LYRA

Those words scared me.

Kairo seemed to share the same emotion as he clutched my skirt tight and hid behind me. Lucien stood beside me, his eyes fierce and stance, protective. It was almost like he was ready to fight Draven to protect us.

I would have appreciated it more if only I didn't know what little good it would do.

Draven completely ignored Lucien's presence. He only had eyes for me.

We stood frozen for a few minutes before his gaze shifted, much to my horror.

"No," I hissed as I shielded Kairo even more, making sure not a single part of his was visible. "I don't belong to you. I have stopped belonging to you a long time ago."

Draven scoffed at my words.

"How naive."

"Leave her alone," Lucien said through gritted teeth. "You already have your Luna. You are already mated to someone else. At least, have the decency to not show your face so brazenly after betraying her."

For the first time since he arrived, Draven seemed to acknowledge that Lucien was present as well. He moved so gracefully that he made it seem like he was gracing Lucien with his attention.

"Keep your mouth out of this, Lucien. I would have a talk with you later. Finding what is mine and coveting it is grounds for execution."

"I am not yours," I hissed. "My son isn't yours! I have been mated with another. You have absolutely no rights over me, Draven!"

He scoffed once again.

"You forget who you're talking to, Lyra. You think I would be unable to recognize my blood just because you covered him in wolfsbane?"

"Draven, please leave," I said softly, my voice tired. "I can't deal with this, please."

For a second, just for a second, I saw a hint of sorrow or guilt flash through his expression.

It was gone so quickly that I must have imagined it, and was replaced with that emotionless air of authority.

One of absolute finality.

He looked around my home, his gaze moving on to the quiet night in the small town of Wolhurst.

"You've been in the town next door for three years, huh?"

I couldn't tell if it was a question or an observation, but I chose to not answer either way.

His eyes fell back on me.

"Do you care about them?"

I blinked in confusion.

"What?"

He gave me that tilt of the head that Lucien seemed to have copied so perfectly from him.

"Do you care about Wolhurst? Do you care about the people in it?"

I opened my mouth to answer but Lucien stopped me as his arms slowly pushed me away from the door, allowing him just enough space to stand in front of me.

"Stop this, Draven."

Draven grinned at that.

"You're desperate for my attention, aren't you?"

"I don't care about your attention," Lucien retorted. "I am telling you to stop hurting her."

For the first time since he arrived, Draven frowned.

"And what gives you the right to demand anything from me?"

Lucien glared at him for a few seconds before he replied.

"Because I'm the one she is mated to. Her child is mine."

Draven glared at him for a few seconds and sighed.

"First of all, I didn't expect this from you, Lucien. You used to be smarter."

Lucien didn't reply, because there was no need to. The feeling was as clear as night and day for Draven.

I believe it would be the same for Kairo if he were old enough to understand it.

Just like the mate bond between us, the bond between two members of the Blackthorn family, especially a father and son, was especially potent.

So potent that I believe even the bond between us pales in comparison.

I just needed to find a way to get away from him and keep Kairo safe from him.

Kairo....

I didn't realise that the light pressure of his small hands gripping my skirt was gone.

In a panic, I looked behind me and was horrified to find that he wasn't there.

I spun on my heel in search of him and belatedly recognised the small figure standing between the massive figures of Lucien and Draven.

Even they seemed to have missed his presence until he spoke.

"Who are you?" His voice was music to my ears, sonorous to all who heard it. Just like his father, he commanded the attention of everyone, albeit in a different way.

He wasn't imposing. He was gentle. Warm. Beautiful.

I wanted nothing but to pull him away from Draven, but I was paralyzed by the horror of having him so close to his father.

It felt like any sudden movements would encourage Draven to grab him and run.

Draven stared at his son for a few seconds as if mesmerized before he crouched to Kairo's height with a rare smile.

One so out of place with the current situation.

"I am Draven Blackthorn. I believe I am your father."

Kairo remained silent for a few seconds.

"You're the man in my dreams."

Draven tilted his head in confusion but maintained his smile.

"I see. You dream about me, huh?"

He then looked up at me.

"You should have told me."

"You are delusional, Draven," I said as I fought back tears. "Kairo is a kid. He doesn't know what he's saying."

Lucien was silent. He just glared at Draven with watchful eyes.

Draven lifted a hand to pat Kairo's head but I was there in a second, pulling my son away.

"Don't you dare touch my child!" I hissed. "You won't take him away from me!"

Draven looked up with a smile.

"You've gotten faster. I'm impressed."

"Draven, stop-"

"Quiet, Lucien," he ordered as his eyes glowed. "I'm done with these fuc- childish games."

I blinked in confusion.

Did Draven just adjust his words because of Kairo?

He continued talking, unfazed.

"I am here for what is mine, and you both are mine."

"I'm n-"

"I'm still talking," he said coldly, his voice a low growl. "Make a choice. Stay here alone with the rest of Wolhurst gone and its existence erased, or come with me. You can tag along, Lucien. I don't care."

He stared between us both for a few seconds and then his eyes rested on me.

"Choose, little flame."