Chapter 11

Kaelen wasn't one to second-guess his instincts, and every fiber of his being told him that Lyra was more than just a healer. There was a gravity to her presence, a quiet power that felt as vast and unfathomable as the moon itself. Yet, what drew him most wasn't her gift—it was the determination in her eyes, the unyielding strength she carried even when the weight of the world tried to crush her.

After their tense meeting in the clearing, Kaelen had stayed close by, though he respected her boundaries and gave her space. He knew better than to push too hard. Lyra was like a wounded wolf, distrustful of others yet fiercely determined to survive on her own. She wouldn't let herself be cornered—not by him, not by anyone.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees, Kaelen approached Lyra again. She was crouched by a stream, her hands busy rinsing herbs she had gathered. She didn't look up, but he knew she sensed his presence. Her wolf stirred, alert but not hostile.

"You're still here," she said, her voice calm but edged with irritation. "I thought I made it clear I don't need your help."

Kaelen stepped closer, his movements deliberate and unthreatening. "You may not need it," he said, "but that doesn't mean you're safe."

Lyra finally looked up, her eyes narrowing. "I've managed just fine on my own so far."

"And yet, you're being hunted," Kaelen replied evenly. He knelt a few feet away, careful not to crowd her. "I've heard the whispers, Lyra. There are those who would do anything to control someone with your abilities. Staying hidden won't protect you forever."

His words struck a nerve, though Lyra masked it well. She turned back to her herbs, her fingers moving with practiced precision. "And what do you propose? That I follow you back to your pack and let you play protector?"

Kaelen's gaze softened, his voice steady but earnest. "I propose that we work together. You're powerful, Lyra, but even the strongest wolf can't face every threat alone."

Lyra let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "I've learned not to rely on anyone but myself. Trusting others only leads to disappointment."

Kaelen watched her, his heart aching at the bitterness in her tone. He had seen pain like hers before, had felt it in himself after losing Elena. But he also knew that isolation wasn't the answer. "I'm not asking you to trust me," he said. "Not yet. But let me prove that I can be trusted."

Lyra stilled, her hands pausing mid-motion. She glanced at him, her expression guarded but curious. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Kaelen met her gaze, his silver eyes unwavering. "By keeping you safe. No strings attached. No expectations. Just protection."

Lyra hesitated, her instincts warring with her need for survival. She didn't want to rely on him, didn't want to let anyone close. But the truth was, she was tired—tired of looking over her shoulder, of wondering who might be lurking in the shadows. And something about Kaelen's presence, his calm strength, made her wolf relax in a way she hadn't felt in years.

"Fine," she said finally, her voice clipped. "But don't expect me to trust you overnight. And don't think for a second that I'll owe you anything."

Kaelen nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Fair enough."

They walked back to her makeshift camp together, the silence between them more companionable than tense. Kaelen kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his senses attuned to every rustle of leaves and shift in the wind. Lyra noticed his vigilance, though she said nothing. Part of her resented his presence, but another part—one she didn't want to acknowledge—felt a small measure of relief.

As they reached the edge of the camp, Kaelen spoke again. "You should know, Lyra, that I'm not here just because of your abilities. I'm here because I believe you deserve a chance to live without fear."

Lyra turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Don't make this about me," she said quietly. "I'm just a means to an end for you."

Kaelen stepped closer, his gaze steady and sincere. "You're wrong," he said. "You're more than that. And whether you believe me or not, I'll prove it to you."

The bond between them hummed softly, a whisper of connection that neither of them fully understood. Lyra looked away, unwilling to let him see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "We'll see," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kaelen didn't push her further. He simply nodded and took his place at the edge of the camp, his presence a silent promise of protection. Lyra watched him from the corner of her eye, her thoughts a chaotic swirl of doubt and curiosity.