Chapter 30
30
~Lira’s POV
The morning sun spilled through the long glass windows of my office, warming the polished marble floor and catching on the gold trim of my desk. Everything looked perfect, because things around me were supposed to be perfect.
But inside me?
Chaos. Annoyance. And that stupid, bitter sting at the back of my throat every time Elara’s name crossed my mind.
I sat up straighter as I shuffled through a stack of documents. My nails, freshly painted in a deep wine color, tapped the wooden surface rhythmically. I tried to focus, but every passing second reminded me that somewhere in this same company, Elara, that nobody like her was breathing the same air as Darlon.
The idea alone was enough to make my jaw tighten.
A knock sounded on my office door.
Before I could even answer, the door cracked open and Ronan walked in, smiling that goofy smile of his.
And instantly, my irritation grew.
He held a file in his hand, stepping inside as if he owned the place.
“Morning, Lira,” he said, his voice too soft for my liking, like he was trying to sound charming.
I didn’t respond. I only raised an eyebrow.
He placed the file on my desk and leaned forward slightly. “I was asked to drop this off. Something about the upcoming summit p>
I nodded once. “Fine. You can leave it p>
But instead of leaving, Ronan took a step closer, too close, and tilted his head at me.
“You look… tense,” he said, lowering his voice like he wanted it to sound sensual. “Do you need a break? Maybe I can help you relax a little p>
I blinked at him.
Was he serious?
Before I could react, he leaned forward even more, moving his face toward mine like he was about to kiss me. His eyes were half-closed, and he looked completely sure of himself, as if I had been giving him signals that weren’t even there.
I jerked back instantly, lifting my hand between us to stop him.
“Ronan,” I said sharply.
He froze in place, his face only inches from my palm. His breath hitched, and he slowly straightened, confusion and embarrassment flickering across his face.
“I am not in the mood,” I continued, keeping my voice cool and controlled. I didn’t raise my tone. I didn’t need to. The coldness in my voice was enough to hit him.
He swallowed hard. “Sorry,” he muttered. “I just thought p>
“Yes,” I cut in immediately. “You always think wrong p>
His face fell, and he looked down for a second, hurt and shocked. But I didn’t care. I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs slowly, showing him very clearly that he was beneath my interest.
“Let me ask you something,” I said, watching him closely. “Do you know about Elara’s marriage p>
Ronan’s lips curved into a small smile, like he actually found the question amusing. He relaxed a little, like he was talking to a friend and not someone who just pushed him away.
“Yeah,” he said. “I heard. I don’t… really want anything to do with her anymore. I’m focused on you p>
A short, sharp laugh slipped out of me. Not a warm laugh. Not a friendly one. It was cold, wicked, and full of disbelief.
“You’re a fool,” I said plainly.
His smile vanished immediately. His eyes widened, almost offended, but he didn’t dare talk back. He stood there stiffly, like he couldn’t understand how everything went so wrong so fast.
“I’m serious, Lira,” he said, stepping closer again. “Aren’t we… something? You and me p>
I stared at him for a long, slow second, then tilted my head.
“Ronan,” I said, voice dripping with disbelief, “are you actually that naive p>
He stiffened.
“Do you really think someone like me, an Alpha’s daughter, would settle for you p>
His jaw tightened.
“I thought he began softly, “I thought you liked me p>
I let my lips curl in a mocking half-smile.
“Oh, please. You were convenient. You want attention. But love? Relationship? Something serious p>
I scoffed and shook my head.
“You should have run after your woman when you had the chance. Someone else took her, now look at you p>
His eyes widened slightly, and for a moment I saw hurt flash across his face. It was quick, almost hidden, but I still caught it. He opened his mouth like he wanted to speak again, maybe to beg, maybe to argue, maybe to convince himself that he still had a chance. I didn’t care. I was already tired of the nonsense.
But instead of talking, he leaned forward again, slowly, like he thought I would suddenly change my mind and welcome him. His eyes were soft with hope, and his lips were already parting. He moved in like a desperate fool trying to steal a moment that did not belong to him.
This time, my hand acted before I even thought.
SLAP!
The sound cracked through the office, sharp and loud, bouncing off the walls and ringing in my ears. It was strong, firm, and honestly… satisfying. Ronan froze on the spot. His whole body went stiff, and his hand slowly rose to his cheek as if he couldn’t believe I actually hit him.
His eyes were wide, shocked, confused, and a little humiliated. He stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time.
“Get a hold of yourself,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “I am not interested in you p>
Ronan’s face turned red, from embarrassment, from anger, from the sting of the slap. He clenched his jaw and breathed hard, like he was fighting his pride.
“Lira he started.
“No p>
My voice cut through his like a blade.
“We are not a thing. We were never a thing,” I said slowly, making sure he felt every word. “I am royalty. You are just a pack member. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that should be happening between us p>
He flinched at that, and his throat bobbed as he swallowed. I didn’t care. I wasn’t here to comfort him. He needed to hear the truth, and I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.
I lifted my chin, keeping my gaze firm.
“You crossed a line. A big one. And I don’t tolerate disrespect p>
He stood there breathing like he had run a marathon. His eyes dropped to the floor, then back to me, then away again, like he didn’t know what to do or say.
Then I lifted my hand and pointed straight at the door.
“Get the fuck out of my office p>
He stared at me for two long seconds, chest rising and falling, and for a moment I thought he might shout. But instead, he turned sharply and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Silence filled the room again.
But inside me, a slow smile formed.
Good.
I had bigger things to handle than a man like Ronan.
And the biggest thing?
Winning back the Alpha I had foolishly pushed away.
Darlon.
And I was going to get him back.
One way or another.