Mira's POV

I woke up suddenly. The dream still felt close, like it was sitting close by me. Kael’s hand had touched mine in that dream. It felt so real, like something had come alive between us. My skin tingled. I pulled the duvet tighter. I tried to wade through the fog of the dream. It was just a dream, I said to myself, but my heart kept racing.

The silence of the Blackridge guest suite was deafening and uncomfortable. I moved to the armchair by the bedside desk, wishing to have a warm cup of tea and staring around. This land remembered me. And I hated how much I remembered it, too.

A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts. Cyrus entered, carrying a tray with one hand and waving the hand. He wore a slight smile. “Thought you could use something hot.'' He said, setting it down.

“You read my mind,” I said, trying to smile. He always knew when I needed grounding.

He studied me for a moment. “Didn’t sleep well?”

I gave a noncommittal shrug. “Just... dreams.” I didn’t elaborate. I didn’t need to. He saw too much already.

Cyrus didn’t press. That was what I loved most about him. He never demanded what I couldn’t give. Just offered what he had. Steady, dependable comfort.

I sipped the tea. The tea helped, but not enough. “I noticed the way Kael looked at you last night,” Cyrus said gently, not accusingly. “Like he was seeing something he thought was gone forever.” He added. I shook.

“He doesn’t speak, but his eyes do. They haven’t left you alone since we arrived here.” Cyrus said.

I took a sip of the tea again. “It’s not just him. Both the land and the memories. Everything here feels... louder than it used to.” I said.

“You’re allowed to feel that way. But don’t forget, he may still be caught in the past, but you’re not.” He said with a tender smile.

I looked at him, trying to figure out his thoughts. I saw no jealousy there but only truth.

“You’re not his ghost, Mira. “You’re my future.” He said softly.

His statement sent a message, and it softened the guilt inside me. I reached for his hand. He took it without hesitation. He gave me a reassuring, warm embrace.

“Thank you,” I said. “For not making this harder.”

“You’ve fought your way back to yourself. I’m just here to walk beside you.” He replied.

For a brief moment, I believed that might be enough. That maybe peace didn’t have to be complicated.

Later that morning, we joined the other delegates at the courtyard overlook where young warriors were training. It was meant to be a friendly exchange, a symbol of cooperation between packs.

I stood beside Cyrus, feeling the stares as they slid over my skin. Whispers hovered just outside of earshot. I held my head high.

Then I felt it. That presence. I didn’t need to look to know Kael had arrived. The bond stirred like a quiet ache in my chest. Still, I turned. Slowly.

Kael stood at the other side of the field. He was not close enough for me to hear him, but close enough that I could feel his attention like a touch. He fixed his glance on me. I hated that it still did.

Then, from the side, a new person slid into the scene, Seraphine Vale. Perfect posture. Impeccable grace. She moved like she belonged here.

She glided to Cyrus with a smile that was a shade too warm. “Alpha Cyrus,” she said with honey in her voice, “it’s a pleasure to see you again. I trust you’re enjoying your stay?”

Cyrus nodded politely. “We are. Thank you.”

Seraphine’s eyes flashed to me. “And Lady Mira… you’re looking well. Blackridge suits you, I must say, again.”

The smile on her lips didn’t reach her eyes.

I forced a polite smile. “Thank you.”

She stepped closer, her voice still sweet. “It takes a certain kind of strength to return to a place that rejected you. I admire that... resilience.”

My spine straightened. So did Cyrus’s.

Before I could speak, he did.

“Careful, Luna Seraphine. Some words are more poisonous than helpful.” He said evenly.

Her smile froze just a little. Her eyes blinked multiple times. I turned and looked at her with a smirk.

Kael hadn’t moved, but his expression had changed, barely. But I noticed that the training session ended shortly after. And the crowd began to thin. I turned to leave, grateful to escape the weight of the morning.

In the guest suite, I walked to the balcony again.

The wind increased. Then I breathed in the scent of pine and earth and memory. Cyrus came behind me and didn’t speak for a long while. I came to protect and be with you always. ''I know your past here isn’t finished.” He said, finally.

“It’s like it never left. Like I walked away, but it never did.” I said quietly.

He took my hand again. “Then face it. But don’t do it alone.”

I looked at him. Really looked.

“You never asked me to stop loving him,'' I said.

“No, I just hope that someday you’ll love me more.” He replied.

I couldn’t respond. Not because I didn’t care. But because I heard the panic in his eyes for the first time since I meant him, I leaned into his chest, grateful for his warmth. And also enjoyed his steady heartbeat.

Then I heard the soft creak of the door. I turned my head, pulse quickening. Kael stood in the doorway.

His eyes locked with mine. The gaze in the eyes was not of regret, but something far more dangerous. ''Longing.'' It unsettled every part of me. I tried to make it quiet. He didn’t move, didn’t speak. Just stood there as if he was deciding whether to cross a line… or let it destroy him.

Cyrus straightened beside me, his hand still wrapped protectively around my waist. I felt the shift in his body. The silent awareness of who stood just a few feet away reached him. But I couldn’t look away from Kael. The connection between us cracked open. It was full of the things we’d never said, of the bond that refused to die.

And in that breathless silence, Kael stepped forward, just once. Not enough to enter fully. But enough to change everything.