Lyra sat on the edge of the bed, still shivering despite the thick furs draped over her. She stared at Kael as he moved quietly around the room, checking the small supplies he had brought for her.
"You… you do all this for me?" she asked, voice small and incredulous. "Why? I'm… I'm just a—just a nobody."
Kael froze mid-step, glancing down at her. "You're not nobody," he said firmly. "And you are not 'just.' Not to me. Not to this Pack. Not to anyone who matters."
Lyra blinked, eyes wide. She tilted her head, processing the words. "But… I'm… I don't even know how to—how to do anything. I can't fight. I can't shift properly. I… I'm not like you."
Kael's jaw tightened slightly, though he remained calm. "You don't have to be like me. You have your own strengths. That's enough."
Lyra's lips quivered. She was used to being punished for the smallest mistakes, for being weak. Now someone told her she was enough. The words felt like a dream. "Really?" she whispered.
"Really," Kael said, stepping closer, but keeping a careful distance. "No one here is going to tell you otherwise. You are safe. And when you're ready… you will learn to use your strength in your own way."
Lyra tilted her head again, curious and naïve. "Use my strength?" she asked. "You… you mean like fighting? Or… magic?"
Kael froze at the word, noting the subtle pulse beneath her skin—the faint stirrings of Nymph blood, reacting to her emotions. "Both," he admitted carefully. "But only when you're ready."
She nodded seriously, her innocence making the moment feel fragile. "I… I want to learn. Please… I'll try anything. I just… I don't want to be scared anymore."
Kael's chest tightened. That simple, honest trust was both beautiful and terrifying. "Good," he said softly. "But you must understand—this is dangerous. The world outside these walls… it will not be kind to you. And sometimes, even I may not be enough to keep you safe."
Lyra tilted her head in thought, looking puzzled. "But… you said you'd protect me. So… you will be enough, right?"
Kael blinked, taken aback by her gullibility. A small, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. "Yes… for now. I will do everything in my power."
She beamed, innocent and unguarded, a stark contrast to the broken girl he had found in the snow. "Then… then I'm safe. Really safe."
"Yes," Kael said, voice low and firm. "For now, you are safe."
Lyra's gaze softened, studying him curiously. "And… you're really my mate?" she asked, almost hesitantly, as if testing the words.
Kael's eyes flickered with silver for a moment before he answered. "Yes. I… I am."
Her lips parted in wonder. "Then… does that mean I'll have powers, too? Like… strong powers?"
Kael's wolf growled softly at the thought of her innocence. "Yes," he said carefully. "But only when you're ready… and only under my guidance."
Lyra nodded, completely trusting him. "Then… I'll wait. I'll do whatever you say. I… I want to be strong like you."
Kael's heart tightened. He knelt to her level, careful not to invade her space. "You will be stronger than you realize, Lyra. But the world will test you… and sometimes it will hurt. Always remember—trust is the first strength you need."
Lyra's eyes widened, still trusting, still innocent. "I… I trust you," she whispered.
Kael's jaw tightened. That trust—so fragile, so unearned—would one day become their greatest weapon… and their most dangerous temptation.
Outside the chamber, the snow continued to fall. The forest was silent once more. But Kael knew it would not remain so for long.
Somewhere, someone was hunting her. And soon, her innocence would be tested in ways neither of them could anticipate.