"So let me get this straight," Lyra said, stopping mid-step as she turned sharply to Mia. "You couldn't even scare him off?"
The warmth of the sitting room did nothing to soften her tone.
Mia sat at the edge of the velvet couch, her fingers curled tightly against her knees as she watched Lyra pace across the room, her heels striking the floor in quick, impatient rhythms.
"It wasn't that simple," Mia replied, trying to steady her voice. "He's not what we expected. I tried, Lyra. I really did."
Lyra let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Unbelievable. You had one job, Mia. One. All you had to do was make him lose interest."
"I know," Mia said quickly. "But I can fix it."
Lyra stopped pacing and slowly turned back to face her.
"Fix it how?" she asked, folding her arms. "By going on another date? Because last I checked, this was supposed to be a one-time favor."
Mia stood, raising her hands slightly in surrender. "It will be. I'll return his wallet, make it clear this ends there, and that's it. No confusion. No second meeting. Just let me handle it."
Lyra studied her for a moment before exhaling and pinching the bridge of her nose.
"You'd better," she muttered. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous this looks on my end? Our family manager is already starting to question why I keep dodging these arrangements. If he finds out I sent a substitute in my place..."
"He won't," Mia cut in quietly but firmly.
Lyra's gaze lingered on her, the tension in her expression easing slightly.
"Fine," she said at last. "One more date. But if you mess this up again, Mia, I'm not saving you."
"I won't," Mia replied.
Then, after a beat, she tilted her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You didn't even ask about him. What he looks like. Nothing."
Lyra scoffed as she dropped back into her seat. "Why would I care? He's probably just another well-packaged pawn sent by his family. Same script, different face."
Mia's smile widened a little. "That sounds like you two would get along. Daddy's girl meets Mommy's boy."
Lyra shot her a look, but it did not last long before a laugh slipped through.
"Absolutely not," she said, shaking her head. "There are far too many men chasing me for me to waste time on one obedient little heir."
The laughter faded naturally, and Mia watched her for a moment before speaking again.
"You're sure you won't regret it?"
Lyra's posture straightened instantly, pride settling into her features. "Not in this lifetime."
Then her eyes narrowed.
"Wait," she said slowly. "Don't tell me you're starting to like him."
Mia opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of approaching footsteps cut her off.
They were heavy and controlled, the kind that demanded attention without asking for it.
Both girls turned toward the entrance as Creed Ravencrest stepped into the room.
Everything about him carried weight.
His presence alone shifted the air, pressing down on the room until it felt smaller. Behind him, three men followed in silence, their movements precise and disciplined. At his side stood a young girl, no older than ten, one small hand gripping his coat while the other held a teddy bear.
Lyra straightened immediately. "Dad?"
Creed's gaze settled on her, and for a brief moment, the sharpness in his expression softened.
"Lyra," he said, his voice deep and measured. "It's been a while."
When he stepped further into the light, Mia felt it before she fully understood it.
She looked him over from head to toe. Meeting the pack's Alpha this easily felt unreal, but more than anything, it was his eyes that caught her attention.
They were not simply dark. Beneath the surface sat a deep shade of violet, rich and unmistakable. The royal bloodline was known for those violet eyes, but Creed's were darker than the others, colder too.
Mia lowered her gaze instinctively.
"And who is this?" Creed asked, his attention shifting to her.
"Mia Vale," she replied quickly, keeping her voice respectful. "It's an honor to meet you, Lord Ravencrest."
A small smile touched his lips.
"Any friend of my daughter's is welcome," he said smoothly.
Lyra did not answer immediately. Her attention had shifted elsewhere, to the girl standing beside him.
The child stayed quiet, her dark hair tied back in a simple ponytail, her grip on Creed's coat firm and silent. When she lifted her head slightly, the light caught her eyes.
They were a pale, striking blue.
Lyra's gaze sharpened.
A beta wolf at that age? It was almost impossible.
"And her?" Lyra asked.
Creed glanced down at the girl, and once again, his expression softened.
"I found her a few nights ago," he said. "Alone. No pack. No one to claim her."
A small ache settled in Mia's chest.
"That's kind of you," she said softly.
The girl did not speak. She only watched.
Lyra leaned back slightly, though her gaze lingered longer than necessary.
Something about it did not sit right with her. A child that young should not already be a beta, and Creed was not the type to take in strays out of simple kindness.
Creed's phone buzzed then, breaking the moment.
He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting almost imperceptibly.
"Excuse me," he said, already turning away.
The men followed him out, and the girl stayed close behind.
The moment the door closed, the room felt lighter again.
But Lyra did not relax.
She remained still, her fingers tapping once against her thigh before she reached for her phone.
A second later, her phone chimed and she checked it and groaned.
"What now?" Mia asked carefully.
Lyra tossed the phone onto the couch. "Your mystery man's family just sent another request."
Mia's stomach dropped. "Another date?"
"Tomorrow," Lyra said flatly. Then she looked at her, her expression shifting slightly. "Which means he's interested."
Mia let out a slow breath. "Tomorrow? I still have my delivery shift..."
"Cancel it," Lyra cut in. "I've already had new clothes sent over. And the money for your tuition has been transferred to your bank."
Mia blinked, caught off guard. "Lyra, I..."
"Just do better this time," she said, brushing it off. "That's all I'm asking."
Gratitude and guilt twisted together in Mia's chest.
"Thank you," she said softly, stepping forward to press a quick kiss to Lyra's cheek.
Lyra waved her off, though the corner of her lips lifted slightly. "Don't make me regret it."
Mia nodded and turned toward the door.
But as she stepped outside, the weight of everything settled over her again.
"Can I really end this?."
The question followed her all the way out.