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"Thanks, brother," Jaden said,it "I needed that"

"I’ood kick in the ass, which works just as well sometimes," Ty replied with a s you, trusthim Hadn’t she said as much?

Jaden left the parlor and headed for the stairs, exponentially calmer and ready--almost ready--for whatever Lyra decided And then, he would try like hell to support her as best he could… as long as she stayed by his side

Lyra was still at Dorien’s side as the sun began to rise

She rested her head on the covers beside his ar this poison to work its way out of his systeo, noticeably calmer She needed o remember to thank Ty for that, since she was sure it had been his influence Jaden was quiet, but still waters ran deep He was no exception

He’d said that Dorien would likely never look the sah Many of the scars would remain Lyra didn’t care… Dorien was her father, and despite what had happened, she still felt a terrible and deep love for hi so still in the bed

He’d also said that he would be waiting for her in their roo as he could stand by her Lyra s that she wouldn’t have it any other way What a gift, to have a man who didn’t always feel the need to stand in front of her…

"Lyra"

Sih her haze, and she lifted her head He stood in the doorway of the room, the oddest expression on his face It bespoke soht have been love… and was alh she admonished herself for it immediately This was Simon, her best friend!

"Did you co to place her hands at the small of her back and stretch "I want to stay, but there’s no change at all He’s quiet And I’ a o"

"Go? Go where?" Lyra asked, feeling the first tickle of fear at the back of her throat

He looked wrong somehow, like someone had taken her childhood friend and put someone else in his skin Someone dark

"Home, of course," Sireed that if she helped me take Alpha, she’d have the full use of the pack and all its resources But once she figured out Jaden was in town, she sweetened the pot a little: I give her Jaden, I get you"

"Me," sheout of Simon’s mouth "But you don’t want me"

"More like you didn’t want me," Simon replied, his voice queerly flat "What was I supposed to do, beg you? You hat I wanted You, and to get the hell out of that Podunk town Re to Europe, checking out the Thorn’s ancestral grounds, poking around all of the old lore…"

"We were just kids," Lyra said "It was a great dreaot in the way…"

"Yeah, with you they always see olf ice princess, and then that cat va to overlook that half-ot"

He must have seen her surprise, because he smirked "You and your cousin aren’t the only ones who can access the histories, you know I can deal with the mark I can deal with the fact that you screwed hi hiot a lot of plans for hiht away Jaden certainly won’t be around to get in the way anymore"

As she watched hi fro inside start to ache