Night settled gently over Shadowfang territory, quieter than it had been in days. The forest hummed softly with crickets and rustling leaves, but inside the Alpha's private chamber, the air was still and calm.
Kael sat against the carved wooden headboard of his bed, his chest wrapped tightly in healing bandages that glowed faintly under the dim lantern light. His breathing was steady but shallow, every movement reminding him how close he had come to losing control… and losing everything.
The door creaked open quietly.
Nyra stepped inside, carrying a small wooden bowl filled with steaming herbal paste. The scent of crushed lavender and pine drifted gently through the room.
Kael glanced up, his golden eyes softening instantly.
"You should be resting," he said.
Nyra closed the door behind her. "That's exactly why I'm here."
She walked toward him slowly, her bare feet silent against the wooden floor. She had changed into simple training clothes, her hair falling loosely around her shoulders, slightly damp from the evening rain outside.
Kael watched her carefully as she sat beside him on the bed.
"You don't have to do this," he said quietly.
"I know."
She dipped her fingers gently into the warm herbal paste before looking at him again.
"But I want to."
Kael hesitated before nodding slightly, allowing her to continue. Nyra carefully peeled back the edge of his bandages, revealing the deep claw wounds carved across his chest and shoulder. Though the healer's magic had sealed the worst damage, the injuries still looked painful… raw… humanizing in a way she had never seen him before.
Nyra swallowed softly.
"You always look so… untouchable," she whispered.
"I'm not," he replied.
She gently applied the paste across one of the wounds, her touch careful and slow. Kael's muscles tensed instinctively before relaxing under the soothing warmth of both the medicine… and her presence.
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward.
Comfortable.
"You scared the entire pack today," Nyra said softly after a moment.
Kael exhaled quietly. "I scared myself."
Her hand paused briefly.
"I felt your rage," she admitted. "It was like standing inside a storm that didn't know how to stop."
His jaw tightened slightly. "Battle rage is dangerous for Alphas. It sharpens our strength… but it can erase control if we let it consume us."
"And I almost made it worse," she said.
"No," he said firmly. "You saved me."
Nyra resumed spreading the paste carefully across another wound, her fingers trembling slightly.
"You collapsed in front of me," she whispered. "I thought I lost you before I even understood what you mean to me."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Both of them froze.
Kael studied her face slowly, searching her expression with quiet intensity.
"And what do I mean to you?" he asked gently.
Nyra's breath hitched. Her gaze dropped briefly to his chest before returning to his eyes.
"You're…" she struggled for the right word. "The first place that feels… steady since my life fell apart."
Kael's expression softened in a way she had never seen before.
His hand moved instinctively, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was slow… careful… like he was afraid she might disappear if he moved too quickly.
"You are the only one who can calm my wolf," he said quietly. "Do you know how rare that is?"
Nyra shook her head slightly.
"My wolf trusts no one," he continued. "Not even me sometimes."
Her chest tightened painfully at the honesty in his voice.
"Why?" she asked softly.
Kael hesitated, his gaze drifting toward the window where moonlight spilled across the floor.
"I once trusted someone completely," he said. "And it cost my pack their lives."
Nyra's heart ached.
"You blame yourself."
"I was Alpha," he said simply. "Their survival was my responsibility."
Nyra gently placed her hand over his, stopping him from pulling further into that memory.
"You're still carrying that war," she said quietly.
Kael looked back at her, surprised by how easily she saw through him.
"And you carry yours," he replied.
Silence wrapped around them again, heavier this time but deeper… more intimate.
Nyra finished applying the paste and reached for fresh bandages, wrapping them carefully around his chest. Her fingers brushed against his skin occasionally, sending quiet waves of warmth through both of them.
"You know," she said softly, focusing on her task, "when my parents died… I stopped believing I could feel safe with anyone ever again."
Kael watched her closely.
"And now?" he asked.
Nyra tied the bandage knot slowly before answering.
"Now I'm terrified," she admitted. "Because feeling safe again means I have something to lose."
Kael reached out, gently catching her wrist before she could pull away. His grip wasn't forceful… just steady… grounding.
"You are not the only one who is afraid," he said.
Nyra met his gaze, surprised by the vulnerability there.
"You losing control today," she whispered, "terrified me more than the hunters did."
His thumb brushed softly across her pulse point.
"Because you thought I would hurt you?"
"No," she said quietly. "Because I thought I might lose you."
The room fell completely silent.
The confession lingered between them, fragile and undeniable.
Kael slowly raised his hand, resting it against her cheek. His touch was warm, calloused, and surprisingly gentle for someone who carried so much violence inside him.
"You are changing me, Nyra," he murmured.
Her breath trembled. "Is that a good thing?"
"For my wolf… yes," he said. "For my enemies… extremely dangerous."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I think I'm starting to understand that."
Their faces were closer now, close enough for Nyra to feel his breath brush against her lips. The air thickened with unspoken emotion, tension humming quietly between them like a heartbeat they both shared.
Kael's gaze dropped briefly to her mouth before returning to her eyes, silently asking permission without words.
Nyra's fingers curled slightly into his shirt.
Just as he leaned closer—
A sudden sharp pain shot through Nyra's chest.
She gasped, pulling back instantly as silver light flickered beneath her skin. Her power pulsed violently for a brief moment before settling again.
Kael's entire body tensed.
"What was that?" he asked sharply.
Nyra pressed her hand against her chest, breathing unevenly.
"I… I don't know," she whispered. "It felt like something… calling me."
Kael's expression darkened with concern.
"Or warning you," he said quietly.
Nyra looked toward the window where the Blood Moon hung low in the sky, glowing darker than before… almost like it was watching them.
And deep inside her chest… her ancient power stirred again.
Restless.
Waiting.