"It's me, Lucian."

My heart pounded fast. I turned to Kael, who was driving, and he immediately noticed the change in my expression.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"I just want to talk once. I want you to hear my reason."

Before he could finish his sentence, Kael swiftly took the phone from my hand. He turned on the speaker so I could hear as well.

"If you ever disturb my Luna again, I won't be playing games. I will hunt you down, and I won't stop until you disappear from our sight," Kael said.

There was silence on the other end, then came a low laugh Lucian's. Cold and defiant.

"Stormfang, do you think you can forbid me? Do you think your threats scare me? I lost something that was supposed to be mine. You're only keeping what I threw away. Now I'll take it back," Lucian replied.

Kael hissed, his jaw tightening. I could feel his Alpha aura rise sharply.

"How dare you talk to me like that? Did you forget your place? You rejected your own bond. You let her go. She's not yours anymore," Kael said.

Lucian laughed. "You can tell yourself that, but I know Sera better than anyone. She'll never truly be yours. You're just there to soothe her pain. You're just a stopover. I'll come to take her myself."

I froze. His words felt like poison, but I forced myself not to react. Kael grabbed my hand tightly, trying to steady me even though the air around him grew heavier by the second.

"You just declared war," Kael said darkly. "If you cross that line, I'll make sure Howlshade burns under Stormfang's hands."

Lucian didn't respond only his breathing could be heard and then the call abruptly disconnected.

I turned to Kael, my face pale. "Is he serious?"

Kael was still gripping my phone tightly. "He's gone too far. This isn't just harassment anymore. He's challenging me."

I rubbed my face with both hands. "I don't want a war."

"Neither do I," he said firmly, "but I won't let your ex-husband disturb you again."

He pulled me into his arms, right there in the moving car. "We're going home now. I won't let any threat come near you or our child. Do you hear me?"

I only nodded, trying to stay calm. Outside the car window, city lights streaked by like lines of gold, but my mind was trapped in the echo of Lucian's cold laughter. I knew he wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted.

I closed my eyes, whispering softly to myself, "Did I make the right choice coming back to this city?"

When we arrived home, the scent of warm food greeted us. Kael always made sure the dining table was never empty. I placed my bag on the sofa, took off my white coat, now carrying the weight of today's memories and joined him. We sat across from each other, the house quiet and calm after a long, exhausting day.

Kael poured soup into my bowl, watching me like I was something fragile.

"Eat before it gets cold," he said.

I took a slow sip of the soup. I was just about to start a conversation when Kael's phone rang. That ringtone always made me a little anxious, I knew his work was as demanding as mine. Kael glanced at the screen, then answered. His tone turned serious, the kind that usually meant business, but I didn't ask. I lowered my gaze, poking at my food with my fork, pretending not to listen.

"Yes, send it to the new address. Make sure everything meets the standards. I'll check it myself tomorrow morning," he said briefly before ending the call.

I looked up. "Was that about work?"

"It's for you."

My brows furrowed. "For me?"

He set his phone on the table and met my eyes. "The new medical equipment you needed at the hospital. I made sure they sent it earlier. I just got word, it's all arrived. Starting tomorrow, you can work more comfortably with the new tools."

"You did all that?"

He smiled faintly, as if it were nothing. "Of course. I know you've been complaining about the limited equipment. You can save more lives if you have the right tools. So, let me handle that for you."

I was stunned. Because of me, Kael had left his comfort zone. Because of me, he moved to this city far from the stable life he already had. I bit my lower lip, guilt tightening in my chest.

"I feel awful. I dragged you here. You had to start over, rebuild everything, and now you're still thinking about my work."

His hand reached across the table, covering mine.

"Hey, don't ever think like that. I chose to come with you. I chose to build a new life with you. So don't blame yourself. I'm happy seeing you achieve your dreams."

"You always spoil me, Kael. I don't know how to repay all this," I said softly.

He chuckled. "Then do just one thing never give up on your dreams. That's more than enough for me."

I nodded slowly, holding his hand tightly. I'd spent so long fighting alone, used to being strong without asking for help. But with Kael, I felt truly supported for the first time in years.

After dinner, I cleared the table while Kael made warm tea for me. We sat together in the living room, the dim lights making the atmosphere peaceful. I leaned against his shoulder, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Are you coming to the hospital tomorrow?" I asked half-jokingly.

Kael smiled and shook his head. "I shouldn't distract the city's best surgeon. I'll take care of the equipment delivery. You just focus on your patients. And as for your ex-husband, if he dares to bother you again, I'm serious, Sera, I'll kill him. And don't you dare try to stop me."