Breed Me Cursed Alpha (Lyra and Ronan) novel Chapter 22

Secrets Behind The Laughter

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Maya sat at the counter, scrolling through her phone, a mug of coffee warming her hands. She had crashed here after an amazing evening but Kara headed home and we personally dropped her off since it was late and she insisted on going home, still respecting herself and I admired her for that.

“You’re awake,” Lucas pointed out without turning, as though he had been expecting me. “Perfect timing. Pancakes, eggs, and enough coffee to keep the devil awake.”

“Morning,” I replied, sliding into a chair beside Maya. “You’re in a good mood.”

“I’m always in a good mood when I get to feed beautiful people,” he smiled, tossing me a wink over his shoulder.

Maya rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. He’s been like this since we came down. Probably high on the attention he got at the restaurant last night. Good morning by the way.”I embraced her softly and looked around me.

Lucas gasped, hand on his chest. “Excuse you, I was made for attention. But also, admit it, I charmed the waiter.”

“You terrified the waiter,” Maya deadpanned.

The children came racing in then, Andrew immediately tugging at Lucas’s arm. “Uncle Lucas, I want the biggest pancake!”

“You shall have the pancake of your dreams,” Lucas declared, sliding one onto his plate with exaggerated

ceremony.

I leaned back in my chair, watching the scene unfold and smiled.

Still, beneath it all, I sensed something in Lucas. A tension he was hiding behind his theatrics. His laugh was too loud, his gestures a touch too flamboyant. I knew him well enough to know when he was performing to cover something.

But I didn’t press. Not now.

Maya cleared her throat gently, setting her phone down. “So, Hannah… what’s the plan for today? Do you want me to come with you to the meeting?”

I hesitated, glancing at my coffee. The thought of the meeting sent a ripple through me excitement mixed with nerves. “Yes,” I said finally. “You and Lucas both. It’ll be good to have you there. I don’t know what kind of people we’re dealing with yet.”

Lucas froze for the briefest second so brief that anyone else would have missed it. But I saw it. His back stiffened, his hand pausing midair before he resumed his pancake flipping with a too-bright smile.

“Of course we’ll be there,” he said smoothly. “It is actually important for some of us to be there so I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He added teasing Maya who rolled her eyes.

I narrowed my eyes slightly, suspicion prickling at the back of my mind. But before I could say anything, Amelia spilled her orange juice, chaos erupted, and the moment was lost.

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