Lyra POV

It had to be admitted Alpha Xavier was a handsome man.

Standing taller than most of the pack warriors, he was muscular. His complexion was dark, his eyes were the colour of chocolate, and they were the most captivating things Lyra had ever seen.

But he was grinning with his characteristic arrogance, as usual. She was enraged by him once more, even before he spoke.

His gaze settled on Lyra, and a grin appeared on his lips as he moved toward her, arms wide, preparing for an embrace.

She gave him a throat punch.

"Goddess, I hoped seeing me could make you happy!" He smiles, "Miss Wilcott, the video cameras don't do you credit. In person, you're even more gorgeous."

Lyra keeps staring at him, raising a little eyebrow, and York casts a worried glance in his sister's direction. Although Moonstone was an ordinarily peaceful and tranquil pack, he didn't need her to spark a pack war.

Since Xavier had succeeded his father, yes, they had.

As Lyra keeps staring at the man, York chews out, "Hello, Alpha Xavier. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Xavier continues to smile, cocking his head slightly to meet Lyra's.

"On the phone, your sister made some unpleasant remarks. Although they were incredibly harsh, they were accurate. Xavier adds, "I'm here to talk about a truce," standing more erect without a grin.

The Wilcotts head to the mindmind , attempting to conceal their astonishment.

York says, training his face to a neutral look, "What the fuck?"

I urged Lyra to suck his dick, and he stated he didn't appreciate me speaking that way. Lyra is wearing a pinched face. I told him I was not fond of it when he sacrificed his pack members.

York almost choked on his realisation that his sister had said this to an Alpha far more substantial than her.

"You're correct. Then, let us extend an invitation to you." After two uncomfortable minutes, York finally says something and extends his hand to Xavier, who seems more interested in Lyra.

With a dissatisfied expression, Xavier removes Lyra's hand from her side and lets it drop briefly.

As he and Lyra approach the rear of the group heading in the direction of the home, the tall guy remarks, "I didn't believe them, you know."

He hurries on, seeing the bewildered look on his face.

"When they stated you were unfortunate, I didn't trust them. He pats her shoulder and says quietly, "I see the brand now, and I'm sorry.

Lyra stays silent, taken aback by Alpha's compassion.

Since they're all typically rather critical of her position, his compassion was unexpected—though grating.

She laughs, "The sympathy gets old pretty fast, but thank you. I assume you came here hoping I would be your partner?"

He nods and lets out a sigh before shaking his head regretfully.

He says, "You would have been a badass, Luna," and she blushes.

She shrugs, "If it isn't meant to be, it isn't meant to be," and ushers him into the home. Her impression of the man's character has improved significantly in the past two hours.

Lyra is depressed and feels as though her feelings are pressing heavily on her chest.

She is aware that she will be returning to her room alone to cry or scream after this encounter. It had been six years since she discovered she was single, but every day became more difficult as everyone else in her immediate vicinity found theirs.

She knew he would most likely find him at the next alpha conference they attended, but at least she had York, she reasoned. Trying to cheer herself up, she told herself that at least she'd have a new sibling then.

Her family attempted to seem cheerful, but no one knew how she felt about this. However, they were all aware that she would die alone and spend the remainder of her life alone. An unfortunate person's destiny was worse than a rejected wolf's.

Once you accept the rejection, you may go on if you were denied. It was impossible to take death on its own.

Faye, her aunt, was also unfortunate; although physicians and scientists claimed it wasn't genetic, the condition appeared to run in families. Still, Faye was content as could be. She claimed to understand what it was like to be abandoned because the Goddess had left her. Therefore, she worked with the pack's orphaned children.

Lyra could not quite do that because she was not the maternal kind. She was crude and abrasive, and even if she had sentiments, she didn't know how to express them well.

York, Xavier, Richard, and Lyra sit at the table. Xavier sits on one side of the group, with his guards behind him. Judging by the appearance of his arms, Lyra doesn't think he needs those guards.

She forced herself to pay attention with a strong blink. York glanced at her before making a personal connection.

Are you alright? You are disturbed; did he say anything to you? Through their bond, he speaks, his wolf urging hers.

I'm alright. He expressed regret. With a frown, she answers, shutting up and letting's move on.

York's expression softens a little; if he had been without a partner, it would have been much more manageable for everyone.

"So, Xavier, tell me why you'd like a truce," York asks, clearing his throat and opening his notes.

The other man smiles and leans on the table, his hands clasped together.

"You have a nice bundle. It's powerful. I also enjoy your pals." He says, bending backward after.

York sits there for a moment, then shrugs his shoulders and nods.

"Well, we'll inform the council tomorrow. We are grateful for your visit, and I hope we can talk more over the phone. The finer details of our agreement will need to be discussed, but I think that can be resolved later," York smiles as he slides Xavier the paper in front of the table.

Xavier quickly signs and passes the document back across the table.

He nods, "I'll see myself out," the two men exchange handshakes.

Lyra is impressed—for the first time in two years, the two men who had ignored mainly one another had spoken.

As Lyra gets up to follow Xavier outside, York snatches her arm and pulls her in his direction.

He mumbles, "I did it for you, you know. He's 22 and hasn't found a partner yet."

After giving him a minute of intense gaze, Lyra rolls her eyes and tosses him off.

She walks quickly after Xavier and easily catches up.

"I apologise for your unfulfilled dreams," Lyra reassuringly pats him on the back.

He shrugs and turns to return to his pack boundaries, strolling beside her. "Like, I'm over the sympathy too."

They walk in almost complete stillness until they part ways at the border, each becoming a wolf.