Chapter 29
Feral Sentinels Obey Only Her
Chapter 29 The Fox’s Soft Manipulation
Hspoke in a hurt, aggrieved tone. “I thought you had completely forgotten I even exist p>
Lyra’s gaze flickered faintly.
Fiskee
It was plain to see why he’d feel singled out–she’d darted past his cell straight to Harlan at the far end instead of stopping here first. No wonder he’d taken it personally.
She avoided Lucian’s eyes, embarrassed, and silently slid his clothes plus a note through the service slop
Spotting her guilty, evasive expression, Lucian tugged his lips into a quiet, knowing smirk,
He didn’t grab the supplies right away. Instead, he tilted his head with an innocent look/“Did I do something to rub you the wrong way? Do you dislike me now p>
Lyra’s head shot up, eyes wide with surprise at his words.
Lucian held her gaze unblinking, his features soft with manufactured sorrow and dejection.
She shook her head hard at once, rushing to signal that wasn’t the case at all.
Lucian blinked slowly. “Then why’d you leave me hanging back there all alone a minute ago p>
Lyra’s eyes drifted away again, unable to meet his stare.
“Or is it that you don’t trust me to handle even that tiny favor for Rook? You think I’m not capable p>
Lyra shook her head once more, desperate to explain herself.
But her pen hovered frozen above the sticky note, unable to write a single word.
She chewed her lower lip, warring with tangled thoughts, scrambling to think of an answer that wouldn’t upset him further.
The truth was simple–she’d treated him unfairly based on her own biased assumptions.
Now that she thought it over, even with his laid–back, mischievous streak, he’d never pulled the ridiculous stunts Felix constantly did.
This time, she’d judged him harshly without fair cause.
Lucian watched her silently, thick amber fox eyes glinting with quiet teasing beneath his mournful act.
Someone as earnest and duty–bound as Lyra, with no experience navigating manipulative minds, would crumble into guilt the second he put on a sad, vulnerable show and lowered his posture a little.
Guilt worked far better than cold, robotic compliance from duty alone.
He let out a soft sigh, taking a gentle retreat to soften her defenses. “I’m sure you didn’t mean to slight me on purpose p>
Lyra stared at him, heavy with shame.
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Chapter 29 The Fox’s Soft Manipulation
The awful truth hung heavy in her chest–she had deliberately avoided him.
dropped his gaze, twisting the thin fabric tie on his clothes between his fingers, laying on the the thick.
since we were locked up in the Black Spire, we’ve been torn apart from all our family and friends
or the rest of our lives here, we’ll rely entirely on you to look after us. Someday, you might even be the one to collect our bodies when we’re gone p>
He lifted his head slowly, the playful, flirtatious glint gone from his fox eyes, replaced entirely by hollow grief and loneliness.
“That makes you something like our only family, our only friend in this place. The rest of my short remaining years are left in your hands.
“If I’ve said anything thoughtless or acted out and upset you these past few visits, I’m truly sorry p>
Every line he spoke piled another layer of guilt onto Lyra’s heart–the kind of crushing remorse that would make her jolt awake at night, kicking herself for being unfair.
How could she judge him so harshly based only on a handful of brief encounters?
They all simply carried different personalities.
Beneath every temperament, they’d once been warriors who’d laid their lives on the line for others.
Lyra’s brows knit tight, and she scribbled a hasty, sincere apology on the sticky note.
“I’m sorry. I overthought things and misunderstood you.
“I apologize, and I won’t treat you differently from now on.
“This was my fault entirely. You’ve never wronged me or said anything upsetting–it’s all on me p>
Once finished, she held the note out to him with both hands in a solemn gesture.
The second Lucian took it, Lyra bowed deeply at the waist through the service slot.
A sharp, satisfied flash of amusement darted across his eyes.
He looked at the sincere apology on the paper, and the dissatisfaction from being deliberately ignored quickly faded.
“Really p>
Lyra nodded vigorously.
He slid a neatly wrapped small box through the slot toward her.
Lyra recognized it immediately–the rose essential oil she’d dropped off for him that morning.
Staring at the package he’d clearly kept aside waiting for her, she lifted her gaze to meet Lucian’s.
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Chapter 29 The Fox’s Soft Manipulation
Lucian tilted his head, watching her closely.
It was meant for you all along. If you mean every word of that apology, take it.
“Consider it the start of our friendship. What do you say p>
Lyra had no grounds left to refuse him.
Her lips twitched faintly.
It was strange how the gift had circled right back into her hands after everything.
When she only hesitated a moment before accepting the box, a bright, easy grin returned to Lucian’s face,
“Since we’re friends now, I should properly tell you my name.
“I’m Lucian Hart p>
Lyra nodded, scribbling a quick reply on a fresh slip of paper.
“Thank you. I’m Lyra Kaelin p>
Lucian leaned forward, elbows propped on the slot ledge, one palm propping up his cheek, a devilishly charming smile tugging his mouth, his glowing amber fox eyes sharp and captivating.
“Then I’ll be in your care from now on, Lyra p>
He said her name slowly and softly, his tone laced with quiet, unspoken flirtation.
Lyra nodded again, then jotted another question.
“Is there anything else you need from me today p>
Lucian scanned the note, then answered, “Nothing more I require p>
His slitted fox eyes drifted down to the faint marks on the back of her hand. “I only hope your skin heals back to normal soon p>
Lyra slid another note through.
“Thank you. I’ll use it every day p>
Lucian gazed at her with a warm, playful smile. “Alright, I won’t hold you up from your rounds any longer p>
Lyra nodded and stepped forward to slide the metal shutter closed slowly.
Once his line of sight was cut off, she stared down at the wrapped box clutched in her hands for several long
seconds.
She took a deep breath, lightly knocked her knuckles against her own forehead to scold herself, then turned to continue her rounds of the other cells.
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Chapter 29 The Fox’s Soft Manipulation
Lunch hour was drawing near.
Belpre distributing meals, she first needed to head to the outdoor yard and round up Cedric’s tiny pets to bring them back inside.
As soon as the yard gate creaked open, Draven—leaning against the edge of the swimming pool, eyes shut to soak up sunlight–twisted his head to look over, wearing a warm, dazzling smile.
“Lyra, you came to pick us up p>
For some reason, his words made Lyra feel as if she were a guardian arriving at kindergarten to pick up the kids.
She offered him a gentle smile and a small nod before walking toward the far side of the yard.
Cedric spotted her approaching and immediately called out to round up all his fluffy, playful creatures.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.