The Lunar Queen Chapter 26

Lyric POV

Just like yesterday, when I wake up, Cole is sitting in a chair next to my bed, reading a book.

I lie there and look at him for a minute, just taking in his calmness and relaxed demeanor.

He doesn’t fidget. Doesn’t look restless. Just… steady. Like nothing in the world could shake him, and somehow that alone makes something in my chest loosen.

“He is very handsome,” Nova purrs.

“Yeah, he’s almost too attractive,” I say to her.

Too easy to look at. Too easy to focus on when I should probably be focusing on everything else going wrong in my life.

“Are you done ogling me, princess?” he says without looking up from his book.

“How did you know?” I ask, smiling despite myself.

“Your breathing changed, which told me you weren’t asleep anymore, and I can feel your eyes burning into me,” he says, looking up at me.

His gaze lands on me slow, deliberate—and the second it does, it feels like the air shifts, like I just stepped into something I don’t fully understand yet.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he says.

“Good morning, my king,” I reply, and his eyes instantly flash to his wolf before returning to their normal blue.

That reaction hits me immediately—sharp, electric—like I just pressed on something I wasn’t supposed to touch.

He shakes his head and looks at me, and the look sends a jolt through my entire body.

“I think it would be best if you don’t say things like that right now, princess,” he says, his voice coming out rougher.

“He liked that,” Nova giggles.

“I know, I should do it again, see what happens,” I say.

“I’m sorry, my king, did I say something wrong?” I ask as sweetly as possible.

I already know I didn’t. That’s the problem.

He growls, and before I realize what’s happening, he has me caged to the bed in his arms.

One second there’s space—

the next there’s none.

Just him. Just heat. Just the weight of his body braced over mine like he’s holding himself back instead of holding me down.

“Now, now, little wolf, I’m trying to be good because although you will be mine, you are not, and you are still not 18 yet, but you’re playing with fire,” he grits out softly into my ear.

My breathing is out of control now, and I’m so turned on.

It’s instant. No build. No warning. Just heat pooling low in my stomach like my body made the decision without asking me first.

“What if I want to get burned?” I whisper breathlessly.

He growls again, nips my marking spot, causing my whole body to shiver.

That one touch—barely anything—sends a full-body reaction through me like he hit something wired directly into my spine.

“You are trouble, little mate,” he whispers in my ear.

I hear someone clear their throat behind us.

“This is a hospital, people,” Winter says, laughing.

Cole steps back and sits in the chair again, his deep blue eyes on me like they are staring into my soul.

Like nothing that just happened is over for him. Like he’s still right there with me in it.

“Oh, shut up. What are you doing here this early?” I ask her.

“I want you to meet someone,” she says, smiling.

When Cole’s brothers walk in with Amira, I’m shocked.

“Lyr!” she screams.

“Mira!” I yell back.

Everything else disappears for a second—pain, confusion, all of it—just gone the second I see her.

“Oh my gosh, I didn’t know she meant you when she said Lyric. I missed you so much,” she says.

“Wait, you two know each other?” Winter asks.

“How? I’ve been around you my whole life and I’ve never seen her,” Winter adds.

“She’s my cousin,” I say, smiling wide.

“Cousin?” Winter says.

“Yeah, my mom’s sister is Alpha Stone’s mate. They don’t speak because her sister is an illegitimate child of my grandfather, so he disowned her. But one day, when I was a pup, I wanted to know why I didn’t look like anybody in my family. I came across my aunt’s name in my mom’s things. After I stopped speaking to Mason, I reached out, and she told me about Amira. We’ve been in contact ever since. When we were pups, I told Mason I wanted to go see her, and he had your dad make it happen. It was only once, but yeah,” I say, still smiling.

“Omg, this is amazing, and you are going to be Queen,” she squeals.

“I know, right?” I say back.

“Well, we have a full house today,” the doctor says, walking in with my parents and Hunter.

“Mira?” my mother asks.

