Hidden

Chapter 3 – Hidden

Lyra’s POV

The sun had risen, but the light didn’t make the pain any easier.

I sat quietly by the window, my knees drawn to my chest, my back pressed against the cold wall

of the room Ronan put me in. The bed behind me was too soft, the air too still. Everything here

was too clean, too perfect , and yet I felt like a shadow in it. Something that didn’t belong.

It had been hours since I passed out in front of the two Alphas. I didn’t know what happened

after. I just woke up here… locked in silence again.

But not the kind I was used to.

This silence was worse.

This silence made me feel like I was disappearing.

Then I heard a knock. Gentle. Followed by the slow sound of the door opening.

I didn’t turn.

I already knew who it was.

Ronan’s scent filled the room, strong and warm and dangerous.

He walked in, not saying anything at first. I could hear his footsteps behind me, slow and

careful. Not like before. Not like the cold alpha who always barked orders or pinned me down.

Something felt different.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked, voice low.

I didn’t know how to answer. I didn’t even know what ‘better’ felt like anymore.

So I just nodded once, still staring out the window.

I heard him sigh. Then he walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed, a little distance from

me.

There was a long silence. Not awkward. Just… heavy.

Then his voice broke it again.“I came to tell you something.”

I didn’t move.

“My grandparents are arriving soon,” he said.

That made me turn my head a little.

Still, I didn’t speak.

He didn’t notice my expression right away. He just continued, calm but serious.

“When they arrive… I don’t want you to come out of this room.”

The words hit me harder than I expected.

I looked away quickly, biting down on the inside of my lip so I wouldn’t cry.

Of course.

Of course I wasn’t meant to be seen. Not even by his family.

I wrapped my arms tighter around myself, nodding slowly.

“Okay.”

I didn’t trust my voice to say anything more than that.

Ronan finally turned to look at me. I think he noticed the way my shoulders sank, the way I

stared at the wall like it hurt to breathe.

He stood and took a step toward me.

“It’s not because I’m ashamed of you.”

I didn’t say anything.

Because even if it wasn’t shame, it still felt like rejection.

He hesitated before continuing.

“My grandparents… they still believe your family had something to do with what happened to my parents. The fire. The death. All of it.”

I turned to him fully now, my eyes wide.

He looked tired. Not angry. Not cold. Just… tired.

“I’m still trying to find the truth,” he said.

“But until then, I need to keep you away from them.”

I stared at him, stunned.

Was he saying… he didn’t fully believe it anymore?That maybe… my parents weren’t guilty?

That maybe, after all these years of being hated, someone was finally starting to question the lie?

A small smile crept onto my lips before I could stop it.

But the moment I felt it, I pulled it back.

Because even if my family was innocent… I was still nothing.

I didn’t belong in this mansion. I didn’t belong in this room. I didn’t belong to an Alpha.

And I didn’t belong to him.

Ronan stepped closer, his eyes softer than I’d ever seen them.

“Lyra…”

I looked away, standing quickly.

“I understand.”

He was quiet for a moment, then said something that completely surprised me.

“Can I kiss you?”

I turned to him slowly, my heart thudding.

His voice wasn't mean. It wasn't cold. It was guarded. Courteous.

He didn't reach out and touch me. He didn't shift his weight. He just stood.

I struggled to open my mouth, but nothing came out.

I looked down at my shaking hands. Then shook my head.

"No," I whispered barely.

I'd anticipated him being angry. Teasing me. Catching hold of my wrist like he used to.

But instead, he nodded gently.

"Okay."

He turned and went towards the door.

As he was leaving, he looked back at me.

And for the very first time…

He smiled.Not wide. Not insincere. Small. Real. Almost as though he was… proud of me for being able to

tell him no.

Then he left.

And I remained there, heart pounding, stunned.

Not because he didn't kiss me.

But because he didn't force himself on me.

Because… for the very first time, Ronan acted like a man who didn't want to break me.

He was moving like someone who could.

see me.

And that scared me more than anything.