The Lycan Prince’s Wolfless Slave (Academy Romance) novel Chapter 169

The Lycan Prince’s Wolfless Slave (Academy Romance)

Chapter 169

Alpha Rafa is sitting behind his large oak desk. When he looks up and sees me, he smiles. It’s still a shock to see him smile at me.

That expression used to be reserved only for Jackson or Daisy.

“Lyra, child, come in,” he says.

“Hello Alpha, you wanted to see me?” I greet him, keeping my voice polite but guarded.

“Nonsense! From now on, call me ‘Father‘ okay?”

I pause, feeling a bit surprised. I was never allowed to call him father directly to his face. Just like I didn’t call the Luna mother. Al

this happening in the space of three days is almost unreal.

“Um…okay, father. You wanted to see me?”

“Yes,” he says, then he talks for a few minutes about the training and how pleased he is with my progress with the young ones.

“Thank you, Father.”

He smiles at me. “Come closer, daughter. I won’t bite. Actually, I have something for you.”

He says, then he bends down and reaches into a drawer, pulling out a small, velvet–lined box. He opens it, revealing a silver necklace

with a large, intricately carved wolf pendant.

“I want you to wear this,” he says. “It’s the future Alpha necklace. An heirloom for the future leader of this pack.”

I stare at the jewelry, frozen. This isn’t just a gift. It’s a symbol of power and succession. I stay quiet for a long time, feeling the

weight of the situation pressing down on me. Then I stare at him straight in the face.

“No, Father.” I say finally. “I won’t take it.”

Alpha Rafa looks like I just slapped him. His smile vanishes, replaced by a look of pure shock that quickly turns into anger. “You

would dare refuse me? This is an honor, Lyra. Every children of the Alpha and Luna wears this heirloom. It is your birthright.”

“But it wasn’t my birthright a month ago,” I smile at him. “You have never treated me like your daughter, Father. I spent my life in

the shadows of this house, being treated like an outsider. You can’t just give me a necklace and expect everything to be fine.”

My father sighs, his shoulders slumping. The anger seems to drain out of him, leaving him looking defeated. I’ve never seen him

look like this before. “I… I know I have not treated you well,” he admits quietly. “I know there is no excuse for it. But I had my

reasons, Lyra.”

I feel a surge of anger in my chest, but I don’t argue. I just stare at him, waiting for whatever explanation he thinks is good enough to justify years of neglect.

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Chapter 169

“I am sorry,” he says, and for the first time, he sounds like he means it. “I want us to turn a new leaf. I want to be the father you

deserve.”

“Well, it will be gradual,” I tell him, my eyes fixed on the necklace. “But I won’t accept this. Not yet. Maybe not ever.”

My father sighs again, looking genuinely sad. He closes the box with a soft click. “I know that I deserve this reaction. Hopefully you will come to understand later. I will see you later at the festival tonight.”

I nod and turn to leave. When I step out into the hallway, I find Uncle Cassian leaning against the wall, waiting for me. He must have heard some of our conversations if not all.

“Lyra, wait,” he says, stepping in front of me. I wait for him to speak.

“You should at least give him a chance.”

“Why should I?” I snap, the emotions from the office finally boiling over.

“Because he does care about you. He just couldn’t show it. Not with the Luna being the way she is. An Alpha cannot go against his Luna in public; it could weaken the pack’s stability. That’s why he’s been so indifferent toward you all these years. He was trying to keep the peace.”

“Keep the peace?” I repeat, as tears start to stream down my face. “He should have fought for me! He should have fought against his wife for his own daughter’s respect and dignity. He’s the Alpha, uncle. If he can’t protect his own child from his own wife, what kind

of leader is he?”

Uncle Cassian doesn’t have an answer for that. He just pulls me into a hug and wipes the tears from my cheeks with his thumb. “I know, bug. I know. You’ve been hurt and your father has been distant from you all your life. But I think it’s time that changes. You should earn your rightful place here. You deserve it. Just… think about it, okay? For the sake of the pack.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say, though I’m not sure if I mean it.

Uncle Cassian gives my hand a final squeeze and walks away, leaving me alone in the quiet hallway. I take a deep breath, trying to

compose myself before I head back outside.

I start to walk, rounding a corner toward the side exit, when a hand suddenly reaches out and pulls me into the wall.

Before I can scream, a pair of lips crashes against mine. I struggle for a second, hitting the strangers chest as hard as I can.

The person grunts and moves back just a bit. I look up and see Ryan standing there with a smug, familiar grin on his face.

“Hello, my dear mate,” he says, his voice low and smooth. “I’ve missed you.”

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