“I didn’t know you were here this weekend,” she says.

“Hello, auntie, and I came after Daddy arrived because my little brother and my mom are sick, so I stayed back so Daddy wouldn’t feel too bad about leaving them,” Amira explains.

“Well, it is good to see you, honey. You are beautiful,” my mom says.

“Hunter, Lyric, this is your cousin Amira,” she introduces.

“Cousin? Why am I just hearing about her?” Hunter asks.

“Long story, son,” dad responds.

“Well, Lyric,” Dr. Grant says, bringing the focus back to me.

“You have healed wonderfully and remarkably fast. All the wounds on your back have closed, and the silver is completely out of your system. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she says, sounding astonished.

“So I’m good to go, then?” I ask.

“Yes, but I do recommend therapy for a while, just to help you with your trauma. I know you may not think you need it, but it will be good to talk to somebody who isn’t a loved one,” she advises.

“I won’t fight you on that, doc. I agree—my reaction to Mason on Friday was definitely not healthy. I will talk to someone,” I reply.

Even saying his name feels like stepping too close to something sharp.

“Good. Other than that, there’s no reason for me to keep you here. Your sessions will start tomorrow. Meet me here at 3pm after school, and I’ll introduce you to her,” she says.

“Thank you, Dr. Grant. I really appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you all this time,” I say, tears falling.

She comes over and hugs me.

“Lyric, I love you like my own pup, and to know you is a great honor. I know you’re meant to do great things, and I would hate to see that not happen,” she says, her own tears falling.

“Come on, Dr. G, you know I don’t like to get emotional,” I say, wiping my tears.

“Winter, please tell me you brought me clothes?” I ask.

“I did, and a brush, a comb, and all the necessities,” she replies, winking.

“Oh, I love you,” I say getting out of the bed and going in the bathroom.

I hop straight into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the last few days.

It hits my back and I flinch—just slightly—but I don’t move away from it. I let it hit. Let it remind me I’m still here.

“What are we going to do about Summer?” Nova asks.

“I’m not sure, but for now just avoid her at all costs. I don’t feel like she is done yet,” I say to her.

And that feeling won’t go away. Like something is still coming. Like this isn’t over just because I survived.

I wash my hair and detangle it. I put my hair in two braids and get dressed.

Winter got me a pink racerback crop top and blue jean shorts with my favorite pink gladiator platform sandals.

She knows me so well.

I hate the scars that are now permanently on my back because I know I’m not a freak, but I will not hide them because I survived and she will know that no matter how hard she tries, she can’t break me.

Not anymore. Not like before.

Cole POV

When she walks out of the bathroom, my breath catches.

She is beautiful.

Not just physically—though that alone would be enough—but in the way she carries herself like nothing that happened to her gets to define her.

I thought she was beautiful covered in mud and in a hospital gown, with three-day-old braids in her hair.

Seeing her like herself is on a different level.

She just looks so confident, not even hiding the scars.

I love that.

She will make an amazing Queen.

“She is special,” Zeus says.

“I know. I just wish I knew how,” I say.

“It’s not meant for us to know yet,” he replies.

“See something you like, your majesty?” she says sweetly.

“Most definitely,” he responds low.

And I don’t bother hiding it. Not from her. Not anymore.

“Lyric, sweetheart, we need to talk about what happened,” her father says, breaking the moment we were in.

“Easy there, tiger. She isn’t your mate yet,” Elias says, laughing through the link.

“Shut the hell up,” I link back.

“What is there to talk about, Daddy? It was Summer. She didn’t actually touch me, and I don’t know who did. I passed out after the first couple of cuts, so I never got to see anyone or notice anything about them. I have no proof that it was her who orchestrated the whole thing, so I know nothing can happen. I just want to try to go back to normal,” she says.

And just like that, I see it—the shift. The walls. The part of her that learned how to survive by not pushing too hard against things she can’t prove.

She turns to the doctor.

“Can I go back to training?” she asks.

