessing look Linda directed at her. Though undeniably beautiful, there was something unnervingly cunning about her—something that made Lyra instinctively shrink away.

Her fingers clutched the hem of her dress, her eyes darting around the room in search of anything else to focus on. But the moment Linda stepped closer, the blood drained from her face.

She didn't dare look up, but when Linda's fingers pinched her chin, forcing her to meet her gaze, Lyra's lips quivered in fear.

"So, you're the woman Cassian purchased in the auction," Linda murmured, her eyes boring into Lyra's with an unreadable intensity. A smirk curled at the corners of her lips, laced with quiet intimidation.

Lyra's heart pounded violently in her chest. The malice in Linda's gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

She had no idea why the woman was treating her with such harshness, but it left a lasting impression. There was something insidious in Linda's eyes—something Lyra couldn't quite decipher.

Time passed with Lyra trying to calm herself, but no matter how hard she tried, her nerves refused to settle. Just as she struggled to steady her racing thoughts, a familiar voice startled her.

"Linda."

Lyra instinctively stepped back, causing Linda to narrow her eyes. However, she quickly masked her expression and forced a smile.

"Cassian, I'm disappointed in you," she said, her gaze locking onto him.

Cassian's posture tensed at her words. Though she spoke lightly, there was an unmistakable edge of displeasure in her tone. Lyra flicked her gaze toward Cassian, sensing the unspoken tension between them.

"I expected you to welcome me like always, but you were nowhere to be found," Linda continued, her voice shifting into a cheerful lilt, as if attempting to brush away her earlier reproach.

Cassian furrowed his brows skeptically, but before he could respond, Linda wrapped her arms around his, her smile widening.

He hesitated. But the moment his eyes flickered toward Lyra, something shifted in his expression. Without a word, he carefully withdrew his arm from Linda's grasp.

"I was out handling some business," Cassian stated, his voice low, his gaze avoiding hers.

Linda noticed the hesitation, but she chose not to acknowledge it. Instead, her attention shifted to Lyra.

"Come, let's go," she said, a saccharine smile gracing her lips. "It's been a while since I last visited. I don't mind having a guest here, of course, but still—being alone with you is far better than dealing with any… interruptions."

Her words cut through Lyra like a blade, each syllable a clear dismissal.