Lyra didn't realize she was being watched until the air changed.
It wasn't hostile. It wasn't loud. But it pressed in on her senses—curious, wary, assessing.
She sat at the long wooden table in the pack dining hall, shoulders drawn in, hands folded neatly in her lap like she'd been taught long ago. The healer had insisted she leave the room, said fresh air and people would help her recover.
People, however, were staring.
Lyra kept her eyes on the bowl of stew in front of her, pretending not to notice.
"Who is she?"
The whisper was soft, but not soft enough.
"Looks half-dead."
"Smells strange."
Lyra's fingers tightened.
She did smell different. She'd always known that. Her wolf wasn't like others—too quiet, too… fluid. And there was something else beneath it, something that made water hum when she passed and leaves tilt toward her like they were listening.
She didn't understand it.
She just knew it made people uncomfortable.
A chair scraped back.
The room fell silent.
Lyra didn't need to look up to know Kael had arrived. She felt him the way one feels the sun breaking through clouds—warm, commanding, unavoidable.
"She eats in peace," Kael said evenly. "Anyone with a problem can take it up with me."
No one spoke.
Lyra peeked up then, eyes wide.
Kael was standing beside her, arms crossed, expression calm—but his presence was absolute. The stares shifted away immediately.
"Oh," she whispered. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."
"You didn't," he said quietly, pulling out the chair across from her and sitting. "They're just adjusting."
"To me?" she asked.
"To change."
She nodded as if that made sense.
It didn't—but she trusted him anyway.
She lifted the spoon, hands trembling slightly. Kael noticed.
"You don't have to eat if you're not comfortable."
"I want to," she said quickly. "It smells nice."
She took a small bite.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh," she breathed. "This is… really good."
A corner of Kael's mouth twitched before he could stop it.
Across the room, several pack members exchanged looks.
The Alpha had never sat with anyone like that before.
Lyra ate slowly, carefully, as if afraid the food might vanish if she rushed. When she reached for her cup, she misjudged the distance—her wrist bumping the table.
Water sloshed, spilling toward her lap.
Before she could react, the liquid shifted.
It didn't fall.
It curved.
The water lifted—just barely—arching back into the cup as if guided by unseen hands.
The table went deathly quiet.
Lyra stared at the cup, frozen.
"I—" Her breath caught. "I didn't… I didn't mean to—"
Kael stood instantly, blocking the view of the table with his body.
"That's enough," he said sharply. "Everyone out."
No one argued.
Chairs scraped, footsteps retreated. Within moments, the hall was empty except for the two of them.
Lyra's hands began to shake violently.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, panic flooding her features. "I didn't know it would happen. It usually doesn't do that when I'm calm."
Kael crouched in front of her, lowering himself until they were eye level.
"Lyra," he said gently. "Look at me."
She did, tears clinging to her lashes.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
"But they saw," she whispered. "They'll think I'm dangerous."
"They'll think what I tell them to think."
Her brow furrowed. "You can do that?"
"I'm the Alpha."
"Oh." She paused. Then, sincerely, "That must be hard."
He let out a short, surprised breath that might've been a laugh.
"Something like that."
Her shoulders slowly relaxed.
Kael hesitated—then reached out, stopping just short of touching her.
"May I?"
She nodded immediately.
He placed a hand over hers.
The bond surged again—stronger this time. The room seemed to breathe with them. Lyra gasped softly, eyes fluttering.
"Why does it feel warm when you touch me?" she asked again, confused but not afraid.
Kael swallowed.
"Because," he said carefully, "you're connected to things older than this pack. Older than me."
Her eyes sparkled with wonder. "Like stories?"
"Yes," he said hoarsely. "Like stories."
She smiled, shy and bright.
"I like that."
He withdrew his hand before he lost control.
"You should rest," he said. "I'll walk you back."
She slid off the chair, a little unsteady. Without thinking, she reached for his sleeve.
"Is it okay if you stay… nearby?" she asked. "Just until I fall asleep."
Kael's answer was immediate.
"Yes."
And as they walked together through the quiet halls, Kael knew—deep in his bones—that whatever she was, whatever powers slept inside her…
She was already his greatest weakness.