Light Paused Before Touching Darkness by Orin Frost 18

Chapter 18 

Jake knew Lyra was outside the door before she knocked. He had never been so attuned to another person before. It was strange, the way his eyes shifted to the door a few seconds before the first knock came. 

Russ was already close by, and he reached the door before Jake could even stand. He pulled it open and swept Lyra into a big hug. 

“There she is!” Russ said with theatrical flair. “The future Luna. Unless Jake screws it up.” 

Jake growled softly. 

“Nice to see you too, Russ,” Lyra said dryly, though a small smile tugged at her lips as Russ let her go. 

Jake walked around the desk, his legs suddenly feeling wooden. “Hey,” he said, voice a little 

hoarse. 

Lyra gave him a quick glance and a half–smile, then stepped fully into the room. Russ motioned toward the couch. 

“Come in, sit. Don’t mind Jake. He’s been pacing all morning. Adorable, but also mildly annoying.” 

Jake shot him a look. “I wasn’t pacing.” 

“I stopped counting after fifteen laps,” Callan said calmly from his seat near the window. Jake sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Okay, fine. Whatever. Can we get to the point?” “We’re here because you two need to seal the deal,” Russ said, wiggling his eyebrows. 

“Can it, Russell,” Lyra snapped. 

“Yes, please listen to our Luna,” Callan muttered, giving Lyra a wink. He leaned forward slightly in his chair. “We’ve been discussing how best to present you to the elders. We wanted you to hear the plan and have some input.” 

Jake nodded, finally meeting Lyra’s eyes. “I want to announce you as my mate to the elders. Tomorrow morning. I know it’s fast, and I know… it might not go over well. But if we show a united front, it’ll help.” 

“Especially if you manage not to look like you’re about to faint while doing it,” Russ added. 

Jake glared at him. “Russ.” 

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Lyra exhaled slowly. “Okay. So what exactly are we planning to say? I’m still not making any decisions about staying. And what happens when they push back? Because they will” 

“We’ll keep it factual,” Callan replied. His tone was measured, steady. “You’ve returned, discovered you and Jake are mates, and you’re taking time before committing to Luna responsibilities. No promises, no declarations. Just honesty,” 

“And maybe some light threats,” Russ offered. “Just a sprinkle. Keeps the tension spicy” 

“No threats,” Callan and Jake said at once. 

Russ raised his hands. “Fine, fine. But I want it noted that I suggested spice.” 

Jake looked back at Lyra. “I don’t want to pressure you. But if we wait too long, rumors will start filling the silence. I’d rather they hear it from us.” 

Lyra nodded slowly. “I get it. I’m not thrilled about standing in front of people who still see me as a pariah, but… I understand.” 

Russ leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. “They’ll come around. Eventually. Or they won’t. In that case, we form a new pack and name it Russville.” 

Callan gave him a long–suffering look. “I would never let you name a pack.” 

“We can circle back to that,” Russ said with a wink. 

Jake chuckled quietly and turned to Lyra again. “We’re meeting with the elders tomorrow morning. I’ll speak first. You don’t have to say anything unless you want to.” 

Lyra gave him a long look. “I’m not sure I’ll want to, but I’ll think about it.” 

Russ grinned. “Come on, this might be your one chance to tell them what you really think of their crusty old asses.” 

Callan stood up. “Come on, Russ. You clearly need to burn off some energy. Let’s go spar before lunch.” 

“Knock him on his ass for me,” Jake called as they left the room. 

Lyra laughed softly, the sound melodic and sweet. Jake realized it was the first time he’d heard her laugh. It made his chest feel lighter. 

“You okay?” he asked gently. 

She hesitated. “No. I have no desire to go in front of the elders. I don’t even know who they are anymore.” 

2/ 

< Chapter 1* 

Elders were elected by pack members every six years, but most people in New Dawn preferred to keep the same ones. Nearly all had served since Jake was a child. Only one position had changed due to a death. 

“Former Beta Drew is an elder now,” Jake said. “The rest are the same as during my father’s time. Rina Hottinger, a retired teacher who probably taught the first werewolf. Alistair Mullins, a former lead warrior under my grandfather. Dylan Rockwell, a retired doctor who probably delivered my grandfather. And Parker Fedder, another warrior from back then. My father acts as an advisor to the elders, since former alphas aren’t allowed to be elders themselves.” Former alphas were barred from serving as elders to prevent them from influencing the pack after stepping down. Still, many remained involved as advisors, though they were forbidden from participating in decision–making. 

“That’s not reassuring,” Lyra muttered. “The only new elder is someone who dislikes my family.” 

“He hasn’t changed,” Jake said with a sigh. “I don’t know how he ended up being Callan’s father. Cal is nothing like him, thank the Goddess.” 

Lyra bit her lip and stared at the floor. “Are you sure you want to do this?” 

“Yes,” Jake replied without hesitation. “I told you I want you to stay. I want you as my mate. I’ll do whatever it takes to make the elders see reason.” 

“You won’t though, Jake.” Lyra stood and walked a few steps across the room. “You think this will work, but I don’t see how.” 

Jake followed her. “Just give it a chance. You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.” 

