Chapter 162

Lyra’s heart lurched. Tonight’s dinner was Avery’s idea. She had never been invited. Yet she still followed, shamelessly, deliberately, using Avery’s lingering illness as an excuse. No one questioned it. No one ever did. Because she hadn’t seen Damon in far too long. A woman’s intuition was cruelly precise. Lyra could feel it clearly now, Damon was no longer attentive toward her. Not distant exactly, but… disengaging. As if he had already begun cutting invisible threads. That terrified her. She hadn’t secured her position yet. Hadn’t become Luna Blackthorn. Hadn’t crushed Sloane publicly, decisively. How could she be discarded now? So tonight mattered. She had rehearsed every word, every expression, soft eyes, lowered lashes, a careful mix of shyness and obedience. As long as Damon still felt drawn to her, she still had a chance. She hadn’t expected Avery to be so blunt. Just… handing Damon over. Lyra inhaled quietly, steadying herself. She waited, poised, ready to step in the moment A