Lyra couldn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the carving—the woman of stone and vines, power etched into her bones like destiny. The Verdant Luna.
Hidden. Feared. Powerful.
Her chest tightened.
She slipped quietly from her bed and wandered into the moonlit corridor, barefoot, hugging herself as if that might keep the thoughts from spilling out.
She didn't realize where she was going until she stopped.
Kael's door.
She froze.
Don't bother him, her mind whispered. You'll only be in the way.
The door opened before she could turn away.
Kael stood there, hair loose, shirt unbuttoned at the collar, eyes sharp despite the hour.
"You're pacing," he said calmly. "And you only do that when something's tearing you apart."
Her breath caught. "I didn't mean to— I can go back—"
"No," he said gently, stepping aside. "Come in."
His room was simple. Strong. Grounded. It smelled like pine and steel and something that made her chest ache.
She sat on the edge of the chair, hands twisting in her lap.
"I don't think I'm supposed to exist," she whispered suddenly.
Kael stilled.
"That carving," she continued, voice shaking. "If I was hidden because I was dangerous… then everything that happened to me—maybe it was because I shouldn't have been born."
Kael crossed the room in three strides and crouched in front of her.
"That," he said quietly, "is a lie cruelty plants to survive."
She swallowed. "But what if I hurt people? What if I become something terrible?"
Kael hesitated—then carefully placed his hands over hers.
The contact sent a jolt through them both.
"You already feel the difference between harm and protection," he said. "That's not something monsters worry about."
Her eyes filled. "I don't feel strong. I feel scared all the time."
"That doesn't make you weak," he replied. "It makes you human. And wolf. And something more."
She looked down at their joined hands. "You don't look scared."
He exhaled slowly. "That's because I learned how to hide it."
She looked up. "What scares you?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Wanting something I shouldn't."
Her breath hitched.
"Like… what?"
He searched her face, fighting something primal and undeniable. "Like the instinct to pull you closer and tell the world to burn if it objects."
Her pulse raced. "Is that… because of the bond?"
"Yes," he said honestly. "And because of you."
Silence stretched—heavy, electric.
Lyra whispered, "I feel it too."
Kael's eyes darkened. "Feel what?"
"Safe," she said. "When you're near. Like the noise in my head gets quiet."
His fingers tightened around hers—then loosened, deliberately.
"That's exactly why we have to be careful."
She frowned. "Careful of what?"
"Of crossing lines you're not ready for," he said. "Of taking comfort and turning it into dependence."
She thought for a moment. "What if it's not dependence?"
He looked at her sharply.
"What if it's trust?" she asked.
The mate bond surged—hot, insistent, dangerous.
Kael stood abruptly and stepped back, turning away.
"If I don't put distance between us right now," he said tightly, "I won't stop."
Her heart raced—not fear, but something warm and frightening.
"I'm not afraid of you," she said softly.
"I am," he replied. "Of how much I want to protect you from everything. Even yourself."
She stood slowly and took one careful step toward him.
"Then teach me," she said. "How to be what I am… without losing myself."
Kael turned back, eyes glowing faint silver.
"I will," he said. "But understand this, Lyra—once you step fully into who you are, the world will never stop watching."
She lifted her chin, fragile but determined.
"Then don't let me face it alone."
The bond pulsed in agreement.
Kael closed his eyes for a brief, brutal second—then nodded.
"I won't."
Outside, the heart-tree shuddered.
Roots spread deeper.
And somewhere far beyond the territory, a rival Alpha lifted his head—
—feeling her awaken.