“Yes, but no heavy sparring for a few days, at least,” she says.

“Great. Oh, and Daddy, I need you to come to the school so I can graduate early. I tested out of my junior year on the first day and have been taking senior classes all year, but Principal Jameson said you need to sign some papers so I can graduate with the seniors this year,” she says.

Of course she did. Of course she found a way forward even in the middle of everything.

Wow, she impresses me more every day.

I can’t wait to learn every little thing about her.

“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll go with you in the morning,” her dad says.

She looks at me.

“Ready to go?” she asks.

“Lead the way, princess,” I reply.

She takes my hand, and everyone in the room looks at her hand in mine.

I just shrug my shoulders.

Let them look. I’m not letting go.

“So, what time are you guys leaving?” she asks.

“Five,” I say.

“Great. How about we go into town and have some fun?” she suggests.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask.

“Arcade, the archery range, there’s other stuff too—a skating rink, bowling alley,” she says.

“I just don’t want to be around the pity stares and all the apologies yet. I’ll get enough of that at school,” she explains.

And there it is again—that quiet honesty she doesn’t dress up or soften.

“Whatever you want, princess,” I say.

I notice Mason standing off to the side of the hospital parking lot.

“Mason is here,” I say softly.

“What do you want to do?” I ask her.

“Come with me?” she asks.

I put my hand on her lower back to try to ground her and lead the way.

I feel the slight tension in her body the closer we get. Not panic—but not calm either. Controlled. Held together.

I notice her look around before we get closer to him.

“Mason, what are you doing here?” she asks.

“I heard you were getting released today, and I just needed to see it for myself,” he says.

“Well, now you have. But please—I know it may be hard to actually stay away from me, but I need you to really try. If you love me the way I know you do, I need you to stop, please,” she says softly.

“What about us?” he asks.

And just like that, everything stills. Even my wolf goes quiet, waiting.

My heart stops at that question.

She pauses for a moment and then steps to him.

She puts her hand out, and he bends down so she can cup his cheeks.

“I’m not sure about later Mason, but right now there isn’t an us, only me. I just want to reach a day when I can even feel a bond with you. Honestly, that can only happen when if I'm around you less, and I don’t even know if that’s enough. I’m just trying to stay low key,” she says.

“I will answer your messages when I can, but this can’t happen again,” she adds, gesturing to their public conversation.

“Bye Mason,” she says, walking away.

I clap Mason on his shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay, just give her some time,” I say before turning and following her to the car.

Whether I believe that or not doesn’t matter. He needed to hear it.

“You okay?” I ask, catching up to her a few steps.

“Yeah, I hate seeing him hurt, but I just can’t right now. And then meeting you and feeling safe and comfortable around you is just messing with my head. It’s a lot,” she says.

“I know what I need to do, but the idea of actually doing it is scary,” she adds.

“I’m sorry. I know this is hard for you because you’re supposed to be my second chance, and hearing me talk about being conflicted about rejecting Mason must be annoying,” she says, looking at me.

I let her get in the car, then I get in behind her.

“Honestly, it is. But I understand this isn’t a normal situation. I could have stayed away to make things less confusing for you, but when I arrived and you were missing, I couldn’t do anything except look for you,” I say.

“Thank you for finding me. I heard them calling and looking for me, but I couldn’t speak, and they walked past me,” she says, tears falling.

I wipe them away instantly.

“Don’t cry. If nobody else would’ve found you, I would have—I will always find you,” I say seriously.

And I mean that in a way that goes deeper than this moment. Deeper than this pack. Deeper than this life.

“Now, no more tears. We’re supposed to be having fun,” I say.

“Yes, we are,” Winter responds from the seat in front of us.

“Where to first?” Elias asks from the wheel.

“Oh, definitely the bowling alley,” Lyric says.

“Oh yeah, let’s do it. I love bowling,” Elias says as he pulls out of the lot toward town.

She’s smiling like she’s safe.

Like it’s over. It’s not.