an odd mix of hurt and curiosity, felt much colder. It had hurt to have Ronan reject me, but something wa

seen Ronan and Lyra together. I might be able to find answers if I followed them. I was

ke any noise when I moved. I had to learn why my companion had treated me so disrespectfully, e

ose to a tall tree-ringed clearing. I moved closer, hiding

I shuddered at the icy, authoritative tone of Lyra's voice. "Yo

Ronan was frustrated when he sighed. "I understand, Lyra. How

t concentrate on the important things. Authority, command

r to the tree and tried to understand what they were s

stated, "Melissa was never part of the pla

be relieved to get rid of her if anything. A strong Luna wh

e was speaking about me as if I were a problem

r. "Lyra, it's not as e

d that you owe me. Ronan, I have all the cards here. Additionall

How could she be so strong that even Lithamoon P

s were ambiguous, suggesting something sinister and perverse, but I still wanted to unde

learing when I stepped on a twig, j

yra and Ronan

ees, her eyes narrowing. I was certain th

I pressed myself against the hard bark and held my bre

Find someone if they are there. W

the clearing, my heart was in my throat and every sound seemed to reverberate. I had ju

p a sufficient distance between us. However, I

yelled. "We cannot afford for an

threaten me. Remember that I'm still the Alpha in this

Lyra grinned. "If you don't fulfil your

be discussing? I strained to

e, "I'll make sure everyone knows your... litt

so awful that Ronan would allow Lyra to manip

that someone was watching me. I turned to see Lyra s

"Well, well." "Look who's here,

hed. "I... I wasn't.

er. Melissa, what were you doing? Are y

asking the momentary sof

etting involved in things that don't affect you." "You realize that you are nothing here? Feeb

embling and swallowed hard. Silently, I declared, "Ronan

Avoid making me chuckle. Remember how Ronan

ndication that he was interested. How

rilous whisper. "I'll turn your life into a nightmare if you don

le to maintain my composure. "Lyra, what are you

yes flared with wrath. "Don't you want to know? However, for little child

or him to follow. He hesitated for a second, his eyes darting to

raced through my head. What did Lyra intend to do?

dark: Lyra wasn't only interested in Ronan. She had a much larger

rn admonition rang in my head. What was her tru