She gave him a skeptical look. 

“Okay, you can probably make a fairly accurate guess about how it’ll go. But maybe we’ll all be surprised.” 

“And maybe pigs will fly.” 

He shrugged. “You never know.” 

She laughed again, and it made his heart swell to know he had caused it. He stepped closer and wrapped her in his arms. Relief flooded through him when she leaned in, resting her head against his chest. 

“Can we have lunch together?” she asked softly. 

He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. “I’d like that, but I’m meeting with Kylie. I want 

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Chapter 18 

to tell her about you face to face.” 

She nodded. “Okay. I get that.” 

$2429 Pimas 

“I’ll come by this evening,” he said. “Maybe we can talk more about your wolf shifting.” 

She rested her head back on his chest. “Or we could talk about something else.” 

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. 

** 

Jake had invited Kylie to join him for lunch in his office. He’d arranged for a nice meal to be brought up and set neatly on the table in the corner of the room. Still, he found himself pacing again until he forced his legs to stop and sank onto the couch. 

He startled when Kylie entered without bothering to knock. She smiled brightly at the sight of him rising from the couch and crossed the room quickly, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight hug. 

He hugged her back, awkwardly. The embrace felt off. Too light, too wrong. It didn’t compare to holding Lyra just an hour earlier. 

“You look… tense,” Kylie said as she stepped away. “Long morning?” 

Jake shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, sort of.” He nodded toward the table. “I had lunch brought up.” 

Her smile returned. “Great! I’m starving.” 

He followed her across the room and took the seat opposite hers at the table. She dug in quickly, chatting as she ate. Most of her talk centered around the morning’s training session. She was now leading drills for the younger warriors, a role Russ had suggested a few months back. It was a good fit. Kylie was both a strong fighter and a patient teacher. 

“So,” she said after a while, tilting her head at him, “what’s got you all wound up today?” 

Jake sighed and set his fork down. He hadn’t really been eating anyway. 

“I wanted to talk to you in person,” he said. “It’s important.” 

Kylie narrowed her eyes. “That sounds kind of ominous.” 

He drew a slow breath. “I found my mate.” 

She blinked. For a second, her face was blank. “What?” 

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Chapter 1 

“Yesterday morning” Jake said. “Lyra Hart and her brother carne to see me, I hadn’t seen her since before I left for the academy 1 had no idea. But when she walked in…” He trailed off, unsure how much to say. 

“Lyra Hart?” Kylie’s eyebrows shot up. 

“Yes.” 

She stared at him for a long moment, then let out a disbelieving laugh. “Are you kidding me? 

“No.” Jake watched her closely. 

She looked down at her hands and gave a brittle laugh. “Of all people… why her?” 

“Kylie…” 

“No, it’s fine,” she said quickly, her voice cracking slightly. She cleared her throat. “It’s fate, right? Can’t fight it.” 

“I never meant to lead you on,” Jake said softly. “You matter to me. I care about you. But…” 

“You don’t love me,” she cut in, her tone calm but cold. Her hands trembled slightly, though her expression didn’t waver. 

Jake didn’t argue. He couldn’t. 

Kylie gave another tight laugh, this one edged with bitterness. “I always knew there was a chance. I knew you didn’t really want a chosen mate. I should’ve known better than to get my hopes up. Still… I guess I thought you wouldn’t find her.” 

Jake said nothing. There was no right response. 

“Lyra Hart,” Kylie repeated, scoffing. “She’s not what this pack needs. She’s half–human. You know how people feel about her and her brother.” 

Jake’s jaw tensed. “They’re wrong.” 

Kylie shrugged. “Maybe. Doesn’t change anything. The pack won’t accept her. Not really.” He curled his hand into a fist under the table. “That’s my burden to carry. Not yours.” 

Her eyes flashed briefly, but sharply. “It was going to be mine too. I was going to be Luna. I was ready for that.” 

“I know,” he said sincerely. “And you would’ve been good at it. But this… I can’t ignore it. She’s my mate. The one the Goddess chose for me.” 

5/6 

Kyle stood suddenly, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “So that’s it? You’ll tell the 

has elders tomorrow, and the rest of us are just supposed to pretend she belongs here?” 

“She does belong here” Jake said, voice steady 

Kylie didn’t respond. She looked away, her jaw clenched. The silence dragged on until Jake began to rise from his seat. Then she spoke, voice low. 

Callan’s going to be pissed. 

“He already knows,” Jake said. “He’s supporting me. 

She gave a dry laugh and shook her head. “Of course he is. He warned me about getting involved with you. Said it wasn’t a good idea. That you were too much of a player to settle down. Of course he’s thrilled now. He doesn’t have to protect his baby sister from you anymore.” 

Jake kept his expression neutral. He wasn’t surprised Callan had tried to steer her away. 

Kylie turned toward the door, but paused after a few steps. She looked back over her shoulder. 

I hope she’s worth it, Jake. Because this is going to change everything. And not for the better.” 

He met her gaze without hesitation. “She is.” 

Kylie turned on her heel and slammed the door behind her hard enough to make the pictures on the wall rattle. 

ΟΙ